10,000 Birds

MARCH 21, 2015

These and several other species might end up being armchair ticks if and when we take a closer look at their evolutionary history. Taxa that could end up being split into one species occurring north of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and one south of the isthmus. (2). Two subspecies of the same species that differ within Costa Rica. (4).

Costa Rica 242

Costa Rica Species South America America 242

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 12, 2018

Well, that’s just not really our style, so at the very last minute, we rented a high gas mileage car, thru a few things in a cooler, and our birding gear and headed for south Texas. We left Tucson on Monday, and drove to Alpine, Texas for our first night. That lovely little owl represented bird number 34 for the run thru Texas!

Texas 149

Texas Tucson San Antonio Owls 149

10,000 Birds

APRIL 17, 2011

On the first day of the Great Texas Birding Classic , the Swarovski Roadside Hawks racked up over 180 species on the Upper Coast. Would this mighty foundation support the team’s quest to break 300 species? But one day does not a Big Week make. Wait for my next report or check Twitter #gtbc11 to find out!

Texas 157

Texas Falcons Farming Mexico 157

10,000 Birds

MAY 11, 2019

A wonderful variety of bird species are waiting to be seen and among them are many a birder’s favorite avian group, the wood-warblers. Among the most desired bird species during May migration, brightly colored, beautiful and boldly patterned, how can a birder not get hooked on spring warblers? Great Green Macaw!

Costa Rica 201

Costa Rica Species Belize New Jersey 201

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 24, 2015

Though I have been birding for a few years now, I had only birded west of the Mississippi once before my recent trip to Austin, Texas. I didn’t realize how many new species I would see within the city itself! These birds live in Texas and the southwest, and until that power line I had never seen one.

Austin 123

Austin Texas Mississippi Non Human 123

10,000 Birds

MAY 24, 2020

North America is home to many amazing bird species, including several which require a special effort to see and appreciate. Occurring primarily in two disjunct populations (one in Mexico and the other in the Andes), these jays are common residents in South Texas where they are steadily spreading northward.

America 264

America Arizona North America Texas 264

10,000 Birds

MARCH 12, 2019

The striking Golden-cheeked Warbler nests only in the hills of central Texas near Austin but a substantial part of those breeding grounds have leveled in favor of development. One of the fastest growing cities in America, Austin is the capital of Texas and home of the University of Texas. On December 27, 1990 , the U.S.

Austin 202

Austin Texas Endangered Species United States 202

10,000 Birds

APRIL 3, 2018

At the top of those destinations is the stretch of Gulf Coast Texas barrier islands starting at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in the north, through Padre Island National Seashore, to South Padre Island near the country’s border. Of the 300 hummingbird species across the globe, North America only sees fewer than two dozen of them.

Texas 205

Texas Alaska North America America 205

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 3, 2013

Many escapes and introductions have taken place over the years and some species have found the warm, dry climate to their liking. Quite a few species are well-established and breeding from San Diego to Los Angeles and beyond. In particular, subsection iii seems to be the hurdle that most species can’t clear.

Parrots 238

Parrots California Los Angeles San Diego 238

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 10, 2018

So, we were off and away to Dalhart, Texas, and the Rita Blanca Reservoir. We had no real plans to go to Texas, but the last report from Rita Blanca was very impressive. We had no real plans to go to Texas, but the last report from Rita Blanca was very impressive. The numbers are as follows: Little Big Year Species – 892.

Colorado 113

Colorado Texas Trinidad Albuquerque 113

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 23, 2015

She runs Birds of Texas Rehabilitation Center in Austin County, Texas. The justification was ridiculously laughable: in order to further study the species. The unique behaviors this mysterious species might exhibit? The relationship between this bird and other animals and plants?

Collecting 240

Collecting Wildlife Rehabilitation Solomon Islands Texas 240

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 13, 2019

Critically, NWRs preserve habitat and wildlife, often for endangered species. For example, even if nobody visited Aransas NWR in Texas, it would still provide virtually all of the wintering habitat for the endangered Whooping Crane. Laguna Atascosa NWR (Texas): 485,000; $12.1 Santa Ana NWR (Texas): 195,000; $3.4

Wildlife 273

Wildlife Maryland San Francisco Minnesota 273

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 15, 2014

You see, like many other neighborhoods in and around New York City, Howard Beach has a significant population of Monk Parakeets , a South American parrot species that has adapted well to life in New York City, Chicago, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, and Texas after having escaping or being released from captivity. I know I do!

