10,000 Birds

MAY 13, 2015

It can’t have escaped your notice lately that the blog has been overrun with articles about North America’s pseudo-warblers (or wood warblers, as some people, apparently unaware the name is taken by a proper European species, call them), and, even worse, no small amount of poetry. And they are always a pleasure to see.

Africa 174

Africa Ethiopia Feral Tanzania 174

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 27, 2015

Because of its distance to the mainland, Hawaii is home to over 60 species of endemic birds. Over time, the webbing in its toes has decreased, and its longer lakes and shorter wings also make walking easier for this species. Ah Hawaii, land of beautiful beaches, surfing, warm weather, and unique birds.

Hawaii 156

Hawaii Feral Cats Mongoose Geese 156

10,000 Birds

JUNE 13, 2022

Honeyeaters are a large bird family (190 species) with a strong presence in Australia. According to the HBW entry for this species, it “has been claimed that loss of native mammals after European settlement created shortage of nesting material, explaining this species’ penchant for taking hair from humans.”

Australia 192

Australia Birds Feral Cats Kangaroos 192

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 20, 2015

Of course they have nothing to do with the quality or knowledge of a birder since they are primarily a function of a) dedication b) time c) money and d) a good internet connection. One of the best aspects of this post is that it is not about a specific bird species. Frustration all around. Which is fair enough.

Feral 195

Feral Asia Species Florida 195

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 13, 2014

Back in 2009, Tai Haku sent us a fascinating post exploring a question that ecologists worldwide grapple with: can the translocation of rare species into niches left empty by extinction be successful or justified? It is extinct. Sadly though the Clappers have been nowhere near as successful as our next candidate.

Puerto Rico 185

Puerto Rico Guam Virgin Islands Feral 185

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 1, 2014

More reviled than perhaps any other species for the mess they make, their copious poop, and their general ubiquity, they are disliked, cursed, and stuck with monikers like “rat with wings.” ” But the Feral Pigeon has much about it that should be admired. Pigeons get no respect. Instead, enjoy the pigeon.

Rats 171

Rats Feral Farming Collecting 171

10,000 Birds

MARCH 19, 2013

On 14 March, 2013, the Orlando Sentinel published an opinion piece by Ted Williams under the headline “Trap, neuter, return programs make feral-cat problem worse.” Then he gave a couple of alternative solutions to the feral cat problem: There are two effective, humane alternatives to the cat hell of TNR. ” Wait, what?

Feral Cats 271

Feral Cats Trap Neuter Return Tnr Extremist 271

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. Sophie Osborn’s stories are personal and inspiring, but this is more than a personal memoir.

California Condor 175

California Condor Falcons California Coyotes 175

10,000 Birds

APRIL 5, 2019

But come spring, an even luckier few may even find a fellow survivor of their own kind with whom to start a family, unwittingly causing contentious debates among birders about the countability of established feral populations in the process. What’s in a name?

North America 113

North America Vermont America Farm Animal 113

10,000 Birds

JUNE 21, 2019

Most birders would guess the village name has something to do with pigeons and doves, and of course it does: “Sainte-Colombe” means “Holy Dove” in French. Its holiness may not be in question, but from the label drawing, I’m not quite sure which species of the family Columbidae the Sainte-Colombe pigeon belongs to.

2017 115

2017 France Lifestyle Feral 115

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 12, 2014

It isn’t a very promising park, to be sure – it’s loaded with art, and everyone knows that birds hate art, or maybe they hate the feral cats that live under the art (probably the latter.) Expected, but still lovely native species that liven up our urban spaces. People walk their dogs and do yoga there.

Feral Cats 165

Feral Cats Wisconsin Feral Cats 165

10,000 Birds

JULY 6, 2021

In 2012, I reviewed The Jewel Hunter , an absorbing narrative in which author Chris Goodie travelled throughout Asia, Africa, and Australasia to observe and photograph every Pitta species in the world. Hummingbird species, on the other hand, number in the hundreds. Jonas D’Abronzo.

Costa Rica 264

Costa Rica Brazil Bolivia Ecuador 264

10,000 Birds

MARCH 8, 2013

And so, when Salvador Ramirez left, there were feral goats on the island of San Clemente, the southernmost of the Channel Islands off the coast of California. And so, these goats ate the flora of the island: unique species of Indian paintbrush and woodland star, bushmallow and wirelettuce and morning glory.

