10,000 Birds

MARCH 7, 2012

We have just three native species of lizard in New York State ( Northern Fence Lizard , Five-lined Skink and Coal Skink ) and one introduced species ( Italian Wall Lizard ). They can grow rather large , over six feet, with some tipping the scales at over twenty pounds, though iguanas that large are the exception rather than the rule.

New York 165

New York Reptiles Eggs South America 165

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 5, 2019

The lengthy Introduction gives both a personal history and a global history of birds and art, including brief profiles of John James Audubon and the far lesser known Genevieve Estelle Jones, who conceived of a book eventually called Illustrations of the Nests and Eggs of Birds of Ohio in the late 19th century.

Birds 149

Birds Eggs Laws Woodpeckers 149

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 22, 2012

Right now we’re pretty much a three species town, Ravens with a chance of Hoary Redpolls and a sprinkling of Rock Ptarmigan. (I I smashed the High Arctic Christmas Bird Count record this January 2nd by managing to find all three species here in town. Typically there are four eggs in a brood especially on good year.

South America 160

South America Eggs Family Raised 160

10,000 Birds

MAY 22, 2019

This past Friday, after leaving Cupsogue where my twitch for the Wilson’s Plover had ended in success I decided to head back over to Big Egg Marsh in my home borough of Queens to see if I could rediscover the Burrowing Owl I had seen the previous evening could be rediscovered. Wait, what about other thrasher species?

Jamaica 113

Jamaica New York Owls Eggs 113

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 14, 2013

They packed up in June of 2013 and headed south from San Diego with the southern tip of South America as their destination. We hope that our journey will provide important information about many Neotropical bird species as well as inform conservation.” Very little is known about this enigmatic species.

South America 183

South America San Diego Mexico America 183

10,000 Birds

JUNE 19, 2013

The Black Swift is considered a Species of Special Concern in California. Plus the fact that they only lay one egg per season which is incubated for about four weeks and the chicks don’t fledge for another fifty days gives you some notion as to why these birds are a Species of Special Concern.

California 209

California North America Costa Rica Niger 209

10,000 Birds

JULY 10, 2011

July, as all northern hemisphere birders appreciate, is the month when the egg timer flips and everything starts pouring back out again in a steady stream south. Recently local birder Steve Holliday spent some time collating all the local information on ringing reports for this species with some interesting results.

Poland 157

Poland 2009 Europe France 157

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 2, 2014

Did I dare dip my toe into this catalog of tantalizing species? Phillipps’ Field Guide (I’ll be using this shortened form of the title) covers 673 avian species, including 59 endemics, and 53 species that have not been documented yet for the area but which may show up in the next few years. Now, I’m not so sure.

Brunei 175

Brunei Birds Asia China 175

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 13, 2022

The Oriental Scops Owl is possibly my favorite of all bird species (though I may have said that about other species as well) – so, here’s a post with just some photos of this owl taken this autumn migration season. As an added bonus, they make the owl look even more cat-like than some other owl species.

Owls 162

Owls Eggs Woodpeckers Cats 162

10,000 Birds

MARCH 13, 2011

The most common species we see are the Stoke’s Sea Snake Astrotia stokesii , Dubois’ Sea Snake Aipysurus duboisii and the Olive Sea Snake Aipysurus laevis. Speaking of pregnant snakes, do sea snakes lay their eggs ashore like sea turtles or do they keep them internally until the young are ready to hatch/ be born, like some sharks?

Australia 151

Australia 2011 Sharks Deer 151

10,000 Birds

JULY 4, 2023

” Writing about owls means writing about roughly 250 species (I counted 245 on the 2022 Clements spreadsheet, but I might have missed a few, and we all know that each classification system is different). These are behaviors that are most likely to vary across species and topics that make for compelling stories.

Owls 210

Owls Science Barn Owls Penguins 210

10,000 Birds

MARCH 7, 2011

This happened to me recently on a birding trip, with somewhat egg-on-the-face results. We were driving up to northwestern Michigan from our homes in Ohio (me) and West ByGod Virginia (Geoff) in search of a bird species that would be a lifer for both of us: the Bohemian Waxwing. Hat-tip to Stella. Wicked, right?

2011 219

2011 Birds Michigan Ohio 219

10,000 Birds

MAY 25, 2022

It was an undeniably dank morning at the top of this island watershed, and even though we were able to discern some other species like Rufous-tailed Jacamar and the endemic Trinidad Motmot , activity was a bit slow. We were hoping for some of the more secretive species, however. From hidden perches, Blue-backed Manakins vocalized.

