10,000 Birds

MAY 9, 2017

Controversies about federal public lands, including the 2016 occupation of Malheur NWR in Oregon and proposed bills in Congress to dispose of certain land, has focused attention on the value of federal lands to birds and birders. But if one focuses on specific types of birds, the results can be both illuminating and surprising.

Albatross 142

Albatross Hawaii Alaska Puerto Rico 142

10,000 Birds

APRIL 10, 2015

In February of 2013, I wrote a piece outlining my thoughts on which exotic bird species should be added to the American Bird Association (ABA) checklist. Outside of Florida, there are also growing populations in Los Angeles, San Antonio, and Houston. Egyptian Goose parents watching over nearly fully grown goslings.

Los Angeles 154

Los Angeles Miami San Francisco Florida 154

10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2015

So what does climate change mean for birds? Though all birds will be somehow impacted by climate change, I think it is important to note that not all will suffer. As deserts expand, birds suited to arid climates may be just fine. Whats in it for birds? Well…it means everything.

North America 235

North America Birds San Francisco Suffering 235

10,000 Birds

MARCH 15, 2016

This is Jason’s first contribution to 10,000 Birds: Birders were rightly alarmed by the armed occupation of the Malheur NWR in Oregon. One of the nation’s premier birding locations had been overrun by an armed militia and the occupation unexpectedly endured for weeks. Individually, many NWRs protect crucial bird habitat.

Wildlife 189

Wildlife Grizzly Bear Puerto Rico United States 189

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 23, 2011

One obvious reason is that most have plumage variations between their breeding plumage and non-breeding plumage. If you live north of the San Francisco Bay area in California like I do, or north of Delaware on the east coast, you would most likely be looking at a Greater Yellowlegs. References: 1 O’Brien, M.,

San Francisco 165

San Francisco Delaware Jordan New York 165

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 4, 2021

I am sure this means millions of individual birds were displaced by this drought event. But it actually showed the extreme crowding, into the very small remaining area of water, of birds that should have been spread over many dozens of square miles. And are the birds returning with the water? Still, there were a few good signs.

San Francisco 264

San Francisco 2018 Mexico Ducks 264

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 9, 2020

Splits were once a much more subjective determination, based on differences in appearance, vocalizations, habits, and breeding preferences. I have seen Mallards in places as distant as San Francisco and Munich. The post Splitsville appeared first on 10,000 Birds. We call this a “lump” But hey, this is 2020.

San Diego 194

San Diego San Francisco Mexico Baltimore 194

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 14, 2017

I recently asked whether Puerto Rico should be part of the American Birding Association’s ABA Area. Both Puerto Rico and the USVI have active birding communities that are currently excluded from full membership in the ABA family. Although different territories, they are nearby and share many of the same birds.

Puerto Rico 173

Puerto Rico Virgin Islands Hawaii United States 173

10,000 Birds

JULY 26, 2019

So, it just might be that pisco – the beloved South American grape brandy contentiously claimed by both Peru and Chile – is the only spirit named after birds. The etymology of the city name itself is debatable, but according to the Chilean linguist Rodolfo Lenz, it comes from the Quechua pishku , meaning “bird”.

Peru 129

Peru San Francisco Parrots Chile 129