10,000 Birds

MAY 28, 2015

After that experience, I stopped complaining about their hides, realising that they are as good as they ever will be. For example, the White-headed Duck is nowadays a rarity in Europe (okay, excluding Spain, I know… that Spain …), but until some 50 years ago, it used to breed in Serbia. They got the message right.

Serbia 233

Serbia Spain Birds Hungary 233

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 28, 2014

This is similar to the fact that all birds, even first time breeders within a species build identical nests. Further support for inherent behavior comes from experiments. In another experiment, other species of Darwin Finches were kept next to Woodpecker Finches that used tools. The behavior was inherent.

Fish 163

Fish Ostriches Woodpeckers Breeders 163

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 10, 2015

In the Old World, Horned (Slavonian) Grebe breeds in a wide belt stretching from Scandinavia to Kamchatka and it spends winters along sea coasts, from Japan to China and from Norway to France, plus the Adriatic and the Black Sea (west and east of the Balkans, respectively). As a consequence, this species is only a rare vagrant in Serbia.

Serbia 156

Serbia Norway France Japan 156

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 8, 2011

Paging through a fieldguide, it’s always with a sense of dismay and sadness that I come across reference to an extinct species. Islands, for various reasons, experience more extinctions than continents (with Africa being the only continent not suffering a bird extinction!). This bird was kept in captivity until it died a year later.

Madagascar 228

Madagascar Lemurs 2006 Owls 228

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2018

Audubon Associate Naturalist, have led this tour many times, through tornados, droughts, questionable restaurants, and, sadly, the advent of fracking, and every one of my friends who has participated over the years has raved about the experience and the birds (in fact, one member of our group was on his third or fourth trip, I lost count).

North Dakota 133

North Dakota Sparrows Birds Blackbirds 133

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 6, 2022

we learn) that are home to coveted boreal species, breeding wood-warblers, and two species of Grouse. There are 461 species on the Maine checklist. This field guide covers 265 species, the ones most likely to be seen–residential and migratory, almost all nesting birds, many wintering birds.

Los Angeles 182

Los Angeles Birds District of Columbia Parrots 182

10,000 Birds

JUNE 29, 2013

Being technically outside the summer tourism season, one can enjoy the somewhat less expensive travel and hotel costs, less crowded venues, great weather and nearly endless daylight—and of course many birds migrating and beginning the breeding/nesting season! I can hardly begin to describe the surreal experience that unfolded before me.

Iceland 181

Iceland Puffins Europe Birds 181

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 23, 2011

For many birders a highlight of birding the southeastern United States, maybe even the definitive birding experience of the region, is taking in the great numbers and diversity of long-legged wading birds. It was all to easy to catch opportunities for inter-species interactions, like the one below consisting of four species of fish-eaters.

South Carolina 157

South Carolina Alligators Florida United States 157

10,000 Birds

JUNE 21, 2013

But why on earth would you want to go to some sewage ponds when there are so many ways to experience debauchery and dissolution in Las Vegas itself? Avocets, Black-necked Stilts , and Spotted Sandpipers breed at the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve. Later in the season more species show up. Birds, of course! (

Las Vegas 193

Las Vegas Nevada Birds Blackbirds 193

10,000 Birds

JUNE 27, 2011

Even the most barren habitat shelters enough stealthy, confusing, downright frustrating species to scare off newbies. If you look for ducks in summer or warblers in winter, you’re very likely to be disappointed. Every season presents its specialty species in the full flower of their availability, diversity, and beauty.

United States 194

United States Birds 2006 Breeders 194

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 23, 2014

I got to see a beautiful female and owlet on a trip to a secret nest location near Howard Prairie Lake (human-made nest structures have enhanced local breeding for these huge owls whose nest success is boosted to 83% on artificial platforms vs. 66% at natural sites). The experience, the place, and the bird combine to make this my BBOTY.

2014 182

2014 Costa Rica South Africa Penguins 182

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 139

Ireland Birds Falcons Turtles 139

10,000 Birds

MARCH 11, 2011

Brown Pelicans , and the northernmost Brown Booby breeding colony on this side of the Pacific. Other birds with webbed feet, including ducks and geese, have only three webbed toes; the hallux (which in birds is usually the “hind toe&# and in humans, the “big toe&# ) is free.

