10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 24, 2016

Can you remember any birding movie before Schrodinger’s Cat? For me, the only “birding” movie that I knew of were the Dogs of War (1980). I knew about the movie since my early birding days although it was more than ten years later before I saw it. He may have been looking for the best way to sabotage a power supply, right?

Belize 241

Belize Birds Africa Dogs 241

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 14, 2014

In September, I had the fantastic opportunity to travel to an increasingly popular destination for birding: Honduras. Chris Lotz, the owner of the international bird tour company Birding Ecotours , invited me to join him on a familiarization trip that included several highland sites as well as Pico Bonito Lodge.

Honduras 226

Honduras Costa Rica El Salvador Arizona 226

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

The Durango Highway is arguably one of North America’s great birding roads due to the great variety of habitats, the spectacular mountain scenery of the Sierra Madre Occidental, and the numerous Mexican endemics one can target. There are many dusty side roads in this area, many of which offer productive birding.

Mexico 202

Mexico Costa Rica Arizona Birds 202

10,000 Birds

MARCH 29, 2015

(This photo is actually of a TK seen a few days later, but it was at our favorite birding gas station pit stop that we also stopped at on our first day. Excellent 10,000 Birds posts have been written about Pico Bonito and Honduras by Corey and Carlos , so I’m going to focus on some of my most memorable experiences.

Honduras 257

Honduras Birds Costa Rica Groups 257

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2018

If you like birds on posts, if seeing “little brown jobs” posing nicely in the distance as you drive or walk along a dirt road only to have it fly away as you approach makes you deliriously happy, then North Dakota is the place for you. I wanted to see prairie birds and I wanted to experience a new state.

North Dakota 147

North Dakota Birds Sparrows Blackbirds 147

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 13, 2021

“This beautiful and singular bird, although a constant resident in the southern extremities of the peninsula of Florida, seldom extends its journeys in an eastern direction beyond the State of North Carolina. I picked up a few bottles and we were off on our way home to Albany.

New York 264

New York South Carolina North Carolina Massachusetts 264

10,000 Birds

JUNE 16, 2021

They also remind me why I love birding in Michoacán. I would love to know how the order spread across these regions, since that spread must have involved either crossing oceans or the frigid regions that these birds avoid. Both are large, stocky birds, with a large head and long, squared-off tail. Those are good numbers.

Mexico 195

Mexico Indonesia North America Arizona 195

10,000 Birds

MARCH 4, 2020

And while it was to be a work (ministry) trip, I had still managed to schedule it right during the migratory peak along these two major corridors. My one sighting of the little-known Sinaloa Martin outside of summer had occurred on a 29th of February, and I hoped to repeat that experience. All in all, it was a very satisfying day.

Species 164

Species Mexico Jordan Turkey 164

10,000 Birds

JULY 4, 2018

The birding around Lago de Yojoa in Honduras is frankly phenomenal, as I learned during a June 2018 birding junket organized by the Instituto Hondureño de Turismo. Peraza , could not sit still knowing that so many tasty target birds could be found within easy driving distance. EL RANCHO HOTEL Y RESTAURANTE.

Honduras 149

Honduras Birds Farming America 149

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 7, 2023

Galápagos: A Natural History, Second Edition by John Kricher and Kevin Loughlin gives the traveling naturalist the tools needed to fully appreciate and experience the Galápagos Islands. There are changes in where to find the birds. I wish I had read this book. They complement Kricher’s text.,

2006 262

2006 Tortoises Sea Lions Sea Turtles 262

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 2, 2022

I dipped on one of my favorite birds from this area, the Lesser Roadrunner , as well as the marvelous Sparkling-tailed Woodstar (a long-tailed hummingbird). But the day did provide me with a parade of some of Michoacán’s most colorful birds, some of them migratory, and others local specialties.

South America 207

South America Sparrows Mexico Bears 207

10,000 Birds

MARCH 21, 2015

Birders head to Costa Rica to see stunners like Resplendent Quetzal , Three-wattled Bellbird , Orange-collared Manakin , fancy hummingbirds , tanagers, and literally hundreds of other birds. This bunch of possible Costa Rican crypto birds can be grouped into four main categories: (1). Bird species that require further research.

