Critter News

NOVEMBER 9, 2009

Nevertheless the subject of eradicated species has become publishing hot property after a bidding battle in the US saw Henry Holt, a publisher, beat its rivals to buy The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert last week. According to the New York Times, a "mid-six-figure advance" has now been agreed between writer and publisher.

Humane 100

Humane Endangered Species New York Times New York 100

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 5, 2013

When a species as prolific as the passenger pigeon once was ultimately expires, and promptly so on March 24, 1900, I’m apt to consider the rare but exceptional future sighting as a possibility, simply because I like to believe birds, or other creatures for that matter, don’t necessarily die within our specific time frames.

Pennsylvania 198

Pennsylvania Indiana California Condor 2013 198

10,000 Birds

MARCH 19, 2011

Are you going to help “raise public awareness about the decline of the house sparrow and throw light on the problems faced by the species&# or are you in the camp that hates the lowly House Sparrow ? Cats Are Still Public Enemy Number One, For Birds The New York Times and Tweety have it absolutely correct. Get yours today!

Sparrows 201

Sparrows 2011 Deer New York 201

10,000 Birds

MARCH 6, 2011

This cruel, cruel fate we endure in western New York torments man and beast alike. On Sunday at Kissena Park I saw five species of sparrows. A mixed species flock of sparrows (american tree, field and chipping) was by the bike track parking lot. Once I looked at it through the binoculars I saw it was a male harrier.

2011 155

2011 New York Deer Birds 155

10,000 Birds

MARCH 1, 2011

However, the species sometimes referred to as the Barbary Duck appears very much out of place just about everywhere else. Slimbridge Wetland Centre (c) Mike Fuller @Riverhead, NY (c) Joe Kelly Magnificent Muscovy (c) Karen Davis Tags: ducks , features , manky , muscovy • Have you seen the cool 10,000 Birds t-shirts? Wicked, right?

Ducks 219

Ducks 2011 Deer New York 219

10,000 Birds

MARCH 8, 2011

Getting to know the subtleties in differences between closely related species takes years of dedication and practice. Thirdly, many species of shorebirds display such vast differences in their summer and winter plumages that it is always interesting to note how some birds in the same flock are in contrasting stages of plumage.

Florida 192

Florida South Africa 2011 Africa 192

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2011

Mostly the ducks were Red-breasted Merganser and Greater Scaup , the two most prevalent species on the pond, but there were a few other birds mixed in as well. It is my belief that the birds were migrating, though one New York birder suggested that they might have been flying out for some crepuscular feeding. Wicked, right?

Ducks 171

Ducks 2011 Jamaica New York 171

10,000 Birds

MARCH 18, 2011

This species is not only usually the earliest, but the most common. What’s remarkable about this species is what we don’t see here: the extremely long migration that this species makes, with some individuals traveling from Sub-Saharan Africa to Greenland and back every year. Get yours today!

Cyprus 145

Cyprus 2011 Deer New York 145

10,000 Birds

MARCH 4, 2011

That is why it is such amazingly awesome news that the British Birdwatching Fair raised £242,000 to help conserve a species that could become the first recorded bird extinction in mainland Africa. Cats Are Still Public Enemy Number One, For Birds The New York Times and Tweety have it absolutely correct. Wicked, right?

Ethiopia 145

Ethiopia 2011 Deer New York 145

10,000 Birds

MARCH 7, 2011

Checking for moult limits on a female Band-tailed Manakin to determine her age Imagine learn or improving your mist-netting, bird banding, handling, aging, and Neotropical bird ID skills in one of the most exuberantly natural surroundings ( 599 bird species recorded at Explorer’s Inn and Sachavacayoc Centre!) Wicked, right? Hat-tip to Stella.

Peru 197

Peru 2011 Deer Birds 197

Animal Person

MARCH 27, 2009

In "Council Bozos Want to Ban Circus Animals in City" Ellis Henican ridicules the New York City Council for introducing a bill to ban the "display of wild or exotic animals for public entertainment or amusement." And without their well-run breeding programs, many exotic species really could soon disappear from Earth for good.

Circus Animals 100

Circus Animals New York City Elephants Zoos 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 9, 2011

I briefly entertained the idea that I had found a rare species never before seen in New York but quickly came to my senses and realized that I was dealing with a leucistic individual. Cats Are Still Public Enemy Number One, For Birds The New York Times and Tweety have it absolutely correct. Get yours today!

