10,000 Birds

JULY 4, 2023

” Writing about owls means writing about roughly 250 species (I counted 245 on the 2022 Clements spreadsheet, but I might have missed a few, and we all know that each classification system is different). These are behaviors that are most likely to vary across species and topics that make for compelling stories.

Owls 199

Owls Science Barn Owls Penguins 199

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 18, 2020

Those of us who were raised in the four-season north (here in Michoacán one could define, at the most, three seasons) tend to think of avian migration in terms of seasonal temperatures. On that occasion I counted 40 individuals from 10 different species. I may have come all the way from Alaska for these Salvias. It was worth it.

Mexico 173

Mexico Alaska Falcons Species 173

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2011

Kills in Canada, Alaska and Mexico are not included in the count. Hunting sandhill cranes in Kentucky is a bad idea from a public relations standpoint, considering the growing cadre of birders and nature enthusiasts for whom cranes are a touchstone species. Nationwide, wildlife watchers now outspend hunters 6 to 1.

2011 238

2011 Kentucky Tennessee Hunting 238

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 25, 2011

Between staying warm/cool, finding food, avoiding predators, migrating thousands of miles every year, finding mates, raising chicks and doing all this at the mercy of the elements, it makes sense that they have more brainpower than just simple instinct to run on. Picture being a Blackpoll Warbler being born in the boreal forests of Alaska.

Emotional 197

Emotional Science Birds Mammals 197

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 31, 2023

Like the Eastern Crowned Warbler (which eBird mysteriously calls a “boldly marked songbird” despite its similarity to about 50 other warbler species) … … and the Arctic Warbler (or maybe some other warbler looking very similar). Here is a mugshot of a Long-tailed Shrike. T-shirts will be available soon.

Birds 130

Birds China Taiwan Raised 130

10,000 Birds

APRIL 27, 2012

Many of the most peculiar aspects of birds are involved with mating, whether it’s for attracting mates, defending nests against predators, or raising chicks. The most common mating strategy in birds is social monogamy, found in roughly 92% of birds species in the world (Jenni 1974, Owens 2002). of all bird species, is polyandry.

2002 163

2002 North America 2000 2009 163

Animal Ethics

NOVEMBER 29, 2006

There is no need for infants to be raised on cow's milk formulas. Never mind that the bulk of the fat in Starbucks's beverages comes from the milk -- yes, milk ! -- of another species. When breast-feeding is not possible, commercial soy formulas are nutritionally adequate. Never mind all that.

Animal 40

Animal Meat Cows District of Columbia 40

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 17, 2013

08–20 Many bird species are in trouble, but the Hooded Grebe is really really in trouble. Birds are raised from the egg to follow a certain migration timing, but that timing shifts when the egg hatches later or earlier due to changes in conditions. But there was this one in Australia.

Science 184

Science 2013 Elephants Birds 184

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 6, 2011

I was fortunate to have been born and raised in Africa, and although I have traveled extensively around the world, it remains my home and in my blood. Approximately 2,300 bird species inhabit Africa, however as impressive as that sounds, much smaller South America boasts nearly 1,000 species more.

Papua New Guinea 211

Papua New Guinea Madagascar Africa Equatorial Guinea 211

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 23, 2011

Rufous Hummingbirds have a well-earned reputation for getting lost — they breed along the west coast but turn up in New York in fall and winter pretty regularly — and an equally well-earned reputation for hardiness, as they breed farther north than any other hummingbird species, into Alaska. There goes the neighborhood?

South America 156

South America New York Alaska America 156

10,000 Birds

JUNE 1, 2022

I’ve never known quite what to do with the two Cardinal sightings I have had near our church in Morelia, since that species is not supposed to be seen there, or to be migratory, but both sightings occurred in winter. I have seen two Godwit species at Lake Cuitzeo. These images may not be a big deal to many of our readers.

Mexico 208

Mexico 2018 Ducks Breeding 208