10,000 Birds

APRIL 25, 2022

So, the basic idea is to show 15 species of Australian birds in each post and give you the usual trivia about them. This species has also eliminated the need for childcare – the chicks emerge from this pile on their own and never even get to see their parents. Similarly, the Grey Shrikethrush is neither a shrike nor a thrush.

Australia 257

Australia Koalas Parrots Birds 257

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 6, 2015

I reviewed the New Jersey volume in May 2014 and, being in Florida at the moment, I thought this was a good time to take a closer look at both the Florida volume, published just last month, and the Colorado volume, published in June 2014. (I This is clearly done to allow readers to view similar species opposite each other.

Colorado 267

Colorado Florida New Jersey North America 267

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 1, 2016

Photo: This area holds 3 to 4 breeding pairs of White-tailed Eagles , which represents the biggest density per square mile anywhere in the country. Wigeons are only migrants and not a breeding species in Serbia and August is a bit too early for any longer distance duck movements. Photographed by Szekeres Levente. and one ad.).

Serbia 189

Serbia Eagles Protection Ducks 189

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 11, 2014

But my failure to find a rare species doesn’t mean that I saw nothing of note. One bird in particular got my pulse racing for a bit before I figured out I was looking at the most common species on the beach, albeit in a form that is exceedingly odd.

Florida 244

Florida Panama Wildlife 2014 244

10,000 Birds

MARCH 5, 2017

In early 2014 the rainfall was good and flooded the main highway south from Broome and made for some excellent birding from your car. The area remained flooded for several months in 2014 and there was significant road damage, but over the months the birding improved as more and more birds arrived in the area.

Geese 100

Geese Breeding Eggs 2014 100

10,000 Birds

JULY 23, 2014

The northwestern spread of this non-native species made it to my yard a few years ago. The following maps I created on eBird show the dramatic growth in the spread of the Eurasian Collared-Dove from 2002 to 2014. I am always alarmed when I see rapid expansion of a non-native species of any kind.

Breeders 217

Breeders 2002 North America Bahamas 217

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 6, 2016

When I went to Honduras in 2014, I was advised to use The Birds of Costa Rica by Richard Garrigues and Robert Dean (2014) and The Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America by Steve N.G. Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Northern Central America covers 827 species, including resident, migratory, and common vagrant birds.

El Salvador 235

El Salvador America Costa Rica Honduras 235

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023

An associated issue is that the Belize and Costa Rica guides share many of the same descriptions of species, written by Howell. Similarly, descriptions of species repeated across volumes do not lose their accuracy with each publication. Other species are splits and lumped and have had their names changed. Why are these issues?

Costa Rica 246

Costa Rica Belize El Salvador Birds 246

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 16, 2014

The Veliko Ratno Island birdlist is about 170 species long, of which more than 90 were observed from the Dorcol Promenade. Highlight species: Ferruginous Duck , Goosander , Red-breasted Merganser , Red-crested Pochard , Greater Scaup , Velvet Scoter , Black-throated Diver. In March and November, Common Cranes are a possibility.

Serbia 255

Serbia Ducks Birds Eagles 255

10,000 Birds

MARCH 12, 2019

The striking Golden-cheeked Warbler nests only in the hills of central Texas near Austin but a substantial part of those breeding grounds have leveled in favor of development. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) declared the Golden-cheeked Warbler “ endangered ” under the Endangered Species Act. On December 27, 1990 , the U.S.

Austin 214

Austin Texas Endangered Species United States 214

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 24, 2014

Though hardly common, Great Gray sightings are a yearly occurrence in Western Montana, and it is one of the twelve species of owl known to breed in the state. As a result, its territory in the Rocky Mountains extends far south of the bulk of its range. Photos courtesy of Asta So. *I Birding Great Gray Owl owls'

Owls 255

Owls Minnesota Montana 2014 255

10,000 Birds

JUNE 2, 2015

Third, observing and photographing breeding birds and their young have become acts of ethical confusion as birders, photographers, and organizational representatives debate the impact of our human presence on the nesting process. Some chapters focus on one species (Yellow Warbler), some on several related species (Chickadees and Nuthatches).

