10,000 Birds

JULY 22, 2014

When you think of invasives, you think of the birds that have been helped by human beings to get where they are, such as House Sparrow or European Starling. I’d like to introduce you to a diminutive heron, the Cattle Egret Bubuclus ibis. Cattle Egret has been introduced by humans to Hawaii and the Seychelles.

Cattle 171

Cattle South Korea Suriname Seychelles 171

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 10, 2020

but there are other birds, many stopping to stay, many others moving to South America. We don’t see so many on the ground but with both Yellow and Black-billed hightailing it to South America, you know that their long wings are carrying these caterpillar gourmands far overhead and straight on to Colombia.

Costa Rica 278

Costa Rica South America Colombia Paraguay 278

10,000 Birds

MARCH 18, 2011

Found throughout South America in ever-dwindling numbers these extremely beautiful birds – threatened by habitat destruction and collection for the wild bird trade – are often difficult to see and hard to find. These threats are further exacerbated by the naturally low reproductive rates of these cavity-nesting birds.

Peru 255

Peru Parrots 2011 South America 255

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 30, 2021

One of this species’ many peculiarities is that it has a digestive system unique amongst birds: Hoatzins use bacterial fermentation in the front part of the gut to break down the vegetable material they consume, much as cattle and other ruminants do. We found Black-collared Swallows breeding in cracks among the lower riverside rocks.

Dolphins 264

Dolphins Colombia Otters Birds 264