10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 23, 2020

Howell’s A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America , which is absolutely my birder’s Bible for the region, says that Snowy Plovers are fair to uncommon summer breeders in the Lake Cuitzeo area, which they certainly are (breeders, though not uncommon). Even I cannot predict what you might see!

Mexico 299

Mexico Science Breeders United States 299

10,000 Birds

MAY 24, 2024

In my younger days I was very keen on what is generally known as Big Day Birding, or trying to see as many species of birds as possible in one day. Called The Big Bird Race , it tells the story of how my team, representing Country Life magazine , recorded 155 species in 24 hours in East Anglia (Suffolk and Norfolk).

Birds 130

Birds Kenya Barn Owls Owls 130

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 17, 2024

The antwren had been elevated to species level and Hilton is just a sucker for anything Paulista, and besides, who needs a reason to go birding? He did know all the little roads in the area and as he wasn’t a trapper but a breeder we asked him to show us the way. It is possible to clutch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Birds 231

Birds Mozambique Zimbabwe Mammals 231

10,000 Birds

JULY 6, 2023

This leaves Shanghai in June with basically just the year-round species and the summer breeders, maybe with a few added ultra-lazy individuals of migratory species. Fortunately, there are a few more such breeding species than most Shanghainese are aware of. Such as the Black-winged Cuckooshrike.

Birds 130

Birds Eggs Breeders Breeding 130

10,000 Birds

JUNE 7, 2020

But we’re not confined to a wasteland of resident breeders just yet, are we? His Best Bird of the Weekend was an Acadian Flycatcher in Forest Park on Sunday both because it’s a good bird for his home borough and because it was the final of the five Empidonax species that occur in Queens that he saw this year.

2020 161

2020 Breeders Birds Owls 161

10,000 Birds

JULY 23, 2014

In the mid-1970s, a local breeder was burglarized and a few of his birds escaped, after which the breeder released his remaining stock of about 50 birds 1. The northwestern spread of this non-native species made it to my yard a few years ago. I am always alarmed when I see rapid expansion of a non-native species of any kind.

Breeders 180

Breeders 2002 North America Bahamas 180

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 20, 2023

Even the Latin species name soror (“sister”) indicates the similarity to another pitta species (blue-naped). The eBird description of the Small Niltava starts with the surprisingly dull statement that “size distinguishes this species from other niltavas” Who would have thought.

China 237

China Birds Pythons Eagles 237

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 18, 2014

The vast majority of the 10,000+ living species of birds are passerines, and the vast majority of those have a similar system of breeding: Mom and dad bird make a nest and share parental responsibilities roughly equally, if not identically. There are variations on that theme, of course. Even the non-passerines often follow this pattern.

Breeders 206

Breeders Breeding Birds Groups 206

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 1, 2023

The official Ontario bird checklist, produced by Ontario Field Ornithologists , June 2022 listed 506 bird species**, putting it in the top tier of U.S. Small Species Accounts: Each species is allotted one page (with certain exceptions) offering basics–bird names and size, one or two photographs, and a one-paragraph description.

North America 220

North America Birds Owls America 220

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 1, 2024

Personally, I wish the species the best of luck in this endeavor. (Of However, the fact that there are 30 subspecies seems to indicate that the species has a slightly overblown estimation of its own importance. This species has a relatively large number of calls – 12, to be specific, compared to the average of 7.6

Birds 199

Birds Research Science Europe 199

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 28, 2022

The species also has something of a criminal record – the HBW reports that “Black-throated T**s [have also been] observed to steal nesting material from other species in central China” ( original source ). Taking photos of such a rare species is a bit of a double-edged sword. ” Wow.

China 147

China Birds Breeders Species 147

10,000 Birds

APRIL 25, 2022

So, the basic idea is to show 15 species of Australian birds in each post and give you the usual trivia about them. This species has also eliminated the need for childcare – the chicks emerge from this pile on their own and never even get to see their parents. Similarly, the Grey Shrikethrush is neither a shrike nor a thrush.

Australia 194

Australia Birds Koalas Parrots 194

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 30, 2023

The Ashy Tailorbird is a good example of the different perspectives of describing a bird – while the English name focuses on the body of the bird, the Latin species name ruficeps refers to the rufous head. The split makes the bird one of the six species endemic to Sabah, Borneo ( source ), four of which I saw during my week at Sepilok.

