10,000 Birds

AUGUST 11, 2011

Here’s a prediction: Parrots , falcons , and seriemas are on their way to new positions in your checklists and, eventually, field guides. However, evidence has mounted in recent years that falcons are not closely related to other diurnal raptors and seriemas don’t belong anywhere near gruiform birds. I like this one too.)

Parrots 227

Parrots Falcons Costa Rica South America 227

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

So when I mentioned the Eleonora’s Falcon in my last post , you may have assumed that the name was a mother’s day present, or an engagement gift from some impecunious ornithologist who couldn’t afford a ring. She also had an interest in ornithology – in particular, she banned the hunting of falcons.

Falcons 158

Falcons Game Hunting Birds 158

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 7, 2016

But appreciating the humble “flying rat” doesn’t mean that when a Peregrine Falcon shows up I’m not rooting for that bad boy. She never looked up to see the falcon four floors above her head. The drama happened as I took the dog for his morning constitutional.

Falcons 149

Falcons Rats Dogs Birds 149

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 16, 2016

A Brown Falcon flew into the parking area and immediately we were drawn to its actions as it turned over the leaves in search of any small creature that was weak or injured by the recent bush fire. Brown Falcon in the car-park. Brown Falcon turning leaves. Brown Falcon. It was being rather successful too!

Falcons 154

Falcons Birds Australia 154

10,000 Birds

MAY 26, 2017

Falcon Wild is a new book in that long tradition, and this one features a more realistic (though still very slightly romanticized) portrait of a human/animal partnership. An aspect of Falcon Wild that really sets it apart from the books I mentioned in my first paragraph is that Karma is sometimes alone, but never unconnected from society.

Falcons 119

Falcons Wolves Dolphins Montana 119

10,000 Birds

MARCH 27, 2015

Some people do think the Northern Goshawk is undignified, at least compared to the falcons, as I learned while reading the excellent memoir H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald. Gosh-awk would be undignified. Goshawk, you see, is from Gosheafoc , Old English for Goose Hawk.

Falcons 259

Falcons Eagles Meat Geese 259

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 10, 2013

Clearly the flock was being attacked by one of the local Peregrine Falcons , which is a common occurrence but it usually happens so high up in the air that I scarcely get to notice it. I would have expected this group to also get away from the falcon as quickly as possible, as the big flock had done. And the small group of five?

Falcons 210

Falcons Buffalo Lions Groups 210

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 24, 2024

However, for a long time I was even more impressed by two Peregrine Falcons. Peregrine Falcon Peregrine Falcon Another highlight was when another birder informed us of a Eurasian Eagle-Owl that roosted in a vine on the cliff. I was impressed how the bird was found it as it was incredibly well camoulaged.

Falcons 205

Falcons Owls Eagles Breeding 205

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

The evening was drawing to a close and we had just checked on the roosting nighthawks and were about to check another field for shorebirds when we spotted a lone Aplomado Falcon perched on a distant tree. We observed it as it changed perch and attracted the ire of the resident Tropical Kingbirds , eventually forcing the falcon to depart.

Falcons 282

Falcons Experience Experiments Birds 282

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2015

I am inside the city of Belgrade, checking the theoretically possible Peregrine Falcon site. Yet, not a trace of a falcon. ” Falcons do hunt pigeons, we all know that, but what is a Kamikaze pigeon? That is why Belgrade is not proud of its falcons and why I am not telling you more about them. One Feral Pigeon.

Switzerland 193

Switzerland Serbia Feral Falcons 193

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 26, 2021

Rarest among the ones we saw was the endangered Saker Falcon. According to the HBW, in mountainous regions, picas and young marmots are among its main prey, giving me a chance to show you photos of these animals as well (without straying from the birding topic). Himalayan Marmot. Himalayan Pica.

China 251

China Falcons Stray Owls 251

10,000 Birds

JULY 25, 2013

In a move that’s sure to stir controversy far beyond the borders of California, federal officials have announced that h enceforth, fledgling Peregrine Falcons won’t be relocated from nests built on bridges in the state. But it also means that some baby falcons are likely to plunge into a watery grave. What do you think?

California 183

California Endangered Species Falcons Jordan 183

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

Now I break (and think that I should put a „I break for birds“ bumper sticker), bins… a falcon! An Eleonora’s Falcon , light morph, makes several circles above the Olive grove and it is gone. Eleonora’s Falcons are migrants themselves. Such a fascinating species.

