10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 10, 2016

We are facing a plague of poaching that is again decimating the species. Will the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) conference delegates up-list them to Appendix I of the Convention, forbidding any future sale over international borders? One may say so.

Elephants 189

Elephants Botswana Africa Zimbabwe 189

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 21, 2016

I am not entirely sure whether most birders outside Germany know or realize that Germany still has a decent population of one of Europe’s most attractive and desired bird species: the Great Bustard Otis tarda. And fly they surely can… …although they do look suspiciously happy when landing.

Germany 101

Germany Abandon Abandoning Abandonment 101

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 3, 2016

These are all excellent organizations created to help wild animals live healthy lives in healthy habitats at home and around the world. Without adequate funding, habitats are not restored, invasive species are left unchecked, poaching and other illegal activities occur and our nation’s wildlife suffers 1.

Extremist 154

Extremist Oregon Wildlife illegal 154

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 1, 2016

Animals of Kruger National Park by Keith Barnes is the animal guide I wish I had when I visited South Africa. It would have been useful to have more information about the rest camps that define each route, but I understand that there is a fine line (maybe even a broad one) between writing an animal guide and a tourist guide.

Rhinos 243

Rhinos Mammals Animal White Rhinos 243

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

Sometimes I just want to hug eBird, or more specifically, whoever writes the short species descriptions (even though I am not the typical hugging kind of person, trust me on this). There are about 50 different species of flowerpeckers globally. If these are taken off, the species looks just like Clark Kent. “Dull, me?

Los Angeles 191

Los Angeles Birds Woodpeckers Owls 191

10,000 Birds

JULY 4, 2023

” Writing about owls means writing about roughly 250 species (I counted 245 on the 2022 Clements spreadsheet, but I might have missed a few, and we all know that each classification system is different). These are behaviors that are most likely to vary across species and topics that make for compelling stories.

Owls 217

Owls Science Barn Owls Penguins 217

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 12, 2024

The scientific species name of the Golden-throated Barbet is franklinii , commemorating Capt. The HBW section on this species’ behavior mostly repeats the phrase “more information needed” Though of course scientists, hungry for grants and topics, say that all the time. Ok, I made that up. Then, on to nuthatches.

Birds 180

Birds China Woodpeckers Breeding 180

10,000 Birds

MAY 11, 2021

There was only modest discussion of the significance of the stability of animal names (a universal goal in zoological nomenclature ) or the potential impact of suddenly having multiple names for dozens of birds. Some species have taxonomy that is in flux while others are stable. Some names have issues, but many do not.

Birds 264

Birds Russia Hawaii Groups 264

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 20, 2015

If in 2016 the Republicans hold on to the House and Senate and manage to take the Presidency the damage that will be done to our environment will be disastrous. This year there’s been a concerted campaign in Congress to hobble major regulations that safeguard animals, land, air, and water.

2016 164

2016 Campaign Science Animal 164

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 7, 2017

Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago covers 1,417 species, 601 endemics, 98 vagrants, 8 introduced and 18 undescribed species. Only one bird species has become extinct (Javan Lapwing), but many others are endangered, with some considered close to extinction (not surprising in an area with species restricted to one or two small islands).

Indonesia 129

Indonesia Brunei Birds Malaysia 129

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 1, 2020

Elizabeth Bradfield’s “Buried Birds” muses on seabirds as a way of understanding feelings of difference, giving one of the book’s finest quotes: “We resonate with certain animals, I believe, because they are physical embodiment of an answer we are seeking.

New York City 191

New York City Birds Owls Fox 191

10,000 Birds

JULY 20, 2018

Following passage of the United States Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966, the California Condor ( Gymnogyps californianus ) was among the first 75 species listed for protection, the so-called “Class of 1967”. By any measure, the recovery of the California Condor has been a remarkable success.

California Condor 105

California Condor Oregon California Zoos 105

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 6, 2017

Since the election in 2016, Merriam-Webster has experienced something of a cultural resurgence. Many individual species get an entry too, though they are generally not capitalized. It has seen a surprising uptick in its social media presence , particularly its topical, opinionated, and sometimes political posts and tweets.

Albatross 105

Albatross Bears Ducks Bald Eagle 105