10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2024

Osborn, a passionate field biologist who participates to the core of her being three re-introduction projects aimed at saving three very different, endangered species: Peregrine Falcon, Hawaiian Crow (‘Alala)*, and California Condor. This is the most intense, tragic section.

California Condor 171

California Condor Falcons California Birds 171

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 3, 2013

Southern California is loaded with parrots. Many escapes and introductions have taken place over the years and some species have found the warm, dry climate to their liking. Quite a few species are well-established and breeding from San Diego to Los Angeles and beyond. Skylarks in Brooklyn , anyone?

Parrots 213

Parrots California Los Angeles San Diego 213

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 15, 2024

I have been lucky enough to get close views of two massive Old World Vulture species, the Eurasian Griffon and the Egyptian Vulture. Here in Mexico, I can almost always count on Black Vultures and Turkey Vultures to pad each outing’s list by two species. Black Vultures are a bit smaller than all these other species.

Turkey 191

Turkey California Condor Mexico Meat 191

10,000 Birds

JULY 30, 2014

However, I am here to make the case for birding California. Northeastern California. This lovely corner of California is vast, beautiful, sparsely populated, and very wild. Northwestern California. Northern California pelagics (Monterey Bay north to Humboldt County). Best seasons here: Fall and Winter. Arcata, CA.

California 194

California San Diego Birds Oakland 194

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 6, 2013

After all, California Audubon’s site states that “This is a conservation award. We’re particularly interested in recognizing bird species that were of significant conservation interest in 2013, but that also had a compelling story and rallied the public around it.” How does that sound for a headline?

California 205

California Owls 2013 Factory 205

10,000 Birds

MARCH 31, 2012

The newest bird on the brink to capture her fertile imagination is the California Condor, on which she graciously shares her research and ruminations: Sometimes as a writer you recognize there’s been something overlooked in your midst—something quietly abiding. My first view of them was at a distance. And they continue to ingest lead.

California Condor 204

California Condor California Idaho North America 204

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2020

Just yesterday I learned that the Barn Owl ( Tyto alba ) is the only breeding bird found in New York that has been documented nesting in every month of the year. This bit of trivia was given in an article in my local bird club’s monthly newsletter about the ongoing breeding bird atlas in New York State.

2017 227

2017 Barn Owls Rodents Owls 227

10,000 Birds

MAY 20, 2023

Pelee National Park – Ohio Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge – Texas These locations offer a variety of habitats including marshes, wetlands, forests, coastal areas, and deserts, attracting numerous bird species throughout the year. Please note that the availability of specific bird species may vary depending on the season.

United States 162

United States Michigan Texas Virginia 162

10,000 Birds

MARCH 17, 2022

American White Pelicans spend their winter months along the Gulf states, California, parts of Arizona, and Mexico down into Central America. They migrate north through the Western United States, breeding in pockets all the way up through Canada. No matter how many times I see them, this particular species remains breathtaking.

Pelicans 221

Pelicans United States Canada Arizona 221

10,000 Birds

APRIL 21, 2013

Clapper Rails , as currently defined by the AOU, occur along the coasts of North and South America and Caribbean islands, and inland in southern California and Arizona. In California and Arizona, however, Clapper Rails are brightly colored and occur in both salt and freshwater environments.

Species 213

Species North America Cuba Louisiana 213

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 20, 2016

I spent some time with fellow Audubon members on the Northern California coast last weekend where we were treated with some great views of a first winter Mew Gull ( Larus canus ), commonly known as the Common Gull in Eurasia. If I make it up to the Canadian coast or Alaska I will most likely find a breeding adult to photograph.

California 174

California North America Alaska Breeding 174

10,000 Birds

MARCH 17, 2021

I first met the tree in Baja California, where it is known as guamúchil (gwa-MOOCH-eel), so I will call it that. What I didn’t realize, at the time, was that this pulp is also enjoyed by many bird species. I go there every year around this time, because in 2016 I saw Sinaloa Martins migrating north to breed.

