10,000 Birds

JULY 23, 2014

In the mid-1970s, a local breeder was burglarized and a few of his birds escaped, after which the breeder released his remaining stock of about 50 birds 1. The northwestern spread of this non-native species made it to my yard a few years ago. I am always alarmed when I see rapid expansion of a non-native species of any kind.

Breeders 178

Breeders 2002 North America Bahamas 178

10,000 Birds

MARCH 15, 2018

During the final stages of the Pan-European bird-atlassing work last year, computer models of Serbian ranges for some 150 bird species were produced for the first time ever. New target species for the next spring field trip. The consequences were amusing. Cannot wait to see it published, but it will take a few more years.

Serbia 101

Serbia Breeders Breeding Woodpeckers 101

10,000 Birds

JULY 5, 2013

Although both species are widespread in North America as breeders in shrubby edge habitats, that is not the case in the southern half of the sunshine state (the more northerly race of Prairie Warbler is an uncommon breeder in the panhandle). Everyone, I would like you to meet the ‘Florida’ Prairie Warbler ( S.

Florida 184

Florida Breeders Miami Tampa 184

10,000 Birds

MARCH 31, 2022

Not bad given that the 5 families in the inner circle of the laughingthrush family have a combined number of about 68 species. The Hainan version is sometimes considered a separate species, in which case it is classified as Near Threatened. 36, if my counting is right and there has been no very recent split or lump.

San Diego 203

San Diego Malaysia China Zoos 203

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 20, 2013

Westland Petrels are endemic breeders to New Zealand, and an attractive large black seabird. It is one of several species of Procellaria petrels found in New Zealand, and several more that are found in the southern hemisphere. Westland Petrel ( Procellaria westlandica ). Westland Petrel with Cape Petrel behind.

New Zealand 157

New Zealand Breeders Albatross Mammals 157

10,000 Birds

MAY 9, 2012

The least common species of hummingbird I see here is the Calliope Hummingbird ( Stellula calliope ). She is the latest of our local breeders, not nesting usually until mid-May. She will begin breeding in April. The male is the only hummingbird in North America with a rufous back. He also sports a brilliant orange-red gorget.

North America 207

North America Breeders America Breeding 207

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 27, 2013

It was for many years the last place you’d find Stitchbirds anywhere in the world, and to this day it still has the largest population of this species and arguably the only stable and secure one. Black Petrels ( Procellaria parkinsoni ) only breed on two islands, of which Little Barrier is one.

New Zealand 142

New Zealand Rats Cooking 2003 142

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 6, 2022

we learn) that are home to coveted boreal species, breeding wood-warblers, and two species of Grouse. There are 461 species on the Maine checklist. This field guide covers 265 species, the ones most likely to be seen–residential and migratory, almost all nesting birds, many wintering birds.

Los Angeles 192

Los Angeles Birds District of Columbia Parrots 192

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 22, 2022

It is not particularly big but has a reported 430 bird species including migrants, though during my short stay it seems I missed most of the key attractions among them. Great White Pelican is not just the name of a non-existent glam-rock band but also of a bird species. Pel’s Fishing Owl, where were you?

South Africa 147

South Africa Africa Birds Research 147

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 29, 2012

Both the male and female of the species have a bright red crown. Most Acorn Woodpeckers are cooperative breeders and live in family groups of up to a dozen or more individuals. Within a group, 1–7 male co-breeders compete for matings with 1–3 joint-nesting females who lay their eggs in the same nest cavity.

Woodpeckers 184

Woodpeckers Breeders Groups North America 184

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 7, 2020

The book is divided into three parts: “Introduction,” “Avifaunal Overview,” and “Species Accounts.” The authors’ detailed delineation of problems with the accuracy of NYC breeding bird surveys or with the limits of historical writings may test a reader’s patience. Most birders will go straight to the “Species Accounts.”

New York City 148

New York City New York Birds Breeding 148

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 1, 2015

Add more than 350 pairs of White Pelicans to that picture, numerous herons and up to 700 pairs of Pygmy Cormorants breeding in the same reedbeds (cover photo)… It must be bursting with activity in spring, but I was there in mid-September. In all that swirling of swallows, I am not certain was there a third species, so I keep watching.

