What is the one bird you would love to add to your life list?

[Minimus]

And what has been the most exciting you have sighted to date:

Since I am mostly a back yard birder I am staying regional to the Piedmont area of NC.

The one I would love to add to my list is the American Kestrel.

The most exciting to date is a tough one. I would have to say the Indigo Bunting (male) because that is the bird that got me into birding. But I am pretty excited that I have a male and female Summer Tanager visiting my yard for the past two summers.

[amazona]

1. budgerigar

I used to raise them so it's a bit funny that I can't count them. I don't know if they live anywhere in the wild other than Australia so it could be quite a trip. I'm thinking of taking advantage of some of the low airfares we're seeing and strapping on a backpack and hitting the road to add them to my list.

I've seen free-flying escapee budgerigars in New Orleans but I don't count them because I don't believe they have successfully established breeding populations. I do count Monk Parakeet, as I am satisfied that they are self-sustaining in this state, but the official state list doesn't.

It would be a hard to pick a most exciting bird off my entire life list but one of the most exciting off my yard list was Mississippi Kite. There must be a colony nearby because last summer quite a few stopped by to do their courtship exchange of twigs and also to copulate. They are horny birds, is all I'm saying. The male might not last long, but he gets "ready" again damn fast!

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[blindpig]

6. budgies in San Deigo area

Was visiting with ms bp's brother about 12 years ago and there was a mob of budgies at a neighbors feeder. A few cockatiels also.

[amazona]

10. most out of place parrot sighting

Well, I missed any parrots in my few brief visits to the SoCal area. Maybe one day.

My weirdest parrot sighting is Ring-Necked Parakeet (psittacula) in the Netherlands, and it is accepted as a breeding bird on the official list, so it definitely counts. I've read different accounts of how long it has been in country. There is (or at least was, at one time) a picture in the Amsterdam museum from the Renaissance that showed a parrot hunt. The sign on the picture said that in those days hunting of parrots was sponsored each year to reduce their effects on agriculture. But my field guide didn't put the introduction quite that early.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[harper]

2. Green Kingfisher

I look for it every time I go the South Texas, but haven't had any luck. Maybe next time.

[amazona]

11. got it in T&T

I got my Green Kingfisher in Trinidad but haven't got it for my U.S. list. Beautiful bird.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[Fleurs du Mal]

13. That's where I saw it as well.

[primavera]

20. Look for them in Texas

If you can stand the lingering stench of our beloved Fuehrer, the birding opportunities are spectacular.

[Goldeneye]

18. My family got one when we went to Texas

unfortunately I wasn't into birdwatching at the time...so I didn't pay much attention...

[oldcoot]

43. I also would like to see a Green Kingfisher

The bird I would really love to see is a Green Jay.

[amazona]

44. lots and lots of Green Jays near Santa Ana

...at least the last time I visited there were.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[oldcoot]

46. I would love to go to Santa Ana

When would you recommend visiting Santa Ana (what time of year)?

[LWolf]

3. I don't do things very well in "ones!"

If I had to pick just one, it would be the California Condor. I've seen them in captivity, but I'd love to see one in the wild, in the skies of my state.

Others high on the "want" list include the Whooping Crane, the Phillipine Eagle, and the Harpy Eagle. I don't really plan on making trips around the world to find birds that aren't native to North America, so the Whooping Crane would be at the top of that list.

Another "captive sighting" that would be high on my want list is the Cassowary.

I don't think I have a "most exciting." I have birds that I see rarely, and see frequently, that I love; some of the most common are still favorites.

Common favorites in my area:

Red-tail hawks
Ravens
Northern Mocking Birds
Kestrels
Costa's and Rufous hummingbirds
ladderback woodpecker
northern flicker
scott's oriole

Less common favorites:

Great Blue Heron
Golden Eagle
Egret
Peregrine Falcon

Most recent "unusual" exciting sighting:

A vermillion flycatcher, a year or so ago

[semillama]

8. I have to agree on the Condor

That would be something to see.

My latest life bird was a Barred Owl on the Christmas Bird Count. I'm hoping to add a few more to the list this year - there are a bunch of warblers I haven't seen yet, plus vireos and such.

