10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 23, 2016

Who doesn’t love a good owl? owls aren’t rare, but they are seldom easy. So imagine my delight to seeing a pair of African Scops-owls on the side of the road on a recent trip to Botswana. The species is a common one, found from the Gambia to Somalia and from the Sudan to South Africa.

Owls 222

Owls Gambia Somalia Sudan 222

10,000 Birds

MAY 30, 2022

Southern Ground Hornbill (Kruger Park, South Africa). White-bellied Sunbird (Kruger Park, South Africa). Yellow-billed Hornbill (Kruger Park, South Africa). Oriental Scops Owl (Nanhui, Shanghai, China). Purple-crested Turaco (Mkuze, South Africa). Spotted Owlet (Delhi area, India).

South Africa 147

South Africa China Mauritius India 147

10,000 Birds

JUNE 25, 2020

African Penguin (Cape Town, South Africa, Nov 2018). African Pygmy Kingfisher (Mkuze, South Africa, Nov 2018). European Bee-eater (Hluluwe, South Africa, Nov 2018). Ground Woodpecker (Drakensberg, South Africa, Nov 2018). Oriental Scops Owl (Nanhui, China, Oct 2019).

South Africa 218

South Africa 2018 2019 China 218

10,000 Birds

APRIL 1, 2021

African Penguins, asleep (Cape Town, South Africa). A Burnt out Barn Owl (Kruger Park, South Africa). A Somnolent Speckled Mousebird (Cape Town, South Africa). A Snoozing Spotted Eagle Owl (Kirstenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa). A Tired Teal ( Eurasian Teal , Nanhui, Shanghai).

South Africa 169

South Africa Barn Owls Africa Penguins 169

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 25, 2021

Or the Asian Barred Owlet (Hangzhou, China) – though I am happy this allows me to include some owl photos into this post. Perhaps the best bird name in this whole post is therefore the Arrow-marked Babbler (Kruger Park, South Africa). Still, there are a few. I am also looking at you, Mr. Alstroem.

South Africa 334

South Africa China Nevada Africa 334

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 19, 2020

Before that, while you all know what South Africa is, what exactly is Southern Africa? And so, back to political entities, this field guide covers Namibia , Botswana , Zimbabwe , the southern half of Mozambique (south of the Zambezi River), South Africa , Lesotho and Eswatini ( Swaziland ).

Africa 264

Africa South Africa Swaziland Lesotho 264

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 11, 2021

Fortunately, Berninger recently covered the song “Big bird” A big bird ( Ostrich , Cape Town, South Africa). Lucia, South Africa). Some farmers probably think so (Red-billed Quelea, Mkuze, South Africa). A surfin’ bird ( African Penguin , Boulders Beach, South Africa).

South Africa 240

South Africa China Germany Birds 240

10,000 Birds

JUNE 5, 2012

For many birders, the Pel’s Fishing Owl roosts in a lofty position on just such a list. One of the most highly desirable birds in the world, the Pel’s Fishing Owl is a true phantom. Found patchily in sub-Saharan Africa, this large, ginger-colored owl can never be guaranteed on a trip to the continent.

Owls 255

Owls Fish Botswana Barn Owls 255

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 6, 2012

“Do they have owls?” Mike had just invited me to Nikon’s Prostaffer Retreat that was to be held at a ranch in south Texas. I immediately phoned the manager and enquired if the property had any Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls. I immediately phoned the manager and enquired if the property had any Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls.

Owls 156

Owls Texas Arizona Pigs 156

10,000 Birds

MARCH 18, 2015

Ostritch ( Struthio camelus ); Wakkerstroom, South Africa, 22 February. White-backed Duck ( Thalassornis leuconotus ); Wakkerstroom, South Africa, 22 February. South African Shelduck ( Tadorna cana ); Madikwe, South Africa, 17 February. Cape Teal ( Anas capensis ); Madikwe, South Africa, 17 February.

2015 185

2015 South Africa Botswana Singapore 185

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 7, 2023

Growing up in Namibia, South Africa, and Sri Lanka provided the perfect setting for this interest. Iberian Chiffchaff , Greenish Warbler , Red-breasted Flycatcher , Ortolan Bunting , and Short-eared Owl , were some of the nicer finds in early September. before starting his MSc.

Sri Lanka 226

Sri Lanka Birds Netherlands Namibia 226

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 9, 2019

This years bird number 1300, the Whiskered Screech Owl, was found in the dark, in a snow storm, and no photo was gotten. Our first Day In South Africa, I spotted the Burchell’s Courcal, as it flew across the road in front of us we entered Kruger National Park. I present to you, my favorite birds of 2018.

