10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 1, 2022

Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks , Muscovy Ducks and Blue-winged Teals were around us, together with Green , Great and Little Blue Herons , Cattle and Great White Egrets , Black-crowned and Yellow-crowned Night-Herons , plus one locally rare Pinnated Bittern in the floating vegetation, as well as several dozen Neotropical Cormorants.

Costa Rica 235

Costa Rica Nicaragua 2019 Farming 235

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 26, 2019

Our group, led by world-renowned guide Herbert Byaruhanga, piled into canoes ostensibly to search for a variety of papyrus and wetland specialties, but really we were just looking for the shoebill. Mabamba Swamp is where Corey and I spotted our first Shoebill in the company of an international delegation attending the 2019 African Bird Expo.

Uganda 263

Uganda Africa Birds Penguins 263

Critter News

FEBRUARY 23, 2009

Environmental groups have called on Obama to get rid of the USDA's Dept. Carnivores killed less than 1% of cattle (0.18%) and approximately 3% of sheep produced in the U.S.; • Out of Step with American Values - Americans value wildlife and abhor animal cruelty. Ranchers oppose the move.

Killing 100

Killing Wildlife Groups Endangered Species 100

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 5, 2020

Just under a fortnight ago, I saw a report on the local bird alert of a sighting of a group of approximately 20 Nacunda Nighthawks at a wetland not more than 20 minutes from where I live. Even though I had seen these cryptic austral migrants before, there was no way I was going to pass up an opportunity that was this close to home.

Livestock 213

Livestock Ducks ALA illegal 213

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 27, 2014

Actually, despite the fact that central Asian steppes cover huge areas, Sociable Lapwings breed only around nomadic cattle herders’ settlements, which signifies that this species has evolved alongside wild ungulates, such as Blackbuck and Saiga antelopes, which kept the grass short. At first, we observe from afar.

India 246

India Sudan Ukraine Camels 246

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

Cattle fields surrounded the small town, the cows forming dark silhouettes against the rapidly graying skies. If you’re like me, you probably picture pelicans along oceans or seas, bobbing in the salt or brackish water as they feed in their bright groups. Ring-billed Gulls in the fading evening light.

Kansas 115

Kansas Pelicans ALA Cows 115

10,000 Birds

JUNE 17, 2013

The farmers, who specialize in silage (grains grown for cattle feed), wait a little longer to harvest their crops, giving young birds the time to fledge and move on. So the conservation groups are working on ways to provide attractive alternatives. Of course, the best solution would be for the birds to avoid nesting in farmland at all.

Blackbirds 186

Blackbirds California Cattle Farming 186

Critter News

JANUARY 11, 2012

Animal rights activists are behind the burning of cattle trucks at Harris Farms in western Fresno County early Sunday, according to a statement released by a clearinghouse for activists. Full story here at the Fresno Bee.

Farming 100

Farming Fresno Animal Liberation Front Animal Liberation 100

10,000 Birds

MAY 14, 2015

Above the reedbeds, there were numerous Common Sand Martins (Bank Swallows), with a few Barn Swallows , while the large herd of grazing cattle (one of them particularly interested in licking the dust off my car) was followed by two dozen Western Yellow Wagtails. The next morning found me at the Reva Pond with a group of primary school kids.

Factory 227

Factory Stray Dog Turtles Serbia 227

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 5, 2012

.” Which roughly translates to “Stationary in the area of the cattle pasture and the surrounding bushes and adjacent reed bed” This was going to be easy. Cattle is mostly kept in housings in Germany (sadly), and cattle out on a pasture is a rare sight in our landscape. I found the grid cell – no problem.

Cattle 118

Cattle Germany Iran Breeders 118

10,000 Birds

MARCH 1, 2016

I’ve been home only a few days after what amounted to an almost-three-week trip–twelve days with the ABA group, a six-day extension to Assam, and travel time–so I think the simplest way to write about the safari is to focus on two memorable days. Shorebirds included Ruff, Common Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, and Common Redshank.

India 188

India Tigers Birds Owls 188

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 5, 2016

This is a very different book from what I expected, less of a handbook and more of a comprehensive identification text on 24 groups of birds, presented in words and photographs. These are bird groups that have been covered extensively by other guides. Armistead and Brian L. It is an intriguing choice of species.

Birds 190

Birds Groups 2015 North America 190

10,000 Birds

APRIL 3, 2023

This is not an issue here in Shanghai – I have only seen them in very small groups this winter. And here is the Collared Finchbill , who like me suffers from being less social than others. Which limits both its and my range expansion (though in my case, not having kids is an important additional factor).

