10,000 Birds

JANUARY 1, 2021

My lifer Golden-crowned Sparrow at the Lombard Street Reservoir in San Francisco, just around the corner from the most famous crooked street in the world. I wasn’t joking – the Brewer’s Blackbirds outside the Bovine Bakery really were expecting us to share our scones with them.

San Francisco 264

San Francisco 2020 California Blackbirds 264

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021

The year list remains sluggish at 1489 , but the life list received a boost from the eBird taxonomy reshuffle and now includes 4076 species. The year list remains sluggish at 1489 , but the life list received a boost from the eBird taxonomy reshuffle and now includes 4076 species.

Woodpeckers 263

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds Parrots 263

10,000 Birds

JULY 3, 2021

The year list remains low, at 1425 but the life list was bolstered this month by Donna’s Antillean Nighthawk and has reached 4069. The year list remains low, at 1425 but the life list was bolstered this month by Donna’s Antillean Nighthawk and has reached 4069.

Woodpeckers 264

Woodpeckers Sparrows Ducks Niger 264

10,000 Birds

MAY 2, 2020

Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula). House Sparrow (Passer domesticus). House Sparrow (Passer domesticus). Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus). Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina). Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis). White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis). Turdus sp.).

2020 213

2020 Woodpeckers Blackbirds Sparrows 213

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 1, 2020

Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Chinese Blackbird – Turdus mandarinus. House Sparrow – Passer domesticus. Eurasian Tree Sparrow – Passer montanus. Stripe-headed Sparrow – Peucaea ruficauda. Black-chested Sparrow – Peucaea humeralis. Dunnock – Prunella modularis.

2020 218

2020 Blackbirds Sparrows Woodpeckers 218

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Song Sparrow is a genuine rarity in Miami-Dade. This Lincoln’s Sparrow is far more common. Several species, all more or less annual winter visitors from the western United States, also made an appearance: Western Tanager, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Yellow-headed Blackbird, and Rufous/Allen’s Hummingbird.

Miami 217

Miami 2015 United States Florida 217

10,000 Birds

MARCH 23, 2014

Passerida includes such familiar passerines as larks, thrushes and chats, “Old World” warblers and flycatchers, wrens, chickadees and t**s, babblers, starlings, waxwings, weavers, pipits, finches, tanagers, cardinals, sparrows, buntings, blackbirds, wood warblers, and others.

Family 272

Family Comoros Asia India 272

10,000 Birds

JULY 10, 2012

With the proliferation of those erstwhile invaders, House Sparrow , European Starling , and Rock Pigeon , there a lot of homogeneity among these species, which is a shame because what parking lot birds generally lack in beauty they more than make up for in charisma. And in parts of the Rockies, Clark’s Nutcracker reigns supreme.

North Carolina 245

North Carolina Fast Food Sparrows Birds 245

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2021

15 Stripe-headed Sparrow – Peucaea ruficauda. 16 Olive Sparrow – Arremonops rufivirgatus. 33 Brewer’s Sparrow – Spizella breweri. 65 Rusty-crowned Ground-Sparrow – Melozone kieneri. 71 White-throated Sparrow – Zonotrichia albicollis. 148 Rusty Sparrow – Aimophila rufescens.

Woodpeckers 263

Woodpeckers Sparrows Parrots Blackbirds 263

10,000 Birds

MARCH 8, 2011

“Blackbirds&# do not have the same ability. This will be the feeder that the blackbirds will avoid and the other birds can eat in peace. Safflower is not the favorite food of house sparrows, red-winged blackbirds and squirrels. They are clinging birds and use the technique on branches and tree trunks.

2011 248

2011 Woodpeckers Blackbirds Deer 248

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 16, 2011

Sparrows have almost completely taken over for wood-warblers and temperatures are finally waning as is only proper. It was a gusty weekend in New York City and environs, with fall finally feeling like fall is supposed to feel. How was your weekend?

Costa Rica 234

Costa Rica Atlanta New York City 2011 234

10,000 Birds

MARCH 6, 2021

487 Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. 492 Chinese Blackbird – Turdus mandarinus. 510 House Sparrow – Passer domesticus. 511 Eurasian Tree Sparrow – Passer montanus. 552 Grasshopper Sparrow – Ammodramus savannarum. 553 Black-striped Sparrow – Arremonops conirostris.

Woodpeckers 257

Woodpeckers Sparrows Parrots Ducks 257

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 2, 2019

In the same low trees, pale lavender colored flowers attracted other species, among them a pair of Melodious Blackbirds that also flicked their tails but in a more pronounced fashion. In typical blackbird fashion, this common garden bird gave occasional, loud, ringing calls. These were. Great Kiskadee. Social Flycatcher.

