10,000 Birds

JUNE 20, 2022

T he Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker (Tengchong, China) is a tiny bit bigger and looks much soberer. A point in case: the Crimson-breasted Woodpecker (Tengchong, China). So, more than my usual maximum of five photos per species for the Eurasian Wryneck (Nanhui, Shanghai, China).

Woodpeckers 231

Woodpeckers South Africa China Singapore 231

10,000 Birds

APRIL 1, 2024

in northeast Asia.” It seems to be impressed by the species: “The Verditer Flycatcher ( Eumyias thalassinus ) is a strikingly beautiful bird found in South Asia.” I am sure some people will hate this photo of a Eurasian Hoopoe , framed as it is by human artifacts.

Chicago 144

Chicago Birds Asia China 144

10,000 Birds

MARCH 31, 2022

While I am still not so sure about China’s sense of humor – though admittedly, the issue is mostly a mismatch between what I think is funny and what the average Chinese thinks is funny, an issue that I have had in other countries as well – the country sure has its fair share of Laughingthrushes.

San Diego 205

San Diego Malaysia China Zoos 205

10,000 Birds

JUNE 23, 2022

The Blue Whistling Thrush is presumably named for its loud human-like whistling, and possibly for being blue. While it is listed as Least Concern, it is rare in China – the range map in the HBW barely touches Chinese territory. I am ok with the microfalcon but do not quite get the “bluish” (caerulescens) part.

Birds 147

Birds Myanmar China Chicago 147

10,000 Birds

JULY 18, 2022

I do not get too many comments on my blog posts, but it seems that whenever I write about jacanas – whether in Africa, Australia, or Asia – there is an unusually high number of reactions (well, maybe one or two rather than the usual zero) from female readers. This is ok as birds do not have teeth anyway). How efficient.

Birds 162

Birds South Korea Japan Abandon 162

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 18, 2022

Oh, and maybe humans need to be a bit less destructive to your habitat, too. In Europe, most of them winter south of the Sahara but an increasing share winters north of it – which sounds like an interesting research topic for people who, ahem, find such topics interesting. Asian Dowitchers at Nanhui on July 26, 2022: all losers?

Cattle 147

Cattle Portugal Buffalo Humane 147

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 10, 2022

It seems the ones I got decent photos of are all juveniles – it generally seems to be easier to get photos of juveniles as they have not quite learned to avoid humans. Thank god that this does not apply to humans. Sometimes being a member of the human race feels very embarrassing.

Birds 197

Birds China Eggs Owls 197