10,000 Birds

MAY 21, 2013

Hybrids between separate species are rare. But they do spark an interesting and somewhat controversial debate that inevitably leads back to the same old question of what constitutes a species. Suspected hybrids between heron species, whilst extremely rare, have been documented for some time.

Florida 172

Florida Arizona Cattle California 172

10,000 Birds

JULY 27, 2011

I’m only supposed to document one specific species, but I also note the other birds because in a 4 hour period, I’m lucky if I see the target species for 15 minutes. Cattle wandered this pasture along with me (one cow even attempted to taste my carbon fiber tripod). It’s a good strategy for Bobolinks to have.

Birds 161

Birds Cattle Blackbirds North America 161

10,000 Birds

MAY 8, 2013

The smellier the better, particularly as, unusually for birds, many species can boast a robust sense of smell. In any case, our hang-ups with vultures clearly stem from our own issues rather than any inherently bizarre trait of the species themselves. Vultures famously feed on carrion. Dead things. New World Vultures.

California Condor 183

California Condor Turkey North America Jordan 183

10,000 Birds

MARCH 18, 2011

The field site I am assigned to is located in one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world and home to a particularly rich avifauna that numbers well over 500 species. Hundreds of riotously colored birds representing 14 species of macaws and parrots flock and frolic together in less than fifty meters of forest canopy.

Peru 255

Peru Parrots 2011 South America 255

10,000 Birds

JUNE 20, 2019

We are entering the mixed colony of 11 species ( Grey , Squacco , Purple and Black-crowned Night Herons ; Great , Little and, recently, Cattle Egrets ; Eurasian Spoonbill (below) and Glossy Ibis ; Pygmy and Great Cormorant ). What is the status of this species in the Kerkini NP?

Greece 196

Greece Pelicans Buffalo Fish 196