10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 23, 2014

Larry starts us off right with an owl that makes birders drool: I was able to see and photograph many great birds in 2014 but my Best Bird of the Year would have to be the Great Gray Owl , the largest Strix in North America. The experience, the place, and the bird combine to make this my BBOTY.

2014 183

2014 Costa Rica South Africa Birds 183

10,000 Birds

APRIL 4, 2023

.” They conclude that many non-vocalizing Empidonax flycatchers can be identified in the field, but only “when several field characters are used in combination–and after one has gained experience in looking at these characters on singing/calling and captive birds (i.e., known-identity).”** Phoebes and Myiarchus ?

Los Angeles 201

Los Angeles North America America Species 201

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 6, 2018

It actually makes a lot of sense, the geographic features of the isthmus between North America (including Mexico, because Mexico is part of North America) and South America cut across political lines, as do birds. One field guide, seven countries.

America 211

America El Salvador Costa Rica Honduras 211

10,000 Birds

MARCH 17, 2015

Florida is perhaps the one place in the United States where you can rack up a pretty great list of birds, including some of North America’s most impressive species, simply by walking down the sidewalk for an hour or so. That was largely due to the vagaries of a single rental car and two young children, but it wasn’t so bad.

Florida 174

Florida North America Neglecting South America 174

10,000 Birds

MARCH 4, 2014

Where did the Coney Island Gray-hooded Gull come from, Africa or South America? I kept wishing I had Rare Birds of North America , by Steve N. I had just started reading it, but I knew that this was the book my birding friends, in fact all North American birders who are fascinated by vagrants, have been waiting for.

North America 247

North America America Birds United States 247

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 1, 2022

Lovich and Whit Gibbons bring decades of research and experience to this book. Press, 2006) or Ernst and Lovich’s text on turtles of North America, cited above. This I all learned by reading and browsing through Turtles of the World: A Guide To Every Family , by Jeffrey E. Lovich and Whit Gibbons.

Turtles 189

Turtles Tortoises Family Terrapins 189

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 15, 2014

Typically, at least here in North America, we think of migration as a north-south affair. We are familiar with the story, birds flying north in the boreal summer, taking advantage of the warmth, long days, and abundant insect life, to raise their young. A male Northern Wheatear. Sexes are highly dimorphic.

Africa 192

Africa Somalia North America Nigeria 192

10,000 Birds

MAY 15, 2011

It made us reach for our field guide for North America, but that really does not compare to the real thing. Right now great flocks of wood-warblers are making their way north from the southern United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America to breed across the United States and Canada.

South Africa 158

South Africa United States Austin Alligators 158