2011 151

2011 Pelicans Papua New Guinea California 151

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 31, 2012

After lazing in the heat I decided to visit the forest pools one last time, hoping for another sighting of Hartlaub’s Duck or White-bellied Kingfisher. I even managed to shoot a video with hands trembling of excitement, probably a first of the species. I have chronicled the experience on my blog. Thainamu chose a snipe !

2012 133

2012 Ghana Ireland Costa Rica 133

10,000 Birds

MARCH 21, 2024

Being a westerner — raised in California, and now living in western Mexico — I was perhaps most excited about the migratory birds that breed in eastern North America. This was only my fourth encounter with the species (all on the east side). Although, truth be told, this species does seem to be a rarity in Tabasco.)

Mexico 182

Mexico Birds Raccoons Baltimore 182

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

The site serves as a breeding centre for endangered birds and animals, and you can walk around large aviaries and even a night house to see captive kiwi. Blue Ducks have been reintroduced to the streams of the mountain, and there are plenty of trails to walk along. Image by Dunedin NZ, Creative Commons.

New Zealand 157

New Zealand Penguins Sanctuary Fur 157

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 24, 2022

Above them, on limestone cliffs, Alpine Swift and Crag Martin breed. About 120 species have been recorded so far. The good side of this popularity is presence of restaurants and inns (from personal experience I can recommend a place for carnivores called Vodopad – By the waterfall). About 180 species have been recorded so far.

Serbia 254

Serbia Woodpeckers Owls Eagles 254

10,000 Birds

JUNE 24, 2021

The fields near the Tiaozini mudflats look very much like a lunar landscape, but this does not seem to keep a number of species from breeding there, sometimes directly on dirt roads. But now back to birds … Little Ringed Plovers also seem to like to breed directly on the road. Blandness sells.

Uganda 202

Uganda Birds Rats Breeding 202

10,000 Birds

JUNE 9, 2011

When the American Ornithologists’ Union publishes its annual North American checklist update next month, many birders will be disappointed to see that a proposal to re-split Mexican Duck ( Anas diazi ) from Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos ) has failed. © David J.

Ducks 169

Ducks North America Texas Mexico 169

10,000 Birds

JUNE 20, 2019

Several Ferruginous Duck and one surprising male Goosander , four Glossy Ibises , Common Kingfishers , Eurasian Hopooes , a high note of a Penduline Tit somewhere from the willows along the canal, Eurasian Spoonbills , European Turtle Doves gently purrring …. Five years ago, I observed Dalmatian Pelicans breeding on purpose-built platforms.

Greece 186

Greece Pelicans Buffalo Fish 186

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 9, 2020

For, in birder lingo, a split occurs when subspecies are determined to be, in fact, entirely separate species. If you happen to have seen both species, your life list can increase without you even leaving the house. Two former species can also be joined into one, the same way. These are a male and a female Mexican Ducks.

San Diego 169

San Diego San Francisco Baltimore Mexico 169

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 11, 2018

My own trip was not an intensive birding experience, and August is clearly not the most productive month. I chalked up 132 species in a pretty relaxed eight days, during which birds shared the agenda with culture. With 154 eBirded species, the Beljarica shares the 4th place on the list. eBird bar chart. #4

Serbia 148

Serbia Bulgaria Farming Turtles 148

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 3, 2017

Greater Adjutants are huge birds that were once widespread across much of Southeast Asia; today there are two small breeding populations in India and Cambodia. There is no experience comparable to birding a dump, and, I have to say, I have never experienced a dump like this one. 5) White-winged Duck. 4) Small Pratincole.

2016 107

2016 India Ducks Costa Rica 107

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 20, 2015

The warm, sunny climate beckons a wide variety of passerines, raptors, and shorebirds to spend the winter, inflating the species diversity to the extent that Miami-Dade can go toe-to-toe with counties in Texas and Arizona during this season. We recorded 17 Short-tailed Hawks this past weekend, a winter specialty in Miami-Dade.

Miami 165

Miami 2015 United States Florida 165

10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2020

So, curious about which birds nest in two places, I quickly found out that it’s Phainopepla, a western bird, a relief because I was concerned that it might have implications for my data collection for the NYS Breeding Bird Atlas. copyright @2020 by David A llen Sibley. The Portfolio of Birds is comprised of 87 2-page spreads.

