10,000 Birds

MAY 27, 2015

It all comes back to a split in one of the great bird families, the Turdidae, or thrushes. Once upon a time, when I started birding, this great family included a wide range of species collectively known as the robins and chats. The family reunited in safety. Collared Palm-thrush with no collar visible.

Mozambique 166

Mozambique Zambia Zimbabwe Namibia 166

10,000 Birds

APRIL 10, 2012

Originally they were all placed in the family Capitonidae , but over time taxonomists have determined that actual relationships between these barbets are far more complex. Benson to collect birds. Gray-throated Barbet is one of the plainer members of the African Barbet family.

Ethiopia 235

Ethiopia Tanzania Africa Uganda 235

10,000 Birds

MAY 8, 2012

Furthermore we have another very special stork-like bird, the regal Shoebill , previously known as the Whale-headed Stork but now placed in its own family. Storks are typically viewed as wetland species and whilst some storks are restricted to aquatic habitats, others are not. Its range also extends to nearby Madagascar.

Africa 243

Africa Tanzania South Africa Uganda 243

10,000 Birds

MARCH 13, 2012

The famous Verreaux family who made several expeditions into the province through the 1820’s and 1830’s procuring specimens for rich collectors. After one 3 year stint, they left with 131,405 specimens including birds, mammals, reptiles, plants and even human remains (which were only recently repatriated for burial in Africa!)

Mozambique 190

Mozambique South Africa Africa Collecting 190

10,000 Birds

JULY 1, 2014

I enjoy collecting children’s books about birds and nature that I come across in the expected (book stores) and unexpected (academic library conference reports) places. My favorite was the Greater Flamingo in Tanzania (Pinkest bird!). A hawk-avoidance training program is created. A second flock is released into the wild in 2006.

Puerto Rico 237

Puerto Rico Parrots New York City 2013 237