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 196

Los Angeles Birds District of Columbia Parrots 196

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 22, 2022

It is not particularly big but has a reported 430 bird species including migrants, though during my short stay it seems I missed most of the key attractions among them. It goes like this: While fishing, the bird tucks its head down and uses its wings to create a shady area. Pel’s Fishing Owl, where were you?

South Africa 147

South Africa Africa Birds Research 147

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 23, 2020

Birding in Mexico is not like birding in the United States… especially when it comes to interpreting unusual sightings. Howell does not place the White-tailed Hawk anywhere near Morelia, but I have seen it in every cuadrant of the city, and know for a fact that it breeds near the church I pastor.

Mexico 298

Mexico Science Breeders United States 298

10,000 Birds

MARCH 31, 2022

Not bad given that the 5 families in the inner circle of the laughingthrush family have a combined number of about 68 species. Presumably, in the early days of ornithology, some scientists spent most of their time transcribing bird calls. This post shows some of them. And of course, I would have been wrong.

San Diego 206

San Diego Malaysia China Zoos 206

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 7, 2020

Happy New Year, 10,000 Birds readers and writers! Everyone is looking back on their best birds of 2019, so I thought it would be a good idea to look at a book that looks back a little further: Urban Ornithology: 150 Years of Birds in New York City , by P. The Bronx also has a special place in birding history.

New York City 150

New York City New York Birds Breeding 150

10,000 Birds

JULY 23, 2014

In the mid-1970s, a local breeder was burglarized and a few of his birds escaped, after which the breeder released his remaining stock of about 50 birds 1. This is an animated map made from Christmas Bird Count data of Eurasian Collared-Dove sightings from 1987 through 1997 2. Click on photos for full sized images.

Breeders 178

Breeders 2002 North America Bahamas 178

10,000 Birds

MARCH 15, 2018

During the final stages of the Pan-European bird-atlassing work last year, computer models of Serbian ranges for some 150 bird species were produced for the first time ever. New target species for the next spring field trip. Cannot wait to see it published, but it will take a few more years.

Serbia 101

Serbia Breeders Breeding Woodpeckers 101

10,000 Birds

MAY 2, 2014

It is also a good description of the birding in southernmost Florida. However, few realize how unique and how good the birding can be here. Sure, Miami and the Florida Keys do not boast any endemics ( ‘Cape Sable’ Seaside Sparrow is close) at the species level.

Florida 172

Florida Miami United States Stray 172

10,000 Birds

JULY 5, 2013

Although both species are widespread in North America as breeders in shrubby edge habitats, that is not the case in the southern half of the sunshine state (the more northerly race of Prairie Warbler is an uncommon breeder in the panhandle). Everyone, I would like you to meet the ‘Florida’ Prairie Warbler ( S.

Florida 186

Florida Breeders Miami Tampa 186

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2022

Hannah Buschert was first exposed to birds and birding during a required ornithology course at Oregon State University and she quickly caught the birding bug. This is Hannah’s first contribution to 10,000 Birds. Hannah and Erik ready to see some birds! I love to go on cruises.

South Africa 263

South Africa Mice Albatross Africa 263

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 20, 2013

Empty beaches, massive glaciers and ancient beech forests make a highly attractive landscape for anyone interested in the great outdoors, and the birds don’t hurt. Westland Petrels are endemic breeders to New Zealand, and an attractive large black seabird. Birds New Zealand endemics petrels'

New Zealand 157

New Zealand Breeders Albatross Mammals 157

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 1, 2015

The other day I was exploring a new area for the first time, birding the national park that I’ve watched only in BBC documentaries, the place famous for the largest Dalmatian Pelican colony in the world – more than 1300 pairs! Checking the birds on the stork’s nest, I found both House and Spanish Sparrows. Have you heard of it?

Greece 252

Greece Pelicans Geese Breeding 252

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 27, 2013

It was for many years the last place you’d find Stitchbirds anywhere in the world, and to this day it still has the largest population of this species and arguably the only stable and secure one. Black Petrels ( Procellaria parkinsoni ) only breed on two islands, of which Little Barrier is one.