Greece 225

Greece Falcons Madagascar Africa 225

10,000 Birds

JULY 21, 2024

This is Eleonora’s Falcon ( Falco eleonorae ). Eleonora’s Falcon is always a possibility at Europa Point in the summer Sea-watching from the coast is great fun right now and it keeps me cool. I’m sure that many others are not so lucky and drown away from sight of land. Next week I’ll take a step further.

Falcons 299

Falcons Breeding Family Groups 299

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 21, 2022

A large, bulky falcon cruising overhead could only be a Peregrine Falcon. As soon as we noticed it, a Merlin appeared from nowhere and headed directly for the Peregrine, divebombing the larger falcon. As per usual falcon procedure, it all happened much too quickly for me to get a decent photograph!

Trinidad 239

Trinidad Falcons Ducks Livestock 239

10,000 Birds

APRIL 26, 2024

Now a common breeding bird on the island: Spurwinged Lapwing For many visiting birders, Eleonora’s Falcons are one of the biggest draws. Despite its speed, the Swift didn’t stand a chance, for these falcons are deadly hunters. They are noisy birds, and impossible to overlook.

Cyprus 216

Cyprus Breeders Falcons Hunters 216

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

A recent paper published in the French journal Alauda (sadly, it appears not to be available in English online yet, but here’s the gist ) brings us news that Eleonora’s Falcons breeding on the archipelago of Essaouira have been caching prey during breeding season. Which, no biggie. Acorn woodpeckers cache. Bluejays cache.

Falcons 154

Falcons Montana Breeding Woodpeckers 154

10,000 Birds

MARCH 17, 2021

We only saw the first two, and in our effort to scour each broken limb for a perched raptor, we stumbled upon a Bat Falcon of all creatures. Bat Falcon in the now blazing sun. We kept our eyes peeled for any birds of prey – Savanna Hawk , Grey-lined Hawk and Common Black Hawk were all expected.

Sea Turtles 256

Sea Turtles Bats Turtles Trinidad 256

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 19, 2022

A Peregrine Falcon launches, ready and willing to utilize the relative invisibility afforded by twilight to bring a swift end to someone’s morning. Much smaller but no less deadly, a Bat Falcon dines on a bat in the mid-morning perched comfortably on a roadside stump. It almost looks as if the bird is underwater!

Trinidad 263

Trinidad Venezuela Bats Woodpeckers 263

10,000 Birds

MAY 10, 2020

The Florida Keys Hawkwatch at Curry Hammock regularly produces spectacular numbers of Peregrine Falcon. Although the number of Broad-winged Hawk that pass through the area is no where near what you would see in Texas or Veracruz, the hawkwatch in the Florida Keys currently holds the world record for most Peregrine Falcon in a season.

Florida 254

Florida Miami Falcons Birds 254

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 15, 2013

the Forest Falcons – UK. A huge surprise was the addition of an entirely new species for Peru, a Black Swift , found by the Forest Falcons team. They beat the Forest Falcons of the UK by a measly three species in what was a tight race right up until the dying minutes on the final day. The E-Birders – Cornell, USA.

Peru 226

Peru 2012 Bears Falcons 226

10,000 Birds

MARCH 31, 2022

The narrative takes place across two timelines: 1) Early in Stotts’ life, when he begins working with the Earth Conservation Corps to clean the trash-choked Anacostia River 2) Decades later, when he has become a Master Falconer and is taking on his son as a new apprentice.

Falcons 191

Falcons Wildlife Collecting Owls 191

10,000 Birds

MAY 20, 2021

noticed a Eurasian Stone-curlew , which I dipped and, as we were leaving, one male Red-footed Falcon waved us goodbye. On our way south, we will see another Little Owl squatting on a road sign, and a flock of 7 Red-footed Falcons circling above the road. Red-footed Falcon by Martin Mecnarowski/Wikimedia Commons.

Serbia 238

Serbia Romania Eagles Falcons 238

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 19, 2013

.” Garrulous gulls and stealing starlings, beware: the falcons are coming. (No, No, not those Falcons from Atlanta. The endeavor involves letting hawks and falcons loose whenever flocks of the target bird are present. (For The benefits to the falconers, according to the article, include generous fees.)

Ethical Treatment 167

Ethical Treatment Atlanta Falcons Chicago 167

10,000 Birds

APRIL 27, 2012

Prairie Falcon from behind. Red-Shouldered Hawk from behind. Snowy Egret from behind. Forster’s Tern from behind. White-faced Ibis from behind. Red-tailed Hawk with dinner and a salad from behind. Red-tailed Hawk from behind-ish, more from the side.

