10,000 Birds

APRIL 25, 2019

Several times, the answer was “Africa”, which, being a continent and not a country, I excluded from the statistics, but will further comment below. 4%: Mexico, West Papua (Indonesia), New Zealand, South Africa, Kenya. Africa is a huge continent with varied landscapes and rich biodiversity. 8%: Brazil, Panama.

Papua New Guinea 214

Papua New Guinea America Costa Rica Sri Lanka 214

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

In November 2018, I spent a few days birding in Cape Town, South Africa. The species is endangered – hopefully, their appeal to tourists and the resulting revenue will contribute to its protection. While apparently not the safest of places, it is a great spot to see birds. Here are some of my sightings.

South Africa 127

South Africa Penguins Ostriches Birds 127

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 10, 2016

Nevertheless, only the most important news I did follow, those about the decision-making process on future sales of elephants and their ivory at a global wildlife summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, the first such meeting since 2013. In Africa, one elephant is being killed every 15 minutes. One may say so.

Elephants 194

Elephants Botswana Zimbabwe Africa 194

10,000 Birds

JULY 16, 2013

I grew up in one of the most beautiful cities in the world – Cape Town, South Africa. In fact, there is no other region in Africa that offers such a fantastic level of endemism in such an accessible location. An African Penguin peers protectively around its fluffy chick.

Penguins 226

Penguins South Africa Africa Sharks 226

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

AUGUST 20, 2015

I live in the southeast of Europe, for a while lived in the south of Africa and also have extensively birded western and central India. And I remembered that, back when I was a boy, I wanted to live in eastern Africa. Which leaves only East Africa. South Africa (755 / 842). Map by BirdLife International.

Sri Lanka 257

Sri Lanka Botswana Africa Serbia 257

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

The Hadeda Ibis is apparently spreading in South Africa and even thriving in places like Johannesburg, living at least partly on dog food. Thanks for pointing it out though. So, no real need to go to Pafuri to see it. It is smaller than the common buzzard, but with longer wings and tail ( source ). 300 birds (HBW). This is one of them.

South Africa 147

South Africa Niger Birds Mice 147

10,000 Birds

JULY 10, 2012

All the inhabited continents except Africa have experienced bird extinctions; however the 2012 update of the IUCN Red List shows a startling, but not altogether unexpected, trend in that more and more of our bird species are facing extinction.

Endangered Species 200

Endangered Species Species South Africa Morocco 200

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 3, 2013

The area surrounding Mankwe Dam is 500 square kilometres of protected acacia scrub, rock strewn hillsides, grasslands and kopjes, so with such a large area to draw from, pretty much anything can turn up. South Africa’s Kruger National Park may get all the publicity, but I adore Pilanesberg for its intimacy, variety and accessibility.

South Africa 175

South Africa Mammals Reptiles Elephants 175

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 12, 2015

I get that you’re really angry, I mean, he was a popular lion and yes, his cute widdle cubs will probably die to, but I can’t help feeling you’ve kind of missed the point a bit, and well, ending all hunting in Africa will not solve much and maybe make things worse and… No, no, I’m not a hunter. I’m sorry.

Lions 218

Lions Hunting Sierra Leone Buffalo 218

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 22, 2022

So, it sometimes comes to South Africa to relax and enjoy relative anonymity. Reportedly, the Water Thick-knee sometimes locates its nest close to the nest of Nile crocodiles as this offers some protection. The Latin species name vermiculatus (worm-like) refers to the markings on the upperparts.

Zimbabwe 147

Zimbabwe Birds South Africa Benin 147

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 9, 2012

Of these 90, all occur in Africa bar 5 Asian and 2 Malagasy weavers. Photo taken by Adam Riley in South Africa. All occur in the Guinea-Congolese rainforests of Africa, with Red-headed being the most widespread. Image taken in South Africa by Adam Riley. Image taken by Adam Riley in South Africa.

Tanzania 232

Tanzania Buffalo Kenya Namibia 232

10,000 Birds

MAY 13, 2015

The White-backed Vulture is the most common species of vulture in Africa, although these days they are, like most vultures, globally endangered. The populations remain stable in Ethiopia, Tanzania and southern Africa, but have collapsed in West Africa and have declined in other parts as well. Word spreads.

Africa 175

Africa Feral Ethiopia Tanzania 175

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 23, 2014

Duncan is currently enjoying South Africa but he got his BBOTY in before he left: As of today I have no idea what birds I will see in December in South Africa. Once endangered, they lead happy, protected lives, oblivious to the tourists who love them. I also blogged about that dreamy day. Greg doesn’t bird.

2014 197

2014 Costa Rica South Africa Birds 197

10,000 Birds

JULY 30, 2014

Over a decade since I was last there, I am finally heading back to Africa late this year. As has been the case every time I’ve been to Africa before, I won’t be there just for play. Conservation Africa Offbeat Birding volunteering' But my long wait to see antelope, zebras and everything in between is finally over.

Uganda 162

Uganda Sharks Africa New Zealand 162

10,000 Birds

JULY 18, 2018

When we were planning this trip, New Zealand, Australia, and most certainly South Africa got all my attention. This remarkable area is best know for its huge wall that was used for centuries to protect the city from invasion, but for me, the Conwy RSPB refuge was fantastic. South Africa species 219.

South Africa 100

South Africa New Zealand Costa Rica Qatar 100

4 The Love Of Animals

OCTOBER 25, 2012

Kisiri, Tambo and another female white rhino were airlifted from Kruger National Park in South Africa in 2001 through the efforts of the International Rhino Foundation (IRF), a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of rhinos.