Ducks 152

Ducks 2011 Jamaica Deer 152

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 Species Deer 157

10,000 Birds

MARCH 13, 2011

Because of is huge range and large and growing population it is classified as a Species of Least Concern , great news for those who like to feel the gaze of the Bufflehead upon them. … Tags: diving ducks , ducks , flight • Have you seen the cool 10,000 Birds t-shirts? There is something for everyone at 10,000 Clicks

2011 150

2011 Ducks Deer New York 150

10,000 Birds

MARCH 22, 2011

On the grounds, Punta Cana has preserved a 1,500 acre Ecological Park that is an excellent place to view the local endemic bird species and enjoy nature. Cats Are Still Public Enemy Number One, For Birds The New York Times and Tweety have it absolutely correct. We can all play our part by choosing operations that give back.

Dominican Republic 187

Dominican Republic 2011 Birds Deer 187

10,000 Birds

MARCH 11, 2011

. “Invasive&# is an ugly word, and ugly consequences have come from many of the explosive range expansions we’re most familiar with, whether of exotic species or even of native species with their normal restraints removed. So, tentatively, welcome spring and new life. Get yours today! Wicked, right?

Montana 135

Montana 2011 New York Bahamas 135

10,000 Birds

MARCH 20, 2011

I finally got my first phoebe of the year yesterday, Saturday, 19 March, a mere eighteen days after the first phoebe of the season was reported in New York City. And, if you don’t get Eastern Phoebe or if they winter, what species do you use as your sure sign that spring has arrived? Wicked, right? Hat-tip to Stella.

2011 184

2011 Deer New York Philadelphia 184

10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2011

Pochards: Last Lifer of the Trip About the Author Larry Larry Jordan was introduced to birding after moving to northern California where he was overwhelmed by the local wildlife, forcing him to buy his first field guide just to be able to identify all the species visiting his yard. You never know what you might see! Get yours today!

Wildlife 155

Wildlife 2011 Sacramento Jordan 155

10,000 Birds

MARCH 8, 2011

In the right season, with a little luck, we often find it, and sometimes it perches high and long enough that we can admire its scimitar of a bill, its stern face pattern, and even the patch of rusty red on the undertail that gives the species its English and its scientific names. Wicked, right? Hat-tip to Stella.

2011 140

2011 Tucson Arizona Deer 140

10,000 Birds

MARCH 18, 2011

… Tags: honduras , macaws , national bird , Scarlet Macaw • Have you seen the cool 10,000 Birds t-shirts? Cats Are Still Public Enemy Number One, For Birds The New York Times and Tweety have it absolutely correct. … This is the third in a series of posts about national birds. Get yours today! Wicked, right?

Honduras 152

Honduras 2011 Deer Birds 152

10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2011

Fluttering Shearwater ( Puffinus gavia ) Flesh-footed Shearwater ( Puffinus carneipes ) Buller’s Shearwater ( Puffinus bulleri ) Along with these three were Two further species, also both familiar to North American birders, Sooty Shearwaters and Short-tailed Shearwaters. It is also restricted as a breeder to the north of North Island.

New Zealand 175

New Zealand Albatross 2011 Cooking 175

10,000 Birds

MARCH 15, 2011

The countryside too is full of signature European species like European Bee-eaters, European Rollers and Great-spotted Cuckoos … Within a shortish drive of the lodge is an unusual birding spot called Pulo do Lobo or The wolf’s Leap. This is worthwhile to pick up some rocky terrain species and the scenery is stunning.

Portugal 173

Portugal 2011 Deer Birds 173

10,000 Birds

MARCH 12, 2011

Pavonine Quetzal ( Pharomachrus pavoninus ) Tags: ecuador , quetzal • Camping tents - Check out our pop up tents , family tents , and more! How lucky you are to live in a country with three different species. Cats Are Still Public Enemy Number One, For Birds The New York Times and Tweety have it absolutely correct.

Ecuador 196

Ecuador 2011 Deer New York 196

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 28, 2011

Having never been to Brazil I can’t possibly speak as an expert in terms of what birds are covered or how well species that I have never seen are depicted. The species accounts are written by Robert Ridgely, one of the premiere neotropical ornithologists, and a veteran at writing excellent field guides. Talk about a win-win!

Brazil 203

Brazil Wildlife 2011 Birds 203

10,000 Birds

MARCH 22, 2011

Cats Are Still Public Enemy Number One, For Birds The New York Times and Tweety have it absolutely correct. Tags: names , nomenclature , Terminology , words • Have you seen the cool 10,000 Birds t-shirts? The genus Bucephala includes three familiar ducks with big heads. Now if only the Hoatzin had been named for its smell.

