10,000 Birds

MARCH 15, 2021

Before I delve into some of these avian treasures let me give you a few non-birding reasons to visit this gem of South America. If your Spanish or Portuguese is at the level of a 2-year-old bonobo like mine is, then you’ll probably be pleased to know that Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America.

Guyana 279

Guyana Otters South America Colombia 279

10,000 Birds

MARCH 3, 2020

Like a shy stepchild, it’s always eclipsed by the wonders of Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, etc. Michael Kessler, born in Peru and currently working in Switzerland, has researched birds, plants, and overall biodiversity in Bolivia and South America, and, his bio says, fulfilled a lifelong dream by contributing his artwork.

Bolivia 190

Bolivia Birds Brazil Switzerland 190

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 6, 2011

The difference in the name is subtle and the nominate, Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus cirrocephalus is from South America, so the locally favoured title, Gray-hooded Gull, would be more acceptable to North American birding aficionados, but I maintain that a hood would continue down the nape to the top of the back, which it clearly does not.

South Africa 183

South Africa Pedigree Africa New York 183

10,000 Birds

MARCH 1, 2011

This means that there are some astoundingly large families of birds in Central and South America. Veraguan Mango by Carlos Bethancourt Although the Neotropical region supports fewer bird families than Africa, there are considerably more bird species here than anywhere else on earth. Hope you have a great trip there in July!

Panama 226

Panama Costa Rica 2011 Cleveland 226