10,000 Birds

APRIL 15, 2011

The national bird of Latvia is the White Wagtail which, it being Latvia, they call Balta Cielava.* Nonetheless, that is the only explanation I can find for how Latvia chose its national bird so there you have it. Wouldn’t you want a bird with such a reputation to represent your country?

Latvia 180

Latvia Birds Adoptable Groups 180

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 17, 2022

A bit larger than the Netherlands but with less land than Latvia and Ireland, in terms of territory, we rank 126. As far as countries go, Costa Rica is at the smaller end of the spectrum. With good reason, lots of birders visit Costa Rica and we also have a good sized local birding community.

Costa Rica 243

Costa Rica Latvia Albatross Netherlands 243

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 22, 2019

For some reason, it is also the National Bird of Latvia, though this does not give it any special status here in Shanghai. While quite common in scrubland, it is not that easy to get a decent photo of as it moves around very quickly. Finally, the White Wagtail is a widespread and common bird of open country in Shanghai.

Latvia 137

Latvia Sparrows Abandon Abandoning 137

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Where it had spent the summer is anyone’s guess, but the majority of the Pochard that winter in the UK come from Eastern Europe and Russia, with birds ringed in Latvia being particularly numerous. My guess is that it probably was. Could this bird, photographed in February 2023, be the same individual as the one above photographed in November?

Geese 227

Geese Latvia Falcons Ducks 227

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 17, 2024

Valters Videnieks is an avid nineteen-year-old birder from Latvia.

Latvia 216

Latvia California Sharks Birds 216