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Signs of Spring Migration in Costa Rica

10,000 Birds

The Red-shouldered Hawks , the quick flapping Accipiters and the legions of blackbirds and ducks moved through the cool airs of March and April but the orioles, grosbeaks, and wood-warblers wouldn’t show up until the trees had their buds and many had their leaves. All the way to Alaska maybe? Where will they go?

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The origins of tanagers, warblers, and sparrows are coming into focus

10,000 Birds

A new paper out this month attempts to paint the most comprehensive picture yet of the origins and diversification of the American sparrows, wood-warblers, blackbirds, cardinals, tanagers, and their kin, an enormous group of birds more than 800 species strong. Burns, John Klicka, Scott M. Lanyon, and Irby J.

Sparrows 242
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Birding Nanhui, Shanghai, in September 2021

10,000 Birds

Its bright yellow coloring, its wagging tail with flashing white outer feathers, its use of elevated perches for observation, pursuit-feeding, singing, and territorial defense, and its loud, sharp, persistent vocalizations when disturbed— all combine to attract the attention of nearly every traveler to northern and western Alaska.”

LACS 215
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John Greenleaf Whittier’s “What The Birds Said”

10,000 Birds

Countless towns, schools, and natural formations are named for him, including Whittier Glacier in Alaska and, by extension, its tiny neighboring town, a gateway to Prince William Sound that I’ve had the profound pleasure of visiting. Many of his works include references to avifauna, specifically blackbirds and thrushes.

Battery 146
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Shedding Tears For Shorebirds

10,000 Birds

Barf at blackbirds. Are you in Alaska? The second-to-last North American bird to have its nest discovered, they split their time between a tiny chunk of Alaska and a smattering of Pacific Islands. They are fearful of flycatchers. Galled at gulls. They wince at warblers. Wail at waterfowl. Flinch at finches. Spew at sparrows.

LACS 180
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If We Can Rock Together, We Can Flock Together

10,000 Birds

Crested Auklets form some of the biggest, most impressive flocks and formations that I have ever seen, on islands in Alaska. In the case of these Tricolored Blackbirds , they are formed for DEFENSE. Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. Look carefully and you can pick out some Least Auklets as well. Buldir Island, AK.

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Birding California: A Regional Primer

10,000 Birds

the same few states always come to mind first…Alaska, Arizona, Texas, and Florida. Yellow-billed Magpies are found just inland, and Tricolored Blackbirds can be found on Point Reyes (a legendary migrant trap) by the thousand in the fall. When one thinks of taking a birdcation somewhere in the U.S., Good gulling in winter.