10,000 Birds

JULY 6, 2011

One of only two species in the plover genus Thinornis , the other being Australia’s Hooded Plover , this species is another New Zealand endemic. Until recently the species certainly only hung on to existence on two small islands in that group, but this distribution is an artefact of a long decline.

New Zealand 162

New Zealand Penguins Endangered Species Species 162

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

This makes it a particularly exciting time in New Zealand as the Rugby World Cup begins in two days, and the competition is being held right here in New Zealand (I would imagine they might be more excited if they hadn’t just lost two matches to Australia and South Africa, their big rivals in the Tri-Nations).

New Zealand 157

New Zealand Penguins Sanctuary Birds 157

10,000 Birds

JUNE 9, 2022

After writing this last sentence, I looked up the species in the HBW and found the sentence “Song poorly documented” in the appropriate section, while with regard to calls, the description is that “call is a two-note raspy nasal ‘ryeeh-reh’”.

Singapore 147

Singapore Birds Mountain Goats Giraffes 147

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 21, 2016

So close to the pole only a handful of bird species can survive, and even so, death toll is very high, hence their populations must be huge (millions). There are 11 species of birds that breed in the Ross Sea region. On the Balleny Islands Antarctic Fulmar , Antarctic Prion and Cape Petrel also breed. And the Mammals.

Russia 178

Russia Penguins Whales Whaling 178

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 24, 2012

So I thought I could give fair warning about one of the more dangerous birds out there, even more dangerous than the Lesser Goldfinch , and one of the more common and familiar birds of Australia and New Zealand, the Australian Magpie. Australian Magpie! Dum dum DUM! Signs are posted warning of particularly aggressive birds in parks.

New Zealand 154

New Zealand Birds Australia Kangaroos 154

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 3, 2017

Its organization and content is unorthodox in several ways, which I think is exciting; new approaches to field guides give birders opportunities to rethink how we identify birds and a good excuse to buy yet another field guide. or birders who live there (but, how can you bird it all?).

Australia 108

Australia Birds Penguins 2015 108

10,000 Birds

JUNE 27, 2014

For one, they are remarkably diverse with a little over 380 species spread over every continent except Europe (only introduced) and Antarctica. Brazil, in particular, is the country with the largest number of parrot species in the world with approximately 84 species. I am a self-proclaimed psittacophile. Most do not.

Parrots 168

Parrots Brazil Mauritius Dominica 168

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 19, 2012

The flowerpecker, an attractive species, was actually responsible for Peter becoming a birder in the first place! Our next species was decidedly uncommon, a Black-headed Ibis circled overhead for a minute before flying off. I’m a big fan of babblers, and this was a particularly special species.

Thailand 154

Thailand New Zealand Terrapins Asia 154

10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2015

But, I did take many photos, and used the book, in spurts during the trip and more closely afterward, to identify three seabird species, two expected (Sooty and Black-vented Shearwaters) and one a surprise. It does not include near-shore, coastal species, like Brown Pelican, Elegant Tern, and Harbor Seal.

Dolphins 162

Dolphins Whales Whaling Porpoises 162

10,000 Birds

MAY 16, 2011

Mallards , of course, bring new meaning to the term dabbling duck , what with all those wild mallard hybrids and domestic cross-breeds running around. But apparently, all the Anas -species ducks are overly amorous or at least indiscriminate. NORTH AMERICAN TEAL HYBRIDS Clearly at least two teal species take to each other.

Ducks 236

Ducks North America Denmark America 236

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. They represent the best of New Zealand’s birding, the astonishing rarity, the fascinating endemism, and the cheering triumph of conservation.

2011 188

2011 Birds South Korea North Dakota 188