10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 29, 2013

This is like Sibley calling his bird guide “The Sibley guide to Birds of Massachusetts and North America” The latter sounds silly, right? Those were amongst the most annoying field guides to use on the “continent” as so many potentially confusing species were left out. Next are the tracks of birds.

Europe 165

Europe Mammals Animal Birds 165

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 4, 2016

Over 3,200 photographs have been used, most showing species in their habitats. There is also text, distribution maps, a dark red bar “warning” about similar looking rare species, and conservation symbols. plus a chapter on “Vagrant landbirds from North America.” The design focuses attention on the photographs.

Ireland 140

Ireland Birds Groups Falcons 140

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 6, 2018

It actually makes a lot of sense, the geographic features of the isthmus between North America (including Mexico, because Mexico is part of North America) and South America cut across political lines, as do birds. Of the native breeding species, 112 are endemic or “very nearly endemic.” SPECIES ACCOUNTS.

America 212

America El Salvador Costa Rica Honduras 212

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 3, 2013

Written in the tradition of the classic Hawks in Flight , but very much a product of the experiences of its birder authors, this is a groundbreaking book that offers a new way of identifying migratory birds at sea to all of us who observe the waters of eastern North America with expectation and excitement. No rails or gallinules.

Ducks 226

Ducks Groups Species North America 226

10,000 Birds

MARCH 1, 2022

The taxonomy may have changed a bit since the guide was published in 2013, but the warblers are still the same, giving us extreme joy while driving us crazy as we try to identify them high in the canopy or zipping amongst lower branches. Page two of each species account offers “Distinctive Views”, “Additional Photos” and notes.

United States 206

United States North America Species 2013 206

10,000 Birds

MAY 7, 2013

I haven’t done any surveys, but I would bet my binoculars that images and stories of hawks attract more attention and adoration from birders and the average person on the street than any other bird family. Families do not hike up mountains to sit all day on pointy rocks to watch woodpeckers. Those cameras are aimed at hawks.

North America 205

North America Bald Eagle Falcons Owls 205

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 1, 2015

Brit birder Goodie didn’t do an ordinary big year; he decided he would see every Pitta species in the world (32 at the time) in one year. This is also a good time to catch up on supplementary titles, such as guides to bird families. Another great birding adventure book is The Jewel Hunter by Chris Gooddie (Princeton Univ. Press, 2012).

Papua New Guinea 178

Papua New Guinea 2014 Penguins Birds 178

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 7, 2021

Decades later, Richard Pough’s Audubon Bird Guide, Eastern Land Birds (I happily own the 1948 edition) included nest and egg descriptions for each species as well. And photographs of feathers in the species accounts, which surprised me. Text retrieved from the Hathitrust Digital Library. The first is accomplished well.

Eggs 221

Eggs Birds United States Sparrows 221

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2011

The sandhill crane has the lowest recruitment rate (average number of young birds joining a population each season) of any bird now hunted in North America. Initiating a hunting season on a large, charismatic species like a crane is no way to resuscitate hunting. to a high of 11%.

2011 240

2011 Kentucky Tennessee Hunting 240

10,000 Birds

JUNE 4, 2013

I’m going to go right to a discussion of the Species Accounts, because I know that’s where you all want to be, with the warblers. I do love the fact that the table of contents lists all three names (all pointing to the same species account). The authors note when a species cannot be sexed or aged with certainty.

United States 232

United States North America Species New York 232

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 1, 2022

The latest edition of the Clements Checklist that I could find, last modified in August 2022, lists 965 species (a little more manageable!), including 355 endemics, 28 introduced species, 6 extinct species, and 77 globally threatened species. There are three to four species on each page, for the most part.

Australia 230

Australia Birds 2017 Groups 230

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 3, 2013

I find the Crossley Guides, Eastern Birds and Raptors (fall 2013), very useful when I’m looking for new or unfamiliar birds (Linnet!), The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) has documented 596 bird species in the wild as at 1 January 2013; 265 are listed as Accidental, 59 as Scarce Visitor, and 2 as Extinct.

Ireland 170

Ireland 2013 Breeders Ducks 170

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 3, 2019

” And, if you don’t believe them, just take a look at some of the photographic comparisons of species they present: Or, of albatross plumages: Or, read about the taxonomic confusions and scientific lapses in research on petrels, Albatrosses, storm-petrels, and diving-petrels. Coverage of all families is not comprehensive.

Albatross 150

Albatross Birds North America Groups 150

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 7, 2017

The Crossley ID Guide: Waterfowl covers every residential, migrating, vagrant, exotic, and introduced swan, goose, dabbling and diving duck in North America (Canada and the United States): 62 Species Accounts on four swan species and one vagrant subspecies; 15 goose species; 46 duck species; plus accounts for hybrid geese, ducks and exotics.

Ducks 115

Ducks North America Geese Hunters 115