10,000 Birds

AUGUST 5, 2020

Scores of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks circled overhead, these vocal ducks are often hunted illegally here so it was refreshing to see so many. Two species of icterids populated the area, the presence of either was a direct indicator of the degree of water present. Farmers keep their livestock in this wetland also.

Livestock 223

Livestock Ducks ALA illegal 223

10,000 Birds

APRIL 25, 2022

Though I usually do not mention this in public presentations, as kids (or fathers) might be present in the audience. So, as a preemptive strike, I present to you the Golden-headed Cisticola. You will not find the Australian Wood Duck in the HBW, as they prefer the name Maned Duck for it.

Australia 194

Australia Birds Koalas Parrots 194

10,000 Birds

JULY 25, 2022

Birdlife Australia does not try to hide being puzzled over the naming of the Pacific Black Duck : “Despite being predominantly brown, the Pacific Black Duck has always been known as the ‘black duck’. When I publicly present bird photos, I sometimes play the call of the bird and ask what they think it is.

Birds 237

Birds Australia Ducks Mountain Goats 237

10,000 Birds

MAY 3, 2011

The haunting call of the West Indian Whistling Duck has long been a sound synonymous with the ever-shrinking wetlands of the Caribbean. The whistling duck call carries with it the crimes of big business, the failures of governments and the ignorance of irresponsible hunters. They are also the rarest. Until recently.

Antigua and Barbuda 229

Antigua and Barbuda Puerto Rico Dominican Republic Jamaica 229

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 22, 2016

Illegal spring hunting and round-ups of moulting birds are taking place on the Russian breeding grounds and illegal shooting continues in Norway. The Common Pochard is not just a scarce breeding bird, but the second most numerous wintering duck in Serbia and it will be a hard battle to protect it against the strong hunting lobby.

Serbia 202

Serbia Greece Montenegro Bulgaria 202

10,000 Birds

MAY 16, 2018

Now, there are still 10 million of them there but, due in part to a population dip after 1970, it is, in the reign of the second Elizabeth, illegal to kill them intentionally. One is duck sex, which can be, he says, “elaborately aesthetic or shockingly violent and deeply troubling.” What’s magic about 1970?

Humane 104

Humane Species North America Sparrows 104

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 13, 2014

Their population apparently received a big boost in the 1970s when c**k-fighting was declared illegal and many fighting c s were released. That these young are being recruited into the population is pretty easy to see as well by the sheer numbers of Feral Chickens present in Key West and further up the keys.

Chickens 205

Chickens Florida Feral Species 205