10,000 Birds

APRIL 26, 2024

Cyprus Wheatears are the easiest to find of the three endemic birds that occur on Cyprus Black Francolins once bred in Portugal, Spain and Italy, all countries from which this handsome little game bird has long been lost. One September I watched a pack of seven Eleonora’s hunting a juvenile Swift.

Cyprus 235

Cyprus Breeders Falcons Hunters 235

10,000 Birds

MARCH 29, 2019

While the hunting of game with trained birds of prey can be a controversial topic among birders , falconry was a valuable early source of information on birds, and its history, culture, and imagery continue to fascinate bird lovers, as we shall see. In English, the plays of William Shakespeare abound with the language of the falconer.

2016 136

2016 Portugal Falcons Japan 136

10,000 Birds

MARCH 15, 2019

The Gyrfalcon ( Falco rusticolus ), the largest falcon in the world, is as sought after by falconers as it is by birders – and for many of the same reasons: namely, the rarity with which these imposing raptors of the Arctic visit us residing in more temperate climes.

2016 100

2016 Iceland Falcons Europe 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 1, 2019

While the hunting of game with trained birds of prey can be a controversial topic among birders , falconry was a valuable early source of information on birds, and its history, culture, and imagery continue to fascinate bird lovers, as we shall see. To my knowledge, the chronicles don’t record the wine preferences of Frederick II.

2015 113

2015 Italy Falcons Europe 113