10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2011

After several minutes of this deep water foraging behavior, this White-faced Ibis made its way toward me into more shallow water Posed for a little while, and then began to preen I’m glad I took the time to visit Colusa National Wildlife Refuge on this day. You never know what you might see! Get yours today! The proposal from U.S.

Wildlife 163

Wildlife Sacramento 2011 Jordan 163

10,000 Birds

JULY 23, 2022

They can’t provide the same ecosystem value as natural forest and woodland but in places intensely modifed by people, hedges are vital sanctuaries for birds and other wildlife. In pastures of the hot lowlands, they tend to be lines of stunted Gumbo-Limbo trees or some other heavily pruned species. Rufous-collared Sparrow.

Costa Rica 279

Costa Rica Birds Sparrows Woodpeckers 279

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 4, 2012

Birders in Northern California have been treated to rare sightings of several species, sending avid twitchers from all over the west in our direction. I was able to find the Common Redpoll among the flock of Lesser Goldfinches and Savannah Sparrows.

Owls 227

Owls California Jordan Sparrows 227

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 26, 2019

The Shoebill serves as the symbol of the magnificent wildlife experiences Uganda offers visitors, which may seem a bit odd. That honor goes to the Gray-crowned Crane , a very sexy species in its own right. Having finally seen this iconic species, I can assure you that the experience wildly exceeds expectations.

Uganda 299

Uganda Africa Penguins 2019 299

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 23, 2012

Southern Florida offers many unique wintering birds, but perhaps none more so then the sparrows that call different parts of Florida their winter homes. Tom Dunkerton tipped me off to an area on the Black Merritt National Wildlife Refuge where some of my target birds can be seen. There are always good birds to be found.

South Dakota 202

South Dakota Florida Sparrows Wildlife 202

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 21, 2014

The 18th Annual Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival is less than a month away and while we don’t have snow down yet here in New York City I am pretty sick of cold weather and could use some warmth and Florida sunshine! John’s National Wildlife Refuge” trip. I can’t wait to be in Florida!

Wildlife 157

Wildlife Bald Eagle 2015 New York City 157

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 19, 2017

A few weeks ago I led a field trip to Butte Valley Wildlife Area. It was a destination I had never experienced so I made a few phone calls and got some information from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife agent who actually runs both the Butte Valley and the Shasta Valley Wildlife Areas, which are about 25 miles apart.

Wildlife 104

Wildlife Chipmunks Sparrows Blackbirds 104

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 5, 2015

Speaking of my balcony, I vastly exceeded my goal of seeing 65 species from it in 2014, clocking 81 species this year. That increased my total list from my balcony to 92 species! Further from my balcony I managed to see 257 species in my home county of Queens in 2014, a pretty decent number.

2014 247

2014 Costa Rica New Jersey New York 247

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 1, 2020

No strangers to wildlife observation and birding, this American/Tica couple have been publishing handy pocket field guides for Costa Rica and other places since the 1990s. We did just that and were treated to a parade of species both in front of and behind the house. Olive Sparrow. Gartered Trogon. Painted Bunting. King Vulture.

Costa Rica 259

Costa Rica Philadelphia Falcons Owls 259

10,000 Birds

JUNE 27, 2024

By Leslie Kinrys Leslie Kinrys has loved birds since her father put a House Sparrow fledgling in her young hands. She enjoys seeing all species of birds, but her favorites are hummingbirds. I don’t like to encourage wildlife to beg for food and I decided to ignore it. A crumb of bread had fallen on the table.

Alligators 242

Alligators Woodpeckers Turkey Florida 242

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 27, 2015

This year was my third year helping to lead trips at the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival. Like my two previous visits I spent one day that I didn’t have to lead any field trips doing a run through central Florida looking for some of the specialty species of the region.

Cattle 249

Cattle Bald Eagle Florida Endangered Species 249

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 8, 2017

Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. Nearly 800 acres of wetlands and tidal flats provide diverse habitat for the local birds, as well as large numbers of migratory species, including thousands of ducks and geese. There were Song Sparrows, Spotted Towhees, American Robins , and of course the ever popular Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Wildlife 131

Wildlife Seattle Bald Eagle Geese 131

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 23, 2013

If constructed properly, these facilities can be not only a boon to birders and other wildlife enthusiasts but an obvious benefit to their local communities. One of the best examples in the world is the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary on the northern California coast. a Chipping Sparrow ( Spizella passerina ).

