10,000 Birds

Demotivational Posters for Birds (XXIX)

Kai Pflug — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Social interaction is generally considered beneficial, though the evidence is mixed. Birds gather, disperse, and occasionally cooperate, often without clear outcome. Some degree of tolerance appears necessary. Beyond that, expectations should remain flexible. The following notes may be of use, depending on circumstances.

Source

Ten Birds That Look Like They Were Designed by a Committee

Kai Pflug — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000

“The best committee is a committee of three, with two absent,” is a quote commonly attributed to Winston Churchill. Evolution, unfortunately, did not always follow this advice — and the resulting subcommittees, amendments, and members insisting on additional features have led to the bird species shown below. HoatzinThe classic example of a bird assembled from surplus inventory. Reptilian head, prehistoric crest, cow-grade digestion, and a tail that looks collectively negotiated. Eurasian WryneckOriginally designed as a woodpecker. Subsequent revisions introduced flexibility, camouflage, and what appears to be reptilian influence. ShoebillA stork, but with a bill apparently sourced from a Dutch footwear company. Standardwing Bird-of-paradiseA competent bird, later fitted with decorative wing standards because somebody in the design department liked wings. Black SkimmerA perfectly normal tern, except that the beak was manufactured to different specifications. SecretarybirdCrane legs attached to an eagle, hairstyle designed separately. Rhinoceros HornbillSomeone asked whether one bill was truly enough. Large FrogmouthThe design process began with the mouth and ended shortly thereafter. Painted StorkA structurally sound wader, later subjected to dubious colour enhancement. Greater Racket-tailed DrongoA sensibly designed glossy passerine – until the tail department provided its input. Photos by Kai Pflug, except:“Hoatzin – Manu NP – Perù 9203 (15525812066)” by Francesco Veronesi from Italy is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. “The Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger), the coolest bird in the world.” by Terry Foote is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. “Shoebill couple1” by frank wouters from antwerpen, belgium , België , Belgique is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

App Review: Dry Feet? Heck Yeah Using Tide Alert v3.3.2

Mary Alice Hayward — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:10:45 +0000

Living on the Atlantic coast I am quite aware of the rise and fall of the tide and what it means for beach walking, tidal sandbars, and rocky shorelines. Some of my birding is guided by the tide and where and when I will go. When I got a chance to review the Tide Alert App I was excited to explore the app’s uses for my birding. First impressions are good, starting with it’s cool ancient Greek-style wave icon. It is a clean, modern look with great blue colors. When I click on the app the first thing I see is a beautifully laid out screen with clear, crisp graphics that tell me: the date, state of the moon, current height of the tide and whether it’s rising or falling, when the tide will be at it’s highest and when the tide was at it’s most recent low. The colors of the presentation are good, strong contrasting with a dark gray and nice cerulean blue. One thing that could be better is that the fonts could be a little bigger for more “experienced” eyes, or I just need to put on my reader glasses. Nevertheless, the homescreen has a lot of pertinent, useful information. Located in the upper right hand corner of the home page is the menu mini-icon. Opening that I see clean, easy to find options like locations, tide table, rise & set, general settings, notifications settings and Get Tide Alert Pro. I also see that I can get charts: monthly – high & low; Compare Tide Charts; Wind & Temperature; and Swell Chart. There is a Help option that offers up an App Guide or a Report A Problem option and some additional “Other” options. The menu is clear, no guessing. I like this. I decide to set what I can see on my home page in addition to what is already there. Easy. I am excited to see that I can set the units to feet (yes!) or meters (no!), temperature (F or C), and wind speed. I can search for the station closest to me or anywhere. I opt for the station that happens to be right next to my house (who knew?). I add the local current wind speed, weather, and water temperature to my home screen. Wind and weather are important for birding on the mid-Atlantic coast as the direction tells me how the coastline is going to look, tide-wise, and also where and how much water will be in the Sound (it is not tidal, but wind direction pushes the water east or west) west of me and if there will be marsh flats or knee-high water. Waders anyone? It also helps me guess what migrating birds may be blown east to the Outer Banks or pushed west to the eastern North Carolina mainland. Another interesting feature is the moon chart which has detailed daily moon phases depicted by little round moon graphics that are simple to see and tell me what phase the moon is in or will be in this month or next month or even last month. I like knowing when it is going to be a full moon for night time beach walking. This chart nails it. I have been using the Tide Alert Pro for about a month and I like it. Beyond using it for birding, it has become my daily regular app to check the weather and the wind, wind direction, and temperature. I like how easy and intuitive it is. I used the iOS free version initially and then the paid version Tide Alert Pro. Both offer a lot and are worth it. The paid version gives me more charts and options which I am enjoying and it builds off the basic information in the free version. I recommend trying out both versions to see which one suits your needs most. You can do this at https://tidealert.app . I highly recommend the Tide Alert App for all your coastal needs. I wish you all happy birding and dry feet!

