My Birding Life List

Northern Cardinal

A Birding Life List is a comprehensive list of all wild birds an individual has seen in person. A truly comprehensive Life List will include the bird’s common name, scientific name, date, location, and any additional notes (e.g. tree the bird was found, weather conditions, on a feeder, etc.). Following is my Birding Life List. This list has been pulled from a few of my own non-comprehensive lists that I kept before I even knew people kept birding journals and Life Lists, so much of the information that would be found on a comprehensive list is missing, but I am adding new information as I get it!

(see my previous article on the Benefits of Birding for Permaculturists)

My current Birding Life List total is: 385

Chipping Sparrow 

Growing up in the southern tip of Florida gave me the opportunity to see a lot of birds. Some are found all over the United States, some are found only in the eastern United States, some are migratory that just enjoy the Florida Winters, and some are only found in South Florida. I have also lived in Kentucky, Minnesota, and now settled down in Tennessee. I have traveled to almost every state in the United States, and I have done a little traveling in Canada and Mexico, but was not very serious about birding during most of those trips. So now, I am building my life list of birds from what I am sure I have identified in the past as well as current identifications.

1. Common Loon (Gavia immer), Summer in Minnesota while in medical school (2004-2007) and Vermont
2. Common Eider (Somateria mollissima), Bar Harbor, Maine, July 2018
3. Sooty Shearwater (Ardenna grisea), Bar Harbor, Maine, July 2018
4. Wilson’s Storm-Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus), Bar Harbor, Maine, July 2018
5. Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus), Bar Harbor, Maine, July 2018
6. Pied-Billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps), 13 December 2015, Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary, Asheville, North Carolina
7. American Coot (Fulica americana), South Florida (numerous times, this is where I grew up)
8. Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata), South Florida (numerous times, this is where I grew up)
9. Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinicus), South Florida (numerous times, this is where I grew up)
10. American Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga), South Florida (numerous times, this is where I grew up)
11. Double-Crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus), South Florida (numerous times, this is where I grew up)
12. Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) Eastern Unites States and I believe in the Azores as well
13. Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) multiple locations around the world, almost all have been introduced/naturalized
14. Tundra (Whistling) Swan (Cygnus columbianus), Minnesota while in medical school (2004-2007)
15. Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens), one late Summer/early Fall when I lived in Bowling Green, KY
16. Canada Goose (Branta canadensis), frequently in Minnesota while in medical school (2004-2007), frequently in other locations, mating pair on our pond in Spring of 2015. Frequent visitors at our farm.
17. American Black Duck
18. Mallard
19. Blue-Winged Teal (Anas discors), first spotted in Chesterton, IN (8 May 2017)
20. Green-Winged Teal (Anas crecca), first identified at Magnolia Plantation, SC (24 Nov 2017)
21. Gadwall (Anas strepera), first identified at Magnolia Plantation, SC (24 Nov 2017)
22. Wood Duck
23. Northern Shoveler
24. Muscovy
25. Redhead
26. Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), first positively identified at Seymour Lake, VT (14 Sept 2017)
27. Common Merganser (Mergus merganser), first positively identified at Seymour Lake, VT (14 Sept 2017)
28. White Pelican South Florida (numerous times, this is where I grew up)
29. Brown Pelican South Florida (numerous times, this is where I grew up)
30. Herring Gull (Larus argentatus), first positively identified at Indiana Dunes State Park (8 May 2017)
31. Ring-Billed Gull, South Florida (numerous times, this is where I grew up)
32. Greater Black-Backed Gull, South Florida (numerous times, this is where I grew up)
33. Franklin’s Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan), Great Salt Lake, Utah (4 Aug 2018)
34. California Gull (Larus californicus), Great Salt Lake, Utah (4 Aug 2018)
35. Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla), Bar Harbor, Maine, July 2018