Cows 142

Cows Cattle 2011 Birds 142

10,000 Birds

MARCH 16, 2011

Cats Are Still Public Enemy Number One, For Birds The New York Times and Tweety have it absolutely correct. Tags: national wildlife refuge , north america , parks • Camping tents - Check out our pop up tents , family tents , and more! You may even have some profound insights that need to be shared in this public forum.

2011 140

2011 Wildlife Birds Deer 140

Animal Person

MARCH 18, 2009

The New York Times presents us, this morning, with "Equine Alternative" regarding the recent discovery that horses decided to allow themselves be domesticated by humans for our mutual benefit, earlier than we had thought (3500 BC, and we preciously thought it was more like 2500 BC). Forgot to hit "publish now" on this.

Experience 100

Experience Experiments Horses Transported 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 10, 2011

When I began birding with people from parts farther north I became familiar with the term “ Half Hardy “, which refers to those species of birds who are generally present in small numbers during mild winters, but usually can’t handle the rough patches of extreme cold temperatures and snow that are less frequent.

North Carolina 140

North Carolina 2011 St. Louis Baltimore 140

10,000 Birds

MARCH 16, 2011

For all its cultural ubiquity in New Zealand, actually seeing a wild kiwi is actually quite a challenging proposition for a birder. 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 146

New Zealand 2011 Deer New York 146

10,000 Birds

MARCH 11, 2011

But meanwhile, let’s look at the four avian families that comprise the brand new order Suliformes. Frigatebirds (Fregatidae) Five species of frigatebird ply the planet’s tropical skies and seas. Brown Pelicans , and the northernmost Brown Booby breeding colony on this side of the Pacific.

2011 153

2011 Pelicans Papua New Guinea Birds 153

10,000 Birds

MARCH 18, 2011

The field site I am assigned to is located in one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world and home to a particularly rich avifauna that numbers well over 500 species. Hundreds of riotously colored birds representing 14 species of macaws and parrots flock and frolic together in less than fifty meters of forest canopy.

Peru 255

Peru Parrots 2011 South America 255

10,000 Birds

MARCH 3, 2011

Keep your eyes to the skies for sawbills, like this Red-breasted Merganser by Corey Finger Tags: march , weekend • Have you seen the cool 10,000 Birds t-shirts? Corey: I’m shooting for the numbers of species and number of lists I had in 2008! Whatever your plans this weekend, make time to enjoy SkyWatch Friday.

2011 145

2011 Los Angeles Deer Birds 145

Critter News

AUGUST 9, 2010

This years’ judges for the competition were: Sophie Uliano, author of New York Times bestseller Gorgeously Green; Summer Rayne Oaks, model, spokesperson, and expert for Discovery Network's Planet Green; Brita Belli, editor of E/The Environmental Magazine; and Josh Dorfman, author and host of The Lazy Environmentalist on Sundance Channel's The Green.

Fur 100

Fur Animal Welfare Ethics Primates 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 13, 2011

The most common species we see are the Stoke’s Sea Snake Astrotia stokesii , Dubois’ Sea Snake Aipysurus duboisii and the Olive Sea Snake Aipysurus laevis. Cats Are Still Public Enemy Number One, For Birds The New York Times and Tweety have it absolutely correct. Get yours today! Wicked, right? Hat-tip to Stella.

Australia 151

Australia 2011 Sharks Deer 151

10,000 Birds

MARCH 20, 2011

Here is a little test-there are 6 species of shorebird in the photo-can you identify them? Cats Are Still Public Enemy Number One, For Birds The New York Times and Tweety have it absolutely correct. Tags: australia , broome , seasons , shorebirds • Have you seen the cool 10,000 Birds t-shirts? Get yours today!

2011 150

2011 Australia Deer China 150

10,000 Birds

MARCH 17, 2011

more migratory sky shots here ) Tags: march , weekend • Camping tents - Check out our pop up tents , family tents , and more! Turkeys, 3 or 4 species of woodpeckers, all kinds of song birds grace our view constantly. Cats Are Still Public Enemy Number One, For Birds The New York Times and Tweety have it absolutely correct.

2011 150

2011 Birds Deer South Dakota 150

10,000 Birds

MARCH 7, 2011

We were driving up to northwestern Michigan from our homes in Ohio (me) and West ByGod Virginia (Geoff) in search of a bird species that would be a lifer for both of us: the Bohemian Waxwing. Cats Are Still Public Enemy Number One, For Birds The New York Times and Tweety have it absolutely correct. Pretty cool!&# Snow Bunting?

2011 221

2011 Birds Michigan Ohio 221