Eggs 263

Eggs Family 2006 New York 263

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 2, 2014

Did I dare dip my toe into this catalog of tantalizing species? Phillipps’ Field Guide (I’ll be using this shortened form of the title) covers 673 avian species, including 59 endemics, and 53 species that have not been documented yet for the area but which may show up in the next few years. Now, I’m not so sure.

Brunei 221

Brunei Asia Birds China 221

10,000 Birds

APRIL 19, 2016

For example, years ago, Eiton Tchenrov postulated that the wild progenitor of the domestic dog, some subspecies or another of wolf, could benefit from overlapping its breeding territory with human hunters. This often applies in animal behavior and ecology, and this often comes about in relation to predator pressure.

Alligators 168

Alligators Leopards Protection Rabbits 168

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 19, 2014

For obvious reasons it has listed under “other names” in field guides “Zebra Duck” and it is easily identified from all other duck species in Australia by its distinct stripes. It is a species we have not seen in flight dispersing to a new location, but they often fly up and back down rather vocally if disturbed.

Ducks 188

Ducks Zebras Australia Shelters 188

10,000 Birds

JULY 23, 2014

In fact, in New York State, other than a small breeding colony west of Rochester, there are very few records of Eurasian Collared-Dove. That is, that was it until 22 June 2014, when David Ringer found one on the west side of Manhattan. Nonetheless, this week will be chock full of invasive species.

New York 167

New York New York City North America Bahamas 167

10,000 Birds

MARCH 11, 2015

Oh, and I need to sort out about 4000 photos and add 250 year birds to 2014 and 400 to 2015… So , yeah, I’m kind of in a state. African Penguins, or Jackass Penguins as they are sometimes known, are one of those species of penguin you’ll find away from the frozen wastes of Antarctica. Boulders Beach.

Penguins 165

Penguins Seychelles Albatross Africa 165

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 1, 2023

Way back in 2014, when I saw my first Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo near the little town of Pino Real, and shared the sighting on a birders’ chat group, it took just over a month for the first biologist/ornithologist to visit me. It seems he had looked long and wide for this species. Here’s one of those Grass Wrens.

Mexico 275

Mexico Cuba Species Turkey 275

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 26, 2014

The photo above is a breeding-plumaged Myrtle Warbler by Kelly Colgan Azar. A thread on BirdChat two weeks ago reminded me of a fascinating paper that went up online last fall and was published in the January 2014 issue of Evolution: Migration, mitochondria, and the Yellow-rumped Warbler (Toews et al.).

United States 267

United States 2011 Guatemala North America 267

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 6, 2021

The Indigo was even on its way to becoming my default species for any indescript female LBJ. But, until 2020, I almost never saw it, which is frustrating with such a loud species. It is one of those interesting few species that winter in South America, but only migrate as far north as Mexico to breed. Photo from 2019.

Mexico 227

Mexico 2020 2019 Turkey 227

10,000 Birds

APRIL 10, 2015

In February of 2013, I wrote a piece outlining my thoughts on which exotic bird species should be added to the American Bird Association (ABA) checklist. In 2014, the Florida Ornithological Society Records Committee (FOSRC) voted to add this species to the Florida state list. The ABA Checklist Committee quickly followed suit.

Los Angeles 154

Los Angeles Miami San Francisco San Antonio 154

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 7, 2014

The second edition of the National Geographic Complete Birds of North America, 2nd Edition has one of the longest book names in bird bookdom: National Geographic Complete Birds of North America, 2nd Edition: Now Covering More Than 1,000 Species With the Most-Detailed Information Found in a Single Volume. This volume is no exception.

North America 195

North America America Family Falcons 195

10,000 Birds

MAY 8, 2014

Four teams with renowned birders from United States, South Africa and United Kingdom will travel through the diverse and endemic bird rich region of Northern Peru, from May 12 thought May 20, 2014. It is the month of May when Black and White Tanagers , Gray-capped Cuckoos , and Slaty Thrushes begin to leave the region to unknown destination.

Peru 160

Peru United Kingdom South Africa 2013 160

10,000 Birds

APRIL 5, 2016

There are three species of ptarmigan, all found in Alaska. Unlike other grouse species, the male Willow Ptarmigan remains with the female throughout the breeding season to help raise the chicks. Partners in Flight estimates that there are nearly 50 million breeding Willow Ptarmigan throughout the world.