Woodpeckers 218

Woodpeckers Birds Eggs India 218

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 6, 2022

we learn) that are home to coveted boreal species, breeding wood-warblers, and two species of Grouse. There are 461 species on the Maine checklist. This field guide covers 265 species, the ones most likely to be seen–residential and migratory, almost all nesting birds, many wintering birds.

Los Angeles 205

Los Angeles Birds District of Columbia Parrots 205

10,000 Birds

MARCH 31, 2022

Not bad given that the 5 families in the inner circle of the laughingthrush family have a combined number of about 68 species. The Hainan version is sometimes considered a separate species, in which case it is classified as Near Threatened. 36, if my counting is right and there has been no very recent split or lump.

San Diego 214

San Diego Malaysia China Zoos 214

10,000 Birds

JULY 5, 2013

Although both species are widespread in North America as breeders in shrubby edge habitats, that is not the case in the southern half of the sunshine state (the more northerly race of Prairie Warbler is an uncommon breeder in the panhandle). Everyone, I would like you to meet the ‘Florida’ Prairie Warbler ( S.

Florida 191

Florida Breeders Miami Tampa 191

10,000 Birds

MARCH 23, 2013

It is one of three species of ani ( Groove-billed and Greater Anis are the other two) and together form a unique branch in the cuckoo family. Smooth-billed Anis were relative newcomers as breeders to Florida, having only begun nesting since the 1930s. However, the true reason (or reasons) for their rapid decline remain a mystery.

Florida 198

Florida Virgin Islands Miami Breeders 198

10,000 Birds

JULY 16, 2015

Midsummer birding can become boring if you focus solely on species counts. The general lack of longitudinal movement among birds limits most areas to the same restricted pool of resident breeders every year. Keep your eyes to the skies… maybe you’ll get lucky and see wild Scarlet Macaws !

2015 159

2015 Breeders Geese Canada 159

10,000 Birds

APRIL 22, 2020

Just as your conationals up north are rejoicing over the return of hundreds of migratory species, you sadly say goodbye to the same. I have still seen each of these species out in the forest between two days and three weeks after they abandoned my yard. So go ahead and take your summer breeders back. That is a garden first!

Nashville 133

Nashville ALA Louisiana Mexico 133

10,000 Birds

JULY 24, 2014

We all have invasive species on our minds this week, which should serve as an inspiration to those of us interested in expanding our personal range. Being a resident in an ecosystem certainly has its advantages, as does being a breeder (sometimes), but, every once in a while, you should visit someplace where you’re considered an exotic!

Colombia 161

Colombia 2014 Breeders Birds 161

10,000 Birds

MAY 10, 2018

The only unstreaked pipit around here and a characteristic breeder of sand dunes is the Tawny Pipit and this one shows well, holding to the grass edge. They are quite a rare breeding species in Serbia, declining as we speak, but one pair breeds nearby. Two European Rollers await us on the wires, while one Eurasian Hoopoe flies by.

Serbia 128

Serbia Eagles Falcons Farming 128

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 22, 2022

It is not particularly big but has a reported 430 bird species including migrants, though during my short stay it seems I missed most of the key attractions among them. Great White Pelican is not just the name of a non-existent glam-rock band but also of a bird species. Pel’s Fishing Owl, where were you?

South Africa 147

South Africa Africa Birds Research 147

10,000 Birds

MAY 9, 2012

The least common species of hummingbird I see here is the Calliope Hummingbird ( Stellula calliope ). She is the latest of our local breeders, not nesting usually until mid-May. The female is the earliest breeder of all these species, arriving on breeding grounds shortly after the males in November.

North America 217

North America Breeders America Breeding 217

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 10, 2022

For this reason, the species is evaluated as Vulnerable.” The Rufous-tailed Robin used to be called Swinhoe’s Robin but apparently, somebody decided that there were already too many bird species (6, according to the HBW) named after him. The Latin species name, however, is still elegans. And it is still justified.

Birds 204

Birds China Eggs Owls 204

10,000 Birds

MARCH 15, 2018

During the final stages of the Pan-European bird-atlassing work last year, computer models of Serbian ranges for some 150 bird species were produced for the first time ever. New target species for the next spring field trip. The consequences were amusing.