Courtship Behaviours

Leslie Kinrys — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:00:55 +0000

When most people think about birds courting, they imagine male birds singing and flaunting their bright, colourful plumage. But, there are many other ways to court a mate, which we can observe in non-songbirds.I have seen male Common Goldeneye whistle, kick the water, and throw their heads back toward their rumps. Like many ducks, a mated pair will face each other and bob their heads up and down. Male and Female Common Goldeneye When getting ready to breed for the season, Red-tailed Hawks will look for their mate from the previous year. As part of their courtship, they fly close together. They will dangle their legs, and I have observed them tossing a mouse back and forth, which are both courtship behaviours. Bald Eagles Bald Eagles will lock talons and tumble through the air. That is a something I hope to see one day.Crane courtship is an elaborate, highly choreographed dance involving jumping, bowing, wing-flapping, and stick-tossing. I have watched Sandhill Cranes engaging in these displays. It is a beautiful thing to watch. Male Northern Flicker Woodpecker courtship involves loud, rhythmic drumming on hollow trees or the siding of horses, to attract a mate. Pairs engage in wing-fluttering, head-bobbing, and aerial chases. One time, there was a Northern Flicker drumming on our roof. It sounded like someone was drilling through our shingles. Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird A male Ruby-throated Hummingbird will perform dramatic aerial displays, such as high-speed “U-shaped” dives and shuttle flights. I have been dazzled, when they are flashing their red gorgets at females.This spring, see how many of these or other behaviours you can observe as birds conduct their varied mating rituals.Note: All photos are from Wikipedia Commons, an online source of copyright-free photos: Sandhill Crane (top of article) by USFWS/Southeast; Common Goldeneyes by Marie-Lan Taÿ Pamart; Bald Eagles by Judy Gallagher; Northern Flicker by Wildreturn; Ruby-throated Hummingbird by Paul Danese.

Ask a Birder: How Many Bird Species Ever Existed?

Kai Pflug — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000

This is one of those questions serious ornithologists prefer to avoid. The fossil record is patchy, the assumptions are fragile, and the margin for error is vast.Still, people have tried.As early as 1960, paleornithologist Pierce Brodkorb attempted an estimate. He assumed an average species duration of about 500,000 years and multiplied the number of species existing at any given time by the number of such turnover cycles. This produced the suspiciously precise figure of about 1,684,000 bird species over evolutionary time.That sits at the upper end of the range of 150,000 to 1.5 million species suggested by ornithologist Roger Lederer in his blog.A more recent line of reasoning starts with estimates of average species lifespans of roughly 1–2 million years (based largely on mammals, and cautiously extended to birds). If one then begins with the major radiation of modern birds (Neornithes) about 66 million years ago and — a heroic simplification — assumes that something like today’s roughly 11,000 species existed consistently throughout that time, the result is a narrower estimate of roughly 330,000 to 666,000 avian species having existed in total. In the end, the estimate depends more on the assumptions than on the fossils.Still, it does make me glad not to be a lister. Without a time machine, even the most ambitious world lister would struggle to exceed about 3% completion.

