10,000 Birds

MARCH 3, 2020

Like a shy stepchild, it’s always eclipsed by the wonders of Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, etc. That’s pretty amazing–Bolivia has more bird species than India! The source of this ranking, BirdLife International, lists Bolivia as currently having 1,439 bird species, including 18 breeding endemics.

Bolivia 172

Bolivia Birds Brazil Switzerland 172

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 27, 2023

We were in the remote Amazonian forests and not a sound was to be heard except for the rhythmical dripping of water from the raised paddles. I mean, we as a species are today basically everywhere. But still new species are found. The Cocha Antshrike was one of these species not long ago. Finally the species was complete.

Solomon Islands 215

Solomon Islands Ecuador Colombia Brazil 215

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 13, 2014

Instead of going on about zip lines and other modern, adventure tourism attractions, the birding crowd talks about taking photos of Resplendent Quetzals , seeing dozens of hummingbird species, and the seemingly odd absence of raptors in Costa Rica but nope, we don’t really talk about extinction. Resplendence.

Costa Rica 217

Costa Rica Species Panama Birds 217

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 19, 2011

It is my best bird because it is just such an incredible species, and looking at it made me realize that I had temporarily stopped to fully appreciate birds during the stressful last few years. This year I watched them from the day they arrived , until two chicks successfully hatched, the northernmost breeding record for the species.

2011 181

2011 Birds South Korea North Dakota 181

10,000 Birds

JUNE 3, 2020

I am only responding to my subjective impression of a single species’ appearance here; specifically, that of the Bronzed Cowbird. But when raised, they seem to have a sort of weird cape. In other words, they never raise their own young. In contrast, the Brown-headed Cowbird is a same-continent invasive species.

Birds 154

Birds Blackbirds Mexico Cattle 154