Parrots 251

Parrots New York City New York New Jersey 251

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 10, 2014

I wasn’t having any luck at all though I was enjoying the typical assortment of wetland species that make we New York birders a bit jealous of our southern compatriots. You see, Muscovy Ducks are countable in the American Birding Association area due to wild birds from Central America making their way up into Texas.

Feral 198

Feral Florida Ducks Texas 198

10,000 Birds

APRIL 19, 2011

I’ve already regaled readers with the Swarovski Optik “Fabulous EL Fifties” heroic first and second days in the 2011 Great Texas Birding Classic 5-Day Event. Considering that the 2nd place team tallied 306 species, the Swaro team’s infernal bird-spotting energy and endurance paid off. Congratulations to all!

2011 150

2011 Texas Bears Species 150

10,000 Birds

APRIL 12, 2013

Brown-crested Flycatcher ( Myiarchus tyrannulus ) is a widespread bird species of scrub and wooded habitats with a range extending from southern Texas and the southwestern United States, through Central America, and down south all the way to northern Argentina. In Florida, the species shows up annually (and in multiples!)

Florida 205

Florida United States Texas Alligators 205

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 5, 2011

Though I would question the rigors of a study that has as its methodology ”Students would listen to bird calls that were kind of an unusual kind” it is interesting that a Texas Tech study determined that houses with “unique” species of birds can be worth as much as $30,000 more on the open market.

Texas 172

Texas Birds Species 172

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 9, 2015

However, there are those species which have a hard time bringing attention to themselves such as Yellow-shouldered Blackbird , Giant Nuthatch , and Vinaceous-breasted Parrot. Regardless of their popularity, these species and the threatened ecosystems they inhabit are equally spectacular. Curassows are such stately birds.

California Condor 236

California Condor Brazil Parrots Texas 236

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 14, 2021

As of mid-November 2021, the Collaborative had submitted more than 4,200 checklists (up from 1,700 in 2018) and has observed 691 species in the United States (up from 618). Thus, there are now seven states with 200+ observed species. The state with the largest increase was Arizona , with 139 species added.

West Virginia 238

West Virginia United States Puerto Rico Minnesota 238

10,000 Birds

MAY 30, 2011

Our northern winters and highly developed landscape make New York City inhospitable to most species of lizard and it is no surprise that the two species that do occur in the Big Apple have their strongholds in the outer boroughs.* The range of the species extends as far south as Florida and as far west as Mexico and Texas.

New York City 245

New York City New York Reptiles New Jersey 245

10,000 Birds

MARCH 30, 2022

So here are some numbers: As I write this, on March 24th, my 2022 list includes 239 species, all from within the state of Michoacán. The latest species I picked up is the Spotted Wren , a rather common endemic here that I had somehow managed to not see, until three turned up in my garden this morning.

Mexico 225

Mexico Arizona Horses Texas 225

10,000 Birds

APRIL 5, 2021

Consensus is forming that the bird is a Gray-breasted Martin , a rarity that isn’t expected even in south Texas, much less New York. Whatever species it turns out to be it is Corey’s Best Bird of the Weekend. How about you? What was your best bird of the weekend?

Texas 197

Texas New York Owls Birds 197

10,000 Birds

APRIL 6, 2023

with some additions, namely South Texas, The Gambia, and Goa (India). Nearby western Turkey may have some extra, more exotic species …, but the birding in Greece is much more enjoyable because of the far greater numbers of raptors, warblers, buntings, shrikes and, especially, waterbirds.

Greece 234

Greece Macedonia Bulgaria Gambia 234

10,000 Birds

MARCH 23, 2011

Here’s an image I took of a Plain Chachalaca in Harlingen, Texas coming in for grapefruit originally intended for orioles. They are species that breed in the US and then spend the winter in Central and South America, eating what’s avialable–especially fruit. All sorts of birds can be drawn in by fruit.

Nigeria 252

Nigeria Belize Birds Panama 252

10,000 Birds

MAY 10, 2020

If conditions are right, the Palm Beach Agricultural Area can be teaming with various shorebird species such as Spotted, Solitary, Upland, Buff-breasted, Least, Semipalmated, Western, and Pectoral Sandpiper, Black-bellied and Semipalmated Plover, Long-billed Dowitcher, and Black-necked Stilt. They especially like live oaks.