How Protecting Desert Scrub Saves Elf Owls and Other Songbirds

Grace Waters — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000

As the sun descends below the horizon, the desert terrain comes to life. This arid world, made up of hardy brush and thorny plants, is the domain of the Elf Owl, a tiny hunter who reigns over the scrubland. While the sparse, desert landscape may look empty to an outsider, it’s a vibrant oasis for countless avian inhabitants that depend on its vegetation — it’s also facing several threats. What Is a Desert Scrub Ecosystem? Desert scrub ecosystems are plant communities found at elevations of 3,500 feet or lower. These harsh regions often experience hot summer temperatures and mild winters, receiving 9 inches of rain or less per year. Some of the most common herbs, shrubs, succulents and grasses you’ll find in these biomes include: Creosote Velvet Mesquite Ocotillo Fairyduster Catclaw Acacia Palmer’s Century Plant Tulip Pricklypear Two of the most renowned desert scrub ecosystems include the Mojave Desert and the Grand Canyon. The plants and wildlife in these areas are well-adapted to the minimal water supply and weather patterns. Arizona’s Sonoran Desert is another unique, richly biodiverse scrubland, with 44% of the area under federal protection. In addition to an array of annual plant species that emerge with its seasonal precipitation, it is home to the Elf Owl. The Tiny Elf Owl and Its Vast Kingdom Elf Owls are only 4 to 6 inches long and weigh about 1.4 ounces. Although they might be the smallest known owl, they’re mighty, teaming up with fellow Elf Owls to attack predators, such as larger owls and snakes. Unfortunately, the Elf Owl is also prey for Titmice, American Robins and others that have made the desert scrub their home. The Elf Owl has developed a deep, symbiotic relationship with the arid landscape. Its lowland domain provides excellent shelter and nesting cavities among tall saguaro cacti and mesquites. It also prefers the large sycamores and oak trees found in the canyon foothills. Although desert plants offer critical habitat, the rest of the ecosystem supplies a smorgasbord of scorpions and flying insects for them to feed on. Without these essential scrubland biomes, the Elf Owl’s food sources would disappear. A Hidden Chorus of Scrubland Songbirds Although the Elf Owl is one of the more elusive wonders of the desert night, the scrubland hosts many daytime songbirds that also rely on the ecosystem for survival. The Phainopepla is a silky-black bird found in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. During the winter months, it feeds almost entirely on mistletoe berries, eating nearly 1,100 berries each day and dispersing seeds throughout the area. The Verdin is another desert songbird that expertly builds its nests with twigs, nestling within thorny bushes to create a fortress of protection. It eats spiders, insects, fruit and nectar, sometimes hanging upside down from branches to scan underneath leaves for food. Foraging occurs primarily in low-lying, small trees about 10 feet above the ground. Likewise, the Black-Throated Sparrow is found throughout the Arizona desert scrubs, as well as the Colorado Plateau. It prefers a semi-open landscape of Creosote bushes, Ocotillo, Velvet Mesquite and Pinyon-Juniper. As a ground forager, it often feeds on grasshoppers, caterpillars, dragonflies and walking sticks. Scientific research has shown that this avian species can withstand extreme temperatures and drought. A Fragile Desert Facing Many Threats Desert scrubs might be adapted to harsh conditions, but environmental and human threats greatly compromise their resilience. The degradation of these habitats, caused by urbanization and invasive species, jeopardizes the Elf Owl and other songbird populations. Urbanization and Climate Change Urban sprawl is among the most perilous threats to desert scrub and also exacerbates climate change. For example, Phoenix, Arizona, has been among the fastest-growing cities in the desert since the mid-1960s. As its population has reached over 5 million people across 6,500 square kilometers, its city limits have encroached on the scrublands. With this expansion, temperatures have climbed, and warming trends are expected to continue rising. Today, the region often sees temperatures exceeding 45° Celsius — 113° Fahrenheit. Light Pollution Urban sprawl can lead to other threats to desert scrub birds, such as light pollution. Artificial light can alter flight patterns and lead them away from their destination. Light may also draw them to cities where they risk collisions. For owls, it can change nocturnal habits and hinder their ability to hunt prey. Invasive Species Desert scrubs are increasingly susceptible to invasive plant species, which may overrun the vegetation used by Elf Owls. According to the National Park Service, Red Brome and Cheatgrass are nonnative species that displace native flora and alter regional ecological processes. The presence of invasive grasses also increases the frequency and intensity of wildfires. The slow-growing native desert plants are not used to wildfire conditions and may not survive. You Can Become a Guardian of the Desert Scientists are working tirelessly to understand desert impacts and the threats to Elf Owls. However, there are several conscious choices you can make to become a scrubland guardian for these remarkable birds. Observe the Wildlife with Respect It’s exciting to see Elf Owls and other songbirds in the wild, but avoid getting too close. You can reduce their stress and encourage natural nesting and foraging behaviors by viewing them from a distance with high-quality binoculars. Deepen Your Ecological Knowledge Gaining a deeper understanding of the desert scrub ecosystem is your first step to truly protecting it. A field guide is often an indispensable tool for identifying birds and the plant species they depend on. It also helps you develop a deeper appreciation for nature’s complex relationships. Support Active Conservation Efforts Conservation groups have the resources and knowledge to spearhead habitat preservation. Your participation in volunteer events or donations to related nonprofit organizations contributes to restoration efforts, research and advocacy. Travel with A Conservation Purpose Desert scrublands make exciting vacation destinations for nature enthusiasts. Rather than traditional tourist excursions, look for certified eco-tours and lodges that put sustainability and local preservation at the heart of their business. Specialized operators can teach you about...

