10,000 Birds

MAY 22, 2015

This is what we need for birds, whose rights as government-protected species are violated every day by free-roaming cats. Thanks to groups like Alley Cat Allies, outdoor and feral cats have become above the law. What birds need is their own SWAT team. You call the SWAT team. Neighbor B has nine outdoor cats.

Feral Cats 259

Feral Cats Feral Cats Wildlife Rehabilitation 259

10,000 Birds

APRIL 13, 2012

I am so sick of the feral cat colonies that infest so many locations that I like to bird. And while I am sick of the cat colonies I am even more sick of the deluded people who believe that by feeding feral cats they are somehow helping them. Mr Kerridge says it is a misconception that cats kill a huge number of birds.

Feral Cats 217

Feral Cats Feral Cats Coyotes 217

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 10, 2014

I was at the Blue Heron Wetlands in Titusville, Florida, during the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival hoping to connect with a Purple Gallinule that the field trip I co-led with Laura Erickson failed to find. Then I saw a pair of birds, the pair pictured above, and I suddenly had a dilemma on my hands.

Feral 180

Feral Florida Ducks Texas 180

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 11, 2023

I did not actually go to Afghanistan for birding. So, birds in Kabul. I am only including them in this post to give you my real-life Kabul experience … Four species are the most easily seen in the few urban parks (into which women are not actually allowed to enter – I am not sure about female birds).

Afghanistan 174

Afghanistan Birds Feral Zoos 174

10,000 Birds

APRIL 19, 2013

Much has been made in these pages about the havoc that feral cats wreak on native birds. Maybe Daleks could be trained to focus on feral cats?). But, as the penultimate paragraph of the story states, chowing down on all those Big Macs and fries meant that he didn’t have much interest in preying on birds.

Feral Cats 189

Feral Cats Feral Cats Tnr 189

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 14, 2023

As the rice paddies near Kota Kinabalu described in an earlier post , Tanjung Aru beach is not really a major birding spot in its own right. However, it is only a short taxi ride away from the airport where most travelers will arrive at – better to see birds instead of just eating fast food while waiting for a connecting flight.

Malaysia 245

Malaysia Philippines Parrots Birds 245

10,000 Birds

JUNE 11, 2014

The National Park Service is finally going to remove the feral cat colony from Plumb Beach, part of the Gateway National Recreation Area. If you want to learn more about why cats should be kept indoors check out the American Bird Conservancy’s Cats Indoors page.). Nature lovers, rejoice!

Feral Cats 262

Feral Cats Feral Cats Reptiles 262

10,000 Birds

APRIL 18, 2013

The American Bird Conservancy announced a new study that feral cats prey on the endangered Hawaiian Petrel. Scientists might find it more challenging to seek out evidence of which bird species, particularly non-Arctic, island-bound species, are NOT preyed upon by birds. At the risk of sounding insensitive, duh.

Feral Cats 151

Feral Cats Feral Cats Hawaii 151

10,000 Birds

MAY 13, 2022

The only bird-related activity I can think of is looking at bird photos I took in Singapore in 2015, and adding some irrelevant comments to them. Presumably, birds living in Singapore do not understand German. And I spent my time in Singapore birding, not shopping. “Odd, me?”

Singapore 222

Singapore Birds Zebras Feral 222

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 9, 2023

The Collins Bird Guide covers Europe, North Atlantic islands, much of North Africa and the Middle East. The Collins Bird Guide 2nd edition from 2009 was a much hated taxonomical revolution/nightmare, changing just about everything. I am still annoyed that no birds are where they used to be. the Corn Bunting plate).

Europe 255

Europe Birds Woodpeckers Ireland 255

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 5, 2020

In that spirit, Corey chose the lowly feral Rock Pigeon as his Best Bird of the Weekend. Like Corey and so many others, I took the time to really appreciate the everyday species we jaded bird chasers typically take for granted. What was your best bird of the weekend? How about you?

2020 143

2020 Feral Sparrows Birds 143

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 10, 2011

We here at 10,000 Birds are firmly on the side of those who want to keep cats indoors. The American Bird Conservancy has been at the forefront of that fight and they have written a letter to the mayors of the fifty largest cities in the United States asking them to help stop the rising tide of feral cats.

Feral Cats 157

Feral Cats Feral Cats United States 157

10,000 Birds

MAY 21, 2012

Jim Coufal, writing for the Madison County Courier in upstate New York, shares his thoughts on the feral and outdoor cat problem.

