10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 9, 2015

The Mourning Dove is a prolific breeder. It’s a good thing too, because it is the leading gamebird in North America in terms of total harvest and the widespread distribution of hunting effort. Use of non-toxic shot when hunting waterfowl has been mandatory, nationwide, since 1991. Click on photos for full sized images.

Hunters 173

Hunters Hunting North America Game 173

10,000 Birds

MARCH 11, 2024

This laughingthrush is a cooperative breeder – nestlings are fed by all members of a group, often 6-12 (not just 2 as in Wham!): “A female may share a nest with another, and 3 or more adults may take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks.” (Note to those readers who do not know Wham!: ” ( source ).

Burma 189

Burma India Birds Indonesia 189

10,000 Birds

MAY 8, 2012

It is predominantly a wetland bird and most productive larger wetlands and lakes of Africa will support a population of these large, hulking birds that hang around the shallows searching for fish, waterbird nestlings and anything else remotely edible. They also prey on frogs and crabs.

Africa 233

Africa Tanzania South Africa Uganda 233

10,000 Birds

MAY 3, 2022

On a second visit I spotted a fishing boat going east along the channel followed by over a hundred gulls and terns, including over 40 Black Terns. I’m sure regular visitors to this area could tell you more about how the winds and tides affect the migrating birds and when the breeders start to nest.

Houston 201

Houston Texas Sanctuary Sparrows 201

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 3, 2015

Habitat destruction, disease and hunting are still major problems that affect the conservation efforts, but the breeding sites and wintering grounds now have international protection. Many of these potential breeders though will not nest. It is still endangered and the most recent survey showed a worrying stagnation in the population.

Taiwan 219

Taiwan North Korea Vietnam 2003 219

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 30, 2020

Common Cuckoo is a fascinating bird, an obligate parasitic breeder that employs numerous strategies, including fraud and murder, to survive. , deep-pandemic birds (all local), and still-pandemic birds (a little travel), it is the Rhode Island Common Cuckoo that will define this year for me.

2020 221

2020 Birds Germany Costa Rica 221