Greece 252

Greece Pelicans Geese Breeding 252

10,000 Birds

MAY 2, 2014

Sure, Miami and the Florida Keys do not boast any endemics ( ‘Cape Sable’ Seaside Sparrow is close) at the species level. Many visitors who come through Orlando or Tampa see maybe eight or ten species on a winter trip. However, few realize how unique and how good the birding can be here.

Florida 171

Florida Miami United States Stray 171

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2022

Finally in 1799, the first visitors on this volcanic land were a group of French seal hunters who were after the fur seals that can be found hauled out on the beaches for fur and oil, which almost wiped out the local population of the species. About half of all breeding Wandering Albatross nest on the Prince Edward Islands.

South Africa 263

South Africa Mice Albatross Africa 263

10,000 Birds

JUNE 1, 2011

The Buller’s Mollymawk is an endemic breeder to New Zealand, although it ranges widely away from the islands to feed, and regularly goes to South America’s Humboldt Current to feed. As albies go they seem to be doing better than most species, and are only listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. I hope you enjoy the photos.

Albatross 206

Albatross New Zealand South America Breeders 206

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 26, 2011

You can see the list of the more than 270 bird species observed throughout the year at the marsh, along with their frequency and time of year seen here. Among the several species we did see on the jetty however, is the Black Turnston e ( Arenaria melanocephala ). Of course, all birds in these photos are in non-breeding plumage.

Sanctuary 198

Sanctuary North America Breeders Alaska 198

10,000 Birds

JUNE 23, 2011

The grasslands have been popping off with breeders for well over a month, but the snow is just now giving way to lush alpine meadows and rocky tundras. This is my time of year to explore thin air and look for unique Colorado breeders. Most REAL montane species like this finch are declining in overall population.

Colorado 169

Colorado Breeders Wyoming Breeding 169

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 9, 2015

Their habitats vary widely in both rural and urban landscapes; open habitats are preferred and the species generally shuns only extensively forested areas and wetlands 1. To show how adaptive this species is, the following photograph was sent to me by one of my readers and I use it with her permission.

Hunters 175

Hunters Hunting North America Game 175

10,000 Birds

JUNE 25, 2015

This is my first visit to this area, known as the Madz Brod, where two new breeding species for the country were discovered a decade ago. They are common winter visitors, but this is my first observation of them in the breeding season. But I cannot notice the breeder #2! Madz Brod by Slobodan Puzovic. We wait again.

Europe 247

Europe Serbia Russia Breeding 247

10,000 Birds

APRIL 15, 2011

… leaving the remainder of the birds on the Cyprus Species List (over 380 species) are either migrants or accidentals. the first three found only in the Troodos and Paphos forests). That’s quite a lot! As it happens though, Blackcaps may provide a modern example of how this can occur.

Cyprus 157

Cyprus Breeders Protection 2000 157

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 21, 2011

The species ranges widely across the Pacific, as its scientific name suggests, from the Revillagigedo Islands off Mexico to the Japanese Bonin Islands to New South Wales in Australia. In the air you can see the wedged tail that gives the species its name. I’ll do a post on this special little shearwater later on.

Albatross 169

Albatross Madagascar Breeders Mexico 169

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 28, 2014

This is similar to the fact that all birds, even first time breeders within a species build identical nests. In another experiment, other species of Darwin Finches were kept next to Woodpecker Finches that used tools. Just a bit of ingenuity can make a big difference for these herons and their progeny if they are breeding.

Fish 163

Fish Woodpeckers Ostriches Eggs 163

10,000 Birds

MARCH 13, 2013

The male and female of the species look very similar but they are easy to tell apart. Probably one of the most interesting things about these little birds is that they are cooperative breeders. It is camouflaged with local plant material, usually of the tree species the nest is built within.

North America 181

North America Breeders America Breeding 181

10,000 Birds

MAY 8, 2012

Africa has more than its fair share of storks, with 8 of the world’s 19 species gracing the continent. Storks are typically viewed as wetland species and whilst some storks are restricted to aquatic habitats, others are not. This is another wetland species that nests in sometimes huge colonies atop trees bordering rivers and lakes.

Africa 237

Africa Tanzania South Africa Uganda 237

10,000 Birds

JUNE 9, 2016

As a result, I had 15 species in the first hour. Laight has recorded some 100 species here, including Slavonian (Horned) Grebe and Red-rumped Swallow (the first is a rare migrant/wintering species only, while the second one is an uncommon breeder). There are no waterlilies here, but perhaps in some unused mine pit?

