10,000 Birds

AUGUST 14, 2015

You (or your child/friend/etc) have just found a seemingly parentless baby bird. Here with the answer(s) is Maureen Eiger, a bird rehabilitator in Roanoke, VA: . Wild bird rehabilitators want bird parents to feed their own babies. Putting a baby bird back in its nest is not always the right thing to do.

Wounded 257

Wounded Rescue Medical Cats 257

10,000 Birds

APRIL 18, 2021

I am so happy to be back on 10,000 birds – I have missed Mike and Corey and my fellow Beat Writers! Normally I rant about environmental dangers and describe heartwarming/mind-boggling/headscratching wild bird rescues. They showed me their wounds! Unfortunately, he didn’t make it,” said Kathryn.”

Transported 279

Transported Wildlife Rehabilitation Bats Opossums 279

10,000 Birds

JULY 15, 2011

The big story of the fortnight in Cyprus isn’t about birds, but it crosses the path of birding (kinda). But the biggest story that is about birds is the conference that took place last week. From July 6-8, there was a European conference in Larnaca about illegal bird killing , organized by Terra Cypria.

Cyprus 204

Cyprus illegal Wounded Killing 204

10,000 Birds

MAY 15, 2013

The birds had locked their talons during a mid-air battle and plummeted to the tarmac together. The other was transferred to the University of Minnesota’s Raptor Center with deep talon wounds, but was expected to do well. Birds News Bald Eagles' Well, that brings a new meaning to the phrase “ the eagle has landed.”

Bald Eagle 219

Bald Eagle Eagles Minnesota Wounded 219

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 3, 2012

But eastern Zimbabwe is an almost mythical place and a highly productive birding destination. I have had the privilege of birding Zimbabwe on a handful of occasions. The country is also famous for its regular sightings of that most wanted of birds, the African Pitta. Just be prepared for well…almost anything.

Zimbabwe 241

Zimbabwe Buffalo Mozambique South Africa 241

10,000 Birds

APRIL 13, 2015

Ethiopia, a landlocked country situated in the Horn of Africa, has firmly established itself as one of Africa’s top birding destinations. Its great diversity of habitats hosts an incredible bird count of over 900 species, including Africa’s 2nd highest list of endemics and near-endemics (after South Africa).

Ethiopia 255

Ethiopia Sudan Leopards Cattle 255

10,000 Birds

MAY 8, 2015

I have been a wild bird rehabilitator for 25 years. I have received countless numbers of wild birds mangled and/or killed by outdoor/feral cats, such as the Orange-crowned Warbler pictured here. I look at these birds, and am enraged by how cruel and callous human beings can be. Is it the fault of the cats?

Feral Cats 255

Feral Cats Feral Cats Rescue 255

10,000 Birds

JULY 6, 2013

Whilst the birds are usually associated with clearing ticks and dead skin, they are not averse to a bit of blood-letting. A study showed that a herd of cattle from which ox-peckers were shooed away over a prolonged study period showed no significant reduction in ticks compared to a herd which were allowed to host the birds.

Rhinos 164

Rhinos White Rhinos South Africa Wounded 164

10,000 Birds

MARCH 11, 2016

Luckily, she had no broken bones, but she did have a large open wound on her right wing. These can be either molted feathers, or in this case, donor feathers from another bird who had died from her injuries. Over the next months, it healed very well. She could fly, but was impaired.

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New Mexico Wounded Owls Mexico 180

10,000 Birds

MARCH 31, 2014

In her free time she travels near and far to find birds to continue building her life list, though many of her favorites can still be found right in her own backyard. She has contributed many pieces to 10,000 Birds and writes about her birding adventures on her blog, newbirder.tumblr.com. Lots and lots of birds.

Florida 221

Florida Birds Groups North Carolina 221

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 7, 2016

Years ago, I became a wildlife volunteer and advocate because of a cat who caught a bird. Back then, I didn’t know enough about birds, but I knew a lot about cats. I surprised her and she dropped the bird before vaporizing again. They simply helped me with my bird. That was my first trip to California Wildlife Center.

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Cats Stray Cat Stray Los Angeles 223

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 17, 2019

The Christmas Bird Count was the answer. The IWC census starts from mid-January following the logic that it is the period when the birds have reached their wintering grounds and are rather static, so the chance of double-counting the same flock is minimal. But it is so frustrating to pass the birds by without IDing them!

