10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 11, 2019

Even the names we give to some birds reflect their dependence on the cultivated landscape – we have Barn Owls ( Tyto alba ) and Barn Swallows ( Hirundo rustica ) over much of the world, and Orchard Orioles ( Icterus spurius ) in the Americas really do have a fondness for fruit groves.

Vermont 119

Vermont Belgium Farming Europe 119

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. That’s right – birds eating clay. Wicked, right? Hat-tip to Stella.

Peru 255

Peru Parrots 2011 South America 255

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 30, 2021

Am I over-confident in my thinking that we were so interesting that they were investigating us for a good half an hour, until we moved further upriver? We sailed right into a group of more than a dozen Hoatzins (cover photo, by Tyler Ficker) with their orange mohawks and blue facial skin. Later, we would be seeing dolphins every day.

Dolphins 261

Dolphins Colombia Otters Birds 261