10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 20, 2014

The magnificent history and diversity of birds on Earth came into sharper focus this month with the publication of 28 new scientific papers in Science and other journals. One of the central papers, Whole-genome analyses resolve early branches in the tree of life of modern birds (Jarvis et al. American Flamingo photo by Dick Culbert).

Family 279

Family Parrots 2014 Birds 279

10,000 Birds

JUNE 20, 2024

I felt sorry for an American family that couldn’t understand anything said in our church services, so I started interpreting for them. Then I got hooked on all the beautiful birds that started visiting the birdbath, and ten years later, here I am, writing for 10,000 Birds. So that happened. Why Monday?

Turkey 186

Turkey ALA Mexico Collecting 186

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 17, 2022

As it turns out, birding can also be slightly delicate in this country. I have constantly mentioned over the past several weeks that our trip to the Old World was not about birding, and that was even more true about our time in Jordan. The Dead Sea wasn’t entirely dead, but the birds there flew by too briefly for IDs.

Jordan 147

Jordan Israel Birds Turkey 147

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 1, 2023

It is home to four diverse forest ecosystems (deciduous, mixed, boreal, and lowlands), experiences seasonal weather systems ranging from cold dry Arctic winters to humid, thunder-storm filled summers, and, according to the latest official checklist, hosts four professional sports teams with bird names.* state and Canadian provinces.

North America 203

North America Birds Owls Canada 203

10,000 Birds

APRIL 25, 2022

It has been more than 5 years since I last went to Australia, and I was even less of a qualified bird photographer then than I am now. So, the basic idea is to show 15 species of Australian birds in each post and give you the usual trivia about them. I guess it is a bird though. Admittedly, it is mostly grey.

Australia 182

Australia Koalas Parrots Birds 182

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 29, 2020

But here is the truly tragic part: I was not birding during those years! The third weekend of January, I travelled to the coastal city of Acapulco to give a seminar on family finances at a church there. These turkey-sized birds, named for their raucous calls, can muster an impressive level of volume.

2006 159

2006 Morocco Birds Mexico 159

10,000 Birds

JULY 6, 2022

For those of us who travel and see different birds, I’m sure you’d agree that there are different degrees of novelty. The disparity in species could be stark, for example if one were to bird on different sides of the planet. A number of families exist on Trinidad but not Tobago.

Trinidad 248

Trinidad Turkey Squirrels Cows 248

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 23, 2018

You’d think that a long weekend launched by Turkey Day would prove popular for birding in the United States. Plus, birding is never all that popular in these parts. Nonetheless, those of us who wisely take advantage of the time and opportunity to sneak in a little birding should be thankful. How about you?

2018 113

2018 United States Turkey Birds 113

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 1, 2020

One good thing about birding during a pandemic–the forced restrictions on place and time translate into more time to observe what birds do. Bird behavior–endlessly fascinating, but so much still hidden and unknown. Extreme behaviors also push scientists to look at birds in new ways.

Science 216

Science Costa Rica Birds Research 216

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 6, 2017

I was so crippled with envy over Corey’s current Neotropical sojourn (with a few family commitments thrown in) that I could barely bring myself to look at birds at all. What was your best bird of the weekend? Tell us in the comments section about the rarest, loveliest, or most fascinating bird you observed.

Guatemala 100

Guatemala Turkey 2017 Birds 100

10,000 Birds

MAY 8, 2013

Birds are supposed to have feathers and birds without feathers look incomplete, like they left home with shaving cream on their ear and toothpaste spots on their shirt. The smellier the better, particularly as, unusually for birds, many species can boast a robust sense of smell. Griffon Vulture , photo by Alan Tilmouth.

California Condor 177

California Condor Turkey North America Jordan 177

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 17, 2019

Lots of birds, a lot of really cool birds! Some local populations of birds and animals couldn’t adapt to the radical ecosystem-wide changes and just died out but a fair percentage did survive and continue to persist where green space lingers. This is one heck of a sweet urban bird. Lesson’s Motmot.

Costa Rica 191

Costa Rica Parrots Birds Blackbirds 191

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 15, 2023

And since I suspect there may be others out there who, like I, feel something of a personal connection with 10,000 Birds’ regular writers, I feel the need to explain my absence. Two other countries we visited, Morocco and Turkey, have recently experienced catastrophic earthquakes. I’m sorry. My wife got to fly up for them.

