10,000 Birds

APRIL 29, 2015

I’m a big fan of the antelopes, a group that is most commonly associated with Africa but which also occurs in Asia and, if you stretch the term to be cladistically meaningful, Europe and North America. The crest on the back becomes erect during breeding displays. The delicate markings if two male Nyala.

Africa 182

Africa Hunters Goats Wolves 182

10,000 Birds

MARCH 1, 2024

Black-tailed godwits winter in large numbers on the estuaries of both Norfolk and Suffolk, and we know that nearly all these birds breed in Iceland. In breeding plumage islandica godwits develop a deeper red plumage than their limosa cousins. They are of the race islandica , a sub species of the nominate race, limosa.

Lithuania 130

Lithuania Iceland Morocco Ireland 130

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

The babblers have a sentinel system – individual birds take turns scanning for predators and warning the group. … These intense displays can continue for extended periods, with subordinates contributing more than dominants, until one group gives up and retreats. Thanks for pointing it out though. 300 birds (HBW).

South Africa 147

South Africa Niger Birds Mice 147

10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2016

A couple of years ago Adam posted a story on this site that so entranced me that when I went to South Africa a bit over a year ago the location he described was top of my bucket list. They are closely related to the oddball Rockfowl of Western Africa, and live in family groups, led by a breeding pair, in Southern Africa.

South Africa 105

South Africa Africa Family Groups 105

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 9, 2019

Our first Day In South Africa, I spotted the Burchell’s Courcal, as it flew across the road in front of us we entered Kruger National Park. The birds are now breeding in the area, but are quite happy to keep coming to the daily feeding station in groups of over 100 birds. I present to you, my favorite birds of 2018.

2018 184

2018 Costa Rica South Africa New Zealand 184

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 29, 2013

The family Regulidae comprises six small, hyperactive species that range through the great boreal and temperate forests North and Middle America, North Africa, and Eurasia. The best evidence available so far puts them somewhere near a group of three superfamilies: Bombycilloidea (waxwings, etc.),

Family 193

Family Guatemala Mexico Japan 193

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 14, 2012

Ethiopia , a landlocked country situated in the Horn of Africa, has firmly established itself as one of Africa’s top birding destinations. Tours groups that I guided to Ethiopia ten years ago had to endure very basic accommodation, almost no surfaced roads and low levels of service.

Ethiopia 275

Ethiopia Eritrea Africa Mammals 275

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 1, 2017

and the Introduction offers descriptions of each habitat type and the three other bird groupings. Within each habitat section, birds are grouped by genus or other unifying trait (strange waterbirds, common camp residents, canopy gleaners). The authors also discuss the best time to visit Kruger N.P., Details vary for each species.

Ecuador 187

Ecuador Wildlife Reptiles Birds 187

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 22, 2022

So, it sometimes comes to South Africa to relax and enjoy relative anonymity. Interestingly, the HBW gives different contact calls depending on the country in which the flycatcher lives: “Contact call a simple ‘zeet, zwayt’ (South Africa), ‘ti-twit tee-twit’ (Gabon), ‘zi’zk’zk’ (Tanzania).”

Zimbabwe 147

Zimbabwe Birds South Africa Benin 147

10,000 Birds

MAY 26, 2024

This time it’s a group of Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus that have just arrived from the south. Griffon Vultures have a long breeding season. Isn’t it a bit late to breed? Why bother with such a risky journey if you aren’t going to breed? The chicks need six months to develop so the adults lay their eggs in January.

Africa 246

Africa Morocco Senegal Europe 246

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 1, 2011

I don’t think I’ve ever done a post on my home patch of Cape Town, South Africa. Breeding groups typically occupy territories of around 8 hectares and consist of a breeding pair and one or two helpers. So I’m going to feature one of my very favorite locations, just 45 minutes drive from the city centre.

South Africa 255

South Africa Penguins Birds Africa 255

10,000 Birds

JULY 9, 2013

For birders heading off the coast of the eastern United States and attempting to tackle the mess that is the Band-rumped Storm-Petrel complex, a group of up to four cryptic species, this is a very real possibility. Breeding, migration (twice a year), and molting. When one is breeding, the other is not. The four actions?

Breeding 177

Breeding United States Bears Africa 177

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 14, 2012

The wonderful family Meropidae contains 27 dazzling species, of which Africa is endowed with no less than 20 species, the balance occurring across Asia and with one as far afield as Australia. Carmine bee-eaters occur throughout most of Subsaharan Africa, and many populations migrate widely post breeding.