Costa Rica 223

Costa Rica Species South America America 223

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 25, 2023

But in 2020 I personally saw thousands of Waxwings in a dozen or so sites, and every one of my birder friends across the country had a similar experience. Certain kinds of birds, such as finches and Snowy Owls , may go for years without travelling outside of their normal ranges. The Hook-billed Kite is a wonderful bird.

Mexico 147

Mexico 2020 2012 Parrots 147

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 6, 2018

It actually makes a lot of sense, the geographic features of the isthmus between North America (including Mexico, because Mexico is part of North America) and South America cut across political lines, as do birds. Text is on the left, plates are on the right. One field guide, seven countries. Answers below.*).

America 214

America El Salvador Costa Rica Honduras 214

10,000 Birds

MAY 17, 2020

Kroodsma waited for years for the right opportunity to record its different songs, a “cascade of sweet and liquid notes,” one naturalist said, “like the spray of a waterfall and sunshine.”. How long does the bird stay aloft, and how many dives does he do? Like he does, say, for the Canyon wren. Does he have favorite places to dive?

Virginia 254

Virginia Boston North America 2020 254

10,000 Birds

APRIL 24, 2021

“That bird! That bird, chase it! Shearwaters scattered at our approach and the wind howled in our ears but it couldn’t dampen Wilfredo’s focus, nor his vocal insistence to “follow those birds”! As the prop motor revved and ocean spray flew by, I wondered, “Which birds”?

Costa Rica 264

Costa Rica Dolphins Sea Turtles Turtles 264

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 12, 2014

After wrapping up our time in the highlands of Honduras, Chris Lotz (owner of international bird tour company Birding Ecotours ) and I arrived at the deservedly famous Pico Bonito Lodge. However, for me, there were birds to be seen. Photo by James Adams. For the hardcore birder, Pico Bonito has plenty to offer.

Honduras 164

Honduras Monkeys Birds America 164

10,000 Birds

APRIL 3, 2018

Angela Minor has lived, traveled, and birded from the southern U.S. As a freelance travel writer, she authors the state park birding series at Bird Watcher’s Digest, writes for several travel publications including Blue Ridge Country, Smoky Mountain Living, World of Cruising, and serves as a field editor for Birds & Blooms.

Texas 188

Texas North America Alaska America 188

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 23, 2014

2014 has been a good year for us at 10,000 Birds. We’ve traveled to lots of places, seen lots of great birds, and met lots of great birders. So, as we’ve done for the last several years we thought we would share our Best Birds of the Year with you. Below are our Best Birds of the Year. What was yours?

2014 197

2014 Costa Rica South Africa Birds 197

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 18, 2019

We all have them: families of birds that are maddeningly similar, forever leaving nagging doubts about our identifications. But I am afraid to post my photos of these with IDs, since I am never quite sure I got them right.). Unless it is the height of mating season, this is a bird you will hear, but not see. As is this one.

Mexico 144

Mexico Argentina Experience Experiments 144

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 22, 2014

For others, it is the desire to have a different birding experience from home without needing a passport. In the ABA region, southeast Arizona and the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas host many sites right along the Mexican border that fit this description.

Thailand 167

Thailand Birds 2013 China 167

10,000 Birds

MAY 8, 2012

The Biggest Week in American Birding – on the shores of lake Erie, Ohio – is going really nicely. Sure, this is my first trip to North America, but still, who could find fault with 20+ wood warblers in a day? What a cool bird! Unsatisfying. I am not saying it was easy, but possible.

Ohio 193

Ohio North America Birds Owls 193

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 15, 2011

But even more bitter is a birder’s envy… Jealousy makes up so much of the birding experience that I imagine the green-eyed monster derives its color from parrot plumage. But the envy that gnaws at me right now stems not from the thought of the 9,000+ birds that I haven’t yet seen that others have.

Emotional 160

Emotional 2011 Ohio ALA 160

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 14, 2015

I started birding in what must have been 1978. Each new bird has been and still is a major personal achievement, another goal made, and always cause for unquestionable personal celebration. That’s how important the lifer experience is and I suspect most other birders who started out young feel the same.

Costa Rica 150

Costa Rica Birds Pennsylvania North America 150

10,000 Birds

MARCH 31, 2014

In her free time she travels near and far to find birds to continue building her life list, though many of her favorites can still be found right in her own backyard. She has contributed many pieces to 10,000 Birds and writes about her birding adventures on her blog, newbirder.tumblr.com. Lots and lots of birds.

