10,000 Birds

JULY 21, 2024

Adult Audouin’s Gulls now passing show heavily abraded plumage after breeding I covered the main species in my 23rd June article “When the sea becomes a desert”. If I really want to see these elegant gulls, then I can always drive up to the Atlantic coast and the estuary of the Guadalquivir River where they breed.

Falcons 312

Falcons Breeding Family Groups 312

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 24, 2024

However, for a long time I was even more impressed by two Peregrine Falcons. Peregrine Falcon Peregrine Falcon Another highlight was when another birder informed us of a Eurasian Eagle-Owl that roosted in a vine on the cliff. I was impressed how the bird was found it as it was incredibly well camoulaged.

Falcons 244

Falcons Owls Eagles Breeding 244

10,000 Birds

APRIL 26, 2024

First recorded breeding on the island in 2013, this dove is now both widespread and common. Today they are a Cypriot success story, for they have established themselves at many locations, and even breed in the middle of roundabouts in the bustling town of Larnaka. Hoopoes are common breeding birds.

Cyprus 246

Cyprus Breeders Falcons Hunters 246

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2015

I am inside the city of Belgrade, checking the theoretically possible Peregrine Falcon site. Yet, not a trace of a falcon. ” Falcons do hunt pigeons, we all know that, but what is a Kamikaze pigeon? That is why Belgrade is not proud of its falcons and why I am not telling you more about them. One Feral Pigeon.

Switzerland 230

Switzerland Serbia Feral Falcons 230

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

Now I break (and think that I should put a „I break for birds“ bumper sticker), bins… a falcon! An Eleonora’s Falcon , light morph, makes several circles above the Olive grove and it is gone. Eleonora’s Falcons are migrants themselves. Such a fascinating species.

Greece 251

Greece Falcons Madagascar Africa 251

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 26, 2021

Rarest among the ones we saw was the endangered Saker Falcon. According to the HBW, in mountainous regions, picas and young marmots are among its main prey, giving me a chance to show you photos of these animals as well (without straying from the birding topic). Himalayan Marmot. Himalayan Pica.

China 264

China Falcons Stray Owls 264

10,000 Birds

MAY 28, 2015

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. The hide overlooking the breeding colony of Red-footed Falcons. gmail.com or check the maps at birdwatching.rs , so far, only in Serbian).

Serbia 267

Serbia Spain Birds Hungary 267

10,000 Birds

MARCH 17, 2021

We only saw the first two, and in our effort to scour each broken limb for a perched raptor, we stumbled upon a Bat Falcon of all creatures. Bat Falcon in the now blazing sun. The area is known for being a breeding area of the enigmatic Rufous Crab-Hawk and it was the first place I saw the species, many years ago.

Sea Turtles 278

Sea Turtles Bats Turtles Trinidad 278

10,000 Birds

MAY 10, 2020

The burgeoning number of waders in the fall reminds locals that many herons and egrets disperse northward during the late spring and early summer to breed and feed, returning in the late summer and fall to seek refuge from the oncoming cold and lack of food.

Florida 264

Florida Miami Falcons Birds 264

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

A recent paper published in the French journal Alauda (sadly, it appears not to be available in English online yet, but here’s the gist ) brings us news that Eleonora’s Falcons breeding on the archipelago of Essaouira have been caching prey during breeding season. Which, no biggie. Acorn woodpeckers cache.

Falcons 154

Falcons Montana Breeding Woodpeckers 154

10,000 Birds

MAY 23, 2019

And some Falcon , most likely mixed breed, because it belonged to falconry, not the skies. Falcons – Gyrfalcon. In the 70+ episodes, I noticed only the homing Ravens (caged/domesticated) and Pigeons (domestic – in pie). Yes, there were Chicken , too (I remember the chicken soup, not the birds). Ducks (domesticated).

Chickens 206

Chickens Falcons Geese Parrots 206

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Ferruginous Hawks breed in the grasslands of eastern Montana, but they are rare in the mountains and in winter, so this bird was certainly a surprise. A second Prairie Falcon just up the road – this one a young male – gave even better, closer looks. Birding Mission valley Prairie falcon raptors'

Bald Eagle 203

Bald Eagle Falcons Geese Montana 203

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

One year he was very excited when his female Hawaiian Goose hatched four healthy goslings, the first time he had managed to breed this species. A falconer’s Peregrine hybrid, but what’s was its full parentage? Many years ago a friend of mine kept a small but varied collection of ducks and geese.

