10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 14, 2021

As devoted readers of 10,000 Birds know , the writers contribute checklists to a joint eBird account called the “ 10,000 Birds Collaborative.”. As of mid-November 2021, the Collaborative had submitted more than 4,200 checklists (up from 1,700 in 2018) and has observed 691 species in the United States (up from 618).

United States 228

United States West Virginia Puerto Rico Minnesota 228

10,000 Birds

MAY 20, 2023

But does ChatGPT have even a rudimentary understanding of a niche topic like birding? I asked it a few questions about birding locations and the (unedited) results are below, along with some brief analysis. Please note that the availability of specific bird species may vary depending on the season.

United States 162

United States Michigan Texas Virginia 162

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 5, 2017

It’s a well-known fact that southeast Arizona in summer is awesome. My first birding trip ever was to Arizona. I saw a lot of birds, learned a lot about birding (including the fact that I had lousy binoculars), and gained good birder friends. This was a wonderful re-introduction to the desert species I was seeking.

Arizona 105

Arizona Lovebirds Phoenix New Jersey 105

10,000 Birds

MAY 24, 2020

North America is home to many amazing bird species, including several which require a special effort to see and appreciate. There are few birds in the world with such a dramatic combination of blue, green, and red colors as the Painted Bunting. Southeast Arizona Sky Island Spring Sampler. South Texas Birding & Nature.

America 264

America Arizona North America United States 264

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 17, 2022

We might have limited space but we make up for it with a massive amount of biodiversity including well over 900 bird species on the official Costa Rica bird list. With good reason, lots of birders visit Costa Rica and we also have a good sized local birding community. Perhaps they only sing at certain times of the year?

Costa Rica 239

Costa Rica Latvia Albatross Netherlands 239

10,000 Birds

APRIL 21, 2013

But some recent work by James Maley and others is shedding more light on these secretive and fascinating birds. Clapper Rails , as currently defined by the AOU, occur along the coasts of North and South America and Caribbean islands, and inland in southern California and Arizona. The full study is fascinating and well worth a read.

Species 243

Species North America Cuba Louisiana 243

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 6, 2022

At the end of 2022, let us celebrate the local field guide, a sub-genre that many of us feared would die, the victim of technology, development, and globalization, but which still shines bright, fewer in number but brilliant in quality, thanks to birders and birding organizations that believe in knowing your patch and your state.

Los Angeles 226

Los Angeles Birds District of Columbia Parrots 226

10,000 Birds

MARCH 5, 2024

Birders know that some of the finest birding locations in the country are on federal land , which include national parks , wildlife refuges , forests , monuments , and seashores , among others. These lands support countless birds, either year-round, as migratory stopovers, or as breeding grounds. But what else should birders know?

Virgin Islands 241

Virgin Islands Alaska United States Endangered Species 241

10,000 Birds

APRIL 17, 2019

Now that Jeanne and I have settled here in Tucson, Arizona, we have been questioned by our friends dozens of times….Why 10 countries, over 1300 bird species, and now I have limited my various twitches to just one county, Pima, which pretty much surrounds the greater Tucson Arizona. Why Tucson? So, why Tucson, why not?

Tucson 113

Tucson Arizona Birds Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2024

The chapter titles of Feather Trails: A Journey of Discovery Among Endangered Birds represent both ends of the spectrum: “A World Full of Poisons,” “Malaria,” “Forest Intruders,” “Lead Shock,” “Shot.” Conservation. It’s not easy. This is the most intense, tragic section.

California Condor 207

California Condor Falcons California Birds 207

10,000 Birds

APRIL 5, 2022

Thank you, goddess of birding luck and text group people).* My inner self felt stuck in an area between disbelief and total joy and the voices near me were echoing this state of mind: “Oh My God,” “I never thought I would see this bird,” “Look at that bill!” “How did that bird get here?”

Birds 264

Birds Compassion Eagles Science 264

10,000 Birds

MAY 7, 2024

Sixteen species that have been recorded in the United States are covered: six Myiarchus flycatchers and ten Kingbird ( Tyrannus ) flycatchers. As with the first volume, I was surprised to see the inclusion of a species that has only been seen in the U.S. Introductory Material Sixteen species, 190 pages.

