10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 2, 2022

This is my best place to pick up species that inhabit, or visit, the border between the Hot Country thorn forest and highland pine-oak forest habitats. It wasn’t the most colorful species of the day. Backlighting showed off the rusty crown of this Rusty-crowned Ground-Sparrow. But its rump was somewhat bright, I suppose.

South America 182

South America Sparrows Mexico Bears 182

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 1, 2023

It is home to four diverse forest ecosystems (deciduous, mixed, boreal, and lowlands), experiences seasonal weather systems ranging from cold dry Arctic winters to humid, thunder-storm filled summers, and, according to the latest official checklist, hosts four professional sports teams with bird names.* state and Canadian provinces.

North America 195

North America Birds Owls Canada 195

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 6, 2024

Amazingly, everyone showed up at dawn except for one person, who’d had a near-death experience with me on Colombia’s Sumapaz paramo, an acceptable excuse for a no-show. The day was only minutes old and we already had 32 species on the day list. Several of my clients sponsor a project right near the parrot cliff. It was amazing.

Parrots 150

Parrots Woodpeckers Industry Fast Food 150

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 26, 2019

The Shoebill serves as the symbol of the magnificent wildlife experiences Uganda offers visitors, which may seem a bit odd. That honor goes to the Gray-crowned Crane , a very sexy species in its own right. Having finally seen this iconic species, I can assure you that the experience wildly exceeds expectations.

Uganda 247

Uganda Africa Birds Penguins 247

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2018

I love sparrows, so seeing a feather-worn Vesper Sparrow this past July filled my heart with joy. I wanted to see prairie birds and I wanted to experience a new state. We saw sparrows–a total of 14 species–and we saw many other great prairie birds, and we often saw them perched on posts.

North Dakota 132

North Dakota Birds Sparrows Blackbirds 132

10,000 Birds

APRIL 3, 2012

The bird was a sparrow, that much was clear, but it didn’t seem to fit any of the easily boxes the other North American sparrows can be fairly easily sorted into. Superficially, it resembled the Black-chinned Sparrow of the southwestern United States with its gray chest and chestnut streaked with black back.

New Jersey 211

New Jersey North Carolina Sparrows Connecticut 211

10,000 Birds

JULY 3, 2015

Many of these species were very high on my life bird wish list, and the country itself would be a totally new experience: a vibrant and enchanting culture, a varied and tasty cuisine, and stunning and new landscapes. Boldly patterned and full of character, this endemic sparrow was the highlight of my first day in Mexico.

Mexico 170

Mexico Birds Owls Sparrows 170

10,000 Birds

JUNE 11, 2017

June may be the gateway to summer in the Northern Hemisphere, but the birding still delivers the thrills of spring migration when you have access to the right birds’ breeding grounds. If you’ve blogged about your weekend experience, you should include a link in your comment. Songbirds are still singing, so go find them!

2017 100

2017 Louisiana Birds Breeding 100

10,000 Birds

JULY 18, 2020

Where can I see Cabanis’s Ground-Sparrow followed by a fantastic meal ? I savor the timeless experience of scanning these tropical waves for storm-petrels and lost jaegers. With around 400 species recorded for the area, yeah, it’s where we might all like to quarantine for a bit! How about sites for Snowcap ?

Costa Rica 198

Costa Rica Birds Thailand Family 198

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 31, 2014

You land, right? Hordes of House Sparrows and Rock Pigeons are more than willing to push you around rather then let you have that choice morsel you just found. The trees are of one species and nearly devoid of insect life, the only plants are ornamental or lawn, and the amount of cover at ground level is virtually nil.

New York City 203

New York City New York Birds Sparrows 203

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 6, 2022

we learn) that are home to coveted boreal species, breeding wood-warblers, and two species of Grouse. There are 461 species on the Maine checklist. This field guide covers 265 species, the ones most likely to be seen–residential and migratory, almost all nesting birds, many wintering birds.

Los Angeles 181

Los Angeles Birds District of Columbia Parrots 181

10,000 Birds

MAY 17, 2020

Kroodsma waited for years for the right opportunity to record its different songs, a “cascade of sweet and liquid notes,” one naturalist said, “like the spray of a waterfall and sunshine.”. Like he does, say, for the Canyon wren. He had long wondered, Kroodsma says, how many songs, exactly, the Canyon wren has in his repertoire.