Mexico 177

Mexico Morocco Cuba Jordan 177

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 17, 2021

I often find myself discussing this subject with my birder friends in other regions of Mexico, when they excitedly comment on seeing a bird that I could see any day, anywhere — or vice versa. The Groove-billed Ani is an odd-looking member of the Cuckoo family. As I commented above, these are dime-a-dozen birds down here.

Woodpeckers 320

Woodpeckers Mexico Cattle Turkey 320

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 25, 2021

Since the 2nd edition of the Collins Bird Guide (published as “Birds of Europe” in the US) from 2009, the field guide market for European guides is practically dead. Each family is given a double-page spread. That kind of feature is something you cannot clearly see in those tiny illustrations in the Collins Bird Guide.

Europe 234

Europe Asia Cyprus Turkey 234

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 29, 2016

Clicking on most of these photos will open a new tab taking you to my 10000 Birds posts on that respective species The post on the California Scrub-Jay above is here. Another California endemic, the Nuttall’s Woodpecker made an appearance… As did the family oriented Acorn Woodpecker. Click on photo for the surprise.

Woodpeckers 101

Woodpeckers Turkey California Birds 101

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 30, 2017

Newly re-opened after budget cuts, the park sported one staff member in the office who generously gave us a map, one woman and her dog, and one family in the set of RV camping spots at the edge of the lake. Still, I felt the familiar excitement of birding a new place. Pretty standard, in terms of bird-fare. Totally not.

Alabama 113

Alabama Birds Deer Turkey 113

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 25, 2022

Our relatively-recent trip to Spain and the Middle East was, as expected, a great opportunity to see new birds. In the end, it gave me 44 lifers: 10 from Turkey and 8 from Jordan, which I had not visited before, and 26 from Spain, which I had visited previously, but in which we spent much more time.

Spain 147

Spain Jordan Turkey Species 147

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 1, 2023

In February, I was invited to participate in a Ducks Unlimited-sponsored survey of the waterfowl (and, collaterally, shorebirds and terrestrial birds) of Lake Cuitzeo. This would not be an issue, however, with the remaining biologists in this report — they are all certifiably bird-crazy, and live for their time in the field.

Mexico 202

Mexico Cuba Species Turkey 202

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 20, 2019

Moving means finding your new birding haunts. We all have them: our favorite places to take friends and family when they visit, the bird-friendly areas we pop in on when we have the chance, the landscapes that entrance us. Wakulla holds such bird delights because it is completely protected. We opted for the 12:30 p.m.

Alligators 117

Alligators Turkey Hunting Raised 117

10,000 Birds

MARCH 23, 2020

Having finally found a Black Vulture for my Queens list , an important tick both because it was long overdue and because it was the tenth bird since my last set of predictions, it is time, once again, to look at what might be coming to my Queens list. Black Vulture – The bird that has been reported the most in Queens that I have never seen.

2018 158

2018 2019 2015 Kansas City 158

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 12, 2017

Large picnic pavilions border one side, and while I was there the largest was commandeered by a family party. I had a 250 mm lens on my camera, and was primed for birds as I left the party fun and bumping bass line behind. Still, I wouldn’t be fully experiencing the park’s birding opportunities if I ignored the songbirds.

Alligators 100

Alligators Florida Deer Birds 100

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 21, 2015

Way back on 16 May I managed to see my 312 bird species in Queens to add to my Queens list. Whimbrel – Undoubtedly this is the easiest bird left for me to find in Queens. The burgeoning population of Turkey Vultures in eastern Long Island gives me hope. Sooty Shearwater – This will take some more dedicated seawatching.

2010 160

2010 2013 2011 2012 160

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2020

Some birds seem familiar but that’s just because they are the ones we grew up with, the birds that were hopping or flying around the neighborhood. The familiar ones, the usual birds, of course depend on where someone spent their childhood. Turquoise-browed Motmot- yes, this shocking bird is normal in various places !

Costa Rica 226

Costa Rica Cleveland Turkey Parrots 226

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 19, 2015

Also interesting is that there is a relatively formal connection between historic families (you can think of these as “clans”) and regular use of specific trails or sets of trails. Many families or individuals live in the Twin Cities and have a cabin up north. Turns out this is true of Minnesotans as well. So remember.

