10,000 Birds

APRIL 27, 2023

It seems that the Red-billed Leiothrix can be vocally dominant (it accounts for 37% of an entire bird community soundscape in northern Italy) and can influence the singing behavior, particularly of native Eurasian Blackcaps and European Robins (in Portugal and Italy). What a weird world. Better watch them in the wild.

Italy 212

Italy Birds China France 212

10,000 Birds

MAY 10, 2015

As we move from Spain towards the east however, it starts getting interesting as soon as we reach Italy. Italy has an almost endemic … well … “form” of Sparrow, the Italian Sparrow , whose taxonomic affinities and rank have been a matter of dispute ever since scientists started to think about it.

Sparrows 237

Sparrows Italy Asia Austria 237

10,000 Birds

MARCH 3, 2020

The source of this ranking, BirdLife International, lists Bolivia as currently having 1,439 bird species, including 18 breeding endemics. Like most maps, colors are used to indicate seasonal status (breeding resident, Austral migrant/visitor, Boreal migrant, etc.). Distribution maps are also different from other field guides.

Bolivia 191

Bolivia Birds Brazil Switzerland 191

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 5, 2012

We now know a lot more, and the following information is largely based on the excellent work of our local bird data compiler Armin Konrad , who was amongst the first to notice the die-off in the first place and was also instrumental in coordinating the surveys and research that finally led to the identification of the culprit!

Germany 162

Germany Blackbirds 2006 Denmark 162

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 20, 2012

The chance that this was a real Turkey are not great, and the chance that Columbus actually brought breeding stock from Honduras to Spain is not great, so maybe, maybe not. Dates of first arrival listed by Schorger (1966) are: Italy 1520, Germany 1530, France 1538, England 1541, Denmark and Norway 1550, Sweden 1556.

Turkey 219

Turkey Columbus Spain Fowl 219