Trinidad 238

Trinidad Woodpeckers Species Ducks 238

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 9, 2023

In total, there are eight species of hornbills in Borneo – the best place to see them seems to be the Kinabatagan River area (also known as Sukau). Another paper reviews information on Oriental Pied Hornbills raiding the nests of various bird species in Singapore and even pet bird cages.

Rhinoceros 126

Rhinoceros Singapore Transported Hunting 126

10,000 Birds

MARCH 11, 2011

With a hardiness that belies their delicate looks (but helps explain their phenomenal success), these pioneering pigeons are already sitting on eggs at at least one location in Montana. Especially of all the species that had been introduced to the US. Hat-tip to Stella. Maybe because I don’t see so many of them.

Montana 134

Montana 2011 New York Bahamas 134

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 10, 2022

For this reason, the species is evaluated as Vulnerable.” The Rufous-tailed Robin used to be called Swinhoe’s Robin but apparently, somebody decided that there were already too many bird species (6, according to the HBW) named after him. The Eurasian Hobby was another notable raptor of the month. They were missed.

Birds 197

Birds China Eggs Owls 197

10,000 Birds

JULY 6, 2013

But the excess rain has also formed some pretty big puddles and the one in the parking lot at Big Egg Marsh at the southern end of Broad Channel, Queens, is one of the biggest that I know of. And you end up with pictures like this: Though I had several species to choose from I spent most of my time digiscoping the Herring Gulls.

New York City 161

New York City Eggs New York Species 161

Reddit Animals

DECEMBER 15, 2023

This species is found on the African continent, in Angola, as well as central, eastern, and southern Africa. Many tarantula species have a special kind of setae, known as urticating hairs , that serve as a defensive weapon. When they walk, their tail hangs down, but when they run, their tail sticks up, with the bushy tip hanging down.

Africa 40

Africa Buffalo Ostriches Animal 40

10,000 Birds

JULY 3, 2012

Of the fifteen species of cranes alive today eleven are considered vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered. Like many other species of cranes, the primary reason for its decline is the degradation, destruction and loss of wetland habitat. Its a hard life being a bird but its especially hard if you’re a crane.

Botswana 149

Botswana South Africa Africa Ethiopia 149

10,000 Birds

APRIL 23, 2012

However, for a few species, things gets…weird. When the male Cassowary inserts what looks like a penis into the female, the semen ejaculates from the cloaca from the base, not the tip. Like any healthy bird, she wants to make sure that she gets the best of the best when that appendage fertilizes her eggs.

Buffalo 279

Buffalo Birds Ducks Eggs 279

10,000 Birds

MAY 3, 2012

Although designed as a field guide, it is a hefty book, 376 pages long, covering 336 species. Many species are dimorphic, with females looking different from males. Many species also differ with age. And, there are some odonate species that include andromorphs, females which look like the males. Yes, 675 photographs.

United States 232

United States Costa Rica Massachusetts North America 232

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

She doesn’t know the species till it emerges, almost dreamlike, from the heavy glare of the sun. Fox encounters 69 species, some singly, some in huge feeding or migrating flocks. In the water I find a single black-tipped feather as their only trace. The opening beautifully encapsulates the essence of the book.

Fox 100

Fox Albatross Geese Bald Eagle 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 9, 2011

How do I know of their Gothic moods when they have hidden them so well in an egg-white shell of conformity? The tips of their fingers is where the last fragment of their former Gothic self is maintained. Hat-tip to Stella. It is the claws that give them away, their black nail polish. Gulls move in mysterious ways. Wicked, right?

2011 161

2011 Birds Deer Europe 161

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

They submitted 144 checklists, noting 628 species adding 72 to the year’s running total bringing it to 1890. Breezy Point Tip. Breezy Point Tip. Breezy Point Tip. Breezy Point Tip. Breezy Point Tip. Breezy Point Tip. Breezy Point Tip. Great Tinamou – Tinamus major. 15 Jan 2017.

2017 100

2017 Australia Sanctuary Woodpeckers 100

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 6, 2013

I couldn’t wait to give names to all my new species. I tried using the Internet, but found it frustrating for all the usual reasons; websites either didn’t include all species or were difficult to use for identification. Each species account is 2-pages long, one page of text and one page of photographs.