New Zealand 142

New Zealand Rats Cooking 2003 142

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 29, 2012

Both the male and female of the species have a bright red crown. Shortly after the first bird leaves the feeder, the remaining woodpecker peaks around the edge of the feeder. These birds inhabit foothill and mountain woodlands and are closely associated with oaks and usually found in pine-oak woodlands. www.youtube.com/watch?

Woodpeckers 184

Woodpeckers Breeders Groups North America 184

10,000 Birds

MAY 9, 2012

The least common species of hummingbird I see here is the Calliope Hummingbird ( Stellula calliope ). She is the latest of our local breeders, not nesting usually until mid-May. She will begin breeding in April. The male is the only hummingbird in North America with a rufous back. He also sports a brilliant orange-red gorget.

North America 210

North America Breeders America Breeding 210

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 9, 2015

The Mourning Dove ( Zenaida macroura) is among the most abundant and widespread terrestrial birds endemic to North and Middle America. Their habitats vary widely in both rural and urban landscapes; open habitats are preferred and the species generally shuns only extensively forested areas and wetlands 1. www.youtube.com/watch?v=44fNo6B5gUI.

Hunters 176

Hunters Hunting North America Game 176

10,000 Birds

JUNE 29, 2013

Joseph Chiera is a Masters student in Animal Behavior and Conservation at Hunter College in NYC and a “somewhat newbie” to birding. After taking an ornithology course last year, he was hooked and spends most of his free time birding or reading birding blogs. Of course, birding was on the itinerary!

Iceland 188

Iceland Puffins Europe Birds 188

10,000 Birds

JUNE 1, 2011

The Buller’s Mollymawk is an endemic breeder to New Zealand, although it ranges widely away from the islands to feed, and regularly goes to South America’s Humboldt Current to feed. As albies go they seem to be doing better than most species, and are only listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. I hope you enjoy the photos.

Albatross 209

Albatross New Zealand South America Breeders 209

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 26, 2011

This area includes Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary, part of Audubon’s Humboldt Bay Important Bird Area (IBA). You can see the list of the more than 270 bird species observed throughout the year at the marsh, along with their frequency and time of year seen here. Click on photos for full sized images.

Sanctuary 200

Sanctuary North America Breeders Alaska 200

10,000 Birds

JUNE 25, 2015

Are we going to bird in the fog? This is my first visit to this area, known as the Madz Brod, where two new breeding species for the country were discovered a decade ago. They are common winter visitors, but this is my first observation of them in the breeding season. But I cannot notice the breeder #2!

Europe 248

Europe Serbia Russia Breeding 248

10,000 Birds

JUNE 23, 2011

Now, here in Colorado this is the season for the high-country birds. The grasslands have been popping off with breeders for well over a month, but the snow is just now giving way to lush alpine meadows and rocky tundras. This is my time of year to explore thin air and look for unique Colorado breeders.

Colorado 169

Colorado Breeders Wyoming Breeding 169

10,000 Birds

JUNE 27, 2011

Up to that point, I’d offered Great Reasons to Become A Bird Watcher in an effort to encourage the uninitiated to try bird watching. Bird watching sounds simple, but for the beginner it’s anything but. Here are three simple steps to starting bird watching the right way: 1.

Birds 200

Birds United States 2006 Breeders 200

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 21, 2011

The species ranges widely across the Pacific, as its scientific name suggests, from the Revillagigedo Islands off Mexico to the Japanese Bonin Islands to New South Wales in Australia. So easily in fact that when planes come to land they, along with the other birds, must be flushed up and away lest they do themselves and the planes an injury.

Albatross 170

Albatross Madagascar Breeders Mexico 170

10,000 Birds

JULY 30, 2014

However, I am here to make the case for birding California. With the largest state list by a considerable margin and a mind-boggling diversity of habitats, I reckon we have some amazing birding to offer. So if you are thinking of doing some birding out this way, here is a quick run-down of some of the state’s best birding areas.

California 199

California San Diego Birds Oakland 199

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 7, 2011

They are the first of our migrant breeders to go, and they are gone by the beginning of August. The Common Swift holds a unique position amongst the birds of Europe, a position that makes it particular and peculiar beyond its astounding adaptations to an aerial life: It defines a season. The birds of summer have gone.