I also keep a state list, which I have been slowly filling out.

I got a Great Gray Owl on a xmas bird count a few years back in the northwest Upper Peninsula of Michigan - still the best bird I've ever seen!

[Kolesar]

16. Go to the S. Rim of the Grand Canyon to see a California Condor

They ride the thermals by the overlooks by Bright Angel Lodge. I saw two of them whilst finishing a backpack trip in 2000. The next day, I was just "hanging out" at the rim and saw one of them fly right by me. They released them many miles to the north, but the birds soared downcanyon hang out at the more popular viewing areas, which I think is a delight. They were still undersized at that time.

[amazona]

9. my issue with Condors

A friend of mine was offering a tour to see the California Condors and I probably should have gone but I didn't. My issue is that they all have bands and numbers, and I'm not sure it would be the same. I know it's an important part of the recovery process but I am hoping that they recover more and can be seen without the enhancements, if you know what I mean!

With the Whooping Crane, perhaps there are still so few that all have names and numbers, but they at least give the impression of being truly wild and having their own society. Hmmm. Maybe it is just a subjective impression.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[LWolf]

12. Condors definitely are not there yet.

One step, or wingbeat, at a time, and I hope we'll see full recovery.

[lastliberalintexas]

53. Whooping crane populations

are at all time highs along the Texas coast. Incredibly beautiful birds, and we're fortunate that they stop in this part of the world for a time. The Texas coast actually has very good birding opportunities, if you can ignore our politics!

http://www.tx.audubon.org/facts/birding_areas.htm

[Paul Hood]

4. A pileated woodpecker

I know they're supposed to be around here. I just haven't seen any yet.

[primavera]

21. If you're ever in DC

Check in Glover Park, we've got lots of 'em!

[Paul Hood]

37. Thanks for the tip. eom

[scarlet_owl]

5. I'd love to see a great grey owl and a snowy owl.

I've met a snowy owl, but it was at a raptor show.

I once saw a kestrel swoop down and take a junco in my backyard about ten years ago. That was the last time I saw one in the wild.

On edit: my most exciting birds are the ones I saw in Texas a few years back. I saw some green jays, cactus wrens, groove-billed anis, and chachalacas. Not to mention the pelicans! I would sit on the balcony in the mornings and watch the pelicans eat. They may be common down there, but to me they were really cool to see.

[Fleurs du Mal]

15. My first snowy

was on the University of Washington campus in 1997 (http://archives.thedaily.washington.edu/1997/020697/owl.020697.html.) Since I was in the Zoology department the news spread almost instantly ;) Class got out a bit early and a group of us raced up campus to check it out.

I was able to see several more just north of Seattle that same year. Very impressive. It's unblievable how white they are.

[blindpig]

7. Bachman's Warbler

Yeah, I'm nuts, but doing something like that is my hearts desire. Otherwise I'll take what I can get. I've done some traveling in recent years but don't often see the "showstoppers", been to the Neotropics a number of times but have yet to see a Harpy Eagle. I am grateful for each and every sighting.

[Fleurs du Mal]

14. So many

I enjoy seeing them all. However, I'd really like to see some more of the ant/arctic pelagics, e.g. skuas, jaegers, albatrosses, etc.

[okasha]

17. I'm fickle

Last week it was the Blue Bunting that's wintering in Laredo. Now that I've seen him, it's the Grey-Crowned Yellowthroat that's been reported keeping him company.

Anybody who's coming to South Texas and wants to see a Green Kingfisher is welcome to contact me. I know a couple local places where they're just about guaranteed.

Okasha

[livetohike]

19. An Ivory Billed Woodpecker

Yes, I know they are supposed to be extinct, but I am holding out hope that somewhere in the swamps of LA or SC, they still exist. At any rate, I would love to explore and find one!

[blindpig]

23. think big!

now I don't feel quite so delusional.

At least you have the remote possibility of seeing the Cuban subspecies which is still hanging on(maybe barely?) in the mountains of the eastern part of the island. Getting there is another story.

[livetohike]

24. That would be something!

I lived in SC 27 years ago and my husband and I spent hours canoeing in the swamps. We saw many beautiful birds to add to the life list and many pileated woodpeckers, too.