Birds 197

Birds Blackbirds Indonesia Bhutan 197

10,000 Birds

APRIL 13, 2015

Over a dozen distinctive ethnic groups exist here, many of whom live lives little touched by the modern world. Heading south on a good surfaced road, we made slow progress through the herds of cattle, donkeys and goats that thronged the highway, until we finally reached the land of the Konso. Hamar mother and child.

Ethiopia 242

Ethiopia Sudan Leopards Game 242

10,000 Birds

JUNE 27, 2019

Similarly when the Hoopoe and Cattle Egret were split, these are widespread birds with huge ranges even after the split. But it doesn’t pit one group of birders against another, and there is value in keeping common names consistent over time, especially in a species as widespread and well known as this.

Iran 129

Iran Barn Owls New Zealand Europe 129

10,000 Birds

JULY 6, 2013

A study showed that a herd of cattle from which ox-peckers were shooed away over a prolonged study period showed no significant reduction in ticks compared to a herd which were allowed to host the birds. Whilst the birds are usually associated with clearing ticks and dead skin, they are not averse to a bit of blood-letting.

Rhinos 156

Rhinos White Rhinos South Africa Birds 156

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 19, 2014

It is technically correct, and recently fashionable, to insist that any living animal is a member of the larger group that contains it phylogenetically, i.e., ancestrally, with that group often named after the known animal that roots the tree. So, for example, humans are apes. The point is, of course, that whales are not cows.

Camels 199

Camels Whales Whaling Apes 199

10,000 Birds

JUNE 16, 2019

We started our Singapore bird list at Pasir Ris and leaving the train station we were delighted to see several Cattle Egrets on the grass and several photographers. We were able to observe birds nesting as well as a variety of age groups among the trees. We were soon in Pasir Ris Town Park and observing a huge variety of birds.

Singapore 115

Singapore Otters Owls Zebras 115

10,000 Birds

JUNE 11, 2011

They like to fly in pairs or groups and in the evening they come together in big groups to roost in a favorite ‘dormitory’ tree. One of the most majestic macaws is the Hyacinth Macaw ( Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus ), a brilliant blue South American bird that weighs in as the largest flying parrot in the world.

Protection 187

Protection Brazil Parrots Paraguay 187

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 23, 2017

Again, there were lots of new birds here, and I was not even surprised to have a large group of white herons fly right over my head. The real shock came, when at the last minute, I realized that they were not Greater Egrets , nor the smaller Snowy Egrets , but Cattle Egrets – Bubulcus ibis.

Cattle 100

Cattle Mexico Cows Game 100

10,000 Birds

APRIL 3, 2011

It actually looked like the station owner was breeding birds rather than cattle! White-winged Black Terns resting on the fence We saw a lovely group of three Red-kneed Dotterel trying to find ground above water and there were 7 Sacred Kingfishers taking advantage of the fence to roost and pounce on tadpoles.

Investigation 140

Investigation Birds Cattle Ducks 140

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 28, 2014

This land has gone through extensive ecosystem destruction from farming cattle and soybeans. Suddenly in the middle of the soybean fields there was a group of Lesser Rheas that were approaching the road. Suddenly in the middle of the soybean fields there was a group of Lesser Rheas that were approaching the road. Lesser Rheas.

Argentina 185

Argentina Farming Chile Birds 185

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2018

Audubon Associate Naturalist, have led this tour many times, through tornados, droughts, questionable restaurants, and, sadly, the advent of fracking, and every one of my friends who has participated over the years has raved about the experience and the birds (in fact, one member of our group was on his third or fourth trip, I lost count).

North Dakota 139

North Dakota Birds Sparrows Blackbirds 139

10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2015

Normally the lighthouse is obscured in fog, but when we arrived the air was crystal clear, and in addition to seeing groups of Gray Whales migrating past, I spotted hundreds of Surf Scoters , a Pigeon Guillemot , and a pair of Peregrine Falcons from my perch atop the lighthouse cliff.

Seals 186

Seals Elephants Whales Whaling 186

10,000 Birds

MARCH 23, 2016

Above is a photo of the only Burrowing Owl ( Athene cunicularia ) seen at Tuscan Preserve back in February of 2010 when a group of concerned birders installed eight artificial burrows on this property, to be preserved in perpetuity. This property is also a site with vernal pools and uses cattle grazing for vegetation control.