Book Review: Toucans, Toucanets & Araçaris – Biology, Ecology, Behaviour By Werner Lantermann

Kai Pflug — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Let me start with a disclaimer: I have not yet seen any of the birds covered in this book in the wild. So I cannot really comment on the veracity of the facts presented here—though, having worked with Werner Lantermann before, I have no doubt there will be no issues in this regard. What I did realize after receiving this book is how much I have been missing. It is a wonderful introduction to these 43 species, rich in scientific information and illustrated with spectacular photos. The author has been working with birds in aviculture since the 1980s, initially focusing on parrots, later expanding to toucans and araçaris, and most recently to starlings (which is how we became acquainted). This background explains one somewhat unusual feature of the book: a section on toucans and their allies in captivity. While this may be less immediately relevant to the typical birder, it contains plenty of fascinating material—particularly on captive breeding efforts in zoos around the world. For me, the frequent references to Weltvogelpark Walsrode were especially interesting, as it is located only about 15 kilometers from where I spent much of my childhood and was a regular destination for school trips—though I freely admit this detail may resonate less with other readers. Before the detailed species accounts, the book offers several broader sections on topics such as speciation and evolution. These are clear, well-structured, and answer exactly the kinds of questions I tend to ask—such as the function of the toucan’s bill. Some of the smaller digressions are particularly engaging, including a discussion of aggressive mimicry in two species pairs. Additional sections cover ecology, reproduction, and conservation. The conservation chapter includes all the depressingly familiar threats—deforestation, hunting for food and trade—but also presents some realistic and cautiously optimistic ideas about sustainable use of wild populations. My own (admittedly cynical) view is that conservation without economic incentives rarely succeeds, so it was refreshing to see this aspect addressed in a pragmatic way. The main part of the book consists of about 160 beautifully illustrated pages covering the 43 species, each typically allocated 2–4 pages. For each species, the book provides: Common and scientific names (as well as the German name—sometimes amusing to those of us who bird primarily in English; “Rotnackenarassari,” anyone?) Species description A selection of photos highlighting key features (and simply a pleasure to look at) Subspecies Distribution (with maps) Ecology, vocalization, and status Captive husbandry (again, an unusual but informative inclusion) Overall, Toucans, Toucanets & Araçaris is an excellent overview of these fascinating birds. It would be easy to fall back on the cliché that this is “a book for both beginners and experts.” Given my lack of firsthand experience with these species, I can only confidently vouch for the first half of that claim—but on that level, the book succeeds admirably. Werner LantermannToucans, Toucanets & Araçaris — Biology, Ecology, BehaviourFrankfurt am Main 2026Edition ChimairaISBN 9783-89973-512-3

Birding in the deserts of Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) 24th Feb 2026

a Guest — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000

By Ken Sng Ken Sng is an occasional birder based in Singapore. In recent years, he has included birding on his overseas travels. If you are visiting Singapore and need some tips on birding places, feel free to reach out. Just before Dubai became a casualty of the current mid-east madness, I had the good fortune of spending half a day birding in the Al Qudra desert. The good fortune was more than just being able to spot some lifers. I departed Dubai on Wednesday night 25th Feb and the war started on Saturday, closing the airport! Al Qudra is roughly 40km to the southeast of Dubai city centre. I hired a guide with a 4-wheel drive. When we drove into the area about 7am, the fog was pretty thick. I was a bit worried that I was going to miss the golden morning bird wave. Thankfully the fog lifted quite quickly within the hour. In most places in the world, if you are a cyclist, you are pretty much resigned to the fact that you will have to contend with vehicular traffic. Not here at the Al Qudra cycling track which runs through the area where I was birding.In this picture, the paved track is exclusively for cyclists while motor vehicles have to use the dirt track! Word has it that the Al Qudra cycling track was the brainchild of a cycling-mad Sheikh. And in Dubai, whatever a Sheikh says is law! Most people, if asked what animals they can expect to find in the desert, will probably answer ‘nothing’ or ‘very little.’ I know a little bit better because years ago I came across the book “The Deserts of Earth” by Michael Martin. https://www.michael-martin.de/de/ueber-michael-martin/meine-buecher. He is an adventure traveller, photographer and geographer who brought deserts to life through his work. But knowing the birds are there and spotting them are different things. Especially if you only have a few hours in an unfamiliar environment. That is when a guide comes in. It cost me a small fortune, but I was glad I did it. Here are some of the bounties from that day. Little Owl Greater Spotted Eagle Eurasian Thick-knee Greater Flamingoes Imperial Eagle Crested Lark Arabian Sand Gazelle Isabelline Wheatear Black-winged Stilt Arabian Mountain Gazelle If you find errors in my identification, feel free to point them out.