Tampa 100

Tampa White Rhinos Rhinos Rhinoceros 100

10,000 Birds

MAY 8, 2014

Four teams with renowned birders from United States, South Africa and United Kingdom will travel through the diverse and endemic bird rich region of Northern Peru, from May 12 thought May 20, 2014. Other stops included short visits with local authorities at the communities that own these sites and other bird habitat.

Peru 160

Peru United Kingdom 2013 South Africa 160

10,000 Birds

JULY 4, 2018

After leaving Africa, I was fearing a real let down in my birding. New Zealand had been good, Australia was incredible, and South Africa was almost life altering. With my Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) field guide in hand, off we set to put a few Scottish birds on the list. Where do you go from there?

Qatar 120

Qatar Sparrows South Africa Africa 120

10,000 Birds

MARCH 1, 2011

Veraguan Mango by Carlos Bethancourt Although the Neotropical region supports fewer bird families than Africa, there are considerably more bird species here than anywhere else on earth. This means that there are some astoundingly large families of birds in Central and South America. The proposal from U.S.

Panama 216

Panama Costa Rica 2011 Cleveland 216

10,000 Birds

JULY 10, 2013

The idea is that by engaging these communities, people would not only take pride and protect these sites, but also will see them as potential sources of revenue as visitors pay small entrance fees and spend money hiring services and purchasing goods from these communities. Official presentation of our team: The Zululanders from South Africa.

Peru 258

Peru Birds South Africa United Kingdom 258

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 25, 2015

Early starts are the rule when monitoring endagered species in Mkuze Game Reserve, in South Africa, but there’s a particular urgency to this morning’s start. It’s 3:30 AM when the night’s relative tranquility is shattered by the ancient Landranger’s engine roaring to life.

Wolves 192

Wolves Lions Dogs Vet 192

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 19, 2015

Two White Storks awaited us there, choosing to stay for the winter instead of wasting all those calories to fly down to South Africa and back, and above us, seven young White-tailed Eagles were thermaling. The number of gulls had halved by now, but the weather had improved and was sunny and quite warm for this time of the year.

Serbia 167

Serbia Birds Ukraine Europe 167

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 8, 2015

But if they obeyed the rules, which may be too strict – in the Kruger Park in South Africa, the limit is 50 km/h (31 mi/h) – they would not manage to show tourists much of the reserve in about three hours in the morning and the afternoon, which would reflect on their tip. Good to know.

Tigers 253

Tigers Boars India Chickens 253

4 The Love Of Animals

NOVEMBER 13, 2009

Mlelani, Tambo and another female white rhino were airlifted from Kruger National Park in South Africa in 2001 through the efforts of the International Rhino Foundation (IRF), a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of rhinos. (white, 9 and 3 black).

White Rhinos 100

White Rhinos Rhinos Tampa 2008 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 15, 2011

Anderson River Park Never Disappoints Barbados The Other Antigua About the Author James A life-long birder and native of South Africa, James Currie has many years experience in the birding and wildlife tourism arenas. James is currently the host and owner of Nikons Birding Adventures TV and he resides in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Portugal 178

Portugal 2011 Deer Birds 178

10,000 Birds

MARCH 28, 2018

The South Island Robin , and the South Island Saddleback , have been split from their North Island counterparts, so it would be nice to wrap them up quickly. But he left me with a great list of where to’s for the balance of the Island, as well as Australia and South Africa!

New Zealand 100

New Zealand Opossums Charlotte South Africa 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 22, 2011

These Blasts From The Past Lakes, lightning, locusts and lizards Great Birding Sites From Great Birding Bloggers Anderson River Park Never Disappoints Birding Kuwait The Other Antigua About the Author James A life-long birder and native of South Africa, James Currie has many years experience in the birding and wildlife tourism arenas.

Dominican Republic 194

Dominican Republic 2011 Birds Deer 194

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 249

Ethiopia Sudan Leopards Birds 249

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. Large, hulking, and menacing, the Old World Vultures , who reach their greatest diversity in sub-Saharan Africa, had a reputation, maybe undeserved, for viciousness.

California Condor 190

California Condor Turkey North America Jordan 190

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 199

Ghana Hunters Guinea Gambia 199

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. African Black Oystercatcher All in all, a pelagic trip off Cape Town is a memorable and unforgettable experience, certainly a ‘must do’ for any dedicated birder visiting South Africa.

Albatross 189

Albatross Penguins Dolphins Whales 189

10,000 Birds

MARCH 19, 2011

In southern Africa, there are two species. The Spotted Thick-knee , Burhinus capensis is, is found across much of Africa, favouring open country and is perfectly suited to the dry sandy ground of the cape region, where this individual would almost certainly have been overlooked were it not for its bright yellow legs, eyes and bill.

2011 170

2011 Deer Africa Peru 170

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 4, 2017

South Africa: The Gotcha Award. Singapore is a densely populated city-state which still manages to protect a number of species. I failed to see a Southern Black Bustard on my last visit to West Coast National Park near Cape Town. So what did I do? I hired a guide to find one for me and I saw it.

United Arab Emirates 100

United Arab Emirates Ethiopia 2016 New Zealand 100

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

This makes it a particularly exciting time in New Zealand as the Rugby World Cup begins in two days, and the competition is being held right here in New Zealand (I would imagine they might be more excited if they hadn’t just lost two matches to Australia and South Africa, their big rivals in the Tri-Nations).

New Zealand 157

New Zealand Penguins Sanctuary Birds 157

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 6, 2012

And, I started daydreaming about encountering something a little different, maybe a Horned Frog, Ceratophrys cornuta, a large, squat green and brown frog of South America, with a wide mouth large enough to eat other frogs as well as reptiles. There’s the Goliath frog from South Africa—up to one foot in length and over 6 pounds in weight.

Reptiles 190

Reptiles Madagascar Family New York City 190