10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 6, 2014

By checking my Facebook feed on a daily basis, I had a broad idea about birds arriving into different countries in Central and South America. I have Facebook friends and belong to multiple bird related Facebook groups throughout South America. Black-throated Blue Warbler. This is by no means an exact science.

South America 162

South America Colombia Peru Chile 162

10,000 Birds

MARCH 20, 2012

Colombia is not only home to nearly 20% of all avian life on the planet but this birding mecca also accommodates an incredibly high percentage of highly sought after species. Moreover, Colombia remains the best destination to see many species that are very tough to find elsewhere in South America.

Colombia 244

Colombia Ecuador South America North America 244

10,000 Birds

JULY 19, 2018

And what does it tell us, other than the obvious “head for South America” or perhaps Indonesia? 1601-1800 sp : Colombia, Brazil, Peru (Looking for smaller areas of these huge countries? I discovered this cover-photo map somewhere at the BirdLife International’s website. It illustrates the bird richness per country.

Equatorial Guinea 193

Equatorial Guinea Costa Rica Guyana Central African Republic 193

10,000 Birds

APRIL 3, 2012

This week I find myself writing about Colombia again. Woodpeckers are phenomenally well-represented in Colombia and the country holds anything from 42 to 44 of the world’s woodpecker species, depending on which list you follow. This post relates to a delightful Colombian endemic called the Grayish Piculet. www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhg7HoI1XOM

Colombia 172

Colombia Woodpeckers South America Asia 172

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 16, 2019

Although most New World Barbets live in the tropical forests of South America (“the bird continent”), us birders in Costa Rica are fortunate to have two species to watch and listen to. The Prong-billed Barbet is in the Semnornithidae, a family shared with the Toucan Barbet of western Colombia and Ecuador.

Costa Rica 164

Costa Rica Colombia South America Ecuador 164

10,000 Birds

MARCH 21, 2015

Taxa that could end up being split into one species occurring north of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and one south of the isthmus. (2). A species that lives in both Costa Rica and South America but might be two separate species. (3). Two subspecies of the same species that differ within Costa Rica. (4).

Costa Rica 209

Costa Rica Species South America America 209

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 1, 2013

Kites generally fly to Cuba and then over the ocean to arrive in the Yucatan Peninsula or areas further south. Then, they keep flying south overland to western Colombia. At some point in western Colombia the kites will fly over the Andes at a point where the Andes are not as high.

Florida 231

Florida Cuba Colombia 2004 231

10,000 Birds

JULY 19, 2014

The Spot-flanked Gallinule Gallinula melanops is a common rallid of southern South America. It is common on freshwater in the lowlands and can be found above 7000 feet in Colombia. It is easily seen and can be very approachable. The common name is self-explanatory while the latin name describes the dark marking of the head.

Argentina 160

Argentina Colombia South America America 160

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 11, 2011

Whist filming three TV shows for ProExport Colombia , we received the news that the bird had been rediscovered and I prolonged my trip for a few days to try and film the mysterious bird, whist the rest of the crew, including Richard Crossley (who, besides being the author of the Crossley Guide , happens to be a REALLY good table-tennis player!)

Colombia 232

Colombia Family 2011 Species 232

10,000 Birds

JULY 20, 2019

How about Steely-vented Hummingbird in Colombia? Split from the Three-striped Warbler of South America, yet another species is added to the list of birds only found in the mountains of Costa Rica and Panama. Once upon a time, it was lumped with the Masked Yellowthroat of South America. So long buddy.

Costa Rica 199

Costa Rica Birds Owls South America 199

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 30, 2021

… – part 2 – Once I finish this writing, with a strange mix of emotions I will put the Lynx field guide Birds of Colombia to the bookshelf for the first time, more than half a year after I received it. We found Black-collared Swallows breeding in cracks among the lower riverside rocks. Black-collared Swallow by Tyler Ficker.