Costa Rica 203

Costa Rica Barn Owls Stray Dog Blackbirds 203

10,000 Birds

JUNE 6, 2020

Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula). Chinese Blackbird (Turdus mandarinus). House Sparrow (Passer domesticus). Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus). Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum). Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina). Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla). Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia).

2020 207

2020 Niger Sparrows Woodpeckers 207

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 5, 2018

This is with out a doubt, my best ever Lincoln’s Sparrow photo. This White-crowned Sparrow was singing just as loud as it could, and soon several others joined in. Brown-headed Cowbirds, Red-wing Blackbirds and Yellow-headed Blackbirds were all flying in and out of the cattails faster than I could get a photo of.

Tucson 182

Tucson Arizona Blackbirds Texas 182

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2018

I love sparrows, so seeing a feather-worn Vesper Sparrow this past July filled my heart with joy. We saw sparrows–a total of 14 species–and we saw many other great prairie birds, and we often saw them perched on posts. Baird’s Sparrow was one of those elusive creatures.

North Dakota 197

North Dakota Sparrows Birds Blackbirds 197

10,000 Birds

MARCH 30, 2020

Over the years I’ve seen a variety of open-country birds there, including Bobolinks , Vesper Sparrow , and American Kestrel. Since the pandemic I’ve added one new species to my personal list for Willow Lake Preserve, a Field Sparrow. This is a great area to find Wilson’s Snipe , especially in spring.

Bald Eagle 258

Bald Eagle New York City New York Birds 258

10,000 Birds

MAY 12, 2021

Yellow-winged Caciques , showy members of the Blackbird/New World Oriole family, are always conspicuous residents of the region. Those are very unripe Jocote fruits, along with a Stripe-headed Sparrow , in the header photo above.). (I showed this photo to my sister, and her comment was: What a fabulous set of colors.

Mexico 250

Mexico Blackbirds Sparrows Owls 250

10,000 Birds

MARCH 30, 2015

Late March in my home borough of New York City is typically when Eastern Phoebe , Pine Warbler , American Woodcock , Osprey , and other early migrants are back but many of our wintering birds, like Snow Goose and American Tree Sparrow , are still sticking around. A very serendipitous shot.

Bald Eagle 242

Bald Eagle New York City Birds Geese 242

10,000 Birds

JULY 19, 2011

In any case, common species like Cedar Waxwings , Chipping Sparrows , Song Sparrows , Black-capped Chickadees , Mourning Doves , American Robins , and American Goldfinch still make the scene. Turkey Vultures , American Crows , and Red-tailed Hawks continue to patrol the skies.

Chickens 198

Chickens 2011 Pennsylvania Birds 198

10,000 Birds

MARCH 24, 2012

Of course, once I got to Flushing Meadow Park, it was just like Saturday evening ; I couldn’t resist taking some shots of the now-ubiquitous Red-winged Blackbirds singing from the phragmites. And though I enjoyed the passerine symphony the other highlights of the morning were not perching birds.

Chickens 215

Chickens Birds Blackbirds 2010 215

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 31, 2013

Checking out Red-breasted Blackbirds at the Aripo Agricultural Research Station. Really, my entire last day in Trinidad and Tobago should qualify here but I haven’t that full day up so the Red-breasted Blackbirds will stand in. Red-breasted Blackbird. It was a great day loaded with great birds!

2013 233

2013 New York City Nevada Trinidad 233

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 19, 2014

Besides the only Canvasbacks of the count, a species that I rarely see on my regular rounds, we encountered good numbers of water birds including Lesser Scaup, American Black Duck, Herring Gull , and those common but always entertaining little ducks the Bufflehead , to say nothing of our only Swamp Sparrow of the day.

Chinchillas 217

Chinchillas Ducks Lifestyle Sparrows 217

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 16, 2021

House Sparrow – Passer domesticus; San Joaquin de Heredia, 1-Jan. White-eared Ground-Sparrow – Melozone leucotis; San Joaquin de Heredia, 1-Jan. Black-striped Sparrow – Arremonops conirostris; Tirimbina, 9-Jan. Orange-billed Sparrow – Arremon aurantiirostris; Tirimbina, 9-Jan.

Costa Rica 235

Costa Rica Parrots Birds Baltimore 235

10,000 Birds

APRIL 13, 2012

Sure, migration was in evidence — both Kinglet species present, Hermit Thrushes everywhere, White-throated Sparrows tuning up their songs in such abundance that they provided an ongoing soundtrack, American Robins and assorted blackbirds on the move.