Geese 193

Geese Serbia Estonia Ukraine 193

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 22, 2021

My first experience birding was as a teenager back in the 70s, when birding meant a pair of binoculars, a couple of bird feeders, and a smallish field guide (book). I have birding buddies! Suddenly, I gain new respect from the aforementioned Mexican birding buddies. … to where I once belonged. I feel special.

Kansas 254

Kansas Wounded ALA Squirrels 254

10,000 Birds

JUNE 2, 2011

The trails that wound through woods and across meadows were wonderful and the lake, though small, is a beauty, and the entire park is just chock full of nice landscapes. Fortunately for me, there were birds around too!

Kentucky 160

Kentucky Agenda Wounded Litter 160

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 3, 2011

In Dartmouth, Massachusetts an Osprey was recently found with a gunshot wound that proved fatal and in Santa Clara, California some sick person has taken to shooting Mallards with darts from a blowgun. What is wrong with people?

Wounded 164

Wounded Massachusetts California 164

10,000 Birds

APRIL 17, 2015

Owls are among the birds with the greatest power to fascinate non-birders, for good and ill. Young Scott put in yeoman’s work first identifying, then attempting to photograph the birds he stumbled across while hunting rabbits with a friend, and apparently his drive has stayed with him from that day to this. I don’t know.

Owls 210

Owls Wounded Colorado Rabbits 210

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 28, 2012

The gulls then peck at the whales’ backs, causing wounds from which the gulls feed. Gulls in Argentina have learned to land on Southern Right Whales as the whales come to the surface to breathe. The solution? Kill the gulls. There has to be a better way to deal with this, no?

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Whaling Whales Killing Argentina 160

10,000 Birds

MARCH 24, 2014

Wounded birds were left to crawl away into the woods; sometimes, during breaks, children were encouraged to run across the field, scoop them up, and tear their heads off. The poster for this event shows a dozen cartoon birds on their backs, feet in the air, and trumpets the headline, “Wanted: Dead or Alive.”.

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Killing Animal Abuse Slaughter Slaughtered 272

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 9, 2015

The Mourning Dove ( Zenaida macroura) is among the most abundant and widespread terrestrial birds endemic to North and Middle America. This gentle bird frequents bird feeders and readily nests almost anywhere. A seemingly rather peaceful bird, it gets its name from its easily identifiable mournful call.

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Hunters Hunting North America Game 211

10,000 Birds

APRIL 1, 2012

As anyone who follows this blog knows, outdoor cats are a veritable holocaust for wild birds, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and even insects. I can also remember the fleas they brought home to share with us and the wounds they would get from unknown sources. American Bird Conservancy – The Cats Indoors!

Cats 246

Cats Feral Cats Litter Ohio 246

10,000 Birds

MAY 27, 2013

Now that passerine migration has largely wound down the attention of this New York birder has shifted to seabirds, shorebirds, and the occasional trip looking for breeding birds. I sat and watched and digiscoped the birds, hoping to pull a Western Sandpiper or a White-rumped Sandpiper out of the teeming hordes with no luck.

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Eggs New York Wounded Jamaica 167

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 19, 2012

From the time he can remember, every camping, hiking, or simple trip outside was focused on finding wildlife with herps, mammals, birds and native fish as his primary interests. When it comes time to for me to plan a vacation I first figure out what herps occur in the area and then what birds and mammals I can also find.

Salamander 157

Salamander Germany Birds Blackbirds 157

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 25, 2013

As a wildlife rehabilitator I’ve always wanted to believe that if I put enough time, energy, and devotion into healing a wounded creature, our combined karmic payback will insure that it will live out its life well-fed and trouble-free. Releasing any wild animal is essentially rolling the dice. But this is not always the case.

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Wildlife Rehabilitation Coyotes Wounded Rabbits 201

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 26, 2016

It seemed whoever set the trap had ‘released’ the injured eagle upon finding him, as the bird could not have freed himself without the loss of the entire foot. The wound was also very contaminated with dirt and debris. This bird was lucky to be found and rescued by a Good Samaritan in this remote area.