Dolphins 259

Dolphins Colombia Otters Birds 259

10,000 Birds

MAY 13, 2017

In South America, some countries have organized their birding ranks to try and catch the coveted top spot for bird species identified on Global Big Day. Further north, birders are looking and listening for wood-warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and other forms of life with feathers in every state and province.

Costa Rica 124

Costa Rica Colombia Owls South America 124

10,000 Birds

MARCH 3, 2020

Like a shy stepchild, it’s always eclipsed by the wonders of Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, etc. Michael Kessler, born in Peru and currently working in Switzerland, has researched birds, plants, and overall biodiversity in Bolivia and South America, and, his bio says, fulfilled a lifelong dream by contributing his artwork.

Bolivia 171

Bolivia Birds Brazil Switzerland 171

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 9, 2014

I made exactly this mistake when I was in Colombia this summer, yet the most shameful part was that the hazard wasn’t technically wild. Plus, this cow, which was apparently going to be lunch at the military base atop Montezuma Peak, was one of those lean, long-horned Criollo types so common in Central and South America.

Cows 178

Cows Colombia South America Livestock 178

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 23, 2014

Seeing more that 640 species throughout North America, South America, and Asia revealed many special species, but cotingas are often first among equals in discussions like these. Mike spotted this gorgeous Red-ruffed Fruitcrow gorging itself on berries at Santuario de Flora y Fauna Otún Quimbaya in Risaralda, Colombia.

2014 186

2014 Costa Rica South Africa Birds 186

10,000 Birds

JULY 15, 2021

Birds of Colombia (Lynx and BirdLife International Field Guides) by Steven L. Hilty “Sadly, a few specimens, salvaged from these shipments, were so rare that they have never been found in the wild”, an unexpected sentence in Steven Hilty’s introduction to the Birds of Colombia touched a sentiment deep inside me.

Colombia 264

Colombia South America 2000 Birds 264

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 14, 2013

Chapman was a pioneer of the Neotropics, publishing various surveys of the birdlife of countries like Colombia and Ecuador. His broad travels made him an expert of the birds of both North and South America.

Costa Rica 170

Costa Rica Colombia Colorado South America 170

10,000 Birds

APRIL 9, 2013

A Long-tailed Sylph, one of the America’s many long tailed hummingbird species, photographed in Colombia by Adam Riley. The remarkable Resplendent Quetzal photographed in Guatemala by Adam Riley. A Great Argus in full call, this species’ tail consists of the longest feather in the bird world.

Papua New Guinea 236

Papua New Guinea South Africa Africa Zimbabwe 236

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 6, 2011

Approximately 2,300 bird species inhabit Africa, however as impressive as that sounds, much smaller South America boasts nearly 1,000 species more. I cannot but admit that South America is the “bird continent” but as Peter Kaestner, one of the world’s top listers, so eloquently put it, Africa is nevertheless the “birding continent”.

Papua New Guinea 217

Papua New Guinea Madagascar Africa Equatorial Guinea 217

4 The Love Of Animals

JULY 3, 2010

ADI, which has previously rescued and relocated animals in Europe, South America and Africa have described it as one of the most complex logistical operation they have ever undertaken but say it will be worth all of the effort when the animals walk free.

ADI 100

ADI Animal Defenders International Bolivia Lions 100

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 10, 2021

The magnificent condor is a symbol of national pride along the entire Pacific coast of South America, as evidenced by this Chilean airmail stamp. The magnificent condor is a symbol of national pride along the entire Pacific coast of South America, as evidenced by this Chilean airmail stamp.

Chile 220

Chile South America Peru Bolivia 220

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 5, 2011

These high-flyers from the montane grasslands of Ecuador, Peru and Colombia should not be missed on a trip to these countries. Found in the foothills of northern Ecuador and Colombia, these stunning hummingbirds hold down the no. Common or not, these little stunners are not to be missed on a trip to Ecuador, Peru or Colombia.

Colombia 279

Colombia Ecuador Bolivia Peru 279