Geese 237

Geese Falcons Latvia Ducks 237

10,000 Birds

JULY 26, 2012

Falcons split from hawks to join parrots and songbirds Unanimously, the committee voted to remove falcons (Falconiformes) and parrots (Psittaciformes) from their current positions in the list and place them before the songbirds (Passeriformes), more closely to reflect the relationships between these three great orders.

Falcons 181

Falcons Parrots California Hawaii 181

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2024

Osborn, a passionate field biologist who participates to the core of her being three re-introduction projects aimed at saving three very different, endangered species: Peregrine Falcon, Hawaiian Crow (‘Alala)*, and California Condor. She never finds her long days observing her falcons, crows, and condors boring.

California Condor 175

California Condor Falcons California Coyotes 175

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 9, 2014

Kirtland’s Warbler is a classic niche species; they breed in only very specific conditions, which occur in only a very specific area. this species breeds. Fortunately, there were still a handful of immature birds alive at sea, and a few years later they were back on Toroshima breeding again. Half Moon Bay, CA.

Albatross 243

Albatross Endangered Species Bald Eagle Alaska 243

10,000 Birds

JUNE 12, 2014

Pygmy Cormorant – winter (it breeds in Serbia, but overwinters in Belgrade). Goosander and Red-breasted Merganser – Belgrade in winter; otherwise, the first one breeds in Serbia. White-tailed Eagle – year round (breeds inside the city). Spanish Sparrow – still ill-numbered but, since recently, breeding near the city.

Serbia 213

Serbia Eagles Sparrows Falcons 213

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 5, 2011

Those bigger birds of prey command respect, but it’s not like falcons are unknown. Even outside of Atlanta , Peregrine Falcons spend their breeding seasons smiling for the ( web ) camera from atop edifices all across the country.

2011 167

2011 Bald Eagle Atlanta Falcons 167

10,000 Birds

MAY 19, 2021

And breeding season allows me to notice certain details that I might miss during the rest of the year. I had never seen the orange legs that this breeding adult is showing, as opposed to the yellow-green legs of the immature one below it. Green Herons can probably be seen by most of our readers on their home turf.

Woodpeckers 261

Woodpeckers Hunters Falcons Breeding 261

10,000 Birds

JULY 18, 2012

The hole-nesting population of peregrine falcons disappeared with the felling of the giant trees upon which they depended. Another cavity nesting species that breeds in Lassen Volcanic National Park is the Brown Creeper ( Certhia americana ).

North America 251

North America America Barn Owls Fur 251

10,000 Birds

JUNE 25, 2011

We also have a richness of falcons. Within 4 kilometres of where I live there are two active aeries, a Gyrfalcon’s and a Peregrine Falcon’s. However, in the context of this week, my point is that there is a lot of prime real estate up here for falcon aeries. The landscape is dramatic to say the least.

Falcons 182

Falcons Hunting Breeding Birds 182

10,000 Birds

MAY 10, 2018

On the opposite side is a smallish falcon, obviously too short-tailed for a Common Kestrel, a Eurasian Hobby first comes to mind… but a male Red-footed Falcon on migration it turns out to be. They do not build nests, but occupy old nests of Rooks and breed colonially among them. I must digress further.

Serbia 158

Serbia Eagles Falcons Breeders 158

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 13, 2014

However, you can’t come to this small Central American country to see the following birds because they are gone: White-faced Whistling-duck : Yes, this cool looking duck used to build nests, breed, and dabble around the wetlands of Costa Rica and this is why you will see it illustrated in Stiles and Skutch.

Costa Rica 257

Costa Rica Species Panama Falcons 257

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 24, 2022

Above them, on limestone cliffs, Alpine Swift and Crag Martin breed. Raptors to look for in this reserve are Golden Eagle and Short-toed Snake Eagle , European Honey-buzzard and Peregrine Falcon. Forest covers 70% of the area (hornbeam, beech and oak). About 120 species have been recorded so far.

Serbia 264

Serbia Woodpeckers Owls Eagles 264

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 19, 2016

Several hours after we saw it and reported it to the listserv other birders saw the bird attacked by not one but two Peregrine Falcons. From a symbol (to me) of resilience to a falcon’s plaything in a few hours. It will never make it to the Paramo in the high Andes for winter nor return to the tundra to breed.