Africa 266

Africa South Africa Gabon Uganda 266

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 4, 2013

It breeds in a broad and not quite coherent band from Iceland in the west through central Europe and southern Scandinavia all the way to eastern Russia, wintering in Africa, parts of India, and Southeast Asia to Australia.

Germany 184

Germany Russia Iceland India 184

10,000 Birds

MARCH 31, 2014

The Dry Tortugas National Park is located some 70 miles off of Key West in a small group of keys that makes up the farthest points included in the state of Florida, so it was no surprise that we had a four hour boat ride ahead of us before landing in the park. Banding is best done in teams split into three, potentially four groups.

Birds 194

Birds Florida Groups Breeding 194

10,000 Birds

JULY 9, 2019

I have to agree with her, as every time I chance upon an owl, be it something as common as a Great Horned Owl, or something extremely special like Australia’s Powerful Owl , or the Verreaux’s Eagle-owl from South Africa, I get a huge feeling of accomplishment. I guess they don’t like staring into the sun, and more than we do!

Owls 174

Owls Arizona Tucson South Africa 174

10,000 Birds

MARCH 8, 2011

Growing up within an hour of one of the world’s premier shorebird destinations -- West Coast National Park in South Africa -- helped for sure. This is an endemic breeding bird in North America and much is now being done by various federal and non-profit groups to ensure and foster its conservation.

Florida 213

Florida South Africa 2011 Africa 213

10,000 Birds

MARCH 13, 2012

With this quote I have the pleasure of introducing my home province (state) for this month’s 10,000 Bird’s Africa Beat. mi (almost exactly the same size as Indiana), it is one of the smaller provinces of South Africa, but is the second most densely populated with over 10 million inhabitants. At 36,433 sq. Image by Adam Riley.

Mozambique 206

Mozambique South Africa Africa Collecting 206

4 The Love Of Animals

MARCH 17, 2011

Cheetahs are regulated by the Species Survival Plan (SSP), which tracks a species’ genetic lines in zoos and animal parks around the world and makes recommendations as to where specific animals should be placed for successful breeding opportunities.

Jacksonville 100

Jacksonville White Rhinos Zoos Rhinos 100

10,000 Birds

JUNE 26, 2013

It all seems like such a charmed life … until you have to fly down to Africa for the winter. Fish and Wildlife Service, the American Bird Conservancy, and other groups teamed up to translocate 50 of the birds to another island, Laysan. The population of Millerbirds on Laysan has doubled , and breeding seems to be going well.

Cambodia 147

Cambodia Slaughter Slaughtered Cyprus 147

10,000 Birds

JULY 19, 2011

I’m not sure what the collective noun for a group of petrels is, but the vets and wildlife carers of New Zealand might be forgiven for thinking that it might be a wreck after this week. It breeds on the Chatham Islands and some of the islands south of New Zealand, as well as Gough and Tristan da Cunha in the Atlantic.

New Zealand 196

New Zealand Vet Collecting Geese 196

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 26, 2021

I did that with Peacocks & Picathartes – Reflections on Africa’s birdlife (published by Penguin Random House South Africa ). In case you didn’t know, yes, there is an indigenous peacock living in Africa, the Congo Peafowl. He has authored several other books and many articles, largely on natural history.

Congo 264

Congo Africa South Africa Madagascar 264

10,000 Birds

MAY 17, 2016

Data were collected from the North American Breeding Bird Survey and the Pan-European Common Birds Monitoring Scheme. The dry regions in the southern extent of the studied zone is greater in North America, but the more southerly, outside the study area dry zone is huge in Europe compared to the North America study (North Africa vs. Mexico).

North America 130

North America Europe America United States 130

10,000 Birds

MAY 8, 2013

Despite filling very similar garbage disposal related niches, the vultures in North America and the vultures in Eurasia/Africa are really not that closely related. We’ll take these two similar, yet very different groups of birds separately. Cape Vultures in South Africa – Alex Lamoreaux, The Nemesis Bird.

California Condor 202

California Condor Turkey North America Jordan 202

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 4, 2016

The book is produced by WILDGuides, Ltd, the excellent book company responsible for over a dozen photographic guides on Britain’s natural life ranging from dragonflies to plant galls as well as books on Africa, Australia and other areas we all want to visit, and was published this summer by Princeton University Press.