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Eagles Wildlife Rehabilitation Utah Vet 187

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 17, 2023

David Tomlinson The recent announcement by the American Ornithological Society that it intends to replace names of all birds named after people has caused quite a stir here in the UK. I have a fascinating little reference book called Whose Bird? Collecting birds was clearly a dangerous pastime. We don’t need any more.

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Falcons Wounded 2003 Killing 246

10,000 Birds

MAY 1, 2015

Perhaps I was always destined for disappointment this spring, between last year’s ridiculous May migration bonanza and the killer birds I started the year with. Due to the nature of the day and the ridiculous tameness of the Palm Warblers , the difference that wound up making the most difference here was the near focus.

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Wounded Wildlife Birds 157

10,000 Birds

MARCH 13, 2011

Olive Sea Snake that has had a dog visit it on the beach Olive Sea Snake with obvious bulge Stoke’s Sea Snake Stoke’s Sea Snake with wounds Dubois’ Sea Snake Dubois’ Sea Snake being returned to the sea! This involves the sighting of these birds both here and overseas resulting in some incredible life stories.

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Australia Sharks 2011 Deer 169

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 22, 2022

It is not particularly big but has a reported 430 bird species including migrants, though during my short stay it seems I missed most of the key attractions among them. It goes like this: While fishing, the bird tucks its head down and uses its wings to create a shady area. Pel’s Fishing Owl, where were you?

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South Africa Africa Birds Fish 147

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

All of the pairs that we monitor have lost either their eggs or juvenile birds to predation before they were fledged and are patiently sitting once again on a new clutch of eggs. Most of these birds had significant breeding plumage and had most likely only recently returned to the Broome area.

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Wounded Eggs Rescue Breeding 160

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 16, 2016

I was visiting with my mother, sister, and brother, and our attention was torn between two features: birds and Pokemon. In that instant, he or she becomes hooked on birds as much as Pokemon, and a life-long birder is born. Set near the idyllic Atlantic coast, the Maine Audubon Center was sunny and bright on a hot, weekend afternoon.

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Woodchucks Wounded Turkey Turtles 100

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 7, 2017

Greg Lawrence is a long-time friend of 10,000 Birds and a birding machine in the Rochester, New York, area. When he reached out to ask if he could contribute a piece to 10,000 Birds about about the ethics around the current Snowy Owl irruption in the central and eastern United States we were all for it!

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Ethics Owls New York North America 186

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 14, 2013

There is a wonderful site called UAE Birding , that makes a great reference once you have decided how much time you have to spare and it carries a list of part-time guides who may be able to show you around. For a comprehensive description of the park, go to UAE Birding. For a quick snapshot, try a winter post from Redgannet.

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UAE Broker Fast Food Wounded 213

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 4, 2012

The lives of birders are meted out in ticks and dips, and for every epic tale of the mega discovered and added to one of many lists, there are even more fascinating stories told of the birds that got away. We birders don’t always like to ruminate on missed birds, for some of us the wounds are worn too close to the surface.

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Arizona Wounded North America 2012 164

10,000 Birds

APRIL 19, 2011

It’s no small bit ironic that between the sprawling developments and golf courses and theme parks of the general public’s perception of the southeast terminus of the continent lies some of the best birding in the world, particularly for anyone who likes their birds big, flashy, and approachable (i.e.

Florida 154

Florida South Carolina Alligators Wounded 154

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 17, 2016

Apparently this is not uncommon for this species, but it takes some getting used to for a birder to pull up alongside what is an ostensible rarity in the state and snap a photo of the birds with your cell phone as you idle in the road. The other birds took some doing to find. These, however, were as wary as lawn geese. I guess so.

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North Carolina Wounded Hunting Geese 145

10,000 Birds

JULY 9, 2013

Finally when she arrived, she effortlessly scaled a tall tree and reappeared on an open horizontal branch where she proceeded to lick some blood from the Wild Cat’s puncture wounds. This branch was her dining room and remains of her previous meals, mostly dove and sandgrouse feathers, were in prominence.

Leopards 162

Leopards Cats Namibia Botswana 162

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 14, 2016

So when a potential state 1st record of Mountain Plover , only the 4th such record on the east coast, turned up on one of these islands, I assumed that it was one of those birds we’d have to envy from afar. We made landfall and immediately started panning for the bird in the higher dry sand where it preferred.

North Carolina 106

North Carolina Wounded Colorado Groups 106