San Francisco 230

San Francisco Birds Falcons Ducks 230

10,000 Birds

JULY 18, 2012

The hole-nesting population of peregrine falcons disappeared with the felling of the giant trees upon which they depended. According to the literature, Peregrine Falcons and Merlins both nested in tree cavities until the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries when most of the great trees were felled.

North America 214

North America America Barn Owls Fur 214

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 2, 2020

In the second photo below you will notice one is “kneeling” We had noticed a Brown Falcon in the area as we got to the beach too. The Brown Falcon was chased away into the distance. Whilst we sat and observed the family the female Pied Oystercatcher suddenly flew straight up calling in a panic.

Eggs 260

Eggs Family Falcons Rights 260

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 12, 2020

Granted, the more urban, the less likely that a raptor can make it (except for maybe pigeon connoisseur Peregrine Falcons or garbage disposal Black Kites and vultures) but allow enough green space to persist and some raptor will usually find its place.

Costa Rica 294

Costa Rica Mice Arizona Squirrels 294

10,000 Birds

JUNE 2, 2024

Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus also lie in wait and defend their own young, just as the gulls do. Peregrine Falcon attacks Griffon Vulture at Gibraltar The post The Changing Fortunes of Europe’s Vultures – Part 2 first appeared on 10,000 Birds. But why should we style the gull as enemy and the vulture as friend?

Pandas 198

Pandas Morocco Falcons Spain 198

10,000 Birds

MAY 2, 2017

This time the tome that three lucky readers will receive is Birds of Prey: Hawks, Eagles, Falcons, and Vultures of North America by Pete Dunne. The first and easiest way to win a copy of Birds of Prey: Hawks, Eagles, Falcons, and Vultures of North America is to subscribe to the 10,000 Birds email mailing list. How do you win one?

North America 165

North America Falcons Eagles Birds 165

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 18, 2020

Laughing Falcon – Herpetotheres cachinnans; Raptor Ridge, 5-Jan. Collared Forest-Falcon – Micrastur semitorquatus; Raptor Ridge, 5-Jan. Bat Falcon – Falco rufigularis; Curu, 4-Jan. Peregrine Falcon – Falco peregrinus; Lakeside Catfish farms, 11-Jan. Pale-billed Woodpecker – Campephilus guatemalensis; Curu, 4-Jan.

Costa Rica 260

Costa Rica 2020 Morals Farming 260

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2024

Osborn, a passionate field biologist who participates to the core of her being three re-introduction projects aimed at saving three very different, endangered species: Peregrine Falcon, Hawaiian Crow (‘Alala)*, and California Condor. She never finds her long days observing her falcons, crows, and condors boring.

California Condor 136

California Condor Falcons California Coyotes 136

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 19, 2016

Several hours after we saw it and reported it to the listserv other birders saw the bird attacked by not one but two Peregrine Falcons. From a symbol (to me) of resilience to a falcon’s plaything in a few hours. Peregrine Falcons are excellent at culling the weak. That is how it is and how it should be.

Culling 157

Culling Falcons New Jersey Jamaica 157

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 13, 2014

Orange-breasted Falcon : Since there aren’t any specimens of this regal neotropical Falco from Costa Rica, we actually aren’t even sure if it used to live here. Hope for a vagrant comes in the form of an Orange-breasted Falcon sighting from west-central Panama.

Costa Rica 218

Costa Rica Species Panama Falcons 218

10,000 Birds

MAY 23, 2019

And some Falcon , most likely mixed breed, because it belonged to falconry, not the skies. Falcons – Gyrfalcon. In the 70+ episodes, I noticed only the homing Ravens (caged/domesticated) and Pigeons (domestic – in pie). Yes, there were Chicken , too (I remember the chicken soup, not the birds). Ducks (domesticated). Partridges.

Chickens 168

Chickens Falcons Geese Parrots 168

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 8, 2013

The only ones that concerned me were Ravens, Falcons, Seahawks, Cardinals, and Eagles. Were there any birds about this weekend? Welcome back, NFL football! Of course I still kept my eyes out for other types of birds. This time of year is perfect for finding juvenile Eastern Bluebirds , which I was happy to do.

2013 185

2013 Falcons Eagles Birds 185

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 15, 2022

The calling Collared Forest-Falcon was also cool, so was Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer (the species at the top of this post), and so were the 120 other plus species we had from 4:30 to 8 just on that one road. A final check turned up a distant calling Laughing Falcon but not much else. Male White-flanked Antwren.

Costa Rica 268

Costa Rica San Jose Falcons Owls 268