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Honestly, How Much Could It Rain?

10,000 Birds

Any California-raised person knows that it just doesn’t rain in California in June. I was raised in between the two cities, and visited that area earlier this month. The Red-winged Blackbirds were wet. San Francisco averages two-tenths of an inch for the month, while San Jose only averages half that much.

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Birding Shanghai in March 2023

10,000 Birds

That paper raises an interesting question: “When less attractive people accept less attractive dates, do they persuade themselves that the people they choose to date are more physically attractive than others perceive them to be? Wait, the study was not done with people but with Eurasian Siskins.

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Birding Gir National Park, India

10,000 Birds

Underneath an arched branch, one familiar bird, a Common Blackbird female… but after a recent split in 2005 by Rasmussen and Anderton, it was elevated to a full species – Indian Blackbird ( Turdus simillimus ). It belongs to the same species as those in Europe, but a smaller subspecies ( Sus scrofa davidi ).

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Red-wing and Great Gray

10,000 Birds

An angry Red-winged Blackbird attacked again and again, flashing its bright epaulettes and hitting the heron hard in the middle of its back. The blackbird appeared to be purposefully targeting the heron’s back. It continued to fish, working its way slowly along the bank while the blackbird continued its assault.

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Signs of Spring Migration in Costa Rica

10,000 Birds

The Red-shouldered Hawks , the quick flapping Accipiters and the legions of blackbirds and ducks moved through the cool airs of March and April but the orioles, grosbeaks, and wood-warblers wouldn’t show up until the trees had their buds and many had their leaves. At some sites, flocks of 30, even 60 or more birds are expected.

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Urban Birding in Costa Rica

10,000 Birds

The raising of the bins took place along roads through semi-shaded coffee farms and on the grounds of Villa San Ignacio , a hotel with big old wonderful trees and regenerating forest. Blackbirds. Great-tailed Grackles are a given, we also had Bronzed Cowbird, Melodious Blackbird, and a few Montezuma Oropendolas.

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Returning to Old Haunts

10,000 Birds

A Green Heron stood stock-still as we passed, blending in with the raised oyster beds recently exposed by the retreating tidal waters. Osprey and Royal Terns soared on the coastal winds overhead, and Red-winged Blackbirds sounded their raspy calls just about everywhere. A strong sense of nostalgia washed over me.

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