36. Royal Tern South Florida (numerous times, this is where I grew up)
37. Caspian Tern
38. Common Tern
39. Least Tern (Sternula antillarum), Bar Harbor, Maine, July 2018
40. Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea), Bar Harbor, Maine, July 2018
41. Black Skimmer
42. Great Blue Heron
43. Little Blue Heron
44. Great Egret (Great White American Egret)
45. Snowy Egret
46. Cattle Egret
47. Black-Crowned Night Heron
48. Yellow-Crowned Night Heron
49. Green Heron
50. Least Bittern
51. American Bittern
52. Wood Stork
53. Whooping Crane
54. Sandhill Crane
55. Black-Necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus), Great Salt Lake, Utah (4 Aug 2018)
56. American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana), Great Salt Lake, Utah (4 Aug 2018)
57. Long-Billed Curlew (Numenius americanus), Great Salt Lake, Utah (4 Aug 2018)
58. Limpkin
59. White Ibis
60. White-Faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi),  Great Salt Lake, Utah (4 Aug 2018)
61. Roseate Spoonbill
62. American Flamingo
63. Ruddy Turnstone
64. American Woodcock
65. Common Snipe
66. Killdeer
67. Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria), first positively identified in Chesterton, IN (8 May 2017)
68. Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla), Scarborough Marsh, Maine, July 2018
69. Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla), Scarborough Marsh, Maine, July 2018
70. Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca), Scarborough Marsh, Maine, July 2018
71. Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes), Scarborough Marsh, Maine, July 2018
72. Wilson’s Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor),  Great Salt Lake, Utah (4 Aug 2018)
73. Willet (Tringa semipalmata),  Great Salt Lake, Utah (4 Aug 2018)
74. Common Murre (Uria aalge), Bar Harbor, Maine, July 2018
75. Razorbill (Alca torda), Bar Harbor, Maine, July 2018
76. Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle), Bar Harbor, Maine, July 2018
77. Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica), Bar Harbor, Maine, July 2018
78. Wild Turkey
79. Ringed-Neck Pheasant
80. Common Bobwhite
81. Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus), first positively identified at Seymour Lake, VT (13 Sept 2017)
82. Spruce Grouse (Falcipennis canadensis), first positively identified at Moose Bog, VT (20 Sept 2018)
83. Snail Kite
84. Broad-Winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus), numerous times in the southeastern US
85. Red-Tailed Hawk
86. Red-Shouldered Hawk
87. Cooper’s Hawk
88. Sharp-Shinned Hawk
89. Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus). Autumn and Winter at BK*
90. Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni), Great Salt Lake, Utah (4 Aug 2018)
91. Bald Eagle
92. Golden Eagle
93. Osprey
94. California Condor
95. Turkey Vulture
96. Black Vulture
97. American Kestrel
98. Peregrine Falcon
99. Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus), Great Salt Lake, Utah (4 Aug 2018)
100. Burrowing Owl
101. Barn Owl (Tyto alba), Autumn 2015 at BK*
102. Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus), August 2016, Northern Vermont (voice only). March 2017, Greene County (Laughlin Memorial Hospital).
103. Budgerigar
104. Monk Parakeet
105. Mourning Dove
106. Rock Dove
107. Ground Dove
108. White-Winged Dove
109. Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto), February 2017, Park City, Utah
110. Mangrove Cuckoo
111. Yellow-Billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus), Spring 2017 at BK*
112. Greater Roadrunner
113. Common Nighthawk
114. Chuck-Will’s-Widow (Antrostomus carolinensis), Spring at BK*. Voice only.
115. Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
116. Blacked-Chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri), Midway, Utah, 6 Aug 2018
117. Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus), Midway, Utah, 6 Aug 2018
118. Broad-Tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus), Silver Lake, Utah, 7 Aug 2018
119. Belted Kingfisher
120. Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), Year-round at BK*
121. Red-Bellied Woodpecker
122. Red-Headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus), first identified in central Indiana (4 May 2017)
123. Downy Woodpecker
124. Hairy Woodpecker
125. Northern Flicker
126. Black-Backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus), first identified at Seymour Lake, VT (13 Sept 2017)
127. Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius), first identified in Charleston, SC (24 Nov 2017)
