10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 27, 2023

He was very alert now, scanning the right bank with his eagle eyes. A rather small black bird moved about, making short hops to and fro until finally it stopped for a couple of seconds, lowering its head to the side watching us inquisitively. That’s how it is with most smaller Amazonian birds.

Solomon Islands 230

Solomon Islands Ecuador Colombia Brazil 230

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 7, 2014

All of the birds within Raphini are highly specialized for island life. It’s a spectacular pigeon with long neck plumes and blue, green, and copper iridescence in its feathers (I mean, look at this bird ), and it lives on islands from the western Indian Ocean all the way out through northern Melanesia.

Solomon Islands 278

Solomon Islands Guinea Mauritius Humane 278

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 8, 2012

As 10,000 Birds’ New Zealand beat writer, I sometimes should write about New Zealand birds, but today I thought I’d talk about a bird that people thought was one but almost certainly wasn’t. So what were these Australian birds doing in New Zealand? But it seems the story wasn’t so clear cut.

New Zealand 183

New Zealand Pelicans Solomon Islands Palau 183

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 14, 2015

The species was in the news because some scientists had finally managed (or bothered – it’s much the same thing) to locate the population high in the mountains of the Solomon Islands, and catch and photograph one. It’s a scientific collection, and has and is used by scientists to expand what we know about birds.

Collecting 231

Collecting Solomon Islands New Zealand Fiji 231

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

I watch birds pretty much all the time. This may come as a surprise to folks who keep their birding casual, or who limit their watching to a backyard feeder. I watch birds all the time and I can’t help it. I never stop birding no matter where I am, Costa Rica included.

Costa Rica 178

Costa Rica Solomon Islands Wisconsin Farming 178

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 23, 2011

As introductions to tropical Pacific birding go, you could do a lot worse than Fiji. More importantly the airport in Nadi (pronounced Nandi) on the main island of Viti Levu is a major air hub and frequent stop on flights between the United States and Australia or New Zealand. And let me say, it was very productive.

Fiji 171

Fiji Solomon Islands Parrots Los Angeles 171