10,000 Birds

JULY 6, 2016

A breeding program in Turkey has been successful, but civil war in neighboring Syria seems to have posed a significant hazard. Hopefully, while the human conflict rages on, the Ibises in Turkey can cope with their unexpected captivity and look forward to someday once again following their zugunruhe.

Syria 100

Syria Turkey Hunting Breeding 100

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

Greater flamingoes winter in large numbers Kerkini’s wintering Flamingoes probably breed in Turkey Forty years ago Flamingoes were rare visitors to Greece: several thousand now winter on Kerkini Lake Kerkini is an artificial lake, its depth varying considerably throughout the year.

Greece 199

Greece Pelicans Geese Buffalo 199

10,000 Birds

APRIL 25, 2022

In my imagination, the job of a male Australian Brush Turkey is pretty similar – removing or adding bits and pieces to his pile of rotting vegetation in order to get the right temperature to incubate the eggs buried underneath to hatch. It breeds in tree holes, presumably explaining the more commonly used name for it.

Australia 180

Australia Birds Koalas Parrots 180

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 26, 2020

This is when we might see the greatest variety and numbers of wood-warblers, where we can watch dizzying groups of swallows zip through the skies as kettles of Turkey Vultures , and Broad-winged and Swainson’s Hawks flow towards South America. It picks up in September but the biggest numbers seem to pass through Costa Rica in October.

Costa Rica 312

Costa Rica West Virginia New York South America 312

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 1, 2023

Every species account (well, most every account) includes information on habitat and talk briefly about range and distribution (there are no range maps in this guide); it is usually noted if the species breeds in Ontario, and often noted if it is migratory or residential year-round. © 2023 by Chris Earley and Scott & Nix, Inc.,

North America 200

North America Birds Owls Canada 200

10,000 Birds

MAY 8, 2013

Maybe it’s important to note that Turkey Vultures , in particular, were well-loved by , and even inspirational to , the people that lived here before Europeans arrived. In the 70s, with the survival of the species in jeopardy, the entire wild population was captured and brought into a captive breeding program in southern California.

California Condor 175

California Condor Turkey North America Jordan 175

10,000 Birds

MARCH 30, 2019

This is the vital time to get outside and see what’s around because lifers could be in the neighborhood, rarely seen species might be just around the corner, and each and every “regular” bird is decked out in beautiful breeding plumage, many also filling the outdoor audio scene with song.

Costa Rica 133

Costa Rica South America Tennessee Philadelphia 133

10,000 Birds

MAY 7, 2020

From there to the nearby Evros River Delta, at the very border with Turkey, with more easterly species such as the Spur-winged Plover. Then about a 100 km to the Ismarida Lake and Porto Lagos lagoons for breeding and migrating waders.

Greece 225

Greece Bulgaria Birds Serbia 225

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 6, 2021

If we hadn’t we might be there still — stuck, perhaps, in Turkey or Jordan. It is one of those interesting few species that winter in South America, but only migrate as far north as Mexico to breed. (For some strange reason, I had managed to schedule this work trip for the peak migration month of March!)

Mexico 161

Mexico 2020 2019 Turkey 161

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 20, 2019

Both Black and Turkey Vultures swooped overhead, occasionally upstaged by a shrieking Osprey. I see grebes and gallinules all the time, but one can never tire when watching successful breeding birds. We opted for the 12:30 p.m. We wrapped up our boat ride just hot enough for a dip in the cool currents and an ice cream cone.

Alligators 117

Alligators Turkey Family Hunting 117

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 14, 2018

They just crept west, bit by bit, in a patchwork that included expanded breeding range and wintering territory but not necessarily in the same places or involving the same populations. 1978, for reference, was the year of my birth. But shifting baseline syndrome doesn’t just apply to things that have become diminished.

New York Times 140

New York Times Montana Oregon Deer 140

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 1, 2022

Two Purple Gallinules , two Limpkins … Raptors included Turkey Vultures , Ospreys , White-tailed , Grey-headed (so well seen in a nearby tree!) Young birds, at least in captivity, become mature after 5 years and start breeding after 6 or 7 years. Other shorebirds included Semipalmated Plover and Least Sandpipers.

Costa Rica 225

Costa Rica Nicaragua 2019 Farming 225

10,000 Birds

APRIL 14, 2018

The birds also need it because this is when they build nests and breed. As the local birds get into breeding mode, some others take advantage of the nesting to feed broods of their own. They do so in droves along with rivers of Chimney Swifts , swallows, Turkey Vultures , and Swainson’s and Broad-winged Hawks.

