10,000 Birds

Flava of the month

David T — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:59:00 +0000

English bird names can be a funny lot. Black-headed Gulls, for example, have brown heads, not black, while do you really believe that the Short-toed Treecreeper has shorter claws than the Eurasian Treecreeper, or that Iceland Gulls come from Iceland? Misleading might be the polite way of explaining these names. Yellow Wagtail is another confusing name, for it’s only in the spring that Yellow…

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Birding on the Rio Grande

Kendall Britt — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000

I’m a big fan of birding festivals. A few years ago, I decided to attend as many as I could in a 12month period. Work proved to be a bit of a constraint but I went to a total of 5 before the year was up. I’m lucky to live in Texas. It’s an ideal spot for bird festivals because of its large coastline and position along two migratory pathways. My favorite festival was the Laredo Birding Festival…

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Species Spotlight: Indochinese Roller

Kai Pflug — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000

For some reason, whenever the HBW description of a species starts with the words “similar to but differs in …”, the more distinctions are listed, the more difficult it gets for me to actually distinguish between the two species. So it is the case for the Indochinese Roller (which I saw in Thailand), which was split from the Indian Roller. I guess the scientific name of the Indochinese Roller (Coracias affinis) also indicates this. Affinis means related, and apparently (HBW), more than 85 forms share this name, which indicates relationship or similarity to another species. Unfortunately, this similarity also seems to mean that very little research has been done on the species, leaving me to struggle for information that I can put down between the photos. So I have to extensively quote eBird, which … … describes it as a “brightly colored bird with various shades of blue on the wings, tails, and belly” … … but criticizes the species for its harsh calls … … and notes its preference for sitting on electric wires (any photo you see of the species sitting on something natural rather than an electric wire has probably been generated by AI).

