10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2011

Kills in Canada, Alaska and Mexico are not included in the count. Nationwide, wildlife watchers now outspend hunters 6 to 1. Texas and North Dakota together account for 88% of the total yearly kill of sandhill cranes. This represents 6% of the estimated mid-continental spring population of 322,700 birds for the same two decades.

2011 247

2011 Kentucky Tennessee Hunting 247

10,000 Birds

MARCH 20, 2011

So, one might surmise, it’s OK if they get shot by hunters thinking they’re sandhill cranes? What could motivate gunmen (I cannot call them hunters) in two states to deliberately kill North America’s tallest and most critically endangered bird? Do all hunters realize that? Speculation is useless in acts of vandalism.

2011 242

2011 Hunting Kentucky Hunters 242

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 6, 2018

The migrants face many perils, hunters, predators, adverse weather conditions and lack of refueling opportunities due to habitat loss. Stygian Owl – Asio stygius. Bare-shanked Screech-Owl – Megascops clarkii. Eurasian Scops-Owl – Otus scops. Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl – Bubo lacteus.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 113