Virginia 229

Virginia Boston North America 2020 229

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 14, 2014

In this first installment, I will focus on my impressions and experiences in the highlands portion of our tour. Many Nearctic species and families reach their southern terminus in the Northern Central American Highlands, such as Common Raven , Red Crossbill , Steller’s Jay , and even Brown Creeper. We were off to a great start.

Honduras 203

Honduras Costa Rica El Salvador Arizona 203

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 23, 2021

Of course, with the Drakensberg still not that far away from Capetown and South African explorers obviously very fond of saving mental energy by simply starting bird names with the word “cape”, we have the Cape Robin-Chat … … the Cape Rock Thrush … … the Cape Sparrow … … and the Cape Weaver.

South Africa 217

South Africa Africa Lesotho Nigeria 217

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 22, 2017

This diversity makes for a very unique birding experience. One where you get to enjoy the many different local desert birds, right along side the birds that make the warm salt waters they home. Black-throated Sparrows. Box canyons, long arroyos, and rolling desert vistas, accented with several different kinds of cactus.

Mountain Lions 100

Mountain Lions Mules Sheep Lions 100

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 27, 2013

The recent American Ornithological Union (AOU) decisions to split Sage Sparrow (RIP) into Sagebrush Sparrow and Bell’s Sparrow has the Birdosphere buzzing on everything from field marks, vocalizations, status and distribution to historical records and hypothetical patterns of vagrancy. Photographed off Hatteras, NC.

San Francisco 171

San Francisco Fox Sparrows California 171

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

These arid hills, cloaked in a mosaic of deciduous scrub and desert vegetation, form a northern outpost for several Neotropical species while also harboring several key endemics and southwestern Nearctic species. The birds we observed were nesting right into the cliff face. Think Arizona meets Costa Rica with a Mexican twist.

Mexico 184

Mexico Costa Rica Arizona Birds 184

10,000 Birds

JULY 1, 2011

I was not only intrigued by their appearance but also astounded by the diversity that they showed, even within species. The experience served to remind me why some people devolve into Larophiles but, don’t fear, I have not sunk to that low and disturbing condition myself (at least not yet). Ugly, right?

New York 176

New York Collecting Sparrows Experience 176

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 23, 2012

Southern Florida offers many unique wintering birds, but perhaps none more so then the sparrows that call different parts of Florida their winter homes. The flight shot of the male Eurasian, taken by Tom Dunkerton, shows the unique plumage that is completely diagnostic to that species. Think Grasshopper Sparrow !

Florida 166

Florida South Dakota Sparrows Wildlife 166

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 5, 2017

Here are some of the best experiences of my excellent trip. This was a wonderful re-introduction to the desert species I was seeking. Plus, great looks at Cassin’s and Botteri’s Sparrows, Grace’s Warbler, Blue-throated Hummingbird (including a nest), and Antelope Jackrabbits (not a bird). At least for birders.

Arizona 101

Arizona Lovebirds Phoenix New Jersey 101

10,000 Birds

APRIL 18, 2011

Also, I somehow doubt that whether I am stuck at work or not really influences how everyone else experiences spring but this is my blog post so I can use whatever criteria I want to measure how well spring has gone. That means that as of right now the yardstick I am holding does not exist because there are no yard sticks that are zero long.

New York City 161

New York City New York Walruses Birds 161

10,000 Birds

MAY 5, 2015

GISS—general impression, size, shape—is intuitive, the result of an unconscious cognitive process derived from experience in the field. It is not a handbook, though it approaches species from a collective viewpoint. These chapters differ in length and content, depending on the number of species in each group.

Birds 168

Birds New Jersey Science Groups 168

10,000 Birds

MAY 1, 2012

Birding the Dry Tortugas in late April has always been high on my bucket-list of the best birding experiences in North America. Day-trips to the Dry Tortugas are of course possible but the best way to experience the islands is on an extended 3-day guided tour. That means I used to be very young. Almost infantile.

Florida 237

Florida Kentucky France North America 237

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 29, 2013

I’ve spent a fair bit of time on the ocean on right side of North America. Where the skilled spotter finds needles in haystacks and picks out rarities from more plentiful species. It’s pass was brief and fortunate only for those few who happened to be in the right place at the right time.

San Diego 158

San Diego Los Angeles California North America 158

10,000 Birds

MARCH 7, 2016

Because Carolina Wrens are common and easy to see, right? Noah had just managed to find a Yellow-throated Warbler in the thick, swampy forest along the entrance road and there were several other passerine species around as well. It should be no problem to get one to come out for a view, right? Well, maybe not right.