Northeast Brazil – Profile for Birders

Editor — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Highlights Northeast Brazil is known for its unique and endangered birds. The area is huge! So there are lots of destinations to choose from. Several combinations can be made for a fantastic itinerary, and the options are outstanding! The fact is: there are two major biomes, the Atlantic Rainforest and the Caatinga! This fact makes the possibilities very numerous, so the number of bird species can easily surpass 500 species in a trip. Caatinga is the only exclusive Brazilian biome, a dry savanna with amazing rocky scenery, and several species are found only there. The Atlantic Forest is a totally different environment. The humid tropical remnants found in NE Brazil still have a huge diversity of birds, The region is a true hotspot for birdwatching, with over 650 bird species recorded. Many are endemic, and unfortunately, the most endangered species of Brazil are found there. Therefore a great place to visit and help the conservation of such natural jewels as Lear’s Macaw, White-collared Kite, Blue-eyed Ground Dove, Alagoas Curassow, Araripe Manakin, Alagoas Antwren, Stresemann’s Bristlefront, Orange-bellied Antwren, and a few others. Lear’s Macaw (Photo: Ester Ramirez) Key Bird Species and Families Lear’s Macaw Cactus Parakeet Red-billed Curassow Araripe Manakin Banded Cotinga White-winged Cotinga White-eared Parakeet Ochre-marked Parakeet White-winged Potoo Minute Hermit Hook-billed Hermit Outcrop Sabrewing São Francisco Sparrow Caatinga Black-Tyrant Minas Gerais Tyrannulet Reiser’s Tyrannulet Moustached Woodcreeper Blue-eyed Ground Dove Banded Cotinga (Photo: Ciro Albano) Best Regions for Birding Porto Seguro is located South of the Bahia State and is a very touristy city, so you can start here, as it has an airport. Veracel Reserve in Porto Seguro is the largest private Atlantic Forest reserve in Northeast Brazil, spanning over 6,000 hectares, and it is recognized by UNESCO as a Natural World Heritage Site. It plays a vital role in protecting endangered species and sustaining over 115 water springs. The best birds there are Harpy Eagle, Banded Cotinga, Hook-billed Hermit, White-winged Potoo, White-winged Cotinga, Ochre-marked Parakeet, Red-browed Amazon, Sooretama Slaty-Antshrike, and Bahia Antwren, among several others. Reserva Mata do Passarinho is a critically important Atlantic Forest refuge located between Bahia and Minas Gerais, created to protect one of the world’s rarest birds, the Stresemann’s Bristlefront. It harbors over 360 bird species and is a hotspot for conservation and birdwatching. It covers approximately 952 hectares (2,352 acres), including primary and secondary forest. Other nice birds found there are: Spot-billed and Saffron Toucanets, Black-eared Fairy, Spotted Piculet, Yellow-fronted Woodpecker, White-eared and Golden-capped Parakeets, Black-billed Scythebill, Black-cheeked Gnateater, and several others. Serra Bonita Reserve in Bahia is a pioneering private conservation area protecting one of the last remnants of the submontane Atlantic Forest. It hosts over 400 bird species, including six listed as threatened by the IUCN, and offers excellent birding infrastructure through the Serra Bonita Lodge. Most wanted birds there are Harpy Eagle, Mantled Hawk, Short-tailed Antthrush, East Brazilian Chachalaca, Least Pygmy-owl, Black-necked Araçari, Plumbeous Antvireo, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Rufous-brown Solitaire, Fork-tailed Tody-tyrant, Frilled Coquette, Bahia Spinetail, Pink-legged Graveteiro, Buff-throated Purpletuft, Brown-backed Parrotlet, and many others. Boa Nova National Park in Bahia is one of Brazil’s most celebrated birding destinations, protecting a unique transition zone between Atlantic Forest and Caatinga. It is globally recognized for its extraordinary bird diversity and rare species. What a playground for birders! Prepare yourself to be overwhelmed. Possible birds from both biomes are: White-browed Antpitta, Golden-spangled Piculet, Spot-backed Puffbird, Blue-winged Macaw, Yellow-green Grosbeak, Grey-headed Spinetail, Hangnest Tody-tyrant, White-crowned Manakin, Rio-de-Janeiro Antbird, Narrow-billed and Black-bellied Antwrens, and a bird found only at this location, the Slender Antbird. Itacaré, in southern Bahia, is another great paradise for birdwatchers and nature lovers, combining Atlantic Forest, mangroves, and stunning beaches. The region is a top destination for spotting Atlantic Forest endemics such as White-necked Hawk, Brown-backed and Golden-tailed Parrotlets, Eared Pygmy-tyrant, Bare-thoated Bellbird, Plain-bellied Emerald, Silvery-flanked and Band-tailed Antwrens, Bahia Tapaculo, Scaled Antbird, Racket-tipped Thorntail, Kinglet Manakin, and several others. Chapada Diamantina National Park in Bahia is a top birding destination with over 359 recorded species, including 21 threatened ones. It uniquely hosts birds from three Brazilian biomes—Atlantic Forest, Caatinga, and Cerrado—making it one of the most ecologically diverse parks in Brazil. The scenery will blow your mind, and the birding might be the best of your life. Some of the most wanted birds are Hooded Visorbearer, White-naped Jay, Long-billed Wren, Cinnamon Tanager, Velvety Black-tyrant, Horned Sungem, Collared Crescentchest, Rufous-sided Pygmy-tyrant, White-vented Violetear, Diamantina Tapaculo, Pale-throated Pampa-finch, and a recently described bird found only there, the Sincorá Antwren. Estação Biológica de Canudos is located in the Caatinga biome, a semi-arid ecosystem found only in Brazil. This makes it a hotspot for species adapted to dry conditions. That is one of the breeding grounds of the endangered Lear’s Macaw, a striking blue parrot that was once on the brink of extinction. The reserve plays a crucial role in its survival. Apart from this fantastic parrot species, several other Caatinga birds can be found in this very special arid environment, such as Blue-crowned Parrots, Caatinga Cacholote, Bahia Wagtail-tyrant, Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, Broad-tipped Hermit, Scarlet-throated Tanager, Red-shouldered Spinetail, Silvery-cheeked Antshrike, and many others. Pedra D’antas and Jaqueira Reserves can be combined, and both protect remnants of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most threatened biomes in the world, offering refuge to rare and endemic species. The most important species there are: Alagoas Tyrannulet, Pinto’s Spinetail, Orange-bellied Antwren, Long-tailed Woodnymph, Golden-spangled Piculet, Scalloped Antbird, Ceara Gnateater, White-bellied Tody-tyrant, White-backed Fire-eye, Jandaya Parakeet, Grey-headed Spinetail, Willi’s Antbird, Horned Sungem, Buff-breasted Tody-tyrant, Bearded Bellbird, among several species. Murici Ecological Station in Alagoas is one of Brazil’s most important Atlantic Forest reserves, hosting over 230 bird species, including several endangered and endemic ones. It spans more than 6,000 hectares and is a key site for ornithological research and conservation. The most important species there are Scalloped Antbird, White-winged Cotinga, Pinto’s Spinetail, Long-tailed Woodnymph, Orange-bellied Antwren, Atlantic Woodcreeper, Seven-colored Tanager, Bearded Bellbird, Alagoas Tyrannulet, Great-billed Hermit, Pernambuco Foliage-gleaner, Ochraceous Piculet, Buff-throated Purpletuft, and the last individuals of Alagoas Antwren....

