10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023

As mentioned in many other posts on this blog, the avifauna of Trinidad & Tobago consists of several species and family groups occurring very interestingly, in threes. Once I looked through proper glass however, all doubt was blown to smithereens – it was a Bat Falcon.

Trinidad 130

Trinidad Bats Falcons Groups 130

10,000 Birds

MARCH 29, 2019

A falconer and his bird from the Mosaico de Cavaleiro in Mértola, possibly the oldest depiction of falconry in Iberia. Colorful birds adorn many of the pages of the so-called Cervera Bible and several captivating miniatures portray hunting scenes with falcons.

2016 130

2016 Portugal Belgium Falcons 130

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023

Checklist for Belize lists 622 species in 76 families, of which 104 are rare or accidental and four introduced. Checklist lists 955 species in 86 families, with 152 rare/accidental species, three extirpated species, five introduced species, and nine endemics). For context, the IOC version 13.1

Costa Rica 221

Costa Rica Belize El Salvador Birds 221

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 19, 2022

I’ve said it before, but this large raptor with the massive, eagle-like bill is not a Hawk or Eagle , but a genetic Falcon. When I reached the woods, I once again again marvelled at how much Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Hutton’s Vireos look like each other, in spite of being from entirely different families: Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

Eagles 222

Eagles Falcons Sparrows Species 222

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 11, 2024

Among our highlights were 5 doves species, a full 9 hummingbirds, 6 herons/egrets, 3 hawks and 2 falcons, 4 woodpeckers, all of 12 Tyrant Flycatchers, 3 vireos, 6 New World Sparrows, 4 New World Orioles in different shades of orange, 16 New World Warblers, 2 tanagers, and 6 grosbeaks and buntings.

Mexico 220

Mexico Birds Woodpeckers Sparrows 220

10,000 Birds

MARCH 24, 2024

There are beautiful beaches, a plethora of amazing food and drinks, a multitude of family fun locations, a world-renowned zoo, and one of the biggest birding festivals in the US. My family visited San Diego every year as part of a Disneyland-SoCal Road trip to escape the rainy Christmases at home near Portland, Oregon.

San Diego 209

San Diego Sea Lions Lions Birds 209

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 7, 2021

Whistling Kites and Black Kites were active in the area too due to the nearby fire and we observed a Brown Falcon perched in a nearby tree. The egret family were represented by the Great Egrets , Intermediate Egrets and a lone Cattle Egret. Walking out onto the bridge we soon observed a good mixture of other bird species. Cattle Egret.

Cattle 274

Cattle Ducks Zebras Australia 274

10,000 Birds

JUNE 28, 2019

” Glancing at the man who’d interrupted, I remembered exactly how his family first made their money and decided to move ahead quickly. “We’ll take the Peregrine Falcon ,” at least seven voices said at once. “The Peregrine Falcon isn’t even that rare anymore!” “Exactly!

Branding 162

Branding Falcons California Condor Broker 162

10,000 Birds

MAY 19, 2021

Here in Michoacán, we have four different species from the Myiarchus genus of the Tyrant-Flycatcher family. In case you were wondering, I’ll clarify that the header photo is of a Crested Caracara , a weird hawk-sized falcon that can’t decide whether it wants to be a hunter or a carrion-eater.

Woodpeckers 228

Woodpeckers Hunters Falcons Breeding 228

10,000 Birds

MARCH 15, 2024

If you see a flock of kestrels in southern Europe, then the chances are that they will be Lessers, for the Common Kestrel never flocks, though occasionally in summer you will see a family hunting together. Watching flocks of these attractive little falcons feeding is aways a delightful sight.

Falcons 203

Falcons Spain Europe Portugal 203

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 17, 2024

Until a small, falcon-like bird darted through the understory. Fortunately, the parrot family is a raucous one, and before long I heard the rasping vocalisations of my intended targets. A couple bends along the trail and it seemed as if we were out of human contact by a thousand miles.

Guyana 217

Guyana Parrots Trinidad Monkeys 217

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 24, 2022

Raptors to look for in this reserve are Golden Eagle and Short-toed Snake Eagle , European Honey-buzzard and Peregrine Falcon. Head back to the town of Opovo, south of Baranda, and ask for the Kod Bobe Restaurant (Chez Boba), a second generation in the same family and the best restaurant in the area.

