10,000 Birds

APRIL 26, 2016

South Dakota went a different way, designating the Ring-necked Pheasant as the state bird in 1943. In fact, the bird is so popular that it was also chosen for South Dakota’s bicentennial commemorative quarter! Ring-necked Pheasants are native to Asia, brought over in the 1880’s.

South Dakota 100

South Dakota Hawaii United States North America 100

10,000 Birds

JULY 30, 2015

They fly from extreme northern North America to the southern tip of South America and are seldom seen perched during migration. Another cool fact was learning that the Barn Swallows has started to breed in South America since the 80s. Adult and fledglings in Murdo, South Dakota.

South Dakota 169

South Dakota South America North America America 169

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 12, 2011

I found these beauties at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, one of the many locations the Black-necked Stilt breeds in the California Central Valley (map courtesy of Terry Sohl at South Dakota Birds ). References: 1 Birds of North America Online a.

South Dakota 190

South Dakota Jordan Sacramento North America 190

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 18, 2012

In North America, the Greater White-fronted Goose breeds in open tundra areas of the low Arctic from Point Barrow, Alaska to northeastern Keewatin, Northwest Territories, and it winters south to Chiapas, Mexico, thus having the broadest latitudinal range of any arctic-nesting goose 1. I was not disappointed!

Geese 170

Geese Wildlife Sacramento South Dakota 170

10,000 Birds

MAY 11, 2012

John Bachmann headed west to gather material for Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America. The first resurrection, or more properly resurfacing, of the black-footed ferret happened in 1964, in Mellette County, South Dakota. But the ferrets kept dying.

Ferrets 189

Ferrets South Dakota Wyoming Captive Animal 189

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 21, 2011

The main wintering area for Ross’s Goose ( Chen rossii ) is presently in the Central Valley of California, though increasing numbers winter in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Texas, and the north-central highlands of Mexico 1. Map courtesy of Terry Sohl at South Dakota Birds and Birding.

Geese 153

Geese South Dakota Sacramento Arkansas 153

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 30, 2013

Now you know why the most numerous and widespread of the two swan species in North America used to be known as the Whistling Swan. Range map courtesy of Terri Sohl of South Dakota Birds and Birding.

California 108

California South Dakota Sacramento North America 108