10,000 Birds

MARCH 15, 2015

I still know my audience - this is primarily a blog read by birders in North America, who see the term “squirrel” as little more than a synonym for house sparrow, starling, pest and cholera. Germany, like most of Europe and very much unlike North America, is home to only one species of squirrel.

Squirrels 162

Squirrels North America Germany Europe 162

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 6, 2019

Visiting the continent after the end of most of the autumn migration meant that the number of bird species I could see in northern France, Switzerland, southern Germany, and Austria was much reduced. And I did manage to get my first glimpses of some of the species listed in my European bird guides. Boy, was I glad I got photos!

Austria 127

Austria Switzerland Europe Geese 127

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 1, 2012

Here in Germany, we don’t wish we had. Yes, Germany has parrots, or parakeets to be more precise. Unlike North America, Germany has never had naturally occurring psittacines that went extinct, and the one we have is a true and complete invasive alien introduction. Because we never have had.

Germany 249

Germany Netherlands Zoos Geese 249

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 8, 2017

Birding in Germany was okay during the first half of the year but essentially came to an end in June due to several issues, most significantly a move to a different appartment within Heidelberg. I therefore finished the year on a high note, seeing quite a few species I scarcely got to see during the previous years.

2016 101

2016 Germany Italy Netherlands 101

10,000 Birds

JULY 21, 2013

The six living species are all found in Sub-Saharan Africa. They were once a widespread and diverse group, however, with many fossils known from what are now North America and Europe. Mousebirds are social fruit-eaters that dangle precariously at odd angles in tight clumps, feet spread wide and long tails often splayed.

Kenya 175

Kenya Parrots Africa North America 175

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 30, 2020

are up next, with a wonderful Australian species: It is very hard to choose a Best Bird of the Year any year. The male of this species has a royal blue throat, a white chest and rump, and a long v-shaped tail with intermittent white patches that makes it looks like part of it are floating in space. Clare (and Grant!) How cool is that?

2020 241

2020 Birds Costa Rica Germany 241

10,000 Birds

MAY 24, 2016

One of the most impressive birds in North America is the Golden Eagle. It is found as far north as Alaska and as far south as Mexico, taking its place as one of Mexico’s official symbols. The oldest known Golden Eagle was over 30 years old, and as a species they prefer open and semi-open landscapes.

Albania 101

Albania Mexico Eagles Kazakhstan 101

10,000 Birds

JULY 26, 2015

Germany is currently experiencing its hottest June and July ever, and temperatures in the last few weeks have rarely been below 33°C (91°F), sometimes reaching nearly 40°C (103°F). This is particularly interesting for birders in North America and Europe (duh!), It’s bad. If not, it is here. This is easy.

North America 172

North America Europe America Asia 172

10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2023

Not a cover species The Black Kite is not actually black, but of course, misleading bird names are not exactly rare. No surprise then that the species is listed as Vulnerable. But then, sanity (or maybe respect for you, the reader) prevailed. Fortunately, they are quite common in Shanghai. It is also called Chinese Bulbul.

Birds 130

Birds Iraq China Ireland 130

10,000 Birds

MARCH 3, 2012

Over much of North America, the Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis is more than just common. Rather, it could be considered the aythyian background noise against which to discern the other, more appreciated species. And see it I did, as the pictures below will plainly show. Which is a long time even for a duck.

Switzerland 123

Switzerland Germany France Ducks 123

10,000 Birds

APRIL 3, 2016

The European Herring Gull is essentially the rump state of what was once an empire of a species ranging throughout the northern hemisphere. The listing was easy too since the world total of accepted species stood at a little over 8,000, meaning you could become a world birder by just putting up a backyard feeder.

Germany 103

Germany North America Europe Game 103

10,000 Birds

MAY 11, 2014

Now, having the female-thing fly in between two Garganeys made it easy to be sure it was of the exact same size, and there are only two species of dabbling duck the size of a Garganey in Germany: the Teal and – well – the Garganey. I mean, the Gadwall is one of the most common ducks in Germany. ” - 3 species.

Ducks 160

Ducks Germany North America Species 160

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 11, 2016

Well look, it’s a nice species – but visually that’s nothing you wouldn’t get by repeateldy crossing Canada with Barnacle Geese. You in North America have them, too with the Arctic Warbler being a regular Alaskan resident. And the Nene? Seabirds and albatrosses?

Hawaii 161

Hawaii Albatross Europe America 161

10,000 Birds

JULY 18, 2012

Starting in the 16th century, the species was released widely on ponds and parks and rivers throughout Europe where it flourished remarkably and continues to do so to this very day. A happy family of Mute Swans at Waghäusel in south-western Germany, post-trading era. Evidently, kayaking was not a popular sport in those times.

Feral 170

Feral Europe Asia North America 170

10,000 Birds

APRIL 9, 2011

If you are mildly interested, proceed and read the caption. Despite being taken in Europe, this image exemplifies why forest birding in North America might soon be rated NC-17. North America may currently feel very smug, safe and sound. have asked themselves for ages: Is the Brown Creeper more than one species ?

North America 145

North America Europe America Asia 145

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 6, 2022

This is “the deep cradle of Western ornithology: the birthplace of bird study,” he tells us as he writes about gazing at the 8,000-year old depictions of “flamingos, herons, raptors, avocets and many other species” (p. Birkhead knows that these are sensitive topics. 266-67).

Dissection 229

Dissection Birds Research Europe 229

10,000 Birds

JUNE 3, 2015

I have caught a bus across Europe, but I can’t really claim to have “been” to Germany or Belgium. A guide once told me that they were related to the Bald Eagle of North America and I dismissed him, claiming it was convergent evolution, I was wrong, and guide who’s name I have forgotten, I’m sorry.

Botswana 162

Botswana Birds Lesotho Elephants 162

10,000 Birds

JULY 10, 2011

In fact I would go so far as to say it is probably the best site to see the species for 100 miles in any direction and best of all it’s only 4 miles as the gull flies from where I live. This innocuous looking 1km bay, mainly sand, has a peculiar attraction for Med Gulls drawing in anything up to 28 so far in late summer.

Poland 157

Poland 2009 Europe France 157

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 20, 2012

The very first thing we notice about this large member of the Galliformes is that there is a wild version and a domestic version, and although the two are rather different, they are both given the same species name, Meleagris gallopavo. This is not entirely unknown among domestic animals, but many domesticates have no living wild version.

Turkey 207

Turkey Columbus Spain Fowl 207

10,000 Birds

MARCH 4, 2011

Among these white-headed/dark-winged gulls formerly lumped into the genus Larus , there were 18+ recognized species the last time I checked, sharing similarities that make telling them apart for the amateur birdwatcher very difficult. 1998), then the proper name for this species is L. fuscus – should be separated as species.

2011 157

2011 Cyprus Deer Species 157

10,000 Birds

MARCH 11, 2011

Originally from India and the vicinity, it is believed that they had already undergone two major expansions – through Asia Minor in the 1600s, and then across Europe in the 1900s – when they first appeared in North America. Especially of all the species that had been introduced to the US.

Montana 137

Montana 2011 New York Bahamas 137

10,000 Birds

MARCH 9, 2011

And I haven’t even started to write about ageing them … What are your experiences, and what is the colour of the claws on your local gull species? Palm Warblers in Central Park Answers to A Diabolical Quick Quiz Cow Birds About the Author Jochen Jochen Roeder was born in Germany and raised to be a birder. Get yours today!

2011 165

2011 Birds Deer Europe 165