Goats 160

Goats Bald Eagle Fox Feral 160

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 1, 2015

Walking along a dirt track next to a prairie, my friend and I were on the look-out for different sparrow species when a large bird suddenly darted into the clearing. Of course, only thirty minutes later I saw my second roadrunner, this time standing on a lawn adjacent to a busy street!

New Mexico 101

New Mexico Mexico Coyotes Rattlesnake 101

10,000 Birds

JULY 25, 2014

During the early 1990s, rumours surrounding the occurrence of a few Egyptian Geese in far north-western Germany emerged, the result of an increasing and spreading Dutch feral population. Of course, our imagination did not incorporate the Egyptian Goose. Of course I considered it to have been blown there from the Netherlands.

Germany 150

Germany Netherlands Geese Kenya 150

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 24, 2015

I didn’t realize how many new species I would see within the city itself! The first looked very similar to a Mourning Dove , which of course can be found across the United States. Though I have been birding for a few years now, I had only birded west of the Mississippi once before my recent trip to Austin, Texas.

Austin 109

Austin Texas Mississippi Non Human 109

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 17, 2019

Of course, the CBC has sexier abbreviation: with the IWC (or iWC?) One odd flock of Feral Pigeons above an arable field under deep snow – nothing for them to eat there, but I didn’t give them the attention they deserve and only a few hours later realised that they actually were Stock Doves. My mind, at least.

Geese 143

Geese Serbia Ukraine Estonia 143

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 16, 2014

Also, in relatively natural, or wild, lands in much of the US the feral cat population will be limited by a healthy wild predator population. About 15 million birds are killed annually by hunters, and of course this is distributed among a very small number of species. Also, the comparison with cats is not particularly relevant.

Killing 274

Killing Cats Fish Feral Cats 274

10,000 Birds

MARCH 5, 2017

The cliffs survived along with the rest of the island and are still manned by endless rows of Common Guillemots during the breeding season, offering German birders an easy way – the only easy way – of enjoying this iconic species. But what is it about the species that makes the Germans think it is a bit dim-witted?

Germany 100

Germany Denmark Namibia Breeding 100

10,000 Birds

JUNE 19, 2011

These waste water treatment plants offer the perfect environment to bird-life due to the fact that water is constantly available and is fenced for further protection from feral animals. To a birder these Poo Ponds offer the perfect place to see a large number of species in a relatively small area close to towns.

Feral Animals 171

Feral Animals Australia Feral Ducks 171

10,000 Birds

JULY 24, 2012

What’s even more frustrating is when animal rights people learn of plans to cull nonnative species. Yes, of course it is too bad that so many animals (most often rats, mice and rabbits) have to be killed. As you can see here , PETA does not even address these issues at all, while portraying themselves as indeed giving a damn.

Animal Rights Movement 206

Animal Rights Movement Animal Rights Wildlife Rights 206

10,000 Birds

JULY 5, 2022

There’s a lot more, of course, and it all makes you wonder if we should have bird feeders or urban green spaces or fountains or windows.

New York City 252

New York City Illinois Science Killing 252

10,000 Birds

JULY 9, 2021

It is a story of recent and future conservation efforts within New Zealand to conserve their endemic bird species. Anyone interested in birds, bird conservation and, in particular, the strategy of feral animal control will find it fascinating. Kiwis are featured of course. I am not sure what I liked the best.

New Zealand 259

New Zealand Feral Animals Feral Parrots 259

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 4, 2014

They range from the successful eradication of feral cats from Marion Island (hear that, Corey?) Betty’s Bay was also a great place to see all of South Africa’s cormorant species, including the endangered Bank Cormorant. We observed far fewer Lesser Flamingos, a near-threatened species. How do you tell the difference?

South Africa 253

South Africa Africa Leopards Penguins 253

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 20, 2012

The very first thing we notice about this large member of the Galliformes is that there is a wild version and a domestic version, and although the two are rather different, they are both given the same species name, Meleagris gallopavo. This is not entirely unknown among domestic animals, but many domesticates have no living wild version.