Elephants 167

Elephants Neglecting Europe Birds 167

10,000 Birds

APRIL 15, 2011

… leaving the remainder of the birds on the Cyprus Species List (over 380 species) are either migrants or accidentals. the first three found only in the Troodos and Paphos forests). That’s quite a lot! As it happens though, Blackcaps may provide a modern example of how this can occur. Well no kidding!

Cyprus 157

Cyprus Breeders Protection 2000 157

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 28, 2014

Among birds the Egyptian Vulture uses rocks to crack Ostrich eggs, the New Caledonian Crow and Woodpecker Finch (one of several Darwin Finches of the Galapagos Islands), uses sticks to extract grubs from inside a branch. This is similar to the fact that all birds, even first time breeders within a species build identical nests.

Fish 163

Fish Woodpeckers Ostriches Eggs 163

10,000 Birds

MARCH 13, 2013

They are described in most texts as “a very small, drab-gray bird with a long tail” but I think they are under appreciated. The male and female of the species look very similar but they are easy to tell apart. Probably one of the most interesting things about these little birds is that they are cooperative breeders.

North America 183

North America Breeders America Breeding 183

10,000 Birds

MAY 8, 2012

Africa has more than its fair share of storks, with 8 of the world’s 19 species gracing the continent. Furthermore we have another very special stork-like bird, the regal Shoebill , previously known as the Whale-headed Stork but now placed in its own family. It is also related to Wood Stork of the Americas and Milky Stork of Asia.

Africa 240

Africa Tanzania South Africa Uganda 240

10,000 Birds

JUNE 9, 2016

It has been a while since I birded a new area for the first time – I sure missed the feeling. As a result, I had 15 species in the first hour. As a result, I had 15 species in the first hour. Paljuvi Dam, some 30 miles SW of Belgrade, Serbia, is a known angling, but not so well known birding destination. And a puzzle.

Turtles 113

Turtles Serbia Breeding Breeders 113

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 7, 2016

Of course this is self-evident as you can never have enough gulls on a bird blog, but this blog here is in an especially dire need of more gull posts for the simple reason that I have a few nice pictures of gulls that would make for a few nice posts. It has come to my attention that this blog needs more gulls.

Europe 122

Europe Spain Italy Ireland 122

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 20, 2023

This is the second part of a post showing some birds seen at Nonggang in December 2022, along with the usual (mostly irrelevant) comments. Even the Latin species name soror (“sister”) indicates the similarity to another pitta species (blue-naped). Sir James McGrigor (1771-1858) Director Gen.

China 228

China Birds Pythons Eagles 228

10,000 Birds

APRIL 29, 2017

During the winter months, thousands of small wading birds frequent the mud flats of the Gulf of Nicoya as well as estuaries on both coasts. It adds that jackpot flavor to birding at every mud flat at any time so you better be on your toes and ready to recognize the odd bird out of the flock.

Costa Rica 101

Costa Rica Morals Breeders Sparrows 101

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 22, 2024

When not climbing, he collected species, and thus a number of birds are named after him. Three of them can be found on Mount Kinabalu, and local bird guides speak admiringly of colleagues who have seen all three of them on one day (we only managed two). Like the broadbill, Whitehead’s Spiderhunter is a Borneo endemic.

Birds 225

Birds Indonesia Breeding Charlotte 225

10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2011

home about advertise archives birds conservation contact galleries links reviews subscribe Browse: Home / Birds / Petrel Paradise Petrel Paradise By Duncan • March 2, 2011 • 4 comments Tweet Share I’ve mentioned before that New Zealand is a great place for enjoying petrels.

New Zealand 175

New Zealand Albatross 2011 Cooking 175

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 28, 2022

In retrospect, this weekend at Wuyuan was not exactly my finest hour as a bird photographer – hopefully, I could do better now, and perhaps one day I will, should normal traveling ever be possible again in China. I’d rather see yellow birds than yellow plants. Such a cute bird deserves a better representation.

China 147

China Birds Breeders Zoos 147

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

Having come back to the blog in whatever form and persistency, the overarching subject of language in birding seemed to be a suitable and deserving theme since bird names were part of my original beat. How have birds infiltrated our everyday language, even of non-birders? No birds required.

Germany 181

Germany Birds Hunters Owls 181