Ireland 160

Ireland Birds Groups Falcons 160

10,000 Birds

APRIL 12, 2011

reduce traffic casualties amongst Badgers , get the White-tailed Eagle back as a breeding bird, increase the number of protected plant species etc.). Any plans for further afield (USA, Asia, Africa)? so far you have focussed on European nature. Too early to tell though, whether this project will materialise any time soon. -

Badgers 145

Badgers Ethics Africa Spain 145

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 2, 2014

With a trip to South Africa on the horizon at the time, I thought I could handle it. This is evident in the introductory material, which includes sections on The Origin and Evolution of Borneo’s Birds, Conservation in Action, Vegetation and Bird Life in Borneo, Climate, Rainfall and Bird Breeding Seasons, and Bird Migration.

Brunei 186

Brunei Birds Asia China 186

10,000 Birds

MARCH 11, 2011

Brown Pelicans , and the northernmost Brown Booby breeding colony on this side of the Pacific. Ringer Gannets and Boobies (Sulidae) Black-and-white gannets breed on the cold, rocky coasts of the northern and southern oceans. He could not say the same today. almost everything about flamingos and grebes). Make up your mind, Ringer!

2011 159

2011 Pelicans Papua New Guinea Birds 159

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2012

In this epic post, Patrick depicts just how dynamic the pelagic birding is off Cape Point in South Africa. Here one is close to the scenically impressive Cape of Good Hope National Park as well as the Boulder’s Coastal Park, home to hundreds of breeding African Penguins.

Albatross 199

Albatross Penguins Dolphins Whales 199

10,000 Birds

MARCH 16, 2011

It takes a little longer for the hordes pouring out of Africa to reach the north of England, at least a week, often two after the first migrants make landfall on southern coasts before we get even a sniff of anything that has been near a Wildebeest over the winter. I so miss it now that I live inland!!!! THAT was an adrenaline rollercoaster!

2011 163

2011 Deer Fish New York 163

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 5, 2012

The Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator can be found all around the Mediterranean, including many parts of North Africa, and its range extends East into Iran. If it still breeds in Germany at all, which it might do, it is so rare by now that pairs do not get reported to anywhere except to the relevant nature conservation authorities.

Cattle 122

Cattle Germany Iran Breeders 122

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 2, 2021

My response was to start looking for some portable guide to take with me into the field, and that need was fulfilled by the Birds of Southern Africa illustrated checklist by Ber van Perlo, published by HarperCollins. The book ends with English and scientific name indexes. The additional illustrators were Gustavo Carrizo, Aldo A.

Birds 262

Birds Botswana Africa Ecuador 262

10,000 Birds

APRIL 9, 2013

However Africa has more long tailed species than any other region, and this blog post celebrates a few of these fabulous birds. Africa’s impressive Long-tailed Widowbird by Adam Riley. A male Long-tailed Widowbird in heavy flapping display flight low over the grassland in South Africa by Adam Riley. Widowbirds.

Papua New Guinea 256

Papua New Guinea South Africa Africa Zimbabwe 256

10,000 Birds

JULY 21, 2022

The African Spoonbill is one of the six global spoonbill species, and the main African one (there are also some Eurasian Spoonbills in Africa). While the species is listed as Least Concern, there are some papers suggesting it may not be as common as assumed, at least in South Africa. “ The diet includes seeds, nuts, and nectar.

Ostriches 147

Ostriches Parrots Birds Eggs 147

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 13, 2011

My home country of South Africa can only be described as a birding paradise! The Cape Rockjumper (here a female) is best sought at Rooiels, on the east coast of South Africa, north of Cape Town. Males of this species are more brightly colored in their non-breeding winter plumage.

South Africa 245

South Africa Lesotho Africa Swaziland 245

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 3, 2020

The goal of Around the World For Penguins is simple: Describe the 18 species of penguin and their breeding grounds “from the perspective of a traveller.” Plantema gives highly detailed information about the weather, terrain, ownership of and access to the islands and coasts where penguins breed.

Penguins 279

Penguins Georgia New Zealand Albatross 279

4 The Love Of Animals

MAY 8, 2011

Soon people from South Africa to Japan heard about what was happening, and wrote to share their stories, their challenges, and their curiosity about what Henry was learning. Any animal group in the world can use these materials as fundraising tools. One group teaches tolerance and anti-bullying through Henry’s story.

San Diego 100

San Diego Kittens Emotional Cats 100