Sacramento 185

Sacramento Sparrows Sanctuary Geese 185

10,000 Birds

MAY 5, 2022

pounds) heavy Colombia field guide with its 1900+ species. And that became heavier with each passing day… On the other hand, Europe’s Birds cover less than half of that number – 900+ species and a softback weighs 1.4 The number of species per page varies from one to two, rarely 3.

Europe 264

Europe Colombia Birds Ducks 264

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 15, 2014

North of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Queens is a middle class neighborhood, predominantly Italian-American, known as Howard Beach. Used to pigeons, sparrows, and starlings, that urban trifecta of introduced birds, it takes a few moments for the idea of a flock of parrots over city streets to really sink in. Named for William J.

Parrots 257

Parrots New York City New York New Jersey 257

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 25, 2018

I think most of you know how important our National Wildlife Refuge system is to me. After all, I have written several posts on wildlife conservation and the Wildlife Conservation Pass that my co-founder Ingrid Taylar and I have been encouraging for years. I hope you enjoy it. Click on photos for full sized images.

Wildlife 109

Wildlife Sacramento Bald Eagle Falcons 109

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 25, 2016

Agonizing quandaries concerning invasive species are well-known to wildlife biologists. Still, with the help of various sources, the authors have a try: Ninety million cats live in 46 million American homes; There are 100 million feral cats that live outside and eat mostly wildlife, and 50 million owned cats (i.e.,

Feral Cats 268

Feral Cats Cats Tnr Trap Neuter Return 268

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 9, 2019

The route Corey and I took in advance of the 2019 African Birding Expo may not be the only optimal way to go, but this approach yielded an absolute bounty of wildlife excitement in just 48 action-packed hours. What makes this destination so magnificent? How is birding in Murchison Falls, you ask? Mind boggling, I answer!

Uganda 245

Uganda Senegal Africa Game 245

10,000 Birds

MARCH 12, 2011

As part of the Wildlife Conservation Society Birds of Brazil giveaway we asked readers of 10,000 Birds to name the bird in Brazil that they would like to see more than any other species. What follows are the responses that readers offered, a veritable aviary of sought after species.

Brazil 246

Brazil 2011 Birds Penguins 246

10,000 Birds

MARCH 21, 2014

My Dark-eyed Juncos are trilling in preparation to retreat to quieter breeding grounds, the Black-Capped Chickadees sing their two notes, and the Song Sparrows absolutely will not shut up. Snow Geese overgrazing their breeding grounds, displacing other Arctic-breeding species and setting themselves up for a fall. The result?

Geese 222

Geese Montana Breeding Pelicans 222

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 5, 2024

Starting the New Year by trying to see as many species as possible is something of a birding tradition. My diary notes that the New Year dawned grey and windy, but I rose early, walked six miles before breakfast and noted a modest 26 species of birds. One of my more memorable New Year’s days was in the Falkland Islands, back in 1989.

Albatross 246

Albatross Barn Owls Birds Sparrows 246

10,000 Birds

JULY 15, 2020

And while I definitely consider myself more of a writer than a wildlife photographer, for once I have enough good photos to let my pictures do most of the talking. Black-chested Sparrow is one of Paso Ancho’s flagship species. It wasn’t my fault; the Sparrow came to me. A Golden Vireo showed up.

Sparrows 219

Sparrows Cooking Squirrels Meat 219

10,000 Birds

JULY 22, 2020

Even though some say good wildlife photography should not contain manmade elements, I like everything about this photo. The Rufous-collared Sparrow is apparently a common bird in Central and South America, but in Mexico it only occurs in the southernmost state of Chiapas. I think it is the most beautiful sparrow I have ever seen.

Mexico 229

Mexico Sparrows South America Collecting 229

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 11, 2011

A question I am frequently asked by birders and wildlife enthusiasts is: “ if I only visit Africa once, where should I go ?” This country boasts over 1,000 bird species, vast wildernesses, a superb network of protected areas, the greatest concentration of large game and predators on the planet, excellent lodges and friendly people.

Tanzania 250

Tanzania Africa Stud Leopards 250

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 10, 2020

Both expected species of loons were around in numbers. It was my favorite type of wildlife watching, a real spectacle. Five Field Sparrows in February in Queens is unprecedented for me but that’s how many I counted in that one flock. Field Sparrow in February is a fine bird. I could watch gannets all day long.

