10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 14, 2021

A few states still have no checklists at all: Nebraska , Minnesota , Iowa , Kentucky , West Virginia , Mississippi , and Alabama. and West Virginia ranks 44th. Even the nation’s capital has been ignored. For example, as to checklists, Kentucky ranks 37th in the U.S. out of 51, including Washington, D.C.)

United States 197

United States West Virginia Puerto Rico Minnesota 197

10,000 Birds

MARCH 27, 2021

During migration, they occur in more places, I bet that golden-hooded bird with a rainforest mixed flock was on its way to Virginia or Alabama or wooded swamp in some other part of its ancient range that used to bear witness to the double knocks of Ivory-billeds.

Costa Rica 264

Costa Rica West Virginia Baltimore Virginia 264

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

A jay born and raised in New York State may winter in Alabama, Kentucky, West Virginia, or Tennessee, depending on its taste in barbecue. Most fascinatingly, a bird that migrated one year, even hauling its tail feathers all the way down to Alabama, may choose to hang out in New York all winter next year, or vice-versa.

Alabama 105

Alabama West Virginia New York City New York 105

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 13, 2018

Some states have no species at all, not even a pigeon, crow, or sparrow: Hawaii , Utah , Nebraska , Oklahoma , Minnesota , Iowa , Wisconsin , Kentucky , West Virginia , Mississippi , Alabama , Connecticut , and Rhode Island. West Virginia ranks 44th, Hawaii ranks 45th, and Rhode Island ranks 48th.

Rhode Island 114

Rhode Island United States West Virginia Puerto Rico 114

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 22, 2018

The Wilson’s Plovers with their stout crab cracking beaks and hunched demeanor, they have less distance to fly but it’s still no small feat to zip from Alabama to Costa Rica. Just when a birder thinks that a list of 920 plus species is big enough for a place the size of West Virginia, a few more fly into the local birding scene.

Costa Rica 166

Costa Rica 2018 Birds West Virginia 166