Cropping with multiple subjects (2 Viewers)

[Missy_MT_AK]

I think I understand the Rule of Thirds, Leading Lines, Negative Space.

Any suggestions on how to decide cropping with multiple subjects looking in opposite directions.
For example, how would you crop this photo (assume full frame) and WHY?

1) Square crop, eliminating waxwing in the lower right and retaining the 2 upper waxwings centered and upper third?
2) Original frame aspect, but eliminate negative space on the right, retain all waxwings?
3) Vertical crop with upper 2 waxwings centered and upper third, eliminating the lower right waxwing?
4) No crop at all?

Thanks for your suggestion and more importantly your rationale.

 

[Lisa W]

It is an excellent photo as is.

 

[Peter.home]

I'm not particularly artistic, and always try to get as much of the bird in the frame, or as much detail.
So take my opinion with that in mind, but I think the crop of the top two looking towards each other would be good.

Great thing is, you can do all the options, and see which is most popular

 

[Georgebirds]

I also think it's great as it is, the third one peeping added an extra smile as I scrolled down!
If anything, I'd probably take out the empty space to the right, just after where the snow ends. It wouldn't be square, but I never print or frame photos so weird aspect ratios don't bother me in the slightest, I can see why they would if you need things to fit a certain standardised size.