article thumbnail

I and the Bird: What is a Swallow?

10,000 Birds

Taxonomically, swallows are one of the few families of birds that has seen little change in its ranks. For centuries, it seems that ornithologists and naturalists have correctly pegged swallows to the right family. The family is global in its distribution, with 83 species of around 19 genera. Barn Swallow , Hirundo rustica.

Jordan 241
article thumbnail

I and the Bird: What is a Grebe?

10,000 Birds

And now we enter into a family of birds more or less unknown to non-birders. And truth told, over the years they’ve been something of a square peg for ornithologists too, not fitting precisely into any of the known families of birds. Pied-billed Grebe Pair Build a Nest – Larry Jordan, The Birder’s Report.

Jordan 248
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Trending Sources

article thumbnail

A Modest Proposal for a Wildlife Conservation Stamp

10,000 Birds

Just ask whoever greenlit the A&E reality show Duck Dynasty , about a family that sells duck calls.) A mockup of what a Wildlife Conservation Stamp might look like. Duck hunting is big business in the United States. But what about those of us who’d rather just look at ducks than shoot them? Where’s our duck stamp?

Wildlife 230
article thumbnail

Lewis's Woodpecker in New York State

10,000 Birds

The homeowner, Fred Jordan, has been hosting visiting birders who heard of the bird through word-of-mouth since November. Many thanks to Fred Jordan for being a wonderful host with great enthusiasm for his awesome avian visitor. Third of all, the bird that was first seen on 30 October is, as of this blog posting, STILL THERE!

New York 235
article thumbnail

A Few Jordanian Birds

10,000 Birds

My wife and I had the privilege of visiting Mexican friends in Jordan in early October. Even upon our departure from Jordan, I was informed that my ever-so-dangerous binoculars could not go in my carry-on bag. However, Bethany-on-the-Jordan, the site of Jesus’ baptism, was my first shot at some real habitat.

Jordan 147
article thumbnail

I and the Bird: What is a Vulture?

10,000 Birds

Old World Vultures are nestled within the family Acciptridae along with the hawks and eagles. It’s actually a pretty classic example of convergent evolution, wherein two unrelated families of lifeforms evolve to fill the same niche independently. Turkey Vultures Get No Respect – Larry Jordan, 10,000 Birds.

article thumbnail

A Bit of Birding on Lake Chapala

10,000 Birds

First, we had our five-week trip to Spain, Turkey and Jordan in September and October. Then we threw together a semi-planned family-related trip to the States in early December. I assured him then, and assure you now, that I am fine. But my wife’s and my lives have been rather chaotic of late.

Jordan 261