10,000 Birds

MARCH 11, 2011

Our methods have changed over time — Linneaus, for example, chose not to classify bats among birds — but now, detailed molecular analyses can confound even the most comprehensive and rigorous morphology-based hypotheses, not to mention “obvious&# groupings. That name is Suliformes, from the Old Norse word for gannet.

2011 159

2011 Pelicans Papua New Guinea Birds 159

10,000 Birds

MARCH 4, 2011

Among these white-headed/dark-winged gulls formerly lumped into the genus Larus , there were 18+ recognized species the last time I checked, sharing similarities that make telling them apart for the amateur birdwatcher very difficult. 1998), then the proper name for this species is L. fuscus – should be separated as species.

2011 157

2011 Cyprus Species Deer 157

10,000 Birds

MARCH 12, 2011

As part of the Wildlife Conservation Society Birds of Brazil giveaway we asked readers of 10,000 Birds to name the bird in Brazil that they would like to see more than any other species. What follows are the responses that readers offered, a veritable aviary of sought after species.

Brazil 228

Brazil 2011 Birds Wildlife 228

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2011

of Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Jon Gassett has indicated that if enough people write in protest, the proposed hunting season–due to start this December– will be reconsidered. Hunting is on a steady downturn, and nonconsumptive wildlife pursuits are on a tremendous upswing. We can fight them back in Kentucky, too.

2011 260

2011 Kentucky Tennessee Hunting 260

10,000 Birds

MARCH 20, 2011

It may be as sick as deliberately targeting an endangered species for death. Birders know that the light’s not always perfect or even particularly good when you’re trying to tell one species from another. So we can squawk at the state wildlife departments all we want, but the USFWS has the final say. The big white one.

2011 244

2011 Hunting Kentucky Hunters 244

10,000 Birds

MARCH 1, 2011

One such controversial bird is the Veraguan Mango , a small hummingbird species that was, until very recently, believed to be a Panamanian endemic. Veraguan Mango by Carlos Bethancourt Although the Neotropical region supports fewer bird families than Africa, there are considerably more bird species here than anywhere else on earth.

Panama 229

Panama Costa Rica 2011 Cleveland 229

10,000 Birds

MARCH 1, 2011

But off the top of my head, I cannot think of any examples of non-exploratory people who are open to the unexpected at home. Researchers comparing these traits across groups of closely related species – parrots, tits, sparrows, darwins finches etc – find no general correlation between neophobia and exploration.

Cats 156

Cats 2011 Costa Rica Deer 156

10,000 Birds

MARCH 5, 2011

Orlando is so rich in roadside and overhead birds that I kept a list of species seen from the car which ran to 30+ on the first morning and included a Bald Eagle nonchalantly sitting on a street lamp by a Target store. Below for example is the Hippogriff , but which ornithological influences were used to portray such a beast?

2011 119

2011 Alligators Florida Deer 119