10 Birds highly appreciated by Expert and Beginner Birders

Kai Pflug — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Ask a beginning birder and an expert birder for their favorite birds, and you may wonder if they have the same hobby when comparing these two lists. 10 Birds Most Appreciated by Beginning Birders Indian Peafowl – A bird like a Las Vegas Dance Revue. Bald Eagle – Who doesn’t love raw power? Scarlet Macaw – Flashy is good. Atlantic Puffin – Cartoon bird made real. Greater Flamingo – A bird as a John Waters film. European Robin – “It was on the Christmas card!” Northern Cardinal – “It was on the Christmas card!” (US version) Rainbow Lorikeet – Why color photography was invented. Snowy Owl – Arctic mystery and Harry Potter. Common Kingfisher – A jewel flashing by – “it must be rare”. Somewhere in a birding career, bright colors quietly give way to skulking rails and difficult identifications. 10 Birds Most Appreciated by Expert Birders Spoon-billed Sandpiper – Iconic and critically specialized. Giant Antpitta – Reclusive and rare. Fairy Pitta – Fleeting and endangered magic. Wallcreeper – Staring at rocks. European Nightjar – Masters of camouflage. Wilson’s Storm-Petrel – Worth getting seasick for. Arctic Warbler – Self-congratulation for difficult id. Yes, birders can be snobs. Slaty-breasted Rail – Probably invisible, but hearing counts, too. Red Crossbill – Evolution happening in real time. Arctic Skua – Pirates are cool. Progress in birding seems to be mostly about increased excitement for birds that are smaller, browner, and harder to see. Photo: Slaty-breasted Rail, Hainan, January 2022

Demotivational Posters for Birds (XXVI)

Kai Pflug — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Every few months, someone discovers birds. Not the actual animals — the anxious, territorial, parasite-ridden, evolutionarily improvised organisms — but the idea of birds: metaphors, branding assets, inspirational wallpaper in a vaguely italic font. Suddenly, we are informed that the eagle represents leadership, the owl embodies wisdom, the crane signifies longevity, and the sparrow teaches resilience. And as editors of a bird-focused publication, we are expected to appreciate these developments. But: We have read the field studies. We know about brood parasitism, sibling rivalry, kleptoparasitism, opportunistic aggression, and the occasional enthusiastic consumption of rotting fruit. We have watched the inspirational gull steal food from a pelican. More than once. And yet, the posters keep coming. They arrive adorned with sunsets, mist, and a sentence fragment in a tasteful sans-serif font. They promise clarity, purpose, transcendence. The birds, meanwhile, are busy screaming, defecating, and negotiating dominance hierarchies in a shrub. This small collection is our contribution: We have retained the birds. We have retained the typography. We have removed the optimism. Consider it a public service announcement from editors who have spent too long outdoors.