Serbia 101

Serbia Breeders Breeding Woodpeckers 101

10,000 Birds

JULY 13, 2014

Traveling really rejuvenates the passion when local breeders become banal. It is the first record of this invasive species for New York City and it served as a nice contrast to the hordes of pigeons in the neighborhood. Most people don’t expect birding wisdom from Buffet, but he is, after all, the Chief Parrothead! How about you?

New York City 166

New York City 2014 Breeders Virginia 166

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

And then we have the terms “Eule“ and “Kauz“, but the assigning of the various species into these two categories is not consistend and lacks taxonomic base and reason. As a rule of thumb, with quite a number of exceptions, if the species sports feathery ears and is not an eagle-owls, it’s an “Eule“.

Germany 190

Germany Birds Hunters Owls 190

10,000 Birds

MAY 6, 2020

One has a large yard in the jungle along the same flyway, and can see as many as 100 species during migration, including a fantastic collection of eastern Wood Warblers. A good morning in my yard will probably only yield some 20 species, including those seen from my house and in neighbors’ yards.

Birds 165

Birds Breeders Species Mexico 165

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 18, 2015

In fact, they are one of the few avian species that can survive on classic American lawns, perhaps explaining why their range is so large. Still, this leaves them more vulnerable to pesticides compared to many other species. Robins are prolific breeders, capable of producing not one, not two, but three broods in one summer season.

Connecticut 169

Connecticut Wisconsin Michigan Hawaii 169

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 20, 2013

Westland Petrels are endemic breeders to New Zealand, and an attractive large black seabird. It is one of several species of Procellaria petrels found in New Zealand, and several more that are found in the southern hemisphere. Westland Petrel ( Procellaria westlandica ). Westland Petrel with Cape Petrel behind.

New Zealand 157

New Zealand Breeders Albatross Mammals 157

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 30, 2015

But I had pictures of moorhens to show and luckily for me I did find something to write about for this species. Common Moorhens are, like most birds, monogamous breeders, and may bond for a number of years in the same territory. I’ll admit I haven’t thought much about moorhens in the past.

Pythons 165

Pythons Guinea Breeders Australia 165

10,000 Birds

MAY 2, 2014

Sure, Miami and the Florida Keys do not boast any endemics ( ‘Cape Sable’ Seaside Sparrow is close) at the species level. Many visitors who come through Orlando or Tampa see maybe eight or ten species on a winter trip. However, few realize how unique and how good the birding can be here.

Florida 172

Florida Miami United States Stray 172

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 3, 2015

From a global low of less than 300 birds in the late 80’s, the species has recovered to 2726, according to a survey in early 2014. Many of these potential breeders though will not nest. The story of the Black-faced Spoonbill is one of recovery. Perhaps they also have trouble telling who’s which.

Taiwan 231

Taiwan North Korea Vietnam 2003 231

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 29, 2012

Both the male and female of the species have a bright red crown. Most Acorn Woodpeckers are cooperative breeders and live in family groups of up to a dozen or more individuals. Within a group, 1–7 male co-breeders compete for matings with 1–3 joint-nesting females who lay their eggs in the same nest cavity.

Woodpeckers 185

Woodpeckers Breeders Groups North America 185

10,000 Birds

MAY 1, 2023

In Alaska, they were found to mimic 30 different species ( source ). Apparently , the two main factors influencing double brooding are the individual quality of the breeder and the timing of the first clutch. Maybe they have decided to boycott species with Russian-sounding names as a way to protest against Putin’s policies.

Monkeys 147

Monkeys Birds South Korea Owls 147

10,000 Birds

APRIL 15, 2011

… leaving the remainder of the birds on the Cyprus Species List (over 380 species) are either migrants or accidentals. the first three found only in the Troodos and Paphos forests). That’s quite a lot! As it happens though, Blackcaps may provide a modern example of how this can occur.

Cyprus 157

Cyprus Breeders Protection 2000 157

10,000 Birds

JUNE 9, 2014

The next hour plus netted me a host of other species, including my two other targets, Virginia Rail and Common Gallinule. As always, the woods around the marsh were busy with breeders setting up shop. Who likes a declining species of shorebird that eschews the shore and has as its most impressive vocalization a wolf-whistle?

Breeding 153

Breeding New York Breeders Downers 153