10,000 Birds

AUGUST 20, 2014

What happens when you visit one of the best birdwatching sites in the region with the highest number of endemic bird species in the Americas in the world’s birdiest country? How else can I describe two days at Cerro Montezuma in Colombia. Hope that you’re as fortunate to go birding with Leo! Your mind gets blown.

Colombia 262

Colombia Birds South America America 262

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 5, 2019

While Colombia may have almost 2000 bird species, it is a huge country with, still, complicated long-distance travel logistics. On the other hand, small countries with relatively long bird lists offer higher species densities per square mile. The Species per Square Mile Approach. Why 99,999? And why 1000?

Gambia 234

Gambia Equatorial Guinea Species Rwanda 234

10,000 Birds

APRIL 21, 2021

My state of Michoacán has a wide variety of nectarivorous birds. But we have one bird here, a bird that does not occur in the U.S., This bird, in spite of what you may see in the photo at the top of this post, is named the Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer. The post Sneak Attack appeared first on 10,000 Birds.

Costa Rica 244

Costa Rica South America North America Venezuela 244

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 4, 2014

Tropical birding demands tropical birds, those families and genera unique to their latitudes rather than shared via migration across various climate zones. My participation in the Proexport Colombia Avistamiento de Aves familiarity trip brought me to the Otun-Quimbaya Reserve for a day of absolutely thrilling tropical birding.

Colombia 189

Colombia South America Argentina Ecuador 189

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 1, 2014

The sun shines on Colombia’s brilliant coffee-growing regions and abundant avifauna. I just returned from a brief but exciting trip to Colombia and will take this weekend to catch my breath. Corey will be birding Greene County with family and friends. Where will you be this weekend and will you be birding?

Colombia 158

Colombia Psychology 2014 Birds 158

10,000 Birds

MARCH 20, 2012

Colombia is not only home to nearly 20% of all avian life on the planet but this birding mecca also accommodates an incredibly high percentage of highly sought after species. Moreover, Colombia remains the best destination to see many species that are very tough to find elsewhere in South America.

Colombia 242

Colombia Ecuador South America North America 242

10,000 Birds

JUNE 25, 2022

Most of the usual birds seem present, a frog or two call from a small wetland, and a few other expected animals are there too. We would marvel over cheery flocks of green and bright yellow Carolina Parakeets and then we would see them decline until there were just two, maybe one lonely bird, and then we would witness their forever absence.

Costa Rica 252

Costa Rica Parrots Albatross Birds 252

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

My latest posts have tended to the thematic, rather than offering up lots of photos of the cool birds I am seeing. That is not due to a lack of birding; I am still going out every Monday. But very rainy weather during August made it harder to see exciting birds, and often resulted in poor photos of those I did see. and Canada.

Colombia 217

Colombia ALA Canada Mexico 217

10,000 Birds

JULY 19, 2018

Birders follow different patterns of bird migration and their local activities and travel accordingly. It illustrates the bird richness per country. Shown as a list, it looks like this: Less than 200 bird species: Antarctica; oceanic islands. Focus on the wider triple border area – the birding top of the world.).

Equatorial Guinea 191

Equatorial Guinea Costa Rica Guyana Central African Republic 191

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 16, 2021

Have you ever birded a place so young that birds still have no names? At first we followed one trail, without success, then we followed the other one – the same happened – and when we were ready to enter the boat, to cross the river arm behind the sandbank, there it was, the bird with no name.” Thamnophilus sp.

Colombia 276

Colombia Birds Fish Venezuela 276

10,000 Birds

JULY 24, 2014

Thanks to my new best friends at Proexport Colombia, I’ll be birding this weekend in the birdiest country on Earth. Where will you be this weekend and will you be birding? Also be sure to come back Monday to share your best bird of the weekend ! Birding July weekend' How about you?

Colombia 159

Colombia 2014 Breeders Birds 159

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 10, 2020

On the northern birding calendar, October is a time for sparrows, cool weather, and tired fall leaves. In Costa Rica, the tenth month is when birds pass through in droves. but there are other birds, many stopping to stay, many others moving to South America. In Costa Rica, a lot of those birds fly right overhead.

Costa Rica 263

Costa Rica South America Colombia Paraguay 263

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 25, 2022

The first title of the ‘official’ series (there were two ‘prequels’) was “ Birds of Thailand “, published in 2018. The most recent was the ninth one, “ Birds of Colombia ” in 2021. One thing I deeply respect is the addition of common bird names in a local language.