Thick-billed Larks (Ramphocoris clotbey) in the Negev Desert, Israel

a Guest — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 05:12:44 +0000

By Itamar Procaccia, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel Itamar Procaccia is a professor at the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot, Israel, specialising in the Physics of Complex Systems. During his career, he worked on and contributed to the study of chaos in physical systems, the turbulence of fluids, the physics of disorder, and the creation of fractal geometries in nature. Besides physics, he is an avid art collector and enjoys bird photography as a serious hobby. The Negev Desert in Israel, a region that spans the area between Beersheba in the North to Eilat on the coast of the Red Sea, is a very arid area indeed. In its southern part, the average yearly rainfall is about 30-50 mm. There are, however, extreme events in which heavy rains fall in sudden downpours, and the desert changes its appearance. In a short time, it gets covered with green vegetation and many flowers, suddenly able to sustain ample food for desert birds, both as seeds and as arthropods. The last such event was recorded in the winter of 2009-2010, and another one has occurred just recently in 2026. In both cases, a fantastic number of specimens of Thick-billed Larks, birds that are usually extremely rare in Israel, appeared from nowhere, and pursued mating and nesting on a scale that is unimaginable in regular years. Regularly, Thick-billed Larks (Ramphocoris clotbey) are found in northern Africa from Mauritania and Morocco to Libya, also in the central regions of the Arabian Peninsula. Its natural habitats are dry shrubland and hot deserts. In normal years, it remains extremely rare in the Negev desert, and observing it, not to say photographing it, is very hard indeed. The desert camouflage does not help to find them when their number is extremely small. This year offers a rare opportunity to photograph Thick-billed Larks in Israel. You see them in numbers, and catching them standing on stones is relatively easy, as if they like to be photographed. Their huge bill is advantageous in cracking hard seeds, but also in digging the hard soil for bulbs. A very interesting question is how these Larks know that the conditions in the Negev desert are favourable? Researchers claim that the sound of distant thunder or the smell of rain are the clues, but to me, there is no convincing answer to this question; it is still unclear how significant numbers of Thick-billed Larks appear from nowhere and inhabit the Negev with active nesting. The duration of the nesting activity is short, and they can complete two, and sometimes three nesting cycles in one season, as long as food is available. At any rate, for bird watchers and bird photographers, this is a rare opportunity to enjoy this natural phenomenon; the Thick-billed Larks are easy to find and to photograph. Possibly the next time for such an opportunity will be many years in the future.

Those Wacky Oropendolas

Paul Lewis — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 04:22:05 +0000

Some birds are a little bit goofy. For example there are two birds I met on previous trips to Mexico’s southeastern state of Tabasco: the Northern Potoo, which spends daylight hours pretending it is a stick, and the Red-capped Manakin, famous for the males’ “moonwalk” mating dance. (To be honest, I only saw a female. But it was building a nest, so moonwalking was involved. You really should see that dance.) My Northern Potoo, from that previous trip, being a stick Church work took me back to Tabasco last month. I now have a few good birding friends there as well, who seem happy to take me interesting places in my free times. That means I got to spend both of this trip’s Saturdays in different jungle habitats. Tropical rainforest is one habitat that cannot be found near Morelia, so that’s a treat for me. The first outing brought together quite a group: a local birding guide, a birding YouTuber (Pajareando ando), the state’s #1 eBirder, two of my friends, and me. It also meant that I was able to see another weird bird, the Montezuma Oropendola. This member of the New World oriole family may not have a single overriding goofy characteristic, but they do add up. I’ll start with its face, which sports a large two-toned orange and black bill, a featherless blue cheek patch, and an odd pink wattle. That’s a lot going on for a single face. Their bright yellow tail makes a statement as well. The Montezuma Oropendola is one of the very few bird species in which the male is twice as large as the female. And then their is their voice, with a song that combines some wild bubble and gurgling sounds, along with various squeaky calls. Were they British, their favorite dish would definitely be Bubble and Squeak. Sorry, no photos of their calls. But you can (and should) hear them here. Finally, one must consider their nesting colonies, which consist of dozens (even more than 100) of intricately woven bag-shaped nests that can be up to six feet (180 cm) long. While the birds themselves are something to see, it’s the nest colony you will most remember. Eleven species have been given the common name of Oropendola. Most look as strange as Mexico’s Montezuma Oropendola, and have equally odd nest colonies. They are subjected to brood parasitism by Giant Cowbirds. Unfortunately, I was not the lucky one who managed to see the Giant Cowbird that was attempting to parasitize the nests we saw that morning. We did, however, see lots of entries and exits to the nests in question (see the first photo here of those nests). And we also saw some construction still in process. You can find these wacky Montezuma Oropendolas from southeastern Mexico to the Amazon basin. They’re not shy.