128. Red-Naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis), Silver Lake, Utah, 7 Aug 2018
129. American Three-Toed Woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis), Silver Lake, Utah, 7 Aug 2018
130. Eastern Kingbird
131. Western Kingbird
132. Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus), Summer at BK*
133. Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus), fence in Texas on cross-country trip
134. Western Wood-Pewee (Contopus sordidulus), Silver Lake, Utah, 7 Aug 2018
135. Dusky Flycatcher (Empidonax oberholseri), Silver Lake, Utah, 7 Aug 2018
136. Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum), August 2016, stream bed leading to Lake Seymour, Vermont
137. Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus), first identified in Lexington, KY (9 May 2017)
138. Eastern Phoebe
139. Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia), first positively identified at Indiana Dunes State Park (8 May 2017)
140. Barn Swallow
141. Northern Rough-Winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis), first positively identified at Warrior Path State Park, TN (4 July 2017)
142. Tree Swallow
143. Violet-Green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina), Silver Lake, Utah, 7 Aug 2018
144. Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota), Herber City, Utah, 7 Aug 2018
145. Chimney Swift
146. Purple Martin (Progne subis), first positively identified at Lloyd’s house near our home (31 May 2017)
147. American Crow
148. Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus), first positively identified in Springfield, VA, 28 May 2018.
149. Northern Raven
150. Blue Jay
151. Canada Jay (Perisoreus canadensis), first positively identified at Moose Bog, VT (20 Sept 2018)
152. Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri), Silver Lake, Utah, 7 Aug 2018
153. California Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma californica)
154. Woodhouse’s Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma woodhouseii), Midway, Utah, 6 Aug 2018
155. Red-Eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus), first positively identified at Indiana Dunes State Park (8 May 2017), also Summer at BK*
156. White-Eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus), first identified by song at BK* (20 May 2018)
157. Yellow-Throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons), first positively identified at Indiana Dunes State Park (8 May 2017)
158. Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus), Silver Lake, Utah, 7 Aug 2018
159. Blue-Headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius), first positively identified at Stone Dam Road, VT (19 Sept 2018)
160. Black-Billed Magpie
161. Carolina Chickadee
162. Black-Capped Chickadee
163. Mountain Chickadee (Poecile gambeli), Silver Lake, Utah, 7 Aug 2018
164. Tufted Titmouse
165. Red-Breasted Nuthatch
166. White-Breasted Nuthatch
167. Brown Creeper (Certhia americana), Ship Harbor Trail, Maine, July 2018
168. Carolina Wren
169. Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis), first identified at Semour Lake, VT (13 Sept 2017)
170. Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris), Scarborough Marsh, Maine, July 2018
171. Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea), first positively identified at Indiana Dunes State Park (8 May 2017)
172. Golden-Crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa), April 2017, Appalachian Trail near Roan Mountain, TN. Walking the trail with Elijah.
173. Ruby-Crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula), first positively identified at Indiana Dunes State Park (8 May 2017)
174. Brown Thrasher
175. Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), central Indiana (6 May 2017)
176. Northern Mockingbird
177. Eastern Bluebird
178. Mountain Bluebird
179. American Robin
180. Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus), December 2016, BK*
181. Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina), April 2017, BK*
182. Gray-Cheeked Thrush (Catharus minimus), first identified at Congaree National Park, SC (5 Oct 2017)
183. Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus), first identified at Moose Bog, VT (14 Sept 2017)
184. Veery (Catharus fuscescens), first positively identified at Indiana Dunes State Park (8 May 2017)
185. Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus), first identified at Seymour Lake, VT (16 Sept 2017)
186. Loggerhead Shrike
187. Cedar Waxwing
188. Red-Winged Blackbird
189. Brewer’s Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus), Great Salt