Costa Rica 100

Costa Rica Blackbirds Texas Geese 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 26, 2012

Anhinga , otherwise known as Snakebird , Water Turkey , or American Darter * – and more formally as Anhinga anhinga – is a bird I have long wanted to see in New York State. And their plumage, especially their breeding finery, is a sight to see. And, like cormorants, they provide a nice photo-op when doing so.

Florida 172

Florida Honduras Turkey Wildlife 172

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 3, 2019

They do not build nests, but occupy old nests of Rooks and breed colonially among them. Red-footed Falcon’s breeding range starts less than 50 mi north of here and I hope that some will choose to join a local rookery and stay.”. Sombre Tit by Ivan Medenica/Wikimedia Commons.

2018 116

2018 Serbia Falcons Greece 116

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 10, 2011

Because most of these birds nest on islands and travel enormous distances across open ocean, their breeding habits are in some cases poorly known. And some groups of species or possible species look so similar that they are virtually impossible to separate in the field, which obscures knowledge of their ranges and breeding behaviors.

Albatross 177

Albatross Penguins Groups New Zealand 177

10,000 Birds

APRIL 26, 2018

The unpaved road winds up the hill, through a traditional farming landscape of small gardens, meadows and raspberry fields with thickets of the Oriental hornbeam, Turkey and Italian oak, black pine and prickly juniper, where Common Whitethroats (above) and Eurasian Blackcaps sing and Eurasian Blackbirds chase each other.

Serbia 104

Serbia Herzegovina Bosnia Sheep 104

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 20, 2015

This map shows the distribution of the World’s bird species, based on overlying the breeding and wintering ranges of all known species. Turkey (390 / 459). It makes me think what is the meaning of life, the universe and everything? Why am I here? And where all those birds are? Map by BirdLife International. Venezuela (1365 / 1383).

Sri Lanka 256

Sri Lanka Botswana Africa Serbia 256

10,000 Birds

APRIL 9, 2018

Instead of being around for breeding birds like my last visit I would be focusing on migratory species and Cape Henlopen delivered with forty-six species in an hour-and-a-half of birding. I think I’ve recorded Turkey Vultures like the one at the top of the post in most of the counties of the eastern seaboard at this point!

North Carolina 100

North Carolina New York Delaware Puerto Rico 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 30, 2011

I had been seeing huge colonies of Turkey Vultures ( Cathartes aura ) everywhere lately and at the top of Leopard Drive, on the flat grassland that stretches for miles, there were many. I love watching their seemingly lazy, ground-hugging buoyant flight but they never seem to want to be photographed and today was no exception.

Bald Eagle 162

Bald Eagle Leopards Turkey Eagles 162

10,000 Birds

MAY 15, 2012

Black Vulture - Despite a marked increase in Turkey Vulture sightings – nine since March of 2011 when I had my first in Queens - Black Vultures remain stubbornly absent from the borough (only two sightings reported to eBird in Queens since 2008). Sadly, it did not stick around to breed though I thought that it might.

Connecticut 169

Connecticut 2011 2012 Jamaica 169

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 5, 2011

Though some species are shedding breeding plumage and taking on more somber winter colors, they’re still often cute as button. If it’s mostly yellow and orange like the above photo, it’s not going to be a desirable mix for most birds–apart from quail, pheasants, turkeys and House Sparrows.

Birds 165

Birds Sparrows Fox Meat 165

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 7, 2013

Hundreds of both Glossy and White Ibis commute overhead, along with Great and Snowy Egrets , Little Blue and Tricolored Herons , and Black and Turkey Vultures. Suddenly, the entire trail system comes alive as birds begin their day. Snail Kite may also be spotted leaving their roosts near this trail during this time of year.

Wildlife 127

Wildlife Florida Miami Alligators 127

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 25, 2018

It is the largest woodpecker in Europe (to describe its size, I’ll tell you that Goldeneyes breed in the holes this pecker makes). As Turkey now sees this fortress as their cultural heritage, they invested 1.2 A sudden flight of a forest ghost, the Black Woodpecker goes from one side of the gully to another.

Serbia 118

Serbia Woodpeckers Birds Bears 118

10,000 Birds

MARCH 31, 2012

You think of turkey dressed in black. Now free flying in California, Arizona, Utah, and Baja, condors are slowly making a comeback thanks to those, like the Center, who’ve committed to captive breeding and releasing these amazing birds. Condors, like all New World vultures, can disturb the human psyche.

