10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 15, 2023

Fortunately, two species of Mergansers sometimes stray to Cuba, and so my friend suggested, correctly, that ours was a female Hooded Merganser. The addition of a family of Least Grebes was a nice touch. Having seen them in Europe, I knew it was a Merganser. But which one? I, of course, did not have any optics with me.

Mexico 243

Mexico Morocco Cuba Jordan 243

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 6, 2015

Here are some things I’ve learned from the Peterson Reference Guide to Owls of North America and the Caribbean by Scott Weidensaul: The Burrowing Owl is the only North American owl species where the male is larger than the female, albeit, only slightly larger. The 39 owls include five endemic Caribbean species.

North America 254

North America Owls America Dominican Republic 254

10,000 Birds

JULY 24, 2012

Over twenty species of wood-warbler may be recorded in a single winter in Miami-Dade County, with several more species recorded regularly in Monroe and Broward. In addition to these widespread species, Common Yellowthroat and Northern Waterthrush are reliably seen in the right habitats.

Florida 164

Florida Miami Cuba Bahamas 164

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 14, 2017

Both Puerto Rico and the USVI have active birding communities that are currently excluded from full membership in the ABA family. The USVI are smaller and have fewer habitats and, as a result, fewer bird species. All Americans Should be Full Members of the ABA Family. Because it is much larger, this will focus on Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico 200

Puerto Rico Virgin Islands Hawaii United States 200

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 19, 2016

I opened the year in California and even though I flew out in the evening on New Year’s Day I did see some species out there that I would otherwise not have seen for the year. Winter birding around New York City was just so-so but I did add one species to my Queens list. Black-billed Magpie , 31 July, Golden, Colorado.

2016 179

2016 Puerto Rico New York City New York 179

10,000 Birds

JULY 6, 2021

If you had your choice of one bird family to pursue, to seek out and observe and photograph and kvell over, which one would you choose? A passion for one bird family is also very useful. Hummingbird species, on the other hand, number in the hundreds. So, when British natural history writer Jon Dunn (not to be confused with U.S.

Costa Rica 264

Costa Rica Brazil Bolivia Ecuador 264

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 5, 2017

The 7th edition of the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America covers 1,023 species that reside, migrate, or have been documented as accidentals or exotics in North America. Species Accounts: With 1,023 species, National Geographic 7 continues to cover the most species of any North American field guide.

North America 189

North America America 2017 Birds 189

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 15, 2019

As an homage, a contemporary edition of the Bond’s field guide Birds of the West Indies was featured in the twentieth 007 film, Die Another Day (2002), where Bond (Pierce Brosnan) in Cuba poses as an ornithologist. Furthermore, there are six families confined to the Greater Antilles. If a species is monotypic, this is clearly stated.

Saint Kitts and Nevis 201

Saint Kitts and Nevis Antigua and Barbuda Dominican Republic Cuba 201

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 5, 2011

They are the only birds able to fly backwards and the 340-odd species come in many different forms. Its partner is the well-known Ruby-throated Hummingbird , one of the only species of hummingbird that migrates every year. In fact it might just be one of the drabbest hummingbird species out there.

Colombia 279

Colombia Bolivia Ecuador Peru 279