Chicago 235

Chicago Litter Louisiana Montana 235

10,000 Birds

APRIL 4, 2020

Eurasian Blackbird ( Turdus merula ). House Sparrow ( Passer domesticus ). Red-winged Blackbird ( Agelaius phoeniceus ). Blue Mockingbird ( Melanotis caerulescens ). Song Thrush ( Turdus philomelos ). Clay-colored Thrush ( Turdus grayi ). American Robin ( Turdus migratorius ). European Robin ( Erithacus rubecula ).

2020 191

2020 New Zealand Blackbirds Nashville 191

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Other types of birds were less prominent, but we still got a few goodies – early Red-winged Blackbirds, American Tree Sparrows, Bohemian Waxwings , an appropriately lone Townsend’s Solitaire and an American Dipper and Great Blue Heron in Crow Creek. It was truly a fantastic bird-of-prey day.

Bald Eagle 232

Bald Eagle Falcons Geese Montana 232

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 1, 2014

2 White-throated Sparrow (6th time on the count). Tri-colored Blackbird. 6 Yellow-headed Blackbirds. Super rare birds were (click on photos for full sized images): 17 Dunlin seen in 3 different areas (5th time on the count). 1 California Gull (6th time on the count). 1 Saw-whet Owl (4th time on the count). Long-billed Dowitcher.

California 167

California Blackbirds Turkey Owls 167

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 5, 2012

Most of them were pretty good in the Owl-Duck-Pigeon range, but they got bogged down when trying to make the leap from a study skin to a particular page of the field guide for, say, a blackbird or a sparrow. Knowing what a sparrow is is kind of easy. And that frustration was epic. Which I think is rather key.

Montana 203

Montana Bald Eagle Owls Ducks 203

10,000 Birds

APRIL 1, 2012

Great Crested Grebe – 3 Little Grebe – 10 Black-necked Grebe – 5 Cormorant – 76 Grey Heron – 2 Mute Swan – 48 Greylag Goose – 48 Bar-headed Goose – 1 (escape/feral) Canada Goose – 18 Egyptian Goose – 1 Mallard – 88 Gadwall – 492 Pintail – 3 Shoveler – 21 Teal – (..)

Germany 238

Germany Birds Ducks Feral 238

10,000 Birds

MAY 2, 2022

Most Chinese Blackbird chicks are no longer in their nests … … but hang around some trees in the compound, spending a lot of time pestering their parents for food. In the past, I had only seen this bird in more migrant-friendly locations such as Nanhui, but other birders have seen in Shanghai parks before ( see here ). Feels good.

Los Angeles 249

Los Angeles Birds China Blackbirds 249

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

White-throated Sparrow. Not impeded by branches or the need to bushwhack, we could paddle right up close to the sound, in this case the merry singing of a White-throated Sparrow. We watched the sparrows bounce back and forth before being distracted by a familiar witchety-witchety-witchety call further down the bank.

Birds 227

Birds DC Sparrows France 227

10,000 Birds

JULY 20, 2024

The trees lining the harbours can contain anything from House Sparrow (yes, they are still here!), European Blackbird , Chaffinch , Great Tit , Rose-ringed Parakeet and other common birds. These harbours have their population of Mute Swan , Mallard and Black-headed , Herring , Lesser Black-backed and Mew Gull.

Feral 246

Feral Transported Blackbirds Canada 246

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 18, 2020

House Sparrow – Passer domesticus; Calle Jocote, 1-Jan. Olive Sparrow – Arremonops rufivirgatus; Raptor Ridge, 5-Jan. Stripe-headed Sparrow – Peucaea ruficauda; Curu, 4-Jan. Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus; Lakeside Catfish farms, 11-Jan. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives; Calle Jocote, 1-Jan.

Costa Rica 264

Costa Rica 2020 Morals Farming 264

10,000 Birds

JULY 27, 2011

Savannah Sparrows are the most common and I do enjoy their territory song. Apart from some Red-winged Blackbirds, I don’t think any of the other species had a successful go at this territory, was the pesticides? Last week, a Merlin flew in, dove at some blackbird and kept going. The first week it was a Sedge Wren.

Birds 185

Birds Cattle Blackbirds North America 185

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 5, 2019

Italian Sparrow – Passer italiae. Striped Sparrow – Oriturus superciliosus. Sierra Madre Sparrow – Xenospiza baileyi. Half-collared Sparrow – Arremon semitorquatus. Grassland Sparrow – Ammodramus humeralis. Yellow-winged Blackbird – Agelasticus thilius. This is them; .

2019 164

2019 China Italy Argentina 164

10,000 Birds

JUNE 5, 2011

The birding gods rewarded them both with a Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Central Park’s ramble, though a White-throated Sparrow , a good bird in June, was a close second. Corey carved time out of his complicated schedule to bird Central Park with Nate. And the Red Wings won… nice! What was your best bird of the weekend?

2011 160

2011 Falcons Blackbirds Game 160