Florida 264

Florida Miami Falcons Birds 264

10,000 Birds

MARCH 5, 2024

BLM land is particularly important for conservation of the Greater Sage-Grouse and other sageland species. NPS also manages a diverse set of lands ( i.e., from the Arctic to the Everglades to the Mojave Desert to the Rocky Mountains ) that are used by many species of birds. Only FWS has the primary goal of conservation.

Virgin Islands 249

Virgin Islands Alaska United States Nevada 249

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 13, 2021

They might be regular in South Texas but not in Costa Rica. On our way over, we had one Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel and at least one Black Storm-Petrel along with Black Terns and a few other tern species. We wondered if it might be taking advantage of some food source in that area to molt. Plain Chachalacas. White-cheeked Pintail !

Costa Rica 242

Costa Rica ALA Peru Texas 242

10,000 Birds

MAY 7, 2019

February had brought zipping breezes and cloudy skies to this part of coastal Texas, but the birds didn’t seem to mind. The waterfowl flock was made up of two very unique looking species: the Fulvous and Black-belled Whistling Ducks. After noting as many species as possible, I high-tailed it back to the car.

Ducks 124

Ducks Wildlife Texas Bald Eagle 124

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 21, 2019

Those were some interesting additions to a day of birding that also gave us more expected ones like Bat Falcon, Black-collared Hawk, Bare-crowned Antbird , and 125 other species. Despite rain during part of the day, the other teams also did very well and we ended up with a final overall tally of more than 270 species.

Costa Rica 246

Costa Rica Birds Owls Bats 246

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 10, 2014

Other Rocky Mountain species I’d like to round up, in a perfect world, include Boreal Chickadee, Spruce Grouse, and Varied Thrush. Or maybe I’ll take another trip to Texas. It’s hard to go wrong with a trip to south Texas. Up until now, though, I’ve never put my year list on 10,000 Birds.

2014 165

2014 Las Vegas Bald Eagle Nevada 165

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 24, 2015

If you thought that migrant traps and spring in south Texas were birdalicious (and they can indeeed be spectacular), how does an ecosystem with 400 and even 500 plus species tickle your birding fancy? This brings us to the first obvious upside of rainforest birding in Costa Rica; a chance at a lot more species than other habitats.

Costa Rica 190

Costa Rica Texas Cattle Birds 190

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 23, 2012

Since 2002, the five most numerous species banded at the nets are as follows in descending order: Black-throated Blue Warbler, Ovenbird, American Redstart, Gray Catbird and Black-and-white Warbler. 2005 was a really interesting year with several notable rarities: Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Thick-billed Vireo and Townsend’s Warbler.

Florida 225

Florida Philadelphia 2002 2005 225

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 13, 2011

Where its range sneaks across the border into the southern tip of Texas, it inflames the passions of everyone who would gaze upon it. The week before our annual trip, I learned that a Tropical Parula was being seen at a roadside reststop near the tiny town of Sarita, Texas. For me, it was Tropical Parula or bust.

Texas 172

Texas Family Groups Birds 172

10,000 Birds

APRIL 13, 2021

Nationally, most birdwatching occurred in California (9%), followed by New York (6%), Texas (5%), Pennsylvania (5%), Florida (5%), and Ohio (4%). The results: “The most important attributes in the choice of birdwatching trips were: (1) travel distance; (2) chance to see rare or unusual bird species; and (3) the naturalness of the area.

Minnesota 264

Minnesota Pennsylvania Ohio United States 264

10,000 Birds

JUNE 12, 2012

Namibia’s 2,1 million people are spread over an incredible 318,696 sq mi (nearly 20% larger land area than Texas). Over 700 bird species occur in Namibia, many of them range-restricted and highly desirable southern arid zone species. This species is also known as Peach-faced Lovebird.

Namibia 270

Namibia Angola Lovebirds South Africa 270

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 29, 2011

I suppose that’s the question posed of the parrots of Texas’s Lower Rio Grande Valley, too.

Parrots 242

Parrots Stray Mexico United States 242

10,000 Birds

JULY 5, 2013

It’s among a handful of species — American Robin, Black-capped Chickadee , the unholy trinity of House Sparrow – Rock Pigeon – European Starling , a few others — that have been everywhere I’ve ever lived. We never would have gotten all those extra species of Red Crossbill that way.

Connecticut 202

Connecticut Baltimore North America New York City 202