Thailand 147

Thailand Colombia 2018 Groups 147

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Very few birds – or animals for that matter – would plunge head-first into the churning cauldrons of some of South America’s most treacherous rivers. Seeing only the male or female really doesn’t cut it as these birds are the epitome of sexual dimorphism. Torrent Ducks are the thrill-seekers of the avian world.

Ducks 236

Ducks Colombia South America Squirrels 236

10,000 Birds

APRIL 3, 2012

This week I find myself writing about Colombia again. But this should not come as a surprise as the country really is almost fathomless when it comes to delicious bird content. Found in the south-western part of the country in tropical dry and moist forests, the stronghold of this bird is around the Cali region in the Cauca Valley.

Colombia 171

Colombia Woodpeckers South America Asia 171

10,000 Birds

APRIL 10, 2021

Birds are arriving in North America, flying from places far to the south. When birding in parks and woodlots of Ohio, Virginia, and Toronto, places with groves of maples and old craggy oaks, it can be hard to imagine that the Red-eyed Vireos of constant song were foraging for caterpillar larvae in rainforest just a few months earlier.

Costa Rica 259

Costa Rica Nicaragua Ohio Honduras 259

10,000 Birds

JULY 20, 2019

However, no matter how one enjoys or takes in interest in the avian side of life, an official list of the birds for a given area is of vital importance. With the rise in birding tourism, bird lists for entire countries have also become increasingly important. How about Steely-vented Hummingbird in Colombia? So long buddy.

Costa Rica 198

Costa Rica Birds Owls South America 198

10,000 Birds

JULY 26, 2016

I remember the very first time I saw the national bird of Venezuela. The Venezuelan Troupial has a large range, and can be found in Venezuela (obviously), Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, and a number of Caribbean Islands. For example, it is a big, bulky bird, with a bright yellow eye and a “ patch of bare blue skin behind the eye.”

Venezuela 101

Venezuela Puerto Rico Colombia Trinidad 101

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 13, 2011

Yesterday I posted a blog about the mystery hummingbird located in Rogitama, Colombia. I am pleased to share some photographs of the bird that was captured by a team of Colombian ornithologists for DNA analysis.

Colombia 215

Colombia Research Birds 215

10,000 Birds

MARCH 3, 2020

One of these days, Jeopardy will feature a category called “Field Guides” and the first clue will be: “This landlocked South American country finally got its own bird field guide in 2016, but it wasn’t available in the United State until 2019.” Bolivia doesn’t come up much in discussions of birding travel.

Bolivia 170

Bolivia Birds Brazil Switzerland 170

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 30, 2021

Have you ever birded a place so young that birds still have no names ? … – part 2 – Once I finish this writing, with a strange mix of emotions I will put the Lynx field guide Birds of Colombia to the bookshelf for the first time, more than half a year after I received it. Cerros de Mavecure, photo by Juan Carlos.

Dolphins 258

Dolphins Colombia Otters Birds 258

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 11, 2011

Founded by Roberto Chavarro and his family in the early eighties, this little reserve has been dropped slap-bang into the birding spotlight by the recent claims of the rediscovery of the Bogota Sunangel Heliangelus zusii , a species that is known from one record – a skin from 1909! returned to the USA. An amateur at best.

Colombia 230

Colombia Family 2011 Species 230

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 6, 2014

The first shorebird arrivals are apparently birds that failed at a breeding attempt and don’t have time to re-attempt; they might as well head south early. After the shorebirds, gulls, tern, and land birds follow suite and soon the winter resident mark the end of another Fall migration. Birds migration' Cerulean Warbler.

South America 162

South America Colombia Peru Chile 162

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 5, 2020

Good local guides are important for more reasons than just finding the best birds. I’m sure this rule is as true in Borneo, Colombia, central Africa, or even Central Park, as it is in Mexico. Is it safe to bird in Mexico? appeared first on 10,000 Birds. And Paso Ancho? I can only give an anecdotal answer.

Mexico 159

Mexico Colombia Africa Experience 159

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 1, 2013

I am sure you know how it goes…when you are a birder, your friends (non-birders) will tell bird stories, anecdotes or ask questions about birds they have seen. By July 13 there were 910 birds, and by July 27, biologists counted 1,500 birds; the maximum number. Then, they keep flying south overland to western Colombia.

