10,000 Birds

MARCH 18, 2021

A typical description of the family is that of “a tropical African and Asian songbird that typically has a melodious voice and drab plumage”, another is “small, dull-colored passerine birds of Asia and Africa”, yet another states that they are “often rather plain” Individual species get even harsher reviews.

South Africa 217

South Africa Malaysia Africa China 217

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

This species loves to sing while high up in pine trees. But I was delighted to see a Black-chinned Sparrow near the shore; this is only my eighth sighting of this species. With 60 mostly-high-quality species on my first visit, you bet I will! It’s a rare treat to see a Mexican Violetear low enough to give a good view.

2020 260

2020 Birds South America Reptiles 260

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 4, 2021

This lake, with a surface area of up to 150 square miles in good years, is my go-to site for dozens of waterfowl and shorebird species, so I take its health personally. It is also a vital wintering and migratory site for most of these species, so I imagine they take its health very personally, as well.

San Francisco 264

San Francisco 2018 Mexico Ducks 264

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 26, 2020

There had been quite a few Cattle Egrets in the area until recently and so it was good to see them for the first time in 2020. Over the return trip from Fish Creek to Buffalo I encountered over forty species of birds. They had good breeding plumage, although that is not clearly apparent when the photo was taken from so far away!

Buffalo 159

Buffalo Fish Koalas Cattle 159