Around the World in 10,000 Birds
10,000 Bird Tour Blog
Blue Grosbeak in Summerland, BC
A Blue Grosbeak photographed in Summerland, British Columbia last summer drew strong interest from local birders. This vivid blue songbird is an uncommon visitor to…
Purple Martins at Iona Island
Purple Martins on Iona Island showcase a remarkable conservation comeback in the Vancouver and Lower Mainland region. After decades of decline from habitat loss and nest competition, targeted stewardship reversed…
Tree Swallow at Iona Island
Tree Swallows arrive early at Iona Beach, signaling spring across open fields and coastal wetlands. Identification can be tricky as they are similar to Violet-green swallows. Tree Swallows show glossy…
Pine Siskin in Kelowna, BC
A Pine Siskin called and appeared in Lakeview Heights in West Kelowna during a cold winter morning. The small finch showed sharp streaking across its body. Bright yellow wing bars…
Northern Pygmy Owl – Okanagan Mountain Park, BC
A Northern Pygmy-Owl perched quietly in Okanagan Mountain Park during a snowy Valentine’s Day search with my sweetheart. This tiny hunter showed classic bold eyespots and dense winter plumage. The…
Taiga Flycatcher in Sunset Park Vancouver, BC
Rare bird found, Taiga Flycatcher in Vancouver by Ethan Moon. The Taiga Flycatcher is a rare migratory bird from northern Eurasia with Old World flycatcher lineage. It breeds across eastern…
Rock Sandpiper – Sandheads, BC
A Rock Sandpiper perched on coastal rocks during our 2024 KBA count by boat. We do not get to see this hardy bird often in Vancouver. Its dark plumage, spotted…
Franklin’s Gull in Elliston Park
The Franklin’s Gull appears here on the calm waters of Elliston Park, AB. The gull is showing its clean white underparts and gray mantle. Its dark hood is absent in…
Top 5 Birding Hotspots in Southern Arizona
1. Madera Canyon – Santa Rita Lodge Best time to go: Late spring to early summer (April–June) when migrants are active and birds are breeding. 2. Patagonia‑Sonoita Creek Preserve /…
Black-headed Gull in Birch Bay, WA
Last year, Birch Bay birders recorded a rare Black-headed Gull, an exciting find for Washington’s inland coastal waters. This gull showed a dark ear spot, pale gray mantle, and bright…
Redhead in the Desert
The Redhead is a medium diving duck that occasionally visits urban lakes like Sunset Park in Las Vegas. Males show a bright rufous head, yellow eyes, and a smooth gray…
Lapland Longspur – Iona Jetty, BC
The Lapland Longspur at the Iona Jetty showed crisp brown streaking, a pale face. If you look closely you can see the species’ trademark long hind spur visible in the…
The Christmas Bird Count: A Welcoming Winter Tradition for Every Birder
The Christmas Bird Count invites people outdoors, blending some adventure, and a shared purpose of enjoying our feathered friends. This is a warm community spirit in a long-running citizen science…
Northern Hawk Owl – Ladner, BC
The Northern Hawk Owl in Ladner, excited birders late last winter. It patrolled open fields bordered by scattered fir trees where it found a place to roost. This rare visitor…
Cinnamon Teal – Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve
At the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, the Cinnamon Teal is a striking sight in sunlit ponds and quiet marsh edges. Males show deep chestnut plumage, a glossy blue forewing patch,…
Burrowing Owls at Rainbow Owl Preserve
Two Burrowing Owls peek curiously from behind desert wood at Rainbow Owl Preserve in Nevada. These small ground-dwelling owls live in open scrublands and abandoned burrows. Unlike most owls, they…
Pileated Woodpecker – Milner, BC
The male Pileated Woodpecker is identifiable by its red crest and red cheek stripe. It prefers mature forests with large, decaying trees. This bird chips long rectangular cavities while searching…
Owls Of The Americas
The Lure of Owls in the Americas Owls have long captured the imagination of people across the Americas. Their haunting calls pierce the stillness of night. Their eyes seem to…
Mountain Bluebird – Nevada State Bird
At Corn Creek Station, north of Las Vegas, a brilliant male Mountain Bluebird flashed through the winter sun. The male, hawking insects with quick, graceful dives. This oasis in the…
Birding in the Las Vegas Area: Desert Wonders for Every Birder
Las Vegas is famous for casinos, but its desert landscapes hold stunning surprises for bird lovers. The Mojave Desert offers diverse habitats that attract both resident and migratory species. From…
Great Egret at Corn Creek Nevada
The Great Egret (Ardea alba) is a familiar sight at Corn Creek Field Station. They are often seen standing motionless near the ponds or along irrigation ditches. Its tall, slender…
Lazuli Bunting at The Throne
