10,000 Birds

JULY 4, 2023

Jennifer Ackerman points out in the introduction to What the Owl Knows: The New Science of the World’s Most Enigmatic Birds , that we don’t know much, but that very soon we may know a lot more. What the Owl Knows: The New Science of the World’s Most Enigmatic Birds is a joyous, fascinating read.

Owls 238

Owls Science Barn Owls Penguins 238

10,000 Birds

JUNE 1, 2021

Pough “with illustrations in color of every species” by Don Eckelberry, Doubleday, 1946. The National Audubon Society Birds of North America covers all species seen in mainland United States, Canada and Baja California. The press material says it covers over 800 species, so you know I had to do a count.

North America 279

North America America Birds California Condor 279

10,000 Birds

MARCH 3, 2020

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. The guide covers 1,433 species, the number of birds documented at the end of 2014, the cutoff point for the book.

Bolivia 196

Bolivia Birds Brazil Switzerland 196

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 9, 2011

It is not an encyclopedia, though it does summarize research, explain basic concepts, and ends with a section on bird statistics. It is a fascinating book that teaches while it entertains, that offers research-informed arguments for bird protection and conservation in the guise of vibrant design. We are a BirdLife Species Champion!)

Albatross 219

Albatross Birds Campaign Protection 219

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

But getting a grip on gulls can be rewarding, and even within a large group of seemingly drab-colored, dump-loving trash eaters, there are spectacular species, like the dramatic Sabine’s Gull, the nearly mythical Ivory Gull, and easily one of the most sought-after species in North America, the mysterious Ross’s gull. (p.

Birds 263

Birds North Carolina North America Owls 263

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 1, 2022

At the very least appreciated for their hard-shell adaptation, the way they quietly survive in ponds, rivers, oceans, islands, forests, even, for a few species, deserts, and, if you are of a certain age, their cultural depiction as ninja warriors. Turtles are the reptile everybody loves. 84 © Getty Images/Resschke, p.

Turtles 230

Turtles Tortoises Family Terrapins 230

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 25, 2011

Unless you are nothing but the lowly diehard lister, for which you should feel much shame and embarrassment for, birders and biologists alike frequently want to understand birds on a deeper level than how to identify the age, sex and species of a certain individual. I believe in science. Science, for many years, has done no better.

Emotional 231

Emotional Science Birds Mammals 231

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 19, 2012

At the recent Swarovski Social Media Summit in Arizona, Nate proselytized passionately for the program that both manages your sightings and contributes them to science. Then the fun really started… The eBird interface came back saying that a whopping 251 species needed clarification. But Nate is an eBird fanatic.

Arizona 184

Arizona Belize Adoptable ALA 184

10,000 Birds

JUNE 26, 2018

Basically, this species is so dimwitted, it doesn’t know how to survive. Because, Pink Pigeons are not capable of doing the tasks required to create and bring up children of the species. Don’t these birds care about propagating their species? What happened to Thelma and Louise? I know, that’s harsh.

Mauritius 104

Mauritius Stud Zoos Eggs 104

10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2023

Not a cover species The Black Kite is not actually black, but of course, misleading bird names are not exactly rare. By the way, if you google “Black Kite”, the very first result you get even before the Wikipedia entry on the bird is a company named Black Kite. No surprise then that the species is listed as Vulnerable.

Birds 130

Birds Iraq China Ireland 130

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 15, 2022

Bella, you owe me at least one beer on our next trip for mentioning your company here without any real need to do so). The Latin species name of the Kalij Pheasant is leucomelanos , meaning “white” (leukos) and “black” (melanos, both Greek words). The pimps of the avian world.

Rhode Island 147

Rhode Island Research South Dakota North Dakota 147

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 5, 2019

In reverse order, the medals were awarded for “most species seen in a country”, to Australia with 420, USA got the silver, scoring 556 while the runaway winner was Costa Rica with 646 species. Mark Hatfield Marine Science Center and Estuary Trail. Mark Hatfield Marine Science Center and Estuary Trail.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 3, 2018

During October, 7 countries (Costa Rica, Australia, USA, India, Hong Kong, UK, Serbia) were birded by 11 beats who shared 135 checklists and noted 697 species. Cape Town–Company’s Garden. Cape Town–Company’s Garden. Hopland Research and Extension Center (restricted access). Alphabetic Taxonomic.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 6, 2018

They noted 598 species as a team, bringing the year total to 2118 and pushing the life list to 3555. Cape Town–Company’s Garden. Cape Town–Company’s Garden. Hopland Research and Extension Center (restricted access). Hopland Research and Extension Center (restricted access). 12 Jun 2018.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 113

10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2018

10 countries were birded by 9 beats and 892 species were noted from 144 checklists. Mark Hatfield Marine Science Center and Estuary Trail. Mark Hatfield Marine Science Center and Estuary Trail. Mark Hatfield Marine Science Center and Estuary Trail. Hopland Research and Extension Center (restricted access).

2018 100

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 100

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 1, 2018

8 beats shared 126 checklists accounting for 704 species. Mark Hatfield Marine Science Center and Estuary Trail. Mark Hatfield Marine Science Center and Estuary Trail. Hopland Research and Extension Center (restricted access). Mark Hatfield Marine Science Center and Estuary Trail. 07 Jan 2018. 06 Jan 2018.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 1, 2022

Interestingly for me, the research paper calls throwing out the eggs infanticide, which makes me feel a bit queasy as this might potentially be on the wrong side of the Roe vs. Wade (or “Right vs. Wrong”, as The Onion calls it) debate. But it is all for science, I hear them say.

Birds 147

Birds China Eggs Breeding 147