10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 9, 2015

There are many charismatic endangered birds that capture people’s hearts and imaginations: the colossal California Condor , the evocative Red-crowned Crane , and the adorable Spoon-billed Sandpiper come to mind. Curassows are such stately birds. Photo courtesy of Ciro Albano. What happened next was pure magic.

Brazil 219

Brazil California Condor Parrots Texas 219

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 1, 2013

A week ago today, the federal government proposed a “threatened” listing for the Greater Sage Grouse in Nevada and California , as part of a larger study considering whether the species as a whole should be listed. As such, I am delighted to see them receive protection. Naturally, not everyone is equally delighted.

Nevada 160

Nevada Endangered Species Montana Humane 160

10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2011

I spotted a Eurasian Wigeon amongst the American Wigeon right out of the gate, but that wasn’t the best sighting of the day. Being winter, this bird is in non-breeding plumage with more brown upper parts and lacking the white face it acquires in its aternate (breeding) plumage. It was foraging in breast deep water.

Wildlife 155

Wildlife 2011 Sacramento Jordan 155

10,000 Birds

MAY 8, 2013

The unrivaled aerial champions of the Americas have to be the two species of Condor, the one-time almost nearly extinct California Condor and the truly massive Andean Condor. The California Condor has a story well-known by anyone with an interest in birds. California Condor , photo by Sheridan Woodley. Old Wold Vultures.

California Condor 185

California Condor Turkey North America Jordan 185

10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2011

In particular the South Island destination of Kaikoura is world-renowned for the flocks of albatrosses and giant petrels floating right off the pelagic boat, and the ease of the trip makes it a must-visit for any visiting birder. As we left the long harbour there were plenty of inshore seabirds such as gannets, shags, gulls and terns.

New Zealand 175

New Zealand Albatross 2011 Cooking 175

10,000 Birds

MARCH 11, 2011

Brown Pelicans , and the northernmost Brown Booby breeding colony on this side of the Pacific. Brown Boobies ( Sula leucogaster ), Islas Coronado, Baja California © David J. Ringer Gannets and Boobies (Sulidae) Black-and-white gannets breed on the cold, rocky coasts of the northern and southern oceans. Good day sir.

2011 154

2011 Pelicans Papua New Guinea Birds 154

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 7, 2014

There are only approximately 23 million people in the whole country, which is about 10 million less than the state of California. The population decline is generally blamed on habitat destruction and introduced predators, but inter-breeding may also be to blame. A species, wiped off the earth, never to exist again. What a horror!

Species 175

Species Australia Birds Parrots 175

10,000 Birds

JUNE 17, 2015

That’s right, the overwhelming benefits to the environment and the economy are generated by non-consumptive uses of the refuges like wildlife photography, environmental education, wildlife observation and interpretation, not hunting and fishing. The refuge was established in 1958 to protect and enhance habitat for migratory birds.

Fish 144

Fish Wildlife Hunting Game 144

10,000 Birds

JUNE 22, 2011

There is a very distinctive smell found on seabird colonies, where thousands upon thousands of birds come to breed and, coincidentally, deposit large quantities of waste. Anyway, unlike my usual deal, all rights reserved for all photos. Notice the correct Farallon Fashion accentuated by contributions from angry gulls.

Breeding 184

Breeding Stray Seals Whales 184

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 4, 2014

There were birders from a wide cross-section of the United States: Colorado, Ohio, Idaho, Iowa, Wyoming, Washington State, Pennsylvania, New York State, New Jersey, California, Texas, Florida. The leopards place their kill in a tree, protecting it from poaching by other predators. I am a birder, after all.

South Africa 254

South Africa Africa Leopards Penguins 254

Animal Person

NOVEMBER 21, 2010

And managing means killing them, breeding them, and otherwise fiddling with their populations. For only $450,000, we could buy almost all of the habitat neded to protect Ecuador's remaining frogs. if we believe it's our right to do what we want with the lives of other animals. . . .

Polar Bears 100

Polar Bears California Condor Bald Eagle Lions 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 17, 2011

The variety of plumages that they show and the way different individuals molt at different times is interesting to me and I have stopped being surprised at seeing a small flock of ruddies with some nearly in full breeding, or alternate plumage, while others are still in their basic, or non-breeding plumage. Wicked, right?

Ducks 143

Ducks 2011 New York New York City 143

10,000 Birds

MARCH 21, 2011

from left to right Fred, Mike, Isaac, Andrew, Gene (in back), Tom Though it was an absurdly long trip and the ratio of birding to driving was not ideal the twitch was well worth it. Here’s hoping this bird makes it back to its home turf to breed and comes back to spend another winter in New York State! Wicked, right?

New York 198

New York Woodpeckers Jordan 2011 198