Alaska 121

Alaska Finland Indiana Russia 121

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 6, 2018

Covering 1,261 species with data and taxonomy current up to August 2017, the field guide is an exciting achievement. And, then there are the more familiar birds–Wood-warblers, sandpipers, hawks–some species migrants, some species with a wide range. Can you guess which of the species cited above are endemic?

America 214

America El Salvador Costa Rica Honduras 214

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2014

Birds of the Iron Gates: While the best birding season here is the breeding period (May to June), the Iron Gates is also an important migratory stopover and wintering area. The Woodchat Shrike, Boljetin, June 2014. The Forgotten Road does not exist on the GPS screen either.

Serbia 242

Serbia Turtles Romania Eagles 242

10,000 Birds

MARCH 3, 2020

That’s pretty amazing–Bolivia has more bird species than India! The source of this ranking, BirdLife International, lists Bolivia as currently having 1,439 bird species, including 18 breeding endemics. The guide covers 1,433 species, the number of birds documented at the end of 2014, the cutoff point for the book.

Bolivia 243

Bolivia Birds Brazil Switzerland 243

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. So, how do you find the species account for Kestrel if falcons are not placed between woodpeckers and parakeet?

Ireland 198

Ireland Birds Falcons Turtles 198

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 18, 2015

It returns to Broome with a mottled breeding plumage pattern and gradually changes its moult during its stay. This past breeding season the pair that inhabit this area of reef successfully raised three young birds and the last chick finally left its parents at the end of 2014 and they now have the area to themselves once again.

Birds 145

Birds 2014 Australia Breeding 145

10,000 Birds

MAY 22, 2016

Along Broome’s coastline we encounter literally hundreds of Red-necked Stint among all the flocks of migratory shorebirds that make Australia their home during the non-breeding season. This individual was more intent on feeding than worrying about our proximity and already had good breeding plumage.

Japan 100

Japan Australia Breeding China 100

10,000 Birds

MAY 14, 2019

The endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler breeds only in Texas Hill Country near Austin and San Antonio, but much of its nesting grounds have cleared in favor of subdivisions. First, some background regarding the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the listing of the Golden-cheeked Warbler is required. In 1990, the U.S.

San Antonio 124

San Antonio Endangered Species Texas Austin 124

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 10, 2016

First, most of Europe’s owl species are breeding in Germany anyway and are better found at other times of the year. A “winter owl” however has little meaning to German birders for two simple reasons (and male smew aren’t one of them).

Germany 121

Germany Owls 2013 2006 121

10,000 Birds

APRIL 19, 2023

A boat ride into this swamp turns up usual suspects like Pied Water Tyrant and Yellow-hooded Blackbird , but also (and most excitingly) three species of kingfisher: Green, American Pygmy and Ringed Kingfisher. Back in 2014 we stumbled upon a juvenile Double-toothed Kite and that was the first and only time I have ever seen that species well.

Trinidad 29

Trinidad Falcons Primates Monkeys 29

10,000 Birds

MAY 7, 2019

So, for example, Essay #15, “Individual Variation,” uses Herring Gulls to introduce the concept that one species, even one species at a specific age, can vary widely in appearance. The Checklist is more than a taxonomic listing of species and chapter number and title; it also contains useful notes on each bird family.

North America 124

North America Birds Prairie Dogs Barn Owls 124

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 7, 2017

Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago covers 1,417 species, 601 endemics, 98 vagrants, 8 introduced and 18 undescribed species. Only one bird species has become extinct (Javan Lapwing), but many others are endangered, with some considered close to extinction (not surprising in an area with species restricted to one or two small islands).

Indonesia 181

Indonesia Brunei Malaysia Papua New Guinea 181

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 21, 2016

I am not entirely sure whether most birders outside Germany know or realize that Germany still has a decent population of one of Europe’s most attractive and desired bird species: the Great Bustard Otis tarda. I’ve once seen Grey Partridges there, and the meadows have breeding Montague’s Harriers.

Germany 110

Germany Mongolia Abandon Abandoning 110

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 23, 2014

2014 has been a good year for us at 10,000 Birds. 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. That’s Redgannet’s BBOTY at the top of the post.

2014 243

2014 Costa Rica South Africa Penguins 243