2018 171

2018 Costa Rica South Africa New Zealand 171

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 7, 2023

Tawny Owl , one of the first birds I remember seeing (at the age of five) Like most of us who watch birds, I enjoy listing. Though trips to Borneo, Argentina and Sri Lanka gave plenty of new ticks, I most enjoyed birding in Africa. In the early 80s I led a trip to South Africa when we saw more than 400 species.

Sri Lanka 241

Sri Lanka Kenya San Francisco Greece 241

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

In November 2018, I spent a few days birding in Cape Town, South Africa. The resident pair of Spotted Eagle Owls and I agree on this. While apparently not the safest of places, it is a great spot to see birds. Here are some of my sightings. An absolute highlight were the African Penguins at Boulders Beach.

South Africa 127

South Africa Penguins Ostriches Birds 127

10,000 Birds

JULY 11, 2013

A dusty-red road leads me through Marico bushveld deeper into the 750 square kilometers large wilderness of the Madikwe Game Reserve – the 4th largest reserve in South Africa, home to 350 bird and 66 mammal species, some 4 hours’ drive from Johannesburg. Barn Owl on a dry tree trunk and a… traffic jam!

Africa 200

Africa South Africa Elephants Rhinos 200

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 15, 2017

The reserve, in the eastern corner of Botswana near Zimbabwe and South Africa, isn’t open to the public in general, so I figured I’d share a few images here by way of showing off. Southern White-faced Scops Owl or African Scops Owl? Spotted Eagle Owls are one of several owls that can be seen here.

Zimbabwe 100

Zimbabwe Botswana South Africa Endangered Species 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 11, 2021

Then, a torch for owling and a headlamp for finding one’s way around the lodge in the dark. A backup camera, clearly, is my phone, and I should finally master the use of a scope adapter with binoculars, where I always miss having a third hand (it is easier with a scope, where a tripod acts as a third hand).

Battery 257

Battery Costa Rica Birds South Africa 257

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 10, 2022

There are much better metaphors for mind-body dualism than owls with fake eyes on the backside of their head. Greater Flamingo (Cape Town, South Africa). Bela Lugosi is dead and no longer relevant. That is an easy trick – capture a bird in a seemingly human pose, just to attract sympathy for the bird. Eurasian (?)

China 230

China India South Africa Homelessness 230

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 2, 2019

A few nights ago, I sat out in a light snow/rain mix, in the pitch black of Madera Canyon, trying to find a Whiskered Screech Owl. By 7:30, two of the owls starting calling back and forth across the small ravine, and I had my 1300th bird! South Africa Total: 219. Nick Coetzee – South Africa. Qatar Totals: 9.

Costa Rica 138

Costa Rica Tucson South Africa Bahamas 138

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 23, 2014

Larry starts us off right with an owl that makes birders drool: I was able to see and photograph many great birds in 2014 but my Best Bird of the Year would have to be the Great Gray Owl , the largest Strix in North America. Larry’s BBOTY – Great Gray Owl. What was yours? I also blogged about that dreamy day.

2014 197

2014 Costa Rica South Africa Birds 197

10,000 Birds

MAY 31, 2011

This ruled out some excellent species like Cape Eagle Owl, Violet Wood-hoopoe, African Finfoot and Half-collared Kingfisher and I was still left with 36 species. I then decided to reduce it further to South African endemics only. The korhaans are a group of small bustards and South Africa has 7 species.

South Africa 243

South Africa Africa Parrots Swaziland 243

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 28, 2019

Keith Barnes has birded Africa intensively for 30 years and has led tours on the continent for the last 15 years, after creating the company Tropical Birding. Among others, he edited The Important Bird Areas of South Africa and The Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa.

Rwanda 216

Rwanda Primates Wildlife Gorillas 216

10,000 Birds

MARCH 1, 2016

I was waiting at the entrance gate for everyone in our group to gather, when I remembered that someone had told me about nesting owls at the Taj. Luckily, I didn’t have to look hard to find the Dusky Eagle-Owl’s nest. It was a big owl. India was not on my list of places to go in 2016. And this is what we saw.

India 189

India Tigers Birds Owls 189

10,000 Birds

MARCH 8, 2011

Growing up within an hour of one of the world’s premier shorebird destinations -- West Coast National Park in South Africa -- helped for sure. For me, there’s a few things that drive this fascination. Firstly, shorebirds present a significant ID challenge. Wicked, right?

Florida 200

Florida South Africa 2011 Africa 200

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 3, 2020

Penguins are cartoons, emoticons, animated films, children’s books (though owls really take first place here), sports teams, a book publisher, and a Batman villain (a rare example of penguin negativity, though Burgess Meredith did bring an endearing attitude to his 1960’s TV portrayal).