2016 272

2016 2020 Mexico California 272

10,000 Birds

MAY 12, 2022

Snowy Plovers also breed half an hour north of my home, so we have those in common. Jonathan also works as a birding guide up in Baja California, if anyone is interested.). With 85 species in 6 hours, I’d like to think it was well repaid. His main project is monitoring the Snowy Plover population there. Feast your eyes.

San Diego 244

San Diego Turtles Mexico Sparrows 244

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 21, 2015

Heermann’s Gulls form large breeding colonies on arid islands in the Gulf of California, Mexico, from March through July. The largest colony exists on Isla Raza, where an estimated 90–95% of the total world population breeds 1. This photo by Basar from Wikipedia Commons shows the adult in breeding plumage.

San Francisco 158

San Francisco North America Seals Sanctuary 158

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 30, 2013

Now you know why the most numerous and widespread of the two swan species in North America used to be known as the Whistling Swan. That is where I found this group of nearly 100 Tundra Swans northeast of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge as they flew in to the flooded agricultural fields.

California 106

California South Dakota Sacramento North America 106

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 22, 2014

This past weekend I took a trip to the small town of Portola in Plumas county for a Northern California Audubon Council meeting hosted by Plumas Audubon Society. They are listed as a Species of Special Concern in Utah, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, and as Threatened in California.

Nevada 160

Nevada North America Utah Oregon 160

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 188

Los Angeles Birds District of Columbia Parrots 188

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 19, 2016

And with the bird’s oak scrub habitat rapidly disappearing , scientists are searching for ways to preserve the species. Consequently, their breeding efforts with resident birds produce more and healthier offspring than “inbred” resident-resident pairings. ” Or as Lin-Manuel Miranda might say, “Immigrants—we get the job done.”

Florida 176

Florida Research California Hunting 176

10,000 Birds

APRIL 10, 2015

In February of 2013, I wrote a piece outlining my thoughts on which exotic bird species should be added to the American Bird Association (ABA) checklist. In 2014, the Florida Ornithological Society Records Committee (FOSRC) voted to add this species to the Florida state list. The ABA Checklist Committee quickly followed suit.

Los Angeles 154

Los Angeles Miami San Francisco Florida 154

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 24, 2014

The report identifies 33 species that do not meet the Watch List criteria but are declining rapidly in many areas. These birds have lost more than half their global population, and the 33 species combined have lost hundreds of millions of breeding individuals in just the past 40 years.

North America 187

North America 2014 California Birds 187

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 18, 2019

Between our many residents and migratory species, birding in central Mexico is a joy. This photos, however, is from southern California. I find the concept of a “leg man” offensive, but when it comes to these two species, their legs are the only practical way to distinguish them (dark for the Western, yellow for the Least).

Mexico 137

Mexico United States North America Ethics 137

10,000 Birds

JUNE 19, 2013

The Cascade Range, part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, extends from Northern California to Southern British Columbia. Undoubtedly one of the most interesting aspects of Burney Falls for birders is that it is one of the few locations in California where nesting Black Swifts ( Cypseloides niger ) can be found.

California 203

California North America Costa Rica Niger 203

10,000 Birds

JULY 30, 2014

The Steller’s Jay ( Cyanocitta stelleri ) is one of the ubiquitous birds seen at Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern California. They are a non-migratory species found in western coniferous and mixed-coniferous forests, breeding from Alaska, western Canada, and the United States south through western Mexico to Nicaragua.

Nicaragua 171

Nicaragua Alaska United States Canada 171

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2013

But he does live in the States, and America does have albatrosses, and they can be easily seen in California, which is not only in the States but is actually a place I’m fairly sure he visits. They range across the Pacific in search of food, which is why pelagic birders in Monterey can tick them off their California Province list.

Albatross 157

Albatross Hawaii North America California 157

10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2015

I doubt we have to worry about Herring Gulls , Ruby-throated Hummingbirds or California Towhees going extinct, though their abundance and distribution will surely shift in time. That said, there are many species we should be extremely concerned about. The Pika’s story is shared with a number of montane bird species.