Serbia 262

Serbia Woodpeckers Owls Eagles 262

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 21, 2015

On the drive I had picked up the flamboyant Red-collared and Long-tailed Widowbirds , extraordinary members of the weaver family who’s ridiculous tails make them easy to spot even from a moving car. Longclaws are African members of the pipit and wagtail family, and unlike the rest of the family they have gorgeously-coloured throats.

South Africa 145

South Africa Africa Falcons Family 145

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021

Keep birding and you might see a White-tailed Kite hovering as it hunts rodents and one of the few Bat Falcons in the Valley might dash into view. Recently, I was surprised to have a family of Stripe-headed Sparrows , birds typically associated with dry habitats of the North Pacific slope.

Costa Rica 258

Costa Rica Sparrows Rodents Rats 258

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 7, 2014

Twelve family accounts have been added. It is 72 pages longer than the first edition. An undisclosed number of family and species accounts have been updated. Nine photographers contributed most of the photographs used to illustrate the family sections, including Richard Crossley, Kevin T. Over 70 range maps were updated.

North America 178

North America America Family Falcons 178

10,000 Birds

MARCH 15, 2019

The Gyrfalcon ( Falco rusticolus ), the largest falcon in the world, is as sought after by falconers as it is by birders – and for many of the same reasons: namely, the rarity with which these imposing raptors of the Arctic visit us residing in more temperate climes.

2016 100

2016 Iceland Falcons Egypt 100

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 8, 2017

Let us no more speak of this week’s extraordinary failure by a cast of Falcons to finish off their prey. This lucky youngster from Massachusetts has almost 300 ticks, but just added his favorite— a Great Gray Owl his supportive family drove hundreds of miles to glimpse. sports championships ).

Massachusetts 100

Massachusetts Eggs Falcons Bears 100

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. Participation is so easy, you may have already been a part of the proceedings!

2011 160

2011 Bald Eagle Atlanta Falcons 160

10,000 Birds

JULY 9, 2017

My family and I enjoyed the Corn Hill Festival this weekend, which is definitely one of Rochester’s better events. As a bonus, I spotted one of our resident city Peregrine Falcons soaring along the Genesee River. Diversions like these definitely help get us through the more prosaic birding months.

2017 100

2017 Endangered Species Falcons Birds 100

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 17, 2015

This year, what with family plans and other commitments, I didn’t get out on the pond until later than usual but it was worth the wait. Of course, no visit to the East Pond would be complete without at least one attack by a Peregrine Falcon , just to make everything flush and force you to start scanning over again.

Jamaica 162

Jamaica Wildlife New York City New York 162

10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2021

The provision of housing and food is most gratifying, I have successfully spread this joy to one of my three neighbors, who now gleefully sends me pictures of the Cocoa Thrush family on his front porch, and Green Iguanas lounging in his avocado tree. Each year, I alert him to the arrival of our guest of honor – a female Yellow Warbler.

Opossums 264

Opossums Barn Owls Reptiles Hunting 264

10,000 Birds

JULY 4, 2017

The guide presents 69 species and 1 subspecies, from “NEW WORLD VULTURES: Cathartiformes” to “OSPREY: Pandioninae” to “FAMILY: Accipitridae” (Kites, Hawks, Eagles, Hawk-Eagles), to “FALONIDS: Falconidae” (Falcons, Forest-Falcons, Caracaras, Kestrels, Merlin).

Mexico 169

Mexico America North America Falcons 169

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 8, 2012

Sure, I’m likely omitting some other far more important factors involving family, friends, and professional success, but the little things mean a lot. As promised, I watched Falcons get plucked, pinioned, and debeaked this weekend. Note that I only condone this treatment for the highly localized Atlanta Falcon.

Debeaking 164

Debeaking Atlanta 2011 United States 164

10,000 Birds

APRIL 13, 2016

This may help songbirds successfully raise their families without worrying about invaders. This part of the theory doesn’t entirely jibe with the growing numbers of, say, Peregrine Falcons that make skyscrapers and urban bridges their home, but it’s interesting to contemplate nonetheless.

China 101

China Europe Falcons Eggs 101

10,000 Birds

APRIL 20, 2018

Orchards would be as surprised as many of us were to learn that falcons are more closely related to parrots than they are to the superficially similar raptors of the family Accipitridae. Be that as it may, the name is such a well-meaning gesture it seems unfair to quibble over its nomenclatural faults. I’m sure the folks at E.Z.

