10,000 Birds

MARCH 16, 2019

In Costa Rica, we have two coasts, a pair of shorelines that touch two oceans. To the west and south, we have the Pacific, go east and north and a birder scans the Atlantic. However, in Costa Rica, we don’t usually refer to that body of water as the Atlantic, nor even as an ocean. Around here, it’s the Caribbean Sea and that’s also why we bird the Caribbean slope, we look for macaws, toucans, and Great Potoos in the Caribbean lowlands.

Costa Rica 161

Costa Rica Birds Woodpeckers Owls 161

10,000 Birds

MARCH 18, 2019

Over the last couple of weeks Fish Crows have flooded back into New York City, early harbingers of spring, and those that stuck around have become much more vocal, meaning that birders can now put them on their checklist instead of “crow sp.” And it is essentially only birders who realize that Fish Crows are back. Their nasal calls aren’t of interest to anyone else and, really, birders tend to give them short shrift as well once they have been marked off the year list.

Fish 145

Fish New York City New York Birds 145

10,000 Birds

MARCH 17, 2019

While you enjoyed the wearing of the green for St. Patrick’s Day, did you stop to wonder why so few birds wear green plumage? Based on how naturally parrots and leafbirds (the real ones in Asia, not the figments that plague birders in every country) blend into foliage, I’d imagine that most arboreal avian species would want the same advantages.

2019 114

2019 Asia Turkey Parrots 114

10,000 Birds

MARCH 22, 2019

It’s official. The calendar has finally caught up to what birds have known for a while: a new season has sprung! Even better, this is a migratory season, one which will feature months of avian excitement. Do you love to observe massive, diverse flocks of raptors, waterfowl, or passerines on the move? If so, the good times are rolling right now.

2019 113

2019 Birds Rights 113

Speaker: Steve Romanco

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10,000 Birds

MARCH 22, 2019

Falconry Month at Birds and Booze: I’ve decided to dedicate this month of March 2019 to wines and beers related to the history of falconry – or hawking – for no other reason than that I’ve recently acquired several bottles adorned with mostly medieval European iconography relating to this “sport of kings”. While the hunting of game with trained birds of prey can be a controversial topic among birders , falconry was a valuable early source of information on birds, and its history, culture, and

Hunting 113

Hunting France Falcons Horses 113

10,000 Birds

MARCH 21, 2019

Before leaving Olguita’s on the second day in Costa Rica, I spotted this migrant male Baltimore Oriole ( Icterus galbula ) pictured above, but I also enjoyed a resident Black-cowled Oriole ( Icterus prosthemelas ), both lifers! OK. Since the weather was not favorable for snorkeling I decided to kayak up the local Quebrada Ernesto Inlet. Climbing into the kayak I noticed a Three-toed Sloth hanging in an overhanging tree.

Costa Rica 113

Costa Rica Baltimore Turtles Groups 113

10,000 Birds

MARCH 20, 2019

Lying just a few miles north of the entrance to Madera Canyon, is Florida Canyon. Certainly less recognized, at least internationally, this wonderful birding hotspot deserves every bit the same acclaim. Pronounced locally as “Floor-ee-dah” this area shares many of the same attributes as Madera, with a lower elevation of grasslands mingling into a dense riparian area as you climb in elevation.

Florida 100

Florida Sparrows Mexico Fox 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 17, 2019

Over recent decades there has been a sharp decline in the population of Eastern Curlew visiting Australia during their non-breeding months each year. The Eastern Curlew is the largest of the migratory shorebirds to visit Australia and really can’t be mistaken for any other species. Not only is the Eastern Curlew a very large shorebird, but it also has a very long bill.

Australia 113

Australia 2016 Breeding Species 113