10,000 Birds

JUNE 20, 2022

It is hard to imagine any birder not liking woodpeckers – they are the “motherhood and apple pie” of the avian world. The Bearded Woodpecker (Mkuze, South Africa) does not really look any more bearded than many other woodpeckers. It is the most widespread woodpecker in Africa, claims the HBW.

Woodpeckers 238

Woodpeckers South Africa China Singapore 238

10,000 Birds

JUNE 23, 2022

I saw two Pitta species at Hongbenghe, both among the slightly less glamourous among the pitta family: The Blue-naped Pitta … … and the closely related Rusty-naped Pitta. The Blue Whistling Thrush is presumably named for its loud human-like whistling, and possibly for being blue.

Birds 147

Birds Myanmar China Chicago 147

10,000 Birds

MARCH 16, 2011

In spite of this New Zealand does have an iconic family of birds that has served as an emblem for the country for over a century, the kiwi. There are are presently thought to be five species of kiwi with a possible sixth extinct species, all of which have suffered varying degrees of range contraction since the arrival of humans.

New Zealand 147

New Zealand 2011 Deer New York 147

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

The Plain Sunbird is the plain vanilla version of the otherwise often very colorful family (ok, a very low-budget sort of joke). So, if you ever think of dressing up as an Orange-backed Woodpecker of different ages, remember: you will need to spend a lot of money on costumes.

Los Angeles 192

Los Angeles Birds Woodpeckers Owls 192

10,000 Birds

JULY 11, 2022

Being of a much purer mind than most male humans, I cannot find anything amusing about the name of the Japanese Tit. Large Woodshrikes are neither members of the shrike family, nor large (MacKinnon: “smallish grey and white”), nor made of wood. Do birds suffer from depression? Also cute: Rufous Woodpecker.

Birds 147

Birds Humane Family Germany 147