Los Angeles 207

Los Angeles North America Species America 207

10,000 Birds

JUNE 11, 2019

Although sometimes thought of a bird of the Southwest, the condor’s historical range reaches as far north as British Columbia. One management tool used by FWS is reintroduction of an endangered species into its former range. An “essential” population is, not surprisingly, required for the continued existence of a species.

California Condor 242

California Condor California Endangered Species Oregon 242

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 27, 2019

Most birders that have spent any amount of time chasing down our fine feathered friends have learned that most cities waste treatment facilities are incredible magnets for many species of birds. One of the small cities south of Tucson Arizona, Amado, has a very small pond, right along highway 19, also known as the Nogales Highway.

Pelicans 171

Pelicans Tucson Arizona Groups 171

10,000 Birds

JUNE 5, 2021

In Costa Rica, with around 50 hummingbird species on the list, we have our fair share of minute feathered stars. These unreal birds zip through every level of forest, use every habitat, and, like various others of their kind, several are found right in the garden. I feel fortunate to see one or more of this species on a daily basis.

Costa Rica 264

Costa Rica South America Arizona Species 264

10,000 Birds

MARCH 6, 2019

Now that Jeanne and I have finally settled on Tucson, Arizona at least for a while, I will pick up where I left off at the end of 2018. Arizona, specifically the South East portion of the state, will be my “beat” for the rest of this year. This area has no less than 17 eBird hotspots recorded, many of which boast nearly 200 species.

Arizona 155

Arizona Tucson Florida 2018 155

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 238

Honduras Costa Rica El Salvador Arizona 238

10,000 Birds

JULY 1, 2020

One of the reasons Mexico is such a great birding area is that, while it shares all sorts of bird groups with the United States and Canada, it also is home to some of the northernmost representatives of neotropical and genera that do not (or just barely) reach that far north, such as Woodcreepers, Tityras, and Trogons. Species seen?

South America 264

South America Mexico America United States 264

10,000 Birds

MARCH 17, 2022

American White Pelicans spend their winter months along the Gulf states, California, parts of Arizona, and Mexico down into Central America. No matter how many times I see them, this particular species remains breathtaking. I’m talking, of course, about “my” flock of American White Pelicans.

Pelicans 255

Pelicans United States Canada Arizona 255

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 18, 2019

When you think of Southeast Arizona Birding, and the unique birds that can be found there, it conjures thoughts of roadrunners, hummingbirds, trogons, and the many other desert residents. We are right in the middle of the fall migration, so new and unusual species is not without some expectations.

Tucson 155

Tucson Arizona Florida Rights 155

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 12, 2020

Yes, it’s the same species that so many North American birders have looked for around the San Pedro River (myself included) and like those Arizona birds, our urban Gray Hawks likewise use riparian zones. Hopefully, the bird out back will help us answer such a question or two. Juvenile Gray Hawk.

Costa Rica 325

Costa Rica Mice Arizona Squirrels 325

10,000 Birds

JUNE 21, 2013

After nearly a week of traveling through Arizona’s very dry southeastern corner, I decided to make a detour to Flagstaff for a change of pace, a change of scenery, and a chance at seeing an assortment of birds more typical of the Great Basin than the Sierra Madre of Mexico. Truly, a must see species in North America.

Arizona 141

Arizona Woodpeckers Phoenix Birds 141

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 6, 2019

For most avian migrants heading south towards Mexico, Central and South America, crossing thru the Arizona desert areas can provide very few water, food and resting areas. This 90 acre lake, managed by Arizona Fish and Wildlife is about a 45 mile drive from Tucson, and 9 miles from Mexico, as the Chihuahuan Raven flies.

Mexico 140

Mexico Tucson Arizona Ducks 140

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. Think Arizona meets Costa Rica with a Mexican twist. Photo by Andrew Spencer.

Mexico 213

Mexico Costa Rica Arizona Birds 213

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 8, 2017

It is not always obvious which side of a bird-related conservation lawsuit is the right side. Audubon thought there should be some wild condors to serve as “guide birds” for condors that would eventually be released from the captive breeding program. As many birders know, the last wild California Condors were captured by the U.S.