Turtles 112

Turtles Serbia Breeding Breeders 112

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 7, 2016

I am planning to have this post be the first in a (very) small series on Europe’s “large white-headed gulls” It will of course only be a small series since there aren’t that many large white-headed gull species in Europe and particularly because I don’t want to cause too harsh a drop in the blog’s visitor numbers.

Europe 120

Europe Spain Italy Ireland 120

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 7, 2011

They are the first of our migrant breeders to go, and they are gone by the beginning of August. Now, I can see how this may surprise some readers, but the underlying reasoning is quite comprehensible: Common Swifts breed in small crevices and cavities of cliff faces, and old buildings make for some terrific secondary habitat.

Elephants 167

Elephants Neglecting Europe Birds 167

10,000 Birds

JUNE 29, 2013

Being technically outside the summer tourism season, one can enjoy the somewhat less expensive travel and hotel costs, less crowded venues, great weather and nearly endless daylight—and of course many birds migrating and beginning the breeding/nesting season! There you will find more breeding terns, gulls and dozens of Graylag Geese.

Iceland 186

Iceland Puffins Europe Birds 186

10,000 Birds

JUNE 27, 2011

Even the most barren habitat shelters enough stealthy, confusing, downright frustrating species to scare off newbies. Every season presents its specialty species in the full flower of their availability, diversity, and beauty. Too many steps in a process can seem daunting, so always keep it as simple as possible.

Birds 198

Birds United States 2006 Breeders 198

10,000 Birds

APRIL 29, 2017

Even more pass through Costa Rica during spring and fall migration, and in summer, you can cross paths with an errant Whimbrel and other shorebirds that opt to extend the vacation in Costa Rica rather than heading way north to the boggy breeding grounds. This is a regular site for this species. Some of the birds at Morales.

Costa Rica 101

Costa Rica Morals Breeders Sparrows 101

10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2011

Birders who have been to California might be familiar with the latter two, indeed we would be close to the Poor Knights Islands later in the day, the site of the only breeding colony of Buller’s Shearwaters in the whole world. It is also restricted as a breeder to the north of North Island.

New Zealand 174

New Zealand Albatross 2011 Cooking 174

10,000 Birds

JULY 30, 2014

Humboldt and Del Norte Counties offer top-knotch birding, and a suite of species that can’t be found in the rest of the state. A new development for California birders is the potential split of Western Scrub-Jay …we may soon be the only state to have three species of scrub-jay!!! Arcata, CA. Northwestern California.

California 196

California San Diego Birds Oakland 196

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 20, 2023

Even the Latin species name soror (“sister”) indicates the similarity to another pitta species (blue-naped). The eBird description of the Small Niltava starts with the surprisingly dull statement that “size distinguishes this species from other niltavas” Who would have thought.

China 224

China Birds Pythons Eagles 224

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 22, 2024

When not climbing, he collected species, and thus a number of birds are named after him. For Whitehead’s Spiderhunter , the Latin species name juliae is also connected to Mr. Of course, only chemists have a rough idea what that might mean. ” Mediocre minds think alike. Leave the bad jokes to me, please.

Birds 221

Birds Indonesia Breeding Charlotte 221

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 18, 2014

The vast majority of the 10,000+ living species of birds are passerines, and the vast majority of those have a similar system of breeding: Mom and dad bird make a nest and share parental responsibilities roughly equally, if not identically. There are variations on that theme, of course. They looked at fairy-wrens and cuckoos.

Breeders 198

Breeders Breeding Birds Groups 198

10,000 Birds

MAY 10, 2018

The only unstreaked pipit around here and a characteristic breeder of sand dunes is the Tawny Pipit and this one shows well, holding to the grass edge. They do not build nests, but occupy old nests of Rooks and breed colonially among them. They are rare breeders here, but at least, this species’ numbers are on the increase.

Serbia 121

Serbia Eagles Falcons Farming 121

10,000 Birds

MARCH 15, 2011

Over the next few days, the Alpine Accentors ( Prunella collaris ) will arrive on their high-Alpine breeding grounds – it is time to start singing, despite that the treeless Alpine landscape is still under metres of snow. all Alpine Accetor photos digiscoped (c) Dale Forbes. all Alpine Accetor photos digiscoped (c) Dale Forbes.

2011 208

2011 Breeders Breeding Deer 208