Florida 228

Florida Cuba Colombia 2004 228

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 1, 2014

Birding in the Amazon Rainforest has its pros and cons. However, rainforest birds live in specific microhabitats and are often much easier to hear than to see in the dense multilayered rainforest. This Birding Rally’s competitors were companies that specialize in birding and nature tours.

Peru 182

Peru Birds United Kingdom South Africa 182

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 16, 2019

Barbets are odd, chunky birds with large beaks. There’s so much more that can be said about this group of birds but that’s the first description that comes to mind. Like many other barbets, both are clownish birds in terms of plumage and song; the Red-headed Barbet. and the Prong-billed Barbet.

Costa Rica 162

Costa Rica Colombia South America Ecuador 162

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 27, 2016

In addition to birding as much as I can and my full-time job in Okaloosa County, I also work part-time for Voices for Biodiversity , an online magazine. In the past, V4B has published stories about avian field work in Colombia , counting shorebirds along the Florida coast, and so much more (over 200 in all!).

Campaign 135

Campaign Indonesia Colombia Florida 135

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 26, 2013

Also known as Black-backed Bush Finch is only found in the montane forests of Ecuador and Colombia. If you are into R&R then you must stop at the hot springs and dip for a few hours before you move on to the next birding site. Black-backed Bush Tanager.

Ecuador 143

Ecuador Colombia Birds 143

10,000 Birds

MARCH 21, 2015

Birders head to Costa Rica to see stunners like Resplendent Quetzal , Three-wattled Bellbird , Orange-collared Manakin , fancy hummingbirds , tanagers, and literally hundreds of other birds. This bunch of possible Costa Rican crypto birds can be grouped into four main categories: (1). Bird species that require further research.

Costa Rica 207

Costa Rica Species South America America 207

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 18, 2012

One of the defining characteristics of birds, besides the obvious features of wings and feathers, is their bills. From toucans to curlews and from hummingbirds to flamingos, birds display an almost otherworldly diversity in these body-parts. Bills are instrumental in defining three of the senses in birds – taste, touch and smell.

Birds 210

Birds Mammals Mozambique New Zealand 210

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 22, 2012

This bird, of the Turdus family, can be found on the western slopes of Ecuador and Colombia. Black Solitare at Recinto 23 de Junio I have looked for this secretive bird in a few places and finally saw it and photographed last week at my favorite and reliable Umbrellabird site.

Ecuador 146

Ecuador Colombia Humane Experience 146

10,000 Birds

JULY 19, 2014

These birds were seen as part of a 5-rallid morning on the promenade at Costanera Sur in Buenos Aires with this picture featuring 3 of them. The dark markings are easily visible and obvious, but are not present on the birds shown in this post. It is common on freshwater in the lowlands and can be found above 7000 feet in Colombia.

Argentina 160

Argentina Colombia South America America 160

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 23, 2014

2014 has been a good year for us at 10,000 Birds. We’ve traveled to lots of places, seen lots of great birds, and met lots of great birders. So, as we’ve done for the last several years we thought we would share our Best Birds of the Year with you. Below are our Best Birds of the Year. What was yours?

2014 185

2014 Costa Rica South Africa Birds 185

10,000 Birds

MARCH 23, 2013

Most of these birds can only be seen in this northern region of Ecuador. One of the truly amazing areas for these endemic birds is a road that leads to remote towns where the AWA indigenous people live. The AWAS, as well as the Choco Endemics, reside both in Ecuador and Colombia.

Ecuador 158

Ecuador Colombia Protection Birds 158

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 19, 2011

It is a very small antpitta that lives in Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela and Bolivia. Pululahua Crater This bird is fairly common here in the Puluahua Geobotanical Reserve and lives between 2000 and 2600 m.a.s.l.

Ecuador 171

Ecuador Bolivia Venezuela Peru 171

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 10, 2015

Mountains are a boon for birding. The montane forests of Costa Rica and western Panama are home to at least 50 species of birds that live nowhere else except for one or two that also occur in northwestern Colombia. Bird the high elevation habitats of the Talamancan Mountain Range and the regional endemics rule.

Costa Rica 150

Costa Rica Panama Nicaragua Honduras 150