California Condor 112

California Condor California District of Columbia Utah 112

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. Honesty requires that I confess to having seen none of these species. Those are good numbers.

Mexico 209

Mexico Indonesia North America Arizona 209

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 5, 2018

Just a few miles northwest of downtown Tucson, the Sweetwater Wetlands is truly a birding gem. This is a water reclamation plant, so the water is not quite as sweet as the name might suggest, but it certainly is a magnet for a lot of bird species. Deborah and I had a wonderful morning, and found 39 species. Stay tuned!

Tucson 135

Tucson Arizona Blackbirds Texas 135

10,000 Birds

JUNE 6, 2020

Because where would we be without birds? You may need to bird with an open mind and watching eye but look close and even the pigeons flying through human-made canyons can be a source of inspiration, their swift flight transforming them into amazing creatures and taking us to other places. Like the Urban Birder says, “Look up!”

Costa Rica 240

Costa Rica Panama Arizona Protection 240

10,000 Birds

JULY 24, 2019

Rarely does the name Madera Canyon come up without most North American birders taking pause to recognize the importance to birding in the Southwest U.S. In a check of the eBird hotspot list for Santa Rita Lodge, it shows a life list there of 170 species, and approaching 13,000 check lists submitted.

Arizona 157

Arizona Woodpeckers Turkey Sparrows 157

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 31, 2018

Now that we have “settled” in Tucson, Arizona, or at least this is where the 5th Wheel is for the time being, it has been nice to be able to spread out a bit. I have my bird books, field guides and reference material out where they can be gotten to in a moment’s notice. I need to find a wholesale account for my bird seed somewhere.

Tucson 113

Tucson Costa Rica Arizona Woodpeckers 113

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 23, 2012

Tucson, AZ, August 2012 – When you get a bunch of bird bloggers together, which you do you imagine comes first: birds or blogs? Hot Mallards , both pure and manky Spanish speakers can trust that Agua Caliente is aptly named, but the birds can be as hot as the water. Where else can you see something like that?!

Tucson 154

Tucson Arizona North America Sparrows 154

10,000 Birds

JUNE 7, 2013

I had the pleasure of paying this national park a visit on a trip to Arizona in late May, and I was immediately struck by how important this species of plant is to this ecosystem. Thriving in a hostile, rocky, arid environment, these cacti are oases for nearly all vertebrate species that have evolved to live in the Sonoran Desert.

Arizona 167

Arizona Tucson Miami Shelters 167

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 24, 2016

Alas, now that the Arizona Cardinals have fallen to the Carolina Panthers, we face the prospect of a Super Bowl without bird-themed football teams. I got a good dose of seaducks this weekend up at the mouth of Irondequoit Bay; the most interesting species amidst the mixed flocks was a lone Bufflehead hobnobbing with Common Goldeneyes.

2016 102

2016 ALA Arizona Horses 102

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 23, 2016

Colorado is unique in many respects, so it comes as no surprise that its residents went in a different direction when selecting their state bird. Unlike many other official birds, the Lark Bunting is not a year-round resident. Lark Buntings are prairie birds, and breed in open meadow, sagebrush, and plains.

Colorado 104

Colorado Legislature North America New Mexico 104

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 22, 2014

Nearly every country or region has an area on its periphery that regularly attracts a tantalizing assortment of vagrants or a set of species that just barely make it over an international border. For others, it is the desire to have a different birding experience from home without needing a passport.

Thailand 167

Thailand Birds 2013 China 167

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 9, 2019

Over-all there were almost 80,000 photos taken, nearly 50 story’s posted on this website, and 10 countries, all with some amazing birds. In the end, I truly did set out to reduce the number of birds that I feature here from 1302, my years total species, down to 10-12. I present to you, my favorite birds of 2018.

2018 184

2018 Costa Rica South Africa New Zealand 184

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

I know humans as a whole are a powerful species, but really, we do not have that much control over hummingbird migration ( Trumpeter Swans , maybe, but not hummingbirds). It is possible to see birds like the above female Ruby-throated Hummingbird well into October in northern states like Minnesota. &# How does she know???

Arizona 252

Arizona Minnesota Compassion Welfare 252