10,000 Birds

JULY 2, 2019

And, I looked at my eBird list and realized I’ve seen nine species of Antpitta and one of Gnateater. Antpittas and Gnateaters covers 64 species in six genera and two families. (I The Species Accounts feature highly detailed text by Harold Greeley, distribution maps, and over 250 photographs by a number of photographers.

Research 149

Research Eggs South America Costa Rica 149

10,000 Birds

MAY 8, 2013

The smellier the better, particularly as, unusually for birds, many species can boast a robust sense of smell. In any case, our hang-ups with vultures clearly stem from our own issues rather than any inherently bizarre trait of the species themselves. Vultures famously feed on carrion. Dead things. Here’s the kicker though.

California Condor 190

California Condor Turkey North America Jordan 190

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 27, 2016

The Black Swans were adopted to the trust’s coat of arms and breed here during the northern winter. Strangely, the Indian Peafowl is not mentioned on eBird’s Hotspot list which shows the 67 species that have been seen there. The exotics have now mostly been dispersed to other collections, but a few remain.

Collecting 100

Collecting South America Blackbirds Adoptable 100

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 12, 2013

Nearly 70 species of parrots have been recorded flying free at some stage or another in Miami, including Hyacinth Macaws. But its not just parrots that are doing well in their adopted city. Dozens of other introduced bird species, largely escapees from pet owners, now call Miami home. I suspect that it is just this. Reluctance.

Miami 141

Miami Parrots Research Birds 141

10,000 Birds

JUNE 11, 2011

The Black-headed Gull , Larus ridibunus, is similar in many ways to Bonaparte’s Gull , Larus philadelphia of North America. Note the long legs and red bill of the breeding-ready Black-headed Gull below. They breed noisily and colonially at large lakes with reed beds and marshy areas. Answers on a postcard please.

Philadelphia 183

Philadelphia Russia Europe North America 183

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 14, 2017

The USVI are smaller and have fewer habitats and, as a result, fewer bird species. Puerto Rico has a checklist of 269 species, 207 of which are migratory and the USVI has a checklist of 149 species, 124 of which are migratory. Herbert Rafaelle includes 284 species in his field guide , which covers both territories.)

Puerto Rico 164

Puerto Rico Virgin Islands Hawaii United States 164

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 20, 2012

The very first thing we notice about this large member of the Galliformes is that there is a wild version and a domestic version, and although the two are rather different, they are both given the same species name, Meleagris gallopavo. This is not entirely unknown among domestic animals, but many domesticates have no living wild version.

Turkey 210

Turkey Columbus Spain Fowl 210

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 9, 2014

It is the 100th Anniversary of the extinction of the species known as the Passenger Pigeon and writers are paying attention. Errol Fuller’s The Passenger Pigeon is a beautifully illustrated, elegantly written “celebration” of the passenger pigeon and the artists who illustrated and photographed the species.

2014 161

2014 Killing Michigan Kentucky 161

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 24, 2014

August arrived and I was releasing birds knowing they’d need time to adapt prior to making that long flight across the Gulf of Mexico, headed to South America. But lets see … I’d say one of my most memorable releases is that of a Purple Martin , a species of special concern in California.

Wildlife Rehabilitation 233

Wildlife Rehabilitation Ohio Tulsa West Virginia 233

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2011

The sandhill crane has the lowest recruitment rate (average number of young birds joining a population each season) of any bird now hunted in North America. Initiating a hunting season on a large, charismatic species like a crane is no way to resuscitate hunting. to a high of 11%. Additionally, sandhill cranes reproduce very slowly.

2011 254

2011 Kentucky Tennessee Hunting 254

10,000 Birds

MARCH 6, 2011

Outside of the breeding season a few birds may join together in a loose flock if the feeding is good. The nom de blog Redgannet was adopted to add an air of mystery and to make himself more attractive to women. Very interesting species. Informed literature bears out my experience that most birds are seen singly or in pairs.

2011 191

2011 Deer India New York 191