Very clever and well done shot. I would think this would also do well in the DOF challenge.
Not much here I would change. I think I'd prefer a bit more crop off the right side to bring the bird just a bit more attention and to set it offcenter a bit more than it already is. I'm also a contrast junkie, so I would like to see the bird "pop" a bit more, particularly around the face and eye with a bit whiter white. It looks good the way it is, and that's such a matter of taste, but my opinion is that a touch more contrast would add to the shot.
The focus is wonderful and the dof really makes this shot work so well. Great colors and detail also. I did not vote in this challenge, but I probably would have given you a 6 or 7.
Excellent shot, perfect timing on your part. Good idea keeping background heavily blurred.
One little beige smudge in bottom right corner, Just a touch more cropping maybe?
Overall this is a very good shot