Feral 160

Feral Cats New York 160

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 25, 2016

Mark Gamin, a Cleveland lawyer, likes cats and birds both. This is Mark’s first contribution to 10,000 Birds. In Oregon, the Barred Owl is taking over Northern Spotted Owl territory and threatening that smaller bird’s survival. Agonizing quandaries concerning invasive species are well-known to wildlife biologists.

Feral Cats 259

Feral Cats Cats Tnr Feral 259

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 8, 2020

The misconception was revealed on a bigger screen when I got home and I saw that what I had taken to be his fingers were the spread primaries of a pigeon (or Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) if you are looking for an easy tick). The post The Joy of Pigeons appeared first on 10,000 Birds.

Feral 168

Feral Birds 168

10,000 Birds

JUNE 13, 2022

Some more photos of Australian birds mixed with irrelevant facts and mediocre half-jokes, as a way to pass away the time while being under lockdown in Shanghai (note: it is over now but this post was written during the lockdown). It must be a bit frustrating for a flower to be less colorful than the bird visiting it though.

Australia 197

Australia Birds Feral Cats Kangaroos 197

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2024

The chapter titles of Feather Trails: A Journey of Discovery Among Endangered Birds represent both ends of the spectrum: “A World Full of Poisons,” “Malaria,” “Forest Intruders,” “Lead Shock,” “Shot.” Conservation. It’s not easy.

California Condor 179

California Condor Falcons California Birds 179

10,000 Birds

JULY 4, 2021

This pair of birds, which we presume to be the exact same pair, has been laying eggs in this area since 2008. We have observed Pied Oystercatcher parents chase of White-bellied Sea-Eagles and unfortunately there are feral cats and feral foxes have become more prevalent too. appeared first on 10,000 Birds.

Breeding 251

Breeding Eggs Feral Cats Feral 251

10,000 Birds

JULY 5, 2022

In 2007 I was working in a university building that was just begging for bird feeders. This was where I set up my bird feeders, just one at first, then expanding as everyone expressed delight in seeing the Carolina Chickadees, Dark-eyed Juncos, and Downy Woodpeckers. There were no dead birds for weeks. I hoped it was an anomaly.

New York City 255

New York City Birds Illinois Science 255

10,000 Birds

MAY 13, 2015

Thanks to a relatively feral childhood I have been left immune to the power of poetry, so I shall dismiss the poetry (a form of art comparable at best to interpretive dance) with a simple dismissive wave of the hand. Baby’s First Bird, if you will. Vultures are proper birds. True birders, birders who like birds, love em.

Africa 174

Africa Feral Ethiopia Tanzania 174

10,000 Birds

APRIL 1, 2013

After careful consideration of all of the enlightened arguments that have been made by those in favor of Trap-Neuter-Return for feral cats in recent blog posts , we here at 10,000 Birds have been completely convinced by their well-thought-out, logical, and airtight conclusions.

Rats 228

Rats Trap Neuter Return Feral Cats Neutering 228

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 27, 2015

Ah Hawaii, land of beautiful beaches, surfing, warm weather, and unique birds. Because of its distance to the mainland, Hawaii is home to over 60 species of endemic birds. Few are as unique (or rare) as the Nene , or Hawaiian Goose , Hawaii’s state bird. Nenes can only be found in Hawaii, and used to be plentiful.

Hawaii 156

Hawaii Feral Cats Mongoose Geese 156

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 17, 2014

Some of the same individuals from my last post about Bryant Park are still lingering and a few other interesting birds have moved in. And, of course, some birds are always at Bryant Park. Feral Pigeons and House Sparrows are in the park year-round in numbers. What have I seen lately? Read on and find out!

Sparrows 184

Sparrows Feral Birds 184

10,000 Birds

JUNE 11, 2015

A manicured green lawn in front of the building and an iridescent blue bird on a smallish aloe tree. It was June 1999 and I was observing my first ever bird on African soil. The next bird was some crow-like UFO observed from the shuttle bus. I asked the bus driver about the bird and he asked me back: “The bi’d?” “Umm,

Africa 212

Africa Botswana Birds Europe 212

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 23, 2014

As much as I love hearing about and sharing Best Birds of the Weekend, sometimes I have cause to ponder just what that term means. Obviously, the birds themselves are not jockeying for recognition. Rather, we designate best birds according to our priorities and perceptions of value. BBOTW speaks volumes about birders, not birds.