Culling 157

Culling Falcons New Jersey Jamaica 157

10,000 Birds

JUNE 2, 2024

Yellow-legged Gulls Larus michahellis breed on the Rock of Gibraltar and the late spring arrival of Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus coincides with the time that the gulls have chicks on their nests. Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus also lie in wait and defend their own young, just as the gulls do.

Pandas 204

Pandas Morocco Falcons Spain 204

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 16, 2018

Depending on your particular interest, opt for March/April (spring migration), May/June (breeding season), August to October (autumn migration), or November/December when waterbird migration reaches its peak. Red-footed Falcons , Whiskered and Black Terns by mid-April, White-winged Terns are passing about a week later.

Serbia 186

Serbia Macedonia Geese Owls 186

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 22, 2014

Each autumn, nearly the entire breeding population of the Swainson’s Hawk migrates from the temperate zone of North America to wintering areas in South America. From Canada, this migration is more than 10,000 km each way, a distance second among raptors only to that of the Arctic Peregrine Falcon 1. But that is another story.

Nevada 160

Nevada Utah North America Oregon 160

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 17, 2023

There are not, as far as I know, any plans to re-name the Montagu’s Harrier, a bird that’s now a real rarity in the UK that only occasionally breeds here. Eleonora’s Falcon was named by Italian naturalist Alberto della Marmora after Eleonora of Arborea (1350-1404), a celebrated Sardinian princess.

Falcons 246

Falcons Wounded 2003 Killing 246

10,000 Birds

MAY 19, 2022

A few Eurasian Tree Sparrows land by my car as I am scanning for Purple and Squacco Herons , Pygmy Cormorants and Black-necked Grebes in their brilliant breeding plumage. Unlike the wide open Centa, birding in Sakule (cover photo) is mostly done from the embankment. An immature White-tailed Eagle. Soon I see a huge bird again. The same eagle?

Mules 256

Mules Breeders Farming Fish 256

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 31, 2011

All New World Quail are highly gregarious, typically found in coveys or flocks except during breeding season. These could be the beginning of the formation of coveys, post breeding season flocks that form when the chicks become independent at about three months old. The birds scatter, sometimes in different directions.

California 256

California Gophers Rattlesnake Eggs 256

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 27, 2014

Sociable Lapwings breed in several areas along the Kazakhstani – Russian border and overwinter in Iraq, Sudan and northwest India. Locals being vegetarians, why are there no birds?

Sudan 252

Sudan India Ukraine Camels 252

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

This is where Gila Woodpecker and Yellow-breasted Chat meet Squirrel Cuckoo , Bat Falcon , and Black-throated Magpie-Jay. As the sun began to set, a flock of Mexican Parrotlets alighted in a tree with brilliant red bark, and we all noticed a Bat Falcon watching silently from a high perch above all the action down below.

Mexico 230

Mexico Costa Rica Arizona Bats 230

10,000 Birds

MAY 3, 2020

The flocks are getting smaller day by day as they migrate to the northern hemisphere to breed. The shorebirds will then spread out across the tundra to breed and they will no longer be close to each other. The shorebirds have been feeding up and changing into their breeding plumage. The resident shorebirds will start to breed.

Australia 184

Australia Breeding Falcons Eagles 184

10,000 Birds

APRIL 6, 2021

This is the hook that draws us into reading about and caring about migrant birds, that and the charisma of birds like Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Kirtland’s Warbler, Snowy Owl, and Amur Falcon. Many of these stories will be known to avid readers of environmental news items and social media. It is often hard to be positive.

Cyprus 264

Cyprus Slaughter Slaughtered Research 264

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 17, 2012

When songbirds endeavor to head hundreds or thousands of miles south they are risking everything in order to find a place that they can winter and hopefully survive in order to head back north and breed. Migration is the single most dangerous thing that birds do and many don’t survive as Greg pointed out in his recent post.

Feral Cats 217

Feral Cats Cats Killing North America 217

10,000 Birds

MARCH 12, 2020

During May migration, European Roller and few dozen strong flocks of Red-footed Falcons were observed on the wires. When to go: breeding and migration seasons (April to June and late August to mid-September). There is a small and highly localised population of Greater Short-toed Lark in this grassland. To be continued.

Europe 263

Europe Serbia Turtles Woodpeckers 263