North America 210

North America Birds San Francisco Suffering 210

10,000 Birds

APRIL 27, 2011

According to Birds of North America Online , the Great-tailed Grackle’s ( Quiscalus mexicanus ) breeding range has been expanding northward for several years. I must say that I agree with their assessment because we have been seeing more of them in northern California every year. Be patient as it loads, it’s worth a listen.

California 177

California North America Breeding America 177

10,000 Birds

APRIL 24, 2013

The Godwit Days Spring Migration Bird Festival in Arcata and Eureka on the north coast of California was fabulous! The Surfbird outside of the breeding season can be found along almost the entire Pacific Coast of the Americas, from southeastern Alaska all the way to Tierra del Fuego in southern Chile. Truly a West Coast species.

Alaska 170

Alaska Chile 2013 Breeding 170

10,000 Birds

MARCH 9, 2016

I live at 1600 foot (488 meter) elevation in Oak Savannah/ Gray Pine habitat in Northern California. According to the range maps this bird is a breeding resident of the West in montane conifer or mixed-species forest dominated by pines and oaks at 1,600–2,700 meter elevation 1. Click on photos for full sized images.

California 100

California North America America Breeding 100

10,000 Birds

JUNE 18, 2013

When you think of southern California in June there are a variety of things that could come to mind. My arrival in southern California didn’t happen until 14 June but the bird had stuck around and was reported daily on the local birding listservs. Not bad for southern California in June!

Los Angeles 154

Los Angeles San Diego Alaska North America 154

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 23, 2011

One obvious reason is that most have plumage variations between their breeding plumage and non-breeding plumage. Take a look at these range maps for the two species. ” Once you hear the calls of these two species, you will have no problem telling them apart. Why are they seemingly so difficult to identify?

San Francisco 165

San Francisco Delaware Jordan New York 165

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 278

North America America Birds California Condor 278

10,000 Birds

APRIL 25, 2013

A large number of people I talk to believe the island to be next to the city of Santa Cruz, California. At the very northern end of their breeding range in the Channel Islands, they are strictly a Californian bird as far as the U.S. Many people, birders and otherwise, if a poor grasp on the realities of this place. This is not true.

California 161

California Birds Sea Lions Whales 161

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

For whatever reason, however, yesterday on my way to work my mind wasn’t with our upcoming spring, but with September’s in California. The almost overpowering intensity of the summer breeding season was over, the island feels completely different, more relaxing and much less dangerous. And there where whales.

Whales 157

Whales Whaling Sharks Bats 157

10,000 Birds

JULY 6, 2011

We are fortunate in Northern California to have four lakes that support 76% of the total number of nesting grebes in California 1. Eagle Lake, Lake Almanor and Clear Lake have all been identified as Audubon California Important Bird Areas (IBA), meaning that they provide essential habitat for breeding, wintering, and migrating birds.

California 214

California Eagles North America Breeding 214

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

It was not a flycatcher at all, but an exotic (and equally bizarre) from Africa, which certainly escaped from someone’s cage or perhaps even migrated from the small breeding population of escapees in southern California. Superficially similar to Fork-tailed Flycatcher, especially if you don’t know that this species exists!

San Francisco 170

San Francisco San Diego Connecticut South America 170

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 26, 2011

I spent this past weekend at the coast, travelling to Arcata for a Northern California Audubon Council meeting hosted by the Redwood Region Audubon Society. 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. www.youtube.com/watch?

Sanctuary 195

Sanctuary North America Breeders Alaska 195

10,000 Birds

MARCH 25, 2015

The Blue-winged Teal ( Anas discors ) is not that common in California except along the coast, so I was pretty excited to discover several pair and a few non-paired individuals of the species at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge on the day I had reserved photo blind #2. Click on photos for full sized images.

Sacramento 151

Sacramento Wildlife North America Ducks 151