Yes, I am thinking big and when we retire in a few years we will resume the search. It will be fun doing so - going to Cuba would be awesome. Oh and I almost forgot to add that we did see a stuffed Ivory Billed Woodpecker in a little museum in New Brunswick.

[blindpig]

26. go for it

although I believe those birds to be in the mountains of Oriente, hundreds of miles from the areas available in the birding packages that I've seen offered. It may well be an ornithologist only sort of thing. And then there's that little problem with our stupid government. We can hope for change.

[Stepup2]

30. I am with you!

I keep holding out hope that a Carolina parakeet will be found deep in the swamp.

[livetohike]

31. That's another good one!

I saw a "flash" of a green bird while we were canoeing north of Charleston (back in 1978). We waited and watched for over half-an-hour and didn't see it again.

Eternal optimist that I am, if the Carolina Parakeet is there and I know some pretty remote swamps, then we will find it!

[theHandpuppet]

40. Make that two for the Ivory Billed Woodpecker

Wouldn't that be the thrilling experience of a lifetime! I'm still holding out hope, too.

[lastliberalintexas]

52. CBS Sunday Morning

had a story about a supposed sighting of one in the LA swamps by an LSU professor and his students. It was a wonderful story. They also played the last known recording of the IBW's call, and it was so incredibly beautiful and haunting. I'd love to find one in the LA or Texas swamps or piney woods.

[primavera]

22. Snowy owl

Been trying to spot that one for 20 years. Ironically, the year after I left Seattle and moved to the east coast, they had a snowy show up there.

Also have been wanting to see more pelagic birds: jaegers and skuas and albatross, the kinds of birds one only sees far from land.

[OnionPatch]

25. If you lived out here you would see kestrels daily

They sit on the telephone lines everywhere. I pointed one out to my friend (not a birder) and they were stunned that so many of the "little grey blobs" they see on the lines were actually very interesting and beautiful birds up close. Kestrels are my favorite raptor. I have painted them a few times.

I used to have a gold-standard bird....the phainopepla. I thought it was the weirdest and most exotic-looking bird when I saw it in my guides. The red eyes, the weird name, the crest on the head...I never thought I would see one but here I am living in a place where they nest in my yard every year!

So now I have others on my wish-list. I'd love to see a yellow-billed cuckoo because I've heard them so many times but never actually seen one. I've seen all the wrens except the winter wren, so that would be cool too.

[amazona]

27. yellow billed cuckoo is a great bird!

The thing about Cuckoos is I swear they want to make you look up. I just think there is a law that you have to see x number of Cuckoo tails before you actually get to see an entire bird. But yellow-billed is actually not so bad about this as some other species. I have had them sit at eye level for me. Even in my yard! It is funny how you get an idea in your mind about birds. I thought of the YBCU as a southern bird but I went to Cape May, New Jersey and saw one right away, no problem, just sitting there.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[blindpig]

29. the search image thing

those preconceptions about how you should see a critter, persistent and often subconscious, are so hard to overcome. I've always had that problem, it's double bad for reptile hunting. One or two sightings/catches and you think you know how it's done and try to do it the same way every subsequent opportunity. Hard habit to break but necessary to at least be aware of, on occasion I've been looking directly at a critter but not seen it because the seeing didn't match my search image.

[alfredo]

32. In the spring they feed on tent catapillars.

That is where you will find them. Their flight seems somewhat clumsy, but is because of the long tail.

They are a handsome bird.



My desire is to see an Ivory Billed Woodpecker.

[OnionPatch]

42. Wow, that's beautiful!

What big eyes! Were you tagging birds?

The reason I haven't seen one yet is that there aren't very many around southern California. But I used to hear them back east all the time, years before I even knew what they were. I didn't have my bird sounds CD until I moved to CA and when I played it and heard it, I recognized the sound immediately. I had heard it hundreds of times.

I hope you see an Ivory Billed Woodpecker.....I hope ANYONE sees an Ivory Billed Woodpecker. I used to keep my eye out for them when I lived near the Piney Woods in SE Texas. I never really thought I would see one but I heard that they might have survived in that area.

