Shot handheld from my couch which is about 11 feet from the sliding glass door through which I shot. Total distance to bird about 20 feet.
This and the next three (plus pictures where I mention a 1.4X Tamron teleconverter, were taken with this one: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/53109-REG/Tamron_AF14C700_1_4x_Teleconverter_for_Canon.html
I am thrilled with the results I'm getting with the 300mm f/4L + 1.4X converter.
I wish I had had the lens and converter on my 40D because the small buffer on the XTi quickly filled and I had to wait for it to clear while I missed a lot of great ops.