10,000 Birds

JANUARY 14, 2021

This time we travel to Africa, or to narrow it further, to the Afrotropical region (since the north of the continent avifaunally belongs to the Palearctic). Geographic patterns of species richness for birds (1,558 species) in East Africa at 0.25° resolution (blue indicates low species richness, while brown indicates high species richness).

Africa 232

Africa Kenya Uganda Tanzania 232

10,000 Birds

JUNE 11, 2013

Geladas are the sole survivors of a once abundant branch of primates that historically foraged across the grasslands of Africa, the Mediterranean and India. they are the most terrestrial primate after humans. Geladas spend the fist few hours of the morning grooming and socializing at the edge of their cliffs.

Ethiopia 163

Ethiopia Primates Mammals Fur 163

10,000 Birds

APRIL 13, 2015

Ethiopia, a landlocked country situated in the Horn of Africa, has firmly established itself as one of Africa’s top birding destinations. Its great diversity of habitats hosts an incredible bird count of over 900 species, including Africa’s 2nd highest list of endemics and near-endemics (after South Africa).

Ethiopia 253

Ethiopia Sudan Leopards Birds 253

Animal Ethics

JUNE 7, 2016

It is estimated that due to conflicts with humans, the bushmeat and body parts trade, disease and habitat destruction, large mammals in Africa may be extinct by the end of this century. Many sanctuaries do not permit breeding. Lisa Edmondson, Los Angeles

Los Angeles 40

Los Angeles Gorillas Zoos Non Human 40

10,000 Birds

JULY 21, 2022

Wikipedia also has an interesting paragraph hinting at observation bias in ornithologists: “At the continental scale, saddle-billed storks preferred protected areas that have a higher extent of open water compared to areas without the storks. Ostrich Eggshell Beads Reveal 50,000-Year-old Social Network Across Africa.

Ostriches 147

Ostriches Parrots Birds Eggs 147

10,000 Birds

APRIL 15, 2015

I was in contact with a group of birders for whom I arranged and guided an annual tour to Africa. We already had South Africa, Zambia and Uganda under our belts, but my clients’ request for the next year came right out of the blue: Ghana! Africa’s only rainforest canopy walkway in Kakum National Park.

Ghana 211

Ghana Hunters Guinea Gambia 211