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Ground-Sparrows and Brush-Finches

10,000 Birds

Common birds, you see, tend to have simple names, like House Sparrow, House Finch, or House Wren. A hyphen in a bird’s “first” name can occur pretty much anywhere, which is why the United States has a good supply of birds like White-crowned Sparrows and Yellow-rumped Warblers. But not all hypens are created equal.

Sparrows 187
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2013 AOU North American checklist proposals

10,000 Birds

Proposal 2013-A-3 recommends adopting that split on the basis of a 2009 study (I wrote about it back in the day here ). Sage Sparrow split. Proposal 2013-A-7 would split the Sage Sparrow ( Amphispiza belli ) into two species: Great Basin Sage Sparrow ( A. nevadensis ) and California Sage Sparrow ( A. acuflavida ).

2013 239
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They’ve Got Personality

10,000 Birds

Extra points to these American Avocets for adopting a different pose for each numbered group. And this is why ornithologists stopped calling the American Kestrel a “Sparrowhawk” Kestrels will eat lots of things, including grubs… but never sparrows. Do you think Anhingas ever dream of having opposable thumbs?

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Do nine-primaried oscines represent 16 different families?

10,000 Birds

For those of us in the Americas, nine-primaried oscines are among our most familiar and beloved birds: finches; sparrows, juncos, and towhees; warblers; blackbirds, meadowlarks, and orioles; cardinals and grosbeaks; and tanagers. Passerellidae : the New World sparrows. Rhodinocichlidae : the Rosy Thrush-tanager.

Family 229
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Noudar Nature Park, Portugal

10,000 Birds

In May 1992 European Union governments adopted legislation designed to protect the most seriously threatened habitats and species across Europe. This legislation is called the Habitats Directive and complements the Birds Directive adopted in 1979.

Portugal 255
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Best Bird of the Weekend (Third Weekend of May 2011)

10,000 Birds

Corey’s best bird of the weekend was a Grasshopper Sparrow in Queens, his first ever in his (adopted) home borough. By their unexpected numbers and activity, I wouldn’t be surprised if they we’re planning on breeding here. Wouldn’t that be something?

2011 154
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Audubon: America’s Greatest Naturalist and His Voyage of Discovery to Labrador

10,000 Birds

It was also in some ways an emotional quest for Audubon, who was freshly driven to complete his great work in the face of his first intimations, not only of his own mortality, but also of the idea that his beloved adopted continent was not inexhaustible and that its natural riches could be destroyed by constant exploitation.

Fox 187