10,000 Birds

JUNE 3, 2014

The idea of Lost Animals was conceived after the publication of Extinct Birds (2001), a 400-page, four-pound book on 75 extinct species. They would pause over them and just gaze, sometimes even raising the book towards their eyes in the vain hope that this action would allow them to see more. Other species are less known.

Animal 267

Animal Mammals Hawaii Dolphins 267

10,000 Birds

JUNE 1, 2021

Pough “with illustrations in color of every species” by Don Eckelberry, Doubleday, 1946. If you remember that the first edition of Sibley was published with “National Audubon Society” on the cover, raise your hand. The press material says it covers over 800 species, so you know I had to do a count.

North America 279

North America America Birds California Condor 279

10,000 Birds

MAY 11, 2021

He analogized the change to adding Hawaii to the ABA Area, which is puzzling since that modest change was preceded by years of debate, a membership referendum (in 2012), and a formal vote (in 2016). Some species have taxonomy that is in flux while others are stable. There are surely costs to change. Is ornithology more inclusive?

Birds 264

Birds Russia Hawaii Woodpeckers 264

10,000 Birds

JULY 26, 2012

But as I and others have said before, it does raise a very practical question about what field guides, which have for the most part been slavishly devoted to taxonomic order, are going to do. In any case, the species does come north into U.S. waters every year after breeding.

Falcons 172

Falcons Parrots California Breeding 172

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 30, 2018

So, while waiting for evolution to produce new birds for our life lists is inadvisable, we sometimes catch a break and every few years get a new species or two when some genetic research or study of breeding distribution presents enough evidence to split what was once considered a single species into a few new ones.

Ohio 113

Ohio India Hawaii United States 113

10,000 Birds

APRIL 25, 2015

Severe weather can stress birds and even influence the coloration of their feathers , new research finds. Indiana teacher raises the bar for newbie birders everywhere by finding the state’s first record of a Black-tailed Godwit. Researchers have figured out where the thought-to-be-extinct Bryan’s Shearwater is roosting.

Malta 183

Malta Barn Owls Cyprus Fowl 183