North Dakota 115

North Dakota Birds Florida Wildlife 115

10,000 Birds

MAY 1, 2013

Even people with no other interest in wildlife, who couldn’t tell a sparrow from an ostrich (or even a dolphin from a fish) love dolphins. I had my first swim with Inshore Bottlenose Dolphins in Northland’s Bay of Islands back in 2000, and it was a tripy experience. Which has always mystified me slightly.

Dolphins 154

Dolphins Sharks New Zealand Albatross 154

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 9, 2013

Two days ago I went on Facebook and queried some of my exhausted compatriots: if you could have one wish right now – anything in the world – what would it be? “I That more rehab centers would accept non-natives, like pigeons house sparrows, and starlings,” wrote Charis in Oregon. Change in Government Attitude.

Wildlife 237

Wildlife Wildlife Rehabilitation Oklahoma New York 237

10,000 Birds

JULY 4, 2018

Since he first started walking his property, he’s located a slew of species so exciting that birders are starting to turn up at his doorstep. Nonetheless, a birder’s initial experience in Honduras sets him or her on an inexorable course towards the only species currently named for this gem of a country.

Honduras 128

Honduras Birds Farming America 128

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 19, 2011

It is my best bird because it is just such an incredible species, and looking at it made me realize that I had temporarily stopped to fully appreciate birds during the stressful last few years. This year I watched them from the day they arrived , until two chicks successfully hatched, the northernmost breeding record for the species.

2011 173

2011 Birds South Korea North Dakota 173

10,000 Birds

MARCH 5, 2013

The Eastern guide covers 545 species and the Western guide covers 636 species. When you think about it, this is pretty remarkable; even with all the excellent bird photographers available, it must have taken hundreds of hours to locate good quality photographs in which the bird looks towards the right.

Birds 150

Birds North America Groups Falcons 150

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

Growing up in central Oregon, allowed me to experience such a diverse amount of habitat, and the wildlife that resides there. This small group of Pronghorn Antelope were right at the refuge entrance. Home to over 200 species, this amazing area is quite susceptible to the amount of rainfall each year.

Sheep 110

Sheep Oregon Mules Livestock 110

10,000 Birds

MARCH 6, 2011

If you’ve blogged about your weekend experience, you should include a link in your comment. We were at Big John’s pond and a red tailed hawk came out of nowhere and we thought he was going to fly right into the blind. On Sunday at Kissena Park I saw five species of sparrows. Wicked, right? Hat-tip to Stella.

2011 153

2011 New York Deer Birds 153

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 4, 2014

Betty’s Bay was also a great place to see all of South Africa’s cormorant species, including the endangered Bank Cormorant. We observed far fewer Lesser Flamingos, a near-threatened species. It was the first of six bustard species I would see over the course of both trips. And then there were the Flamingos.

South Africa 249

South Africa Africa Leopards Penguins 249

10,000 Birds

MAY 25, 2013

Redgannet was originally conceived as a way to encourage my colleagues (in case you haven’t read the profile, I work as a flight attendant for an international airline) out of the shops and their hotel rooms to experience something that the local natural scene has to offer. My favourite site in Singapore is Paser Ris. and take 23 minutes).

Singapore 159

Singapore Woodpeckers Parrots Zebras 159

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 28, 2011

Having never been to Brazil I can’t possibly speak as an expert in terms of what birds are covered or how well species that I have never seen are depicted. The species accounts are written by Robert Ridgely, one of the premiere neotropical ornithologists, and a veteran at writing excellent field guides. Talk about a win-win!

Brazil 192

Brazil Wildlife 2011 Birds 192

10,000 Birds

MARCH 15, 2011

On the contrary, if you are a traveling birder, you might just find your next birding destination right here on 10,000 Birds. PIP is situated right on a beautiful lake -- the place to be when its hot! This is worthwhile to pick up some rocky terrain species and the scenery is stunning. Wicked, right? Hat-tip to Stella.

Portugal 167

Portugal 2011 Deer Birds 167

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2011

Mostly the ducks were Red-breasted Merganser and Greater Scaup , the two most prevalent species on the pond, but there were a few other birds mixed in as well. I have had similar experiences at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge and you are so right on when you say “am I ever glad that I am a birder!&# Wicked, right?

Ducks 167

Ducks 2011 Jamaica New York 167