Falcons 100

Falcons United States Oregon North America 100

10,000 Birds

JULY 15, 2018

Sadly the outcome from here is often chick loss from predation, but for now we will enjoy observing the two families of Pied Oystercatchers as they wander the dunes and come down to the ocean to feed when there are less people around. Pied Oystercatcher family wandering the dunes. Pied Oystercatcher family tracks.

2018 100

2018 Feral Cats Eggs Camels 100

10,000 Birds

JULY 24, 2021

Groups them by family too and by their shape” His extra long arm extended and passed me that precious book. Competing with well adapted tinamous would have always been tough, the same goes for a related yet separate family of very grouse-like birds; the New World Quails. “Check it out!”

Costa Rica 264

Costa Rica Chickens Pennsylvania Litter 264

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 7, 2015

I’m much less embarrassed by this Gull-billed Tern shot because, despite the family that has been hanging out for weeks this summer on the East Pond of Jamaica Bay, they are usually tough to find in Queens. Then I saw this Peregrine Falcon. It has to be a faux pas for a falcon to flinch when a skimmer skims it.

Goats 192

Goats Falcons Birds Jamaica 192

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. In the mean time, a family group of Black-throated Magpie-Jays were frolicking in the breeze high over the dry valley, showing off their exorbitantly long tail streamers.

Mexico 196

Mexico Costa Rica Arizona Bats 196

10,000 Birds

JULY 29, 2012

My family and I have taken our show to the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. We haven’t seen many birds yet, but did enjoy the sight of a juvenile Peregrine Falcon unruffled by a mob of belligerent Blue Jays. Do folks on the southern side of the globe, I wonder, do the same thing around the end of January?

Michigan 158

Michigan 2012 Falcons Birds 158

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 15, 2013

The Peru Birding Rally Challenge is a joint initiative between PromPeru and the Inkaterra Family of hotels. the Forest Falcons – UK. A huge surprise was the addition of an entirely new species for Peru, a Black Swift , found by the Forest Falcons team. Think the Birding World Cup or the International Birding Open.

Peru 232

Peru 2012 Bears Falcons 232

10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2020

They portray the nesting cycles of Mallard, Red-tailed Hawk, and American Robin, illustrating the various ways in which birds create families. Do they have families too and do they take care of them? Some of the chapters focus on a specific bird, most are about bird families like hawks, tanagers, wrens, etc.,

2020 264

2020 Birds North America Sparrows 264

10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2020

It didn’t occur to me till I started reading The Falcon Thief: A True Tale of Adventure, Treachery, and the Hunt for the Perfect Bird that there was also a possible threat to the eagle herself: poachers, who steal raptor eggs and chicks. McWilliam realizes he’s dealing someone special, a career falcon egg-thief.

Falcons 217

Falcons United Kingdom Zimbabwe Eggs 217

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 8, 2011

Last month, I wrote about hypothesized relationships between passerines, parrots, falcons, and seriemas , noting a need for further research on the subject. The post stimulated some great discussions but not really any additional commentary on the science behind these proposed relationships. Ringer Suh et al.

Parrots 192

Parrots Falcons Indonesia Rodents 192

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 2, 2012

My family and I are enjoying our week in a beautiful house in the St. Since the coast is so quiet, apart from Ring-billed Gulls , American Goldfinches , Song Sparrows , Northern Cardinals , Blue Jays , and the rare falcon or cormorant, Seth and I decided to see if birds were hiding out in the woods.

Michigan 159

Michigan New York Falcons Sparrows 159

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 27, 2014

I have taken friends birding there, I have taken my family birding there, I have met total strangers at Jamaica Bay and birded with them. Whether a birder is a rank amateur or a skilled expert Jamaica Bay has something to offer them.

Jamaica 163

Jamaica New York City United States Wildlife 163

10,000 Birds

MAY 24, 2016

Crested Caracaras, though they often associate with vultures, are actually part of the falcon family. .” In addition,” some believe it is the Crested Caracara depicted on the ancient Aztec pictogram that appears on Mexico’s flag.” ” Crested Caracara.

Albania 101

Albania Mexico Kazakhstan Austria 101