This male Lazuli Bunting was photographed at The Throne in Osoyoos, perched among the dry branches overlooking the valley. Its bright blue head and orange chest make it easy to…
Curve-billed Thrasher at Desert Botanical Gardens
The Curve-billed Thrasher is a striking desert songbird often seen among prickly pear cactus at the Desert Botanical Garden. This oasis in the city is found between Phoenix and Scottsdale,…
California Condor at Navajo Bridge, AZ
A California Condor soaring above Navajo Bridge is unforgettable especially for those first timers. Its wingspan reaches an impressive nine and a half feet making them the largest bird in…
The World of Hummingbirds: Nature’s Tiny Powerhouses
Introduction: Jewels in Motion Few sights are as dazzling as a hummingbird in flight. Their wings beat up to 80 times per second, blurring into invisible motion. These tiny dynamos…
White-winged Dove in Ash Canyon
The White-winged Dove is common in Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary. It shows gray-brown plumage with white wing patches running from the shoulder down to the start of the primaries. The…
Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher in Ramsey Canyon, AZ
The Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher in Ramsey Canyon Reserve is a striking summer visitor, bringing tropical flair to Arizona’s sky islands. Bold streaks cover its pale yellow breast while a rusty tail…
Calliope Hummingbird at Nk’mip Desert
At Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre in Osoyoos, visitors will see the dazzling display of a male Calliope Hummingbird. This is the smallest bird in Canada and the only one with…
Birding the South Okanagan
The South Okanagan in British Columbia is one of Canada’s top birding destinations. Its desert valleys and forested mountains support rare birds. This area is the only desert in Canada…
Lucifer Hummingbird in Arizona
While birding the south, we were lucky to see the Lucifer Hummingbird in Arizona, a species with a limited U.S. range. The Lucifer Hummingbird ranges from northern Mexico into southern…
White Tern in Waikiki
White Terns (Gygis alba), also known locally as Manu o KÅ«, are elegant seabirds common around Honolulu and Waikiki Beach. Their snow-white plumage, long pointed wings, and dark eyes make…
Five-striped Sparrow in Box Canyon
The Five-striped Sparrow is a rare treasure for birders in Box Canyon, Arizona. Its bold black-and-white face and sweet song make it unforgettable. This sparrow breeds mostly in northwestern Mexico…
Birding on Oʻahu: A Tropical Paradise for Bird Lovers
When many people think of OÊ»ahu, they picture WaikÄ«kÄ« beaches, North Shore waves, and Honolulu’s nightlife. For birders, the island offers a different paradise. OÊ»ahu blends rare native birds, seabird…
Vermillion Flycatcher – Desert Meadow Park, AZ
At Desert Meadows Park in Green Valley Arizona, the Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) stands out with its brilliant red plumage. The vivid coloring contrasts against the muted tones of the…
Exploring Reifel Bird Sanctuary: A Birdwatcher’s Paradise in British Columbia
A Brief History of Reifel Bird Sanctuary The George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary has been a protected haven for birds and nature lovers since the 1960s. The Sanctuary is…
Surfbirds on Passage Island, BC
We spotted a flock of Surfbirds (Calidris virgata) on the rocky south shore of Passage Island. They stood out in their bold breeding-phase plumage, black-and-white spotted and perfectly camouflaged among…
Last Stop of SoCal – Birding the Sepulveda Basin
Birding the Sepulveda Basin Our last stop on our trip to Southern California was birding the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve. It is one of the best birding locations in the…
Bronzed Cowbird in Tulum Mexico
The Bronzed Cowbird in Tulum is hard to miss with it’s red eyes and glossy black feathers. It ranges from the southern U.S. through Mexico and down into South America…
Ruddy Ground-Dove in Tulum, Mexico
The Ruddy Ground-dove is easy to spot in Tulum, Mexico’s Park of the Hurricanes if you slow down. It blends into the rocky paths and grassy patches as it searches…
Limpkin in Laguna Coba, QR
On the outskirts of Coba Laguna, this Limpkin looked like it had just stepped out of nature’s spin cycle. It had its wings out, feathers askew, and probably questioning its…
Ocellated Turkey at Coba Ruins
At the Coba Ruins in the Yucatán, we came across an Ocellated Turkey walking calmly near the pyramid. This colorful bird is related to the Wild Turkey found in the…
Yucatan Jay
While birding near Laguna Muyil with Eddy from Aracari Tours, we had a great sighting of a juvenile Yucatan Jay. It was perched quietly along a shaded forest trail. The…
Birding in South Florida: Where the Tropics Meet the Mainland!