Birds 245

Birds Sparrows Ducks Fish 245

10,000 Birds

JULY 2, 2013

a 501(c)3 non-profit video production company focused on addressing wildlife conservation issues. In the middle of the 20 th century bluebird populations across the country plummeted because of a decrease in nesting cavities, habitat loss, severe climatic events, and competition from introduced species such as House Sparrows.

Idaho 242

Idaho North America America Science 242

10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2015

Miracle upon miracle, I actually ran into my college friend at the visitor center, and now that that logistical snafu was taken care of I could actually focus on where I was and, even better, what wildlife we could see. White-crowned Sparrow. The beauty of traveling lies in the unexpected.

Seals 239

Seals Elephants Whaling Whales 239

10,000 Birds

MARCH 29, 2012

Photographed at Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge, MT. Spew at sparrows. Most of them are essentially telling you what species they are when they talk, so just focusing on appearance may make the identification process more complicated than it has to be. Photographed at Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge, ND.

LACS 240

LACS Alaska Connecticut Wildlife 240

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 11, 2014

And, as appears to be the case in most cities in Finland, wildlife and nature is only steps away! Obviously many species of birds can be quite elusive, but this may be your best bet at getting you close to where you’ll need to be. One of many signs in the park aimed at educating about wildlife. White Wagtail in Helsinki.

Finland 218

Finland Estonia Birds Europe 218

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 29, 2019

This week offers the ideal opportunity to look back at your most recent wildlife watching adventures; next weekend, the game begins anew. I recently despaired of ending this calendar year without seeing a single Wild Turkey when that species used to be so reliable in my part of New York. How about you?

2019 175

2019 Nevada Turkey New York 175

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 18, 2015

However, this is a watershed moment for this species of bird in the US. They are not working for people or wildlife. Destroy the native prairies and lose Henslow’s Sparrows , Bobolinks , Upland Sandpipers , and Greater Prairie Chickens. This species is in trouble. This moment is about beginning to see in a new way.

Chickens 258

Chickens Illinois Nebraska Iowa 258

10,000 Birds

JUNE 9, 2014

It was very shortly after five when I pulled up at Haven Road at the Bashakill State Wildlife Management Area and immediately heard an American Bittern busy “thunder-pumping.” The next hour plus netted me a host of other species, including my two other targets, Virginia Rail and Common Gallinule.

Breeding 168

Breeding New York Downers Breeders 168

10,000 Birds

MARCH 7, 2011

Mixed macaws in flight (c) Tim Ryan Chris wanted me (and you) to know about Fauna Forever Tambopata (FFT), a long-term wildlife, ecotourism and biodiversity monitoring project based in the Madre de Dios region of the Peruvian Amazon. Fish & Wildlife comes in response to a lawsuit brought by the Center for Biological Diversity.

Peru 244

Peru 2011 Deer 2010 244

10,000 Birds

MARCH 8, 2011

Getting to know the subtleties in differences between closely related species takes years of dedication and practice. Thirdly, many species of shorebirds display such vast differences in their summer and winter plumages that it is always interesting to note how some birds in the same flock are in contrasting stages of plumage.

Florida 238

Florida South Africa 2011 Africa 238

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 15, 2012

Talking to Jan Södersved the editor of the Birdlife Finland magazine Linnut whilst we were both in Portugal in early October suggested that all of the owl species in Finland had had a very productive breeding season. Short-eared Owls do breed in Britain but every few years an ‘irruption’ of the like we are seeing occurs.

Barn Owls 232

Barn Owls Finland Owls Portugal 232

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 19, 2014

Besides the only Canvasbacks of the count, a species that I rarely see on my regular rounds, we encountered good numbers of water birds including Lesser Scaup, American Black Duck, Herring Gull , and those common but always entertaining little ducks the Bufflehead , to say nothing of our only Swamp Sparrow of the day.

Chinchillas 196

Chinchillas Ducks Lifestyle Sparrows 196

10,000 Birds

MAY 29, 2012

So I packed my binoculars thinking that, even if the trip wouldn’t be as bird-rich as my last trip to the Sunshine State (for the mighty, mighty Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival ), at least a few crackers would wing my way. BIRDING SEA WORLD One would expect a marine-themed attraction to deliver some sweet bird species.

Florida 215

Florida Alligators Birds Turtles 215