2020 261

2020 Birds North America Sparrows 261

10,000 Birds

MARCH 12, 2011

As part of the Wildlife Conservation Society Birds of Brazil giveaway we asked readers of 10,000 Birds to name the bird in Brazil that they would like to see more than any other species. What follows are the responses that readers offered, a veritable aviary of sought after species. It is a really neat bird that I have not seen before.

Brazil 195

Brazil 2011 Birds Penguins 195

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 27, 2013

My best bird of the year is based on the sighting rather than the species. Hornbills are spectacular under any circumstances, but when a pair lands in a bush beside you at eye-level and begin mutual preening , it makes for a spectacular experience. Only trouble is, which of the seven species I saw this year do I pick?

2013 167

2013 Costa Rica Birds India 167

10,000 Birds

MARCH 16, 2012

Carrie had been at Jones Beach pretty recently , but was happy to return, while I’m not sure that John had ever been, but he certainly seemed to enjoy the experience. After a brief discussion we decided to take the short drive over to Point Lookout to look for the Harlequin Ducks that have been delighting birders of late.

New York 160

New York Butcher Geese 2009 160

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 14, 2011

Now that the Earth has rotated somewhat and the Northern Hemisphere types that tormented me through June to September with all their tales of sunny days and summer birds have been plunged into Snowy Owl-filled darkness, it is the time of year where I can talk about nice weather and birds breeding away like crazy.

New Zealand 173

New Zealand Sanctuary Ducks Wildlife 173

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 12, 2013

February 12 is Darwin Day , the birthday of the brilliant author of On The Origin of Species. 10,000 is the approximate number of bird species in the world but certainly not the actual number. 10,000 is the approximate number of bird species in the world but certainly not the actual number.

Groups 175

Groups 2009 Parrots Branding 175

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 11, 2018

Other papers are locked behind paywalls.) That research ultimately led to an article about the conservation efforts regarding the Laysan Duck in the June 2017 issue of Birding. This paper, which was cited in the paper we just discussed, conducted the relevant experiments: Addison, Jason A., It is helpful to have a sample paper.

Transported 113

Transported 2011 Research 2012 113

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 19, 2012

The flowerpecker, an attractive species, was actually responsible for Peter becoming a birder in the first place! Our next species was decidedly uncommon, a Black-headed Ibis circled overhead for a minute before flying off. Lesser Whistling Duck were flying around, and a Black-naped Oriole provided a nice flash of colour.

Thailand 152

Thailand New Zealand Terrapins Asia 152

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

She doesn’t know the species till it emerges, almost dreamlike, from the heavy glare of the sun. This is the story of Fox’s experiences on board the Achiever, the research vessel of the Raincoast Conservation Foundation. Fox encounters 69 species, some singly, some in huge feeding or migrating flocks.

Fox 100

Fox Albatross Geese Bald Eagle 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 7, 2014

Mai Po Nature Reserve : world famous locale for shorebirds, waterfowl, waders, and wetland birds; wintering grounds for certain endangered species. The combination of these scheduled and informal birding efforts culminated in an amazing 135 species seen, many of which were lifers for me! SPECIES LIST. 7 Tufted Duck.

2014 204

2014 Eagles Asia China 204

10,000 Birds

MARCH 17, 2013

Apparently they breed to the south and return to feed at Lake Bindegolly. There was evidence of terns breeding at some earlier stage by the remaining carcasses in the bush. There was evidence of the mussels that would be a source of food for many species in the receding water line. Australian Pelicans soaring in the thermals.

Feral 145

Feral Pelicans Pigs Ducks 145

10,000 Birds

MARCH 9, 2011

Let us for once judge a book by its cover, and take a thorough look at a Black-headed Gull in breeding plumage. And I haven’t even started to write about ageing them … What are your experiences, and what is the colour of the claws on your local gull species? Thanks, Wikipedia ! Get yours today!

2011 158

2011 Birds Deer Europe 158

10,000 Birds

MARCH 6, 2011

Informed literature bears out my experience that most birds are seen singly or in pairs. Outside of the breeding season a few birds may join together in a loose flock if the feeding is good. Very interesting species. The former British colony’s Z.c. Married to a Canon? That I understand!

2011 174

2011 Deer India New York 174