Birds 185

Birds Florida Groups Breeding 185

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 4, 2011

For these stunning birds are not easily found outside of the Guianas which includes Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana. On a trip to Suriname to find and film some of these spectacular species I was blown away by the birding. But if you really want to get into serious birding in Suriname, a trip to Brownsberg is a must.

Suriname 224

Suriname Birds Guyana South America 224

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 3, 2015

Cuban Trogon, the national bird who wears the colors of the Cuban flag! There is an island of fascinating birds out there, and I want to see them all. ” birding destination.* The full name of this unique volume is Endemic Birds of Cuba: A Comprehensive Guide Including West Indian Endemics Living in Cuba.

Cuba 238

Cuba Birds United States 2000 238

10,000 Birds

JUNE 20, 2022

The little red bit on the crown on this photo indicates that it is a male bird. For this species, this is unfortunate as some of its behavior is well worth describing ( Wikipedia ): “These birds get their English name from their ability to turn their heads through almost 180 degrees.

Woodpeckers 245

Woodpeckers South Africa China Singapore 245

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

Newly surrounded by wildlife, he found his love of birds reignited. A professional hawkwatcher for many seasons, his passion and knowledge saw him invited to join the board of the Hawk Migration Association of North America in 2013. This is Luke’s first contribution to 10,000 Birds. Great birds. Sociability.

Bald Eagle 246

Bald Eagle Los Angeles Connecticut Eagles 246

10,000 Birds

JUNE 25, 2012

A cherished handful of Central and South American locations enjoy international renown as absolutely mandatory destinations for adventurous bird watchers and nature lovers. The dichotomous republic of Trinidad and Tobago may be something of a cipher to anyone unfamiliar with the point where the Caribbean ends and South America begins.

Trinidad 249

Trinidad South America America Ecuador 249

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 4, 2014

Charles Harper’s Birds & Word s is the signature book of this bird and nature artist’s career. Charles Harper’s Birds & Word s is the signature book of this bird and nature artist’s career. White article on bird feeding stations. I just count the wings. A tradition was born.

Betty Crocker 170

Betty Crocker Birds 2008 2007 170

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 4, 2016

British birders are very serious about birding and their birds. This is a very good thing; it means they publish a lot of books about birds (probably more at this point than U.S. This is a very good thing; it means they publish a lot of books about birds (probably more at this point than U.S.

Ireland 151

Ireland Birds Groups Falcons 151

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 5, 2013

There were three profound questions my birding group discussed while we birded Trinidad and Tobago, back in December 2012: (1) How many Bananaquits could fit on a banana? (2) 3) What was the best guide to the birds of Trinidad and Tobago? The bird guide question was a conundrum.

Trinidad 205

Trinidad Birds South America Research 205

10,000 Birds

MAY 15, 2011

And, as a bonus question, from what blog post on 10,000 Birds is the picture taken? Good luck and may you see a flock of wood-warblers today! ———————————————————————————————————————————————— This week, 8 May – 14 May 2011, is Wood-Warbler Week on 10,000 Birds! Read about them here but also get out and experience them.

United States 156

United States South America 2011 2012 156

10,000 Birds

JUNE 27, 2014

Parrots captivate me more than any other bird family. In my experience, parrots form a visibly and numerically important component of the Brazilian bird fauna. In the northeast of Brazil, the dry thorn-scrub caatinga is the home of the endangered Lear’s Macaw with a total population of only 1,100 birds.

Parrots 169

Parrots Brazil Mauritius Dominica 169

10,000 Birds

MAY 7, 2011

The next seven days, today until the fourteenth, are hereby declared Wood-Warbler Week on 10,000 Birds! Parulidae is just too great a family of birds and our only debate here was whether we would have Wood-Warbler Week or Wood-Warbler Month! Read about them here but also get out and experience them. Are you excited as we are?

United States 190

United States South America Cooking Family 190

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 29, 2013

I’ve spent a fair bit of time on the ocean on right side of North America. Not as much as many others, certainly, but enough that the birds of the Gulf Stream and pelagic “culture”, for lack of better word, are familiar to me. Birding the Gulf Stream requires patience.

San Diego 162

San Diego Los Angeles California North America 162