10,000 Birds

JANUARY 30, 2013

It’s kind of an odd spot, a mix of protected wetland and mangroves mixed with some manicured lawns and parking. Also known as the Flyeater, this tiny bird is the only representative of the Australasian warbler family found in mainland Asia, and very similar to my own Grey Warblers in New Zealand, even their songs.

Thailand 102

Thailand New Zealand Family Bats 102

10,000 Birds

MAY 8, 2013

Old World Vultures are nestled within the family Acciptridae along with the hawks and eagles. It’s actually a pretty classic example of convergent evolution, wherein two unrelated families of lifeforms evolve to fill the same niche independently. Thailand’s Adopt a Vulture Program – YC Wee, Bird Ecology Study Group.

California Condor 180

California Condor Turkey North America Jordan 180

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 1, 2014

Pardalotes are actually their own family, and a family entirely endemic to Australia. Insofar as they relate to other bird families, they are perhaps closest to the thornbills, another family that is mostly Australian but reaches as far as Thailand and Fiji. A Spotted Pardalote ! What a treat!

Australia 171

Australia Fiji Hunters Family 171

10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2023

Maybe those should be protected too? Given that the Black Kite is politely described as an “opportunistic hunter” – which includes the fact that they are more likely to scavenge than most other raptors – the name choice of the company protecting the world’s cyber ecosystem is a bit weird.

Birds 130

Birds Iraq China Ireland 130

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 10, 2011

So, inspired by a similar article on road birding in Thailand, I present road birding in New Zealand. Most threatened endemics are now restricted to protected areas, but I’ve passed a couple of Weka on a country road in Neslon and I saw my first Long-tailed Cuckoo flying across the main road out of Wellington.

New Zealand 174

New Zealand Birds Thailand Falcons 174