Minnesota 177

Minnesota Detroit Congo Laws 177

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 3, 2019

“Target birds” The term can foster excitement but is easily contentious. Aren’t all birds worth watching? There’s nothing wrong with appreciating and watching every bird but there’s also nothing wrong about going to great efforts to see lifers only found in dreams. Fiery-throated Hummingbird.

Costa Rica 202

Costa Rica Panama Birds Nicaragua 202

10,000 Birds

MARCH 18, 2014

The birding in Florida is so easy that a kid can do it. I’m in Orlando for what is supposed to be a family excursion, but as anyone who considers a pair of binoculars to be an every day accessory, if there are birds to be found I’m going to make an effort to see them. Birding Florida kids Ospreys'

Florida 167

Florida Alligators Birds United States 167

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 6, 2021

Overzealous might be a word appropriate to describe me on a birding morning – arriving there well before sunrise. As I turned off the main road into the access road, I glimpsed a bird fly out from a tree above. But birds (and the thoughts of birds) always prevail in my world. It did not go on the list.

Trinidad 264

Trinidad Livestock Groups Eagles 264

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 22, 2012

My family and many others are looking forward to veritable feasts to honor the fall harvest, for which I am also thankful. I also give thanks today for 10,000 Birds, our awesome writers, and our awesome readers… love you guys! I’m in northern Pennsylvania farm country looking for rural birds. How about you?

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Pennsylvania 2012 Turkey New York 138

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 24, 2011

Too many of us focus on the turkey, but bird watchers know that Meleagris gallopavo means so much more than a meal, no matter how stuffed and savory. Corey and I will both be spending long weekends with our respective families and the avifauna in their respective areas. What are you doing this weekend and will you be birding?

2011 157

2011 Turkey Birds Family 157

10,000 Birds

JUNE 17, 2020

The Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher is one of the relatively few birds that winter in South America, but fly no further north than Mexico for the breeding season. They were covered with small pink fruits, and the birds were clearly coming from miles around to eat them. As were the Greenish Elaenias, birds in the Tyrant Flycatcher family.

Squirrels 166

Squirrels Sparrows South America Mexico 166

10,000 Birds

APRIL 30, 2019

He is the author of an internationally distributed book in Spanish about family finances and has recorded four albums in Spanish of his own songs. But every Monday, he explores the wonderful habitats and birds found within an hour of his house. This is Paul’s first post for 10,000 Birds. Check out this Solitaire in song.

San Francisco 116

San Francisco Mexico Turkey California 116

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 30, 2013

In fact, the last one was back on 15 May 2012 when my Queens list stood at 289 and I guessed what my next eleven birds would be that would get me to 300. Note that starred birds are birds that have since been seen and are not indicative of how well I predicted each time.). John’s the Divine Cemetery.

2012 158

2012 New York City Jamaica 2013 158

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 5, 2015

In Costa Rica, when speaking English, we use a combination of words associated with both North American and UK birding communities. Quetzal” In sounding like the name of a rap star, this also gives the bird a modern, catchy title that befits the fame and splendid appearance. How’s that for cool?

Costa Rica 165

Costa Rica Sparrows Birds Eagles 165

10,000 Birds

APRIL 9, 2018

This is the third year that my family and some our close friends did a vacation together. The sun was out, the birds were singing, and I got to point out Northern Gannets patrolling offshore. Nuthatches are always fun birds and being able to watch them for extended periods is always entertaining.

North Carolina 100

North Carolina New York Delaware Puerto Rico 100

10,000 Birds

JULY 19, 2011

For 13 years now, friends and family have been gathering in an undisclosed corner of Potter County, Pennsylvania during the third weekend of July to create a glorious giant chicken of wood, straw, and gunpowder only to burn it. This year, though, the birding was better than usual. See why we keep the location undisclosed?

Chickens 174

Chickens 2011 Pennsylvania Birds 174

10,000 Birds

MAY 19, 2015

Birds are a subset of dinosaurs (See: Honey, I Shrunk the Dinosaurs. Prior to the extinction of all of the other dinosaurs, resulting from a cosmic impact event about 65 million years ago, the ancestors of modern birds were different from modern birds in many ways, but also similar in many ways. So how did beaks evolve?

Alligators 209

Alligators Chickens Research Reptiles 209