2014 187

2014 Feral Asia China 187

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 13, 2014

We birders are very particular about the birds that we count. We can count introduced species that have met the criteria of the “Bird Police” for the area to which they are introduced. There are lots of birds we can’t count. There are lots of birds we can’t count. We can’t count caged birds.

Chickens 199

Chickens Florida Feral Species 199

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2015

Two Feral Pigeons. Three Feral Pigeons. And so on… not much of a birding day, heh? One more Feral Pigeon. One Feral Pigeon. The weakest bird from a pigeon fancier aviary gets a dubious honour to be promoted into a Kamikaze. A Hooded Crow. One more Hooded Crow. A Great Tit. Yet, not a trace of a falcon.

Switzerland 194

Switzerland Serbia Feral Falcons 194

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 4, 2016

In front of us, the river is two miles wide… and it is paved with birds: smaller groups of Greater White-fronted and Greylag Geese , numerous Mute Swans and Mallards , plus Eurasian Teals , Gadwalls , Common Pochards , a few Ferruginous and Tufted Ducks , Common Goldeneyes and several Smews. A goose hunt sounds like a WWII battle.

Geese 177

Geese Hunting Boars Birds 177

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 17, 2019

The Christmas Bird Count was the answer. The IWC census starts from mid-January following the logic that it is the period when the birds have reached their wintering grounds and are rather static, so the chance of double-counting the same flock is minimal. But it is so frustrating to pass the birds by without IDing them!

Geese 146

Geese Serbia Birds Estonia 146

10,000 Birds

APRIL 25, 2014

The snake was wrapped firmly around the hawk’s tail, neck, and wings, and had enough strength to immobilize the bird but not to kill him. Key West Wildlife Center takes mostly birds, but will rescue mammals, marine mammals, and both land and sea turtles as well. KWWC also has a thriving feral chicken sideline.

Reptiles 207

Reptiles Chickens Sea Turtles Wildlife Rehabilitation 207

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 30, 2016

Specifically, the state’s Big Island, where a new fence was just completed in the hopes of protecting an endangered bird. Part of the threat to the birds’ existence has been ravaging by feral cats , which eat both adults and chicks alike. Sounds something like a win-win.

Protection 133

Protection Feral Cats Hawaii Feral 133

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 9, 2019

How to get yourself out of bed on cold, dark, pre-dawn winter mornings, where to find the nearest landfill, how to convince officers of the law that you aren’t doing anything more than watching birds. The list goes on, it just depends on what you are willing to do to see birds. Here are some tips: Waterproof optics.

Costa Rica 163

Costa Rica Birds Feral Laws 163

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 8, 2012

Apparently Alley Cat Allies only wants to protect feral cats, an introduced predator that decimates native wildlife communities. And should a group dare question the wisdom of domestic cats being outdoors they are “extremists” in the eyes of the crazy cat people.

Extremist 162

Extremist Groups Feral Cats Cats 162

10,000 Birds

MARCH 21, 2020

In the meantime, it played host to my target bird for the trip. The Brown-headed Thrush , Turdus chrysolaus , is a very typical thrush and you may wonder why anyone would get excited about such an indistinguished bird. The post Brown-headed Thrush appeared first on 10,000 Birds. Success was almost immediate.

Feral Cats 163

Feral Cats Japan Feral 2020 163

10,000 Birds

MARCH 16, 2013

He wrote a column , not for Audubon, but for the Orlando Sentinal , in which he advocated the killing of feral cats instead of the use of trap-neuter-release. When one of the leading organizations for bird conservation in the United States caves to the pressure of the crazy cat people that is just disgusting.

Cats 272

Cats Feral Cats United States Euthanasia 272

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 6, 2015

I was birding one of my favorite places yesterday, Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Palm Beach County, Florida, and, as generally happens, people were asking me about the birds they were admiring. Small), it provides a friendly and authoritative way for people interested in the birds around them to learn more quickly and easily.

Colorado 238

Colorado Florida Birds New Jersey 238

10,000 Birds

MARCH 19, 2013

On 14 March, 2013, the Orlando Sentinel published an opinion piece by Ted Williams under the headline “Trap, neuter, return programs make feral-cat problem worse.” Then he gave a couple of alternative solutions to the feral cat problem: There are two effective, humane alternatives to the cat hell of TNR. ” Wait, what?

Feral Cats 272

Feral Cats Trap Neuter Return Tnr Extremist 272