Owls 101

Owls California 2010 Colorado 101

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 26, 2013

Moreover, the pair I saw was feeding from a livestock trough alongside a group of cattle. And when you see them – as I have recently – they have massive transmitters and color bands on their legs. Hardly the elegant, natural picture deserving of some seriously stunning birds!

Florida 225

Florida Buffalo Louisiana 2004 225

10,000 Birds

MARCH 31, 2019

We were met by several Cattle Egret in beautiful breeding plumage feeding on the grass right next to the train station. There were a couple of people with large cameras and then several school groups. We avoided any groups of people with large cameras and tripods, especially when it involved nest sites.

Singapore 114

Singapore Transported Boars Malaysia 114

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 11, 2019

And of course, there are Cattle Egrets ( Bubulcus ibis ) and several species of cowbirds that rarely stray too far from livestock. For most of history, beer has thrived in agrarian settings, too.

Vermont 119

Vermont Belgium Farming Europe 119

Animal Person

MAY 30, 2009

Bea directed me to an interview with Dr. Elizabeth Parker , the "chair man " (my emphasis) of the Animal Agriculture Alliance at CattleNetwork, which apparently is "The Source for Cattle News." According to Parker, here are the threats: the ALF, the ELF, SHAC, PeTA and the oddest member of the group, the HSUS. Amazing isn’t it?

Veal Crate 100

Veal Crate HSUS Vegan Gestation Crates 100

10,000 Birds

MAY 3, 2022

Smith Oaks is a migratory bird sanctuary owned and maintained by Houston Audubon, and the Rookery is a year-round bonus, full of Spoonbills, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Cattle Egrets, Neotropical Cormorants, Anhingas, Tricolored Herons and Black-crowned Night-Herons. Chestnut-sided on the left! Redstart above the Parula! Another Hooded!

Houston 211

Houston Texas Sanctuary Sparrows 211

10,000 Birds

MAY 8, 2013

We’ll take these two similar, yet very different groups of birds separately. Thailand’s Adopt a Vulture Program – YC Wee, Bird Ecology Study Group. millions years ago. But there’s no need to keep pushing. New World Vultures. Assorted Vultures. Panama’s Vulture – Jan Axel, Jan’s Birding Blog.

California Condor 181

California Condor Turkey North America Jordan 181

Animal Ethics

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

It is argued that beef cattle and hogs are protein factories in reserve. In order to produce one pound of beef, cattle eat approximately sixteen pounds of grain; and in order to produce six pounds of pork or ham, hogs eat approximately six pounds of grain. The proponent of the argument wants to stop replacing them when they die.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Morals Meat Cattle 40

10,000 Birds

MARCH 30, 2024

A group of about 15 Least Sandpipers was feeding in the shallows. The entertainment consisted of a group of 8 Grasshopper Sparrows and Cattle Egret attending to a small herd of – wait for it – cattle. There was a large raft of hundreds of American Coot , an American White Pelican and lots of duck species.

Ducks 154

Ducks Emotional Cattle Owls 154

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 30, 2017

Our group saw over 400 birds on our 15-day tour of the Pantanal, Cerrado and the Amazon (Cristalino Lodge). 1,712 species, 12% of which are endemics. I shouldn’t have been surprised. Carlos Sanchez, who designed, organized, and led our bucket-list trip, warned me, and Carlos knows Brazil. Favorite Woodpecker: This is a toughie.

Brazil 150

Brazil Birds Los Angeles Tigers 150

Animal Ethics

SEPTEMBER 28, 2007

18): As a microbiologist, I know that study after study has highlighted the human health threat from using antibiotics as feed additives for hogs, chickens and cattle, creating super-bugs—bacteria that no longer can be treated with antibiotics. To the Editor: Re “ Antibiotic Runoff ” (editorial, Sept. 20, 2007

New York Times 40

New York Times New York Livestock Chickens 40

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 13, 2012

That Cattle Egret I found in Somerset County, August 2009? Leafing through The Birds of New Jersey: Status and Distribution is like hanging out with a group of long-time Jersey birders and listening to stories of past rarities, notable birding irruptions, changes, trends. A scarce and very local summer resident in Salem County.

New Jersey 191

New Jersey Birds 2009 Bald Eagle 191

10,000 Birds

JUNE 3, 2020

But all this changed with the arrival of Europeans, and their cattle. Also, as ranchers increasingly moved their free-range cattle into feedlots, they settled down and became incredibly numerous. In fact, this is not even a particularly large group. This is a rather typical group size for Bronzed Cowbirds.

Birds 154

Birds Blackbirds Mexico Cattle 154