10,000 Birds

JANUARY 29, 2015

The invasive Burmese Python ( Python molurus ) is well established in the Florida Everglade. Another species of Python, the African Python ( Python sebae ) has established a small population in the 2,877-acre Bird Drive Area (BDA) in South Florida. Photo Credit: US Geological Survey.

Pythons 180

Pythons Florida Mammals Reptiles 180

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 23, 2023

This is how it looks like: Or at sunset: A species I did not come for from Shanghai is the Black-crowned Night Heron. Its species name graydoni is in honor of Philip Newenham Graydon (1864-1940), a British planter in Sabah. Why that makes Mr. Graydon worthy of having a bird species named after him is a mystery to me.

Birds 215

Birds Eagles Elephants Rhinoceros 215

10,000 Birds

APRIL 22, 2013

But, to paraphrase Monty Python, every species is sacred. Conservation of migratory species must be an international affair. No matter how much we do to protect the breeding grounds of Neotropical migrants, we can’t assure the safety of those species that lose essential wintering habitat.

Dominican Republic 172

Dominican Republic Haiti Pythons illegal 172

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 21, 2012

But some species remain elusive when they shouldn’t be. Even a big trip to Canada, though it turned up many other delightful species ( Boreal Owl , anyone?) Wood Stork and White Pelican. Orchard Oriole and Prothonotary Warbler. When I went back the next day, they were still there.

Pythons 183

Pythons Litter Montana 2006 183

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 20, 2023

Even the Latin species name soror (“sister”) indicates the similarity to another pitta species (blue-naped). The eBird description of the Small Niltava starts with the surprisingly dull statement that “size distinguishes this species from other niltavas” Who would have thought.

China 226

China Birds Pythons Eagles 226

10,000 Birds

APRIL 4, 2022

A juvenile, if I am correct – and a rather rare bird in Shanghai, this being rather at the southern end of the wintering breeding range. eBird seems to be critical of this species’ work ethics, stating that “it flies lazily over open fields or marshes” Maybe the owl is just sleepy, not lazy.

Birds 205

Birds China Pythons Breeding 205

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 10, 2022

For this reason, the species is evaluated as Vulnerable.” The Rufous-tailed Robin used to be called Swinhoe’s Robin but apparently, somebody decided that there were already too many bird species (6, according to the HBW) named after him. The Latin species name, however, is still elegans. And it is still justified.

Birds 196

Birds China Eggs Owls 196