10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 15, 2018

A couple of the biggest of bird families are restricted to the Americas. Both can be found in nearly every available habitat, one is infamous for giving birders identification malaise, the other for putting on dazzling natural shows of grit and iridescence. Just about anywhere a birder ventures, the miniscule members of the latter family can be seen, and in most tropical locales, it’s not just one species.

Costa Rica 214

Costa Rica Nicaragua Panama Honduras 214

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 20, 2018

The Juniper Titmouse ( Baeolophus ridgwayi ) is a passerine bird in the tit family Paridae. The American Ornithologists’ Union split the Plain Titmouse ( Parus inornatus ) into the Oak Titmouse and the Juniper Titmouse in 1996, due to distinct differences in song, preferred habitat, and genetic makeup. The featured image above is a Creative Commons (CC) photo from Rich Hoeg.

2017 152

2017 New Mexico Groups Abandon 152

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 18, 2018

There is a virtual flock of new and interesting bird science news all of the sudden, including the rediscovery of an extinct Bahama Nuthatch. But here I want to note, and for now, dismiss, a find from Madagascar. It was always thought that humans first inhabited the island of Madagascar about four or five thousand years ago or so. It was after that date that many of the great and strange animals of that island went extinct, presumably because of human hunting.

Madagascar 125

Madagascar Humane Elephants Bahamas 125

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 19, 2018

We are wrapping up our last week in the great state of Oregon, and made visits to many of the old haunts of my childhood. Two full days at Hart Mountain Wildlife Refuge, three days at Dog Lake, and a short visit to Upper Cottonwood Lake brought back many great memories, in addition to a nice list of birds. Then, to finish the week, we visited the famous, and not necessarily for all the right reasons, Malhuer Wildlife Refuge.

Oregon 115

Oregon Owls Wildlife Barn Owls 115

Speaker: Steve Romanco

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10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 21, 2018

Towns across New York state are celebrating Homecoming this weekend, which seems appropriate from the perspective of cooling temps and the urge to nest ahead of winter’s bite. As birders, however, we focus more on those restless creatures struck with the sudden, irresistible urge to leave. Birds all across the world are leaving last season’s homes for next season’s breeding or wintering grounds.

2018 113

2018 New York Birds Breeding 113

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 17, 2018

Last weekend a Sora was spotted at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and I had no time to go see it. Having only seen three Sora in my decade-plus in Queens I was hoping against hope that the bird would last through the week so I could go see it this weekend. Amazingly, the bird stuck, and after birding Fort Tilden early in the AM with Seth and Mary we three headed to Jamaica Bay’s East Pond to try to track down either of what had become two Soras being seen in the refuge.

Jamaica 113

Jamaica Wildlife Birds 113

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

The Great-billed Heron – Ardea sumatrana is one of the most elusive of all the herons in Australia and it stands over one metre tall. Although you can’t observe them around Broome itself you can travel north on the bitumen a couple of hours to Derby. You need to head out to the Derby wharf and take careful note of the tides and then it is basically down to luck!

2017 113

2017 Australia Species Birds 113

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 15, 2018

For the love of birds and parks. In the midst of an intensifying battle between protecting public lands and advancing private interests, I want to share a moment of avian celebration at Yellowstone National Park. As the first U.S. national park (1872), birding records date back to its establishment. There are 258 species documented; half of which nest in the park.

Canada 147

Canada 2018 Birds Protection 147