10,000 Birds

APRIL 29, 2015

I’m a big fan of the antelopes, a group that is most commonly associated with Africa but which also occurs in Asia and, if you stretch the term to be cladistically meaningful, Europe and North America. By this I mean applying the term antelope to cover all of the family Bovidae, which would include the sheep, goats and ox.

Africa 162

Africa Hunters Goats Wolves 162

10,000 Birds

JUNE 23, 2022

I saw two Pitta species at Hongbenghe, both among the slightly less glamourous among the pitta family: The Blue-naped Pitta … … and the closely related Rusty-naped Pitta. The Blue Whistling Thrush is presumably named for its loud human-like whistling, and possibly for being blue.

Birds 147

Birds Myanmar China Chicago 147

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 11, 2012

Originally a hunting term, the Big Five were the most dangerous and prized targets of the great white hunters on safari. They are part of the scarab beetle complex and over 300 species have been described, occurring not only in Africa but also Europe, Asia and the Americas. In Asia they are even commonly kept as pets!

Buffalo 195

Buffalo Rhinoceros Elephants Leopards 195

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 2, 2012

It’s my fantasy and it’s yours: Quit the job, say good-bye to the family, and bird. I get my own idea of the lunacy of Gooddie’s quest when I talk to a friend who has birded Asia and Africa. Each chapter of The Jewel Hunter reads like a mini-travel novel. It’s what I dream of every Monday morning.

Hunters 187

Hunters Sri Lanka Asia Solomon Islands 187

10,000 Birds

JULY 6, 2021

If you had your choice of one bird family to pursue, to seek out and observe and photograph and kvell over, which one would you choose? A passion for one bird family is also very useful. I’m surprised that the book doesn’t include images reflecting some of the hummingbird and human history Dunn writes about in such detail.

Costa Rica 264

Costa Rica Brazil Ecuador Bolivia 264

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 7, 2017

This is how, I think, the “Crossley technique” works best—coverage of specific bird families that pose identification challenges to birders at all levels of skill. And Hybrids: Waterfowl tend to hybridize to a greater degree than most other bird families, and the guide does an excellent job of covering hybrids. million to 2.2

Ducks 114

Ducks North America Geese Hunters 114