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. Nearly 80 species are endemic and found nowhere else in the world. But we just could not ignore the plentiful antpitta species too.

Colombia 241

Colombia Ecuador South America North America 241

10,000 Birds

JULY 19, 2018

And what does it tell us, other than the obvious “head for South America” or perhaps Indonesia? It divides countries into categories, where the next category has 200 more species. Shown as a list, it looks like this: Less than 200 bird species: Antarctica; oceanic islands. 801-1000 sp. – 1201-1400 sp: Venezuela; China.

Equatorial Guinea 190

Equatorial Guinea Costa Rica Guyana Central African Republic 190

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 161

Costa Rica Colombia South America Ecuador 161

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.

Colombia 171

Colombia Woodpeckers South America Asia 171

10,000 Birds

JULY 20, 2019

If a list also shows the status for each species, birders on their way to Costa Rica would realize that they shouldn’t really expect vireos with white eyes nor blue heads (but would hopefully know that they should very much report those species on eBird so local birders can chase them!). Toucan species with new names.

Costa Rica 197

Costa Rica Birds Owls South America 197

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 11, 2011

Founded by Roberto Chavarro and his family in the early eighties, this little reserve has been dropped slap-bang into the birding spotlight by the recent claims of the rediscovery of the Bogota Sunangel Heliangelus zusii , a species that is known from one record – a skin from 1909! How much variation was there in this species?

Colombia 229

Colombia Family 2011 Species 229

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. As for myself, if all goes well, I am counting some sweet hundreds of target species in three to four distinct habitats.

Costa Rica 124

Costa Rica Colombia Owls South America 124

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. Hoatzin is one of the species I always dreamed to see, and then I forgot they are possible on this tour, so I didn’t expect them!

Dolphins 258

Dolphins Colombia Otters Birds 258

10,000 Birds

MARCH 3, 2020

Like a shy stepchild, it’s always eclipsed by the wonders of Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, etc. That’s pretty amazing–Bolivia has more bird species than India! The source of this ranking, BirdLife International, lists Bolivia as currently having 1,439 bird species, including 18 breeding endemics. ″ x 9.5″x

Bolivia 169

Bolivia Birds Brazil Switzerland 169

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 23, 2014

Finally, the Similan Islands are perhaps one of the most beautiful islands in the world and form a stunning backdrop to this species, one of the loveliest pigeons in the world. Duncan is currently enjoying South Africa but he got his BBOTY in before he left: As of today I have no idea what birds I will see in December in South Africa.

2014 184

2014 Costa Rica South Africa Birds 184

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. Neither have I.)

Colombia 264

Colombia South America 2000 Birds 264

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. A Great Argus in full call, this species’ tail consists of the longest feather in the bird world. The 9 species of whydah are brood-parasitic seedeaters belonging to the Indigobird family.

Papua New Guinea 233

Papua New Guinea South Africa Africa Zimbabwe 233

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. Madagascar’s mammals are equally remarkable; over 100 species of endearing lemurs and bizarre carnivores amongst them!

Papua New Guinea 214

Papua New Guinea Madagascar Africa Equatorial Guinea 214

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 also rescues animals in distress worldwide.

ADI 100

ADI Animal Defenders International Bolivia Lions 100

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 5, 2011

They are the only birds able to fly backwards and the 340-odd species come in many different forms. Its partner is the well-known Ruby-throated Hummingbird , one of the only species of hummingbird that migrates every year. Found in the foothills of northern Ecuador and Colombia, these stunning hummingbirds hold down the no.

Colombia 279

Colombia Ecuador Bolivia Peru 279