10,000 Birds

JUNE 1, 2021

Pough “with illustrations in color of every species” by Don Eckelberry, Doubleday, 1946. The National Audubon Society Birds of North America covers all species seen in mainland United States, Canada and Baja California. The press material says it covers over 800 species, so you know I had to do a count.

North America 279

North America America Birds California Condor 279

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 5, 2013

The first two questions were never definitely answered. First published in 1973 in association with the Asa Wright Center, the book focuses on species descriptions, with illustrations grouped together in plates positioned in the center of the book. (2) Which hummingbird was more beautiful—Tufted Coquette or Ruby-topaz Hummingbird? (3)

Trinidad 199

Trinidad Birds South America Research 199

10,000 Birds

MARCH 11, 2011

In 1903, the distinguished Elliott Coues declared , “This is a definite and perfectly natural group, which will be immediately recognized by the foregoing characters, one of which, complete webbing of hallux, is not elsewhere observed among birds.&# He could not say the same today.

2011 154

2011 Pelicans Papua New Guinea Birds 154

10,000 Birds

MAY 16, 2022

As this African Green Pigeon shows, the color should offer good camouflage for species living on trees. In case you do not know that brimstone is sulfur, the Brimstone Canary brings the point home by having the Latin species name sulphurata. Different bird families, I know. Lucia for the birds. Celebration everywhere.

South Africa 206

South Africa Africa Saint Lucia Birds 206

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 24, 2020

This boldness isn’t restricted to exchanges with other grouse, either: in some locales, members of this circumpolar family are astonishingly foolhardy around humans. As a brand name, “The Famous Grouse” makes for a rather boastful claim – particularly with that obligatory definite article.

Sheep 203

Sheep Branding Ireland Fowl 203

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 2, 2012

It’s my fantasy and it’s yours: Quit the job, say good-bye to the family, and bird. And, to give his dream year a little more oomph, he created a grand once-in-a-lifetime goal: to track down and see every pitta species in the world in one year. It’s what I dream of every Monday morning. And mosquitos.

Hunters 196

Hunters Sri Lanka Asia Solomon Islands 196

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 10, 2020

To the general public, members of the family Laridae are mere “seagulls”, crafty and determined summertime bullies dead set on snatching French fries and ice cream out of the hands of unsuspecting beachgoers – and, perhaps thanking them messily afterwards by bombing them from above. Be sure to bundle up. Let’s go with European Herring Gull.

Ireland 198

Ireland Branding Species Industry 198