California Condor 202

California Condor California Idaho North America 202

10,000 Birds

MARCH 9, 2011

The little stiff-tails are almost year-round at Jamaica Bay though almost all leave to breed in the summer and in the depths of winter, when the ponds are almost completely frozen, they tend to head for open water. These Blasts From The Past Thrilling Turkey Facts What Makes You Stare So, Bufflehead? Do you think it is the female?

Ducks 150

Ducks 2011 Jamaica Deer 150

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 28, 2012

Some birds breed in flocks, at least in part to avoid predation. Turkey Vultures are also mixed in, and can form massive kettles that many birders never get to see. You may be happy to have a flock of chickadees visit your backyard, but it is difficult to ignore hundreds of American White Pelicans streaming by.

North Dakota 161

North Dakota LACS Oakland Falcons 161

Animal Person

AUGUST 1, 2009

I don't disagree with Herbert, but what if I wrote: Most people don't want to hear about the capacity of nonhumans to experience pain, pleasure, boredom or frustration, and President Obama would rather walk through fire than do anything other than acquire a pure breed puppy or pardon a turkey on Thanksgiving (though that one remains to be seen).

Obama 100

Obama New York Times New York illegal 100

4 The Love Of Animals

OCTOBER 15, 2012

It’s that magical time of year when a turkey themed thanksgiving and a candy heavy Halloween on the horizon make us more than happy to swap our sexy swimsuits for sweaters. Yes ladies and gentlemen, the fall season is officially upon us. Likewise, the four-legged member of the family is equally happy to see the leaves hit the ground.

Pets 100

Pets Fur Dogs Game 100

10,000 Birds

MAY 19, 2015

If only you could make fine adjustments to the expression of existing DNA you could hatch a dinosaur, starting with, for example, a turkey. See: Are Birds Really Dinosaurs? That was a long time ago and we’ve made nearly zero progress in this area. The chickens were done in before hatching. Here’s the thing.

Alligators 207

Alligators Chickens Research Birds 207

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 7, 2013

March was very slow so I took the time to enjoy the common birds , especially woodpeckers and turkeys. May – Migration’s Peak and Breeding Begins. I also found my own Cackling Goose , one of three I would end up finding in 2012. March and April – Early Migration and Some Good Warblers. Indigo Bunting.

2012 142

2012 Czech Republic Hedgehogs Hungary 142

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

A few breed in Texas’ Big Bend area.) All of our other migratory species either breed mostly in the U.S. and Canada, and winter in Mexico, or breed in Mexico, and winter in Central and South America. Then there are the birds that don’t need rarity or a backstory to be special; they rely on attitude alone.

Mexico 155

Mexico Birds South America Turkey 155

10,000 Birds

JULY 6, 2022

Both Black and Turkey Vultures dominate the skies on the larger island; any vulture seen on Tobago is a reportable species. The Turkey Vulture at its lower right seems bemused at the antics of a displaying Crested Oropendola (which unlike the rest of birds mentioned in this article, is also found on Tobago).

Trinidad 245

Trinidad Turkey Squirrels Species 245

10,000 Birds

JUNE 20, 2019

The Kerkini Lake National Park is my favourite birding area in the whole of the Balkans and while I’ve been here in April and again (migration), September (migration), October (coffee break), December and January (wintering), this was my first time in the breeding season, in May. But nowadays, they, too, breed here, about 20 pairs this year.

Greece 189

Greece Pelicans Buffalo Fish 189

10,000 Birds

JULY 10, 2012

Image by Adam Riley Of the 115 African species now listed as Endangered or Critically Endangered, nearly half occur on the islands surrounding Africa or are non-breeding migrants to Africa. There has been growth in the breeding population at the colonies in Morocco (now estimated at 106 breeding pairs and approximately 500 birds in total).

Endangered Species 183

Endangered Species Species South Africa Morocco 183

10,000 Birds

JUNE 17, 2020

The Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher is one of the relatively few birds that winter in South America, but fly no further north than Mexico for the breeding season. Chachalacas are about 3/5 as long as Wild Turkeys, but much less bulky, and spend almost all their time in trees. Black-headed Siskin. They also fly a lot.

Squirrels 165

Squirrels Sparrows Mexico South America 165

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

This came as rumor of a turkey-like bird occurs in the steep canyons on the foothill of the western Andes. A captive breeding program was established with a facility at Gustavo del Solar’s property, not far from where the birds were re-discovered. This flock is composed of about 54 birds including nine breeding pair.

Collecting 267

Collecting Peru Neglecting Hunting 267