Roseate spoonbills sweeping over coastal mangroves and elusive Limpkins lurking in the reeds. This is South Florida birding paradise that blends tropical flair with mainland magic. You can be a seasoned…
Birding Carrizo Plains and Pine Mountain Club
After our recent birding trip to Ojai, we headed north in search of two challenging but iconic species. Mountain Quail and Scott’s Oriole can be found when you are birding…
Pale-billed Woodpecker in Tulum, MX
Birding in Tulum gave us a thrilling moment—a close up with a Pale-billed Woodpecker in Tulum. We found a pair during a guided tour of Laguna de Muyil with 10000…
Furruginous Pygmy-Owl in Tulum Mexico
We explored the urban trees of Parque de la Colonia Huracanes while in Tulum, Mexico. We came face to face with one of the Yucatán Peninsula’s most charismatic predators –…
Birding Tours in Tulum, Mexico: Where the Jungle Meets the Sea!
Tulum, Mexico may be known for its turquoise beaches, cenotes, and Mayan ruins—but for birders, it’s a dreamscape of tropical diversity. Nestled along the Yucatán Peninsula’s Caribbean coast, Tulum is…
Russet-naped Wood Rail in Laguna de Muyil
At dawn in the wetlands of Laguna de Muyil, we observed a Russet-naped Wood Rail family moving quietly in the mangroves. The sight made the morning unforgettable. In the soft…
Ojai Birding – Off the Beaten Path
Ojai, California is a hidden gem for birdwatchers in Southern California. Just 90 minutes from Los Angeles, Ojai offers a unique mix of mountain canyons, oak savannas, and riparian woodlands…
Canada Jay in Cochran Alberta
While birding through the wooded foothills we found this Canada Jay (Perisoreus canadensis) west of Cochrane, Alberta,. It is known for its soft gray plumage and friendly demeanor. This intelligent…
Sharp-tailed Grouse – Willow Creek, AB
In the windswept grasslands of Willow Creek, Alberta, a quiet fence was the stage a Sharp-tailed Grouse. Perched confidently atop the weathered wood sat the game bird, its subtly barred…
Hairy Woodpecker – Pine Coulee, AB
During a recent 10000 Bird Tours outing with Meadowlark Birding Tours, we visited Pine Coulee Park in Alberta. Our group was thrilled to spot a Hairy Woodpecker at Pine Coulee,…
Clark’s Nutcracker – Beaupre, Alberta
10,000 Birds Tours and Meadowlark Birding Tours had a tour out of Calgary in the fall last year. We saw several Clark’s nutcrackers in Beaupre, Alberta. This is in the…
Santa Barbara Birding Adventures!
On our trip to Southern California, we made a point of doing some Santa Barbara Birding. This is where I went to school, where you can find wineries and where…
White-breasted Nuthatch – Fish Creek Park, AB
The White-breasted Nuthatch is a charming, year-round resident of Fish Creek Provincial Park in Calgary. They are easily recognized by its white belly, gray-blue back, and habit of creeping headfirst…
Bird Watching in Ventura County: Top Spots on our Spring Visit!
Our team was bird watching in Ventura, a coastal city in the Southwestern United States. This was part of a larger trip to Southern California. What a gorgeous way to…
A Birder’s Paradise: Exploring Panama’s Wild Side!
The Intro Being a beautiful country with a multitude of interesting sights to take in, birding in Panama is one of their specialties. The country is about the same land…
Birding Through Agoura and Malibu: A Southern California Road Trip Full of Local Specialties!
Southern California’s coastal and canyon habitats offer a spectacular diversity of birdlife. Few places capture that better than Agoura and Malibu. On our recent birding road trip, we revisited the…
Birding the Sierra Nevada Mountains: Essential Stops for the Ultimate Birding Adventure!
When birding the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Shaver Lake and its surroundings offer exceptional birding opportunities. Birding the Sierra Nevada Range is a must-do experience; whether you’re a seasoned birder or…
Birding in Ecuador: Explore the Andes to the Amazon
Introduction At 10000 Bird Tours, we are passionate about providing unforgettable birding experiences. Ecuador, a land of breathtaking biodiversity, offers a birding adventure like no other. Join us on this…
Bird Watching in Vancouver: A Perfect Cruise Ship Shore Excursion
BOOK NOW – 10000BirdTours.com Vancouver Guides The Intro Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, also boasting world class bird watching. Cruise Ships headed to Alaska…
Exploring the Avian Wonders of Ecuador
The Intro Ecuador, a small but incredibly biodiverse country, is a paradise for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. While its size is comparable to the state of Colorado, Ecuador boasts an…
Birding in Panama
The Intro ​Panama is a beautiful country with a multitude of interesting sights to take in during a visit there, with birding being one of their specialties. The country is…
Discovering Urban and Suburban Avian Gems
The Intro Nashville, the vibrant heart of Tennessee, is known for its music scene, Southern charm, and thriving culture. However, this city also offers a surprising abundance of birding opportunities…
Birding at the Beach: A Coastal Adventure
The Intro The beach is often associated with relaxation and recreation, but for bird enthusiasts, it offers a unique opportunity to observe a variety of avian species in their natural…