Turkey 201

Turkey Columbus Spain Fowl 201

10,000 Birds

JUNE 6, 2020

7 beats contributed their sightings from 7 countries (Hong Kong, UK, China, USA, Serbia, Australia and, of course, Costa Rica). 149 checklists were submitted, accounting for 465 species. You may notice a few non-commital “sp” entries and/or a few domestic/feral/hybrid forms.

2020 152

2020 Niger Sparrows Woodpeckers 152

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 5, 2013

First published in 1973 in association with the Asa Wright Center, the book focuses on species descriptions, with illustrations grouped together in plates positioned in the center of the book. The guide covers 477 species, an expansion of 35 from the second edition, which was published in 1991. The AOU has not accepted that split.

Trinidad 193

Trinidad South America Birds 2011 193

10,000 Birds

MARCH 13, 2011

Every March, hope springs anew that I’ll cross paths with one of these feral fluffballs, but as April ends, so do another year’s delirious dreams. Driving along ice-choked inlets off Lake Ontario, admiring Mute Swans and scaup species, my commitment to nail this nemesis never wavered. Enjoy the details and proof here.

2011 160

2011 Deer Owls New York 160

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 7, 2014

The lack of people does not mean we have any less extinct or threatened bird species than other countries. European settlement in Australia has been the cause of the decline of a variety of bird species and if not directly, then indirectly by the introduction of other species that have been the cause of their decline.

Species 174

Species Australia Birds Parrots 174

10,000 Birds

JUNE 26, 2018

Basically, this species is so dimwitted, it doesn’t know how to survive. Because, Pink Pigeons are not capable of doing the tasks required to create and bring up children of the species. Don’t these birds care about propagating their species? What happened to Thelma and Louise? I know, that’s harsh.

Mauritius 101

Mauritius Stud Zoos Eggs 101

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 5, 2014

” Most shrugged and said very few US falconers fly owls because they’re slow and some species you can only hunt at night, that wouldn’t be much fun to watch. All apprentice falconers are allowed only 1 of 2 species: American Kestrel or Red-tailed Hawk. Of course I can’t speak for every falconer out there.

Wisconsin 240

Wisconsin Falcons Owls Hunting 240

10,000 Birds

JUNE 14, 2011

Dirt hawking is a form of falconry that involves hunting rabbits and other small game with Harris Hawks (other hawk species also qualify). One of the primary reasons that these hawks make such excellent falconry birds is because they are one of only two raptor species (the other is the Galapagos Hawk ) that hunt cooperatively.

League Against Cruel Sports 270

League Against Cruel Sports Rabbits Falcons Hunting 270

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 30, 2012

Whenever possible we have used our Christmas Day to see how many bird species we can get in our local area and this year was no different. We usually try and plan a route prior to the day with particular bird species in mind and also taking into account the tidal range for the day. We rarely see them so close to town.

Feral Cats 117

Feral Cats Zebras Feral Ducks 117

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 18, 2012

The park is located to the south east of the central business district, part of a larger complex of playing fields, stadiums and golf courses that the very outdoorsy Australians find so important. The other common duck species is the Hardhead , a local species of diving duck, but the rarest species (of which I saw only one) is the Musk Duck.

New Zealand 171

New Zealand Ducks Australia Japan 171

10,000 Birds

APRIL 1, 2013

There has been a great deal of talk these days about “reviving” extinct species. Setting aside the feasibility of extracting DNA from specimens and fossils, and finding a suitable similar species to donate an egg, there is much debate on whether we should bring back those species we’ve lost. Should it be?

Feral Cats 194

Feral Cats Eggs Cats Feral 194

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 10, 2011

Feral Turkey are also quite common. 4) Sacred Kingfisher Sacred Kingfisher ( Halcyon sancta) These little guys, a ntaive species, can be very common – in a three hour trip two weekends ago I counted 21 without really trying, around seven times as many Common Kingfishers as I have seen in my entire life in England.

New Zealand 174

New Zealand Birds Thailand Falcons 174

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 16, 2013

Case in point: some of my family members have become active with feral cat colony organizations. On the one hand, it’s better than doing nothing with a feral cat colony. But I don’t agree with the supplemental feeding that happens with feral cats–if you’re gonna call them wildlife, treat them as such.

Feral Cats 179

Feral Cats Feral Cats Family 179