Ireland 172

Ireland France Breeding Eggs 172

10,000 Birds

MARCH 3, 2018

They found 673 species and advanced the yearly total to 1019. Jamaica Bay, Big Egg Marsh. Breezy Point Tip. Breezy Point Tip. White-tipped Dove – Leptotila verreauxi. Breezy Point Tip. This month is when the hard work to fill the winter quota is put in. Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6. 13 Jan 2018.

2018 100

2018 Australia Los Angeles Albatross 100

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. Jamaica Bay, Big Egg Marsh. Breezy Point Tip. White-tipped Dove – Leptotila verreauxi. 13 Jan 2018.

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. Jamaica Bay, Big Egg Marsh. Jamaica Bay, Big Egg Marsh. Jamaica Bay, Big Egg Marsh. Jamaica Bay, Big Egg Marsh. Breezy Point Tip. 28 May 2018.

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. Jamaica Bay, Big Egg Marsh. Jamaica Bay, Big Egg Marsh. Jamaica Bay, Big Egg Marsh. Jamaica Bay, Big Egg Marsh. White-tipped Sicklebill – Eutoxeres aquila. Breezy Point Tip. 28 May 2018.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 113

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 1, 2018

8 beats shared 126 checklists accounting for 704 species. Jamaica Bay, Big Egg Marsh. Breezy Point Tip. White-tipped Dove – Leptotila verreauxi. White-tipped Sicklebill – Eutoxeres aquila. Jamaica Bay, Big Egg Marsh. They birded 6 countries; USA, UK, Costa Rica, Serbia, Australia, and Mexico.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2018

During March, 11 beats shared 122 checklists to accumulate 680 species from 8 countries; USA, Costa Rica, Serbia, India, Australia, New Zealand, UK and Japan. White-tipped Sicklebill – Eutoxeres aquila. Breezy Point Tip. Breezy Point Tip. Breezy Point Tip. Breezy Point Tip. Breezy Point Tip.

2018 100

2018 Australia Los Angeles Albatross 100

10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2018

10 countries were birded by 9 beats and 892 species were noted from 144 checklists. Jamaica Bay, Big Egg Marsh. Breezy Point Tip. Jamaica Bay, Big Egg Marsh. Breezy Point Tip. White-tipped Dove – Leptotila verreauxi. Who is going to tell the clans? Does Mel Gibson know? 23 May 2018. 13 Jan 2018.

2018 100

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 19, 2011

In southern Africa, there are two species. As I watched, it slowly moved into a patch of dried vegetation and I noticed that it was settling over a single egg. Two or three eggs may be laid and either bird may incubate. I too am fascinated by the name of this species. Hat-tip to Stella. How do we know this?

2011 164

2011 Deer Africa Peru 164

10,000 Birds

MAY 6, 2018

Their 185 checklists contained 951 species during April! Jamaica Bay, Big Egg Marsh. Breezy Point Tip. Breezy Point Tip. White-tipped Dove – Leptotila verreauxi. Breezy Point Tip. Expanding that for the year so far gives 795 / 1512. Here they all are; Alphabetic Taxonomic. 01 Jan 2018. 13 Jan 2018.

2018 100

2018 Australia Los Angeles Albatross 100

10,000 Birds

JUNE 4, 2016

All birds are equal on this list; parking lot birds or pelagic species, breeders or fly-overs, all will be accorded the same status and each shall be worth 1 credit on the list. Big Egg Marsh. White-tipped Plantcutter – Phytotoma rutila. Breezy Point Tip. White-tipped Dove – Leptotila verreauxi.

2016 100

2016 Sanctuary Ghana Australia 100

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 1, 2016

All birds are equal on this list; parking lot birds or pelagic species, breeders or fly-overs, all will be accorded the same status and each shall be worth 1 credit on the list. Breezy Point Tip. White-tipped Dove – Leptotila verreauxi. White-tipped Sicklebill – Eutoxeres aquila. Alphabetic Taxonomic.

2016 154

2016 Sanctuary Australia Ghana 154

10,000 Birds

JULY 2, 2016

Despite recording 370 species during the month, the list total has advanced by just 45. Just to confuse things a little, only 14 new species were recorded since June 1 st. Big Egg Marsh. White-tipped Plantcutter – Phytotoma rutila. Breezy Point Tip. Breezy Point Tip. Alphabetic Taxonomic. Sandy Hook.

2016 100

2016 Sanctuary Ghana Australia 100