Penguins 278

Penguins Georgia New Zealand Albatross 278

10,000 Birds

MARCH 18, 2015

The gardens are particularly famous for a nesting pair of Spotted Eagle-owls. Birding Cape Town South Africa Urban Birding' The Orange-breasted Sunbird is a Cape endemic that is easy to see and not the less attractive for being so easy, and the Southern Double-breasted Sunbird is also a lovely possibility. I don’t know.

Africa 191

Africa Birds South Africa Mongoose 191

Animal Person

MARCH 21, 2009

The movement of the enormous birds' heads is very owl-like. A less-than-thrilling update is that South Africa is still considering dog racing. Box 339 Bloemfontein 9300 South Africa Snyman.rd@ufs.ac.za I'm still not satisfied with the photo of her, and I might try again. The Citizen Newspaper P.O.

South Africa 100

South Africa Kennels Jamaica Greyhounds 100

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 1, 2017

Most of these are common/abundant residential and migratory birds (and, this being Kruger, that includes five Hornbill species, four Sunbird species, a Trogon, five Owl species, and many other goodies); uncommon and striking-but-rare species are also included, so we have Storks, Martial Eagle, and Pel’s Fishing-Owl.

Ecuador 180

Ecuador Wildlife Reptiles Birds 180

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 3, 2012

These areas, as well as being famous for the afore-mentioned near-endemics, are also home to long isolated populations of birds otherwise only found in East Africa to the north and South Africa to the south.

Zimbabwe 203

Zimbabwe Buffalo Mozambique Birds 203

10,000 Birds

MARCH 1, 2011

Hiking For The Heck of It Reason To Become a Bird Watcher #1: No Batteries Required Welcome Wednesday: Musings on a Big Year About the Author James A life-long birder and native of South Africa, James Currie has many years experience in the birding and wildlife tourism arenas. RECENT POSTS More Habitat for Snowy Plover? Wicked, right?

Panama 216

Panama Costa Rica 2011 Cleveland 216

10,000 Birds

JUNE 3, 2014

They didn’t say, when you hear owls calling from an Utcubamba roadside at noon, bear in mind that Rich Hoyer can produce a full range of geographically appropriate pygmy-owl vocalizations without so much as moving his lips. The Peruvian Screech-Owl they found hooting at Bosque Pomac? I heard that. Then it got light.

Peru 255

Peru Birds South America Owls 255

10,000 Birds

APRIL 5, 2011

By age 2 she could identify over 10 species of birds in our Johannesburg, South Africa, yard by call alone. They also have some great apps specially designed for kids like the Owl app. My youngest and a Burrowing Owl 8. My 8-year old daughter got interested in birds from a VERY early stage. And perhaps 20 others by sight.

Birds 279

Birds Game Wildlife Family 279

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 4, 2017

South Africa: The Gotcha Award. Southern White-faced Owl or African Scops Owl ? I failed to see a Southern Black Bustard on my last visit to West Coast National Park near Cape Town. So what did I do? I hired a guide to find one for me and I saw it. Botswana: I Still Have No Idea Award. I still have no idea.

United Arab Emirates 100

United Arab Emirates Ethiopia 2016 New Zealand 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 15, 2011

Anderson River Park Never Disappoints Barbados The Other Antigua About the Author James A life-long birder and native of South Africa, James Currie has many years experience in the birding and wildlife tourism arenas. These Blasts From The Past Sometimes you just have to smile! Oh, Yeah, I’m Going to Ecuador! Wicked, right?

Portugal 178

Portugal 2011 Deer Birds 178

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 26, 2016

On my recent visit I managed to see specialties like Spotted Eagle Owls , Swee Waxbills , Cape Sugarbirds , Malachite Sunbirds and Cape Francolins. Spotted Eagle Owl. The gardens are so bird rich books have been written about what can be seen in them. Cape of Good Hope.

Penguins 172

Penguins Birds Mongoose Ostriches 172

10,000 Birds

MARCH 29, 2015

I had seen Thick-Knees in South Africa, but I was very excited to see this species, which is the only member of its family found in Central America. And, I didn’t even touch on the owls! Though common, it is not easily seen because of its cryptic coloring and the fact that it stands still for most of the day.

Honduras 256

Honduras Birds Costa Rica Groups 256

10,000 Birds

MARCH 22, 2011

These Blasts From The Past Lakes, lightning, locusts and lizards Great Birding Sites From Great Birding Bloggers Anderson River Park Never Disappoints Birding Kuwait The Other Antigua About the Author James A life-long birder and native of South Africa, James Currie has many years experience in the birding and wildlife tourism arenas.

Dominican Republic 194

Dominican Republic 2011 Birds Deer 194