10,000 Birds

JANUARY 2, 2019

When we returned to Tucson, from the Bahamas, I was approaching a milestone number, 1300 bird species, and drove myself hard, climbing, hiking, searching, and driving all over the state of Arizona looking for those last eight birds. Matt was working on his own US Big Year, and wanted to join me for the hunt. South Africa Total: 219.

Costa Rica 131

Costa Rica Tucson South Africa Bahamas 131

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 9, 2019

In the end, I truly did set out to reduce the number of birds that I feature here from 1302, my years total species, down to 10-12. 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. I present to you, my favorite birds of 2018.

2018 159

2018 Costa Rica South Africa New Zealand 159

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 23, 2014

Later, Harry Fuller, President of the Klamath Bird Observatory, led us to an open meadow where we saw a pair of Great Gray Owls hunting in a meadow. Finally, the Similan Islands are perhaps one of the most beautiful islands in the world and form a stunning backdrop to this species, one of the loveliest pigeons in the world.

2014 187

2014 Costa Rica South Africa Birds 187

10,000 Birds

MARCH 29, 2015

If you’ve birded the Neoptropics, then you’re familiar with the haunting sound of Great Tinamou, and may have even seen the bird, as I did in Costa Rica, walking through thick rain forest foliage. Our group got to see another species that is a master of camouflage on our trip for the Honduran Emerald.

Honduras 248

Honduras Birds Costa Rica Groups 248

10,000 Birds

JULY 17, 2012

Our recent trip to Selva Verde Lodge in Costa Rica was one such trip that held an unexpected surprise. A displaying Sunbittern close to Selva Verde Lodge, Costa Rica Secondly, Sunbitterns belong to a monotypic family, Eurypygidae. But I digress. A real misfit basically.

Costa Rica 254

Costa Rica Suriname Eggs Hunting 254

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 27, 2013

My best bird of the year is based on the sighting rather than the species. Obviously my best bird of the year is going to come during this trip, what with several species of endemic pitta and broadbill possible, not to mention 8 species of hornbill and numerous babblers, storks, kingfishers, trogons and even the endemic Bornean Bristlehead.

2013 167

2013 Birds Costa Rica India 167