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 Crested Serpent Eagle is another species bound to suffer from a naming error in perpetuity. A worrying trend.

Birds 147

Birds Myanmar China Chicago 147

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 27, 2016

While crossing Gramos Mountain in northern Greece, a Dendrocopos woodpecker flew over the road and landed in a pine tree. I had two possibilities, an uncommon Middle Spotted or scarce White-backed Woodpecker – which would have been a lifer for me. One Grey-headed Woodpecker flies across the road – a promising start.

Greece 255

Greece Woodpeckers Boars Eagles 255

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