10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

These little Tyrant Flycatchers, present from Mexico through Colombia, never fail to charm, with their jaunty crests and characteristic “chewY-chewY!” Oh well, I’ll just have to come back again in another month. Fortunately, lots of other cute birds were present. Tufted Flycatchers could be poster-birds for cuteness.

Colombia 238

Colombia ALA Canada Mexico 238

10,000 Birds

JUNE 3, 2020

Especially when I compare it with the other cowbird present in central Mexico, the Brown-headed Cowbird. Its historical year-round range stretches from extreme northwestern Colombia to northern Mexico, with migration into the southwestern United States in the summer. Both (in fact, all) cowbirds are obligate brood parasites.

Birds 157

Birds Blackbirds Mexico Cattle 157

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 1, 2013

Similar observation have been made in Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico where up to 47,000 migrating Mississippi Kites are counted every season as they fly south. Of all migratory birds breeding in North America, Swallow-tailed Kites are among the first to leave for the wintering grounds.

Florida 244

Florida Cuba Colombia 2004 244

10,000 Birds

JUNE 25, 2022

In Costa Rica, the sole tropical breeding albatross is a rare visitor to pelagic waters of the Pacific. A more surefire way to witness this long-winged bird is by visiting breeding grounds on the Galapago Islands. Two are pelagic species, two are resident, and the other one is a mystery. Waved Albatross (Phoebastria irrorata).

Costa Rica 268

Costa Rica Parrots Albatross Birds 268