[Stepup2]

45. Beautiful bird! n/t

[Be Brave]

28. A male wood duck

And take a good picture of it. Beauty! I understand they are shy.



The image above was taken from a favorite duck book of mine. I stumbled upon it at the library and just had to get me a second-hand copy! The book is:

[amazona]

33. they are bold where they are not hunted

I find that they can often be easily seen on property where no hunting is ever allowed, such as certain parks or even the grounds of a zoo. Quite a few "volunteer" to appear at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[Be Brave]

34. Alas, I've had no luck with volunteer wood ducks.

:) Even when I went to a place with nest boxes built for them, I saw none. Saw lots of elk, though. I gotta check out that Audubon Zoo when I'm in that neck of the woods.

[semillama]

35. Blendon Woods Metro Park in Cols, Ohio for Wood Ducks

pretty reliable place to spot them in central Ohio.

In fact, one was reported today, along with CACKLING GEESE.

looks like i am taking off from work early today!

[oldcoot]

47. Do you ever get to visit San Antonio?

I have seen numerous wood ducks at Brackenridge Park in San Antonio. The zoo is also a good place to see black-bellied whistling ducks, herons, and egrets. The herons and egrets roost there in the evening.

[LuLu550]

36. Puffin!

I love puffins but have yet to take the boat ride out into the Atlantic to see one. One of these days....

[semillama]

38. I've got some new ones that I might nail this weekend

Either some new gulls, possibly California, Thayer's, Lesser Black-backed, and Iceland, along with Long-Tailed Duck;

or Prairie Falcon and Gyrfalcon and Rough-legged Hawk.

I'm either going to a big reclaimed coal land turned grassland (the Wilds) or up to Lake Erie.

I'll check in on the latest life bird thread if I get any new ones!

[Quakerfriend]

39. For me it would have to be the Ivory Billed Woodpecker

though I know it's not likely.

But, I'll settle for my beautiful little downy woodpeckers. They are so cute! I love seeing them in the winter!

Did you know that the cute little fuzz near the top of their beaks is to keep the sawdust from 'getting up their nose'?

[BlackVelvetElvis]

41. Florida scrub jay!

One of the best natural experiences I have ever had (private land in Englewood, Fl).
Very rare bird and not afraid of people. I've never seen anything like it. They were not afraid to sit on my arm.
I live in your area. I am taking an ornithology class this semester. When it gets warmer we will go outside for classes (Saturday class exclusively).

[ailsagirl]

48. A Painted Bunting

But it'll never happen, since I live in California.

But they're sooo beautiful!!

[XemaSab]

49. Nemesis birds!

I just cleaned up a LOT of "most wanteds" in Texas, including my last woodpecker for North America--Golden Fronted. (I'm not counting Ivory Billed in this tally, obviously).

My new list of "most wanted" birds is basically all the California birds I haven't had yet: Flammulated Owl, Virginia's Warbler, Gray Vireo, Ancient Murrelet, Island Scrub-Jay, California Gnatcatcher, and White-Tailed Ptarmagin, as well as several elusive pelagic species.

My favorite bird ever was the Black Skimmer. They're amazing! I saw one SKIMMING for my lifer, and it was SO perfect....an ideal....everything I would have wanted it to be.

Runner-up: I was driving around outside Santa Clarita in the mountains north of LA and I went around a curve and there were three birds by the side of the road. My first thought was "turkey vultures" and then one flushed and I saw the big white patches on the underwings. I'm very lucky I didn't drive off the road! Totally unexpected, like the skimmer, but perfect.

[semillama]

50. When you say nemesis birds

I tend to think of birds that are not that uncommon but just elude you for whatever reason.

For me, the big nemesis bird was the Great Horned Owl, but I got that one on Sunday after two years of being back as a serious birder. Boy was that one frustrating! Imagine having Great Gray Owl on your life list but not Great Horned!

I'll have to think about what my next one is, since Snow Goose was another that i got this weekend. Maybe a rail.

[XemaSab]

51. Black Legged Kittiwake

was a major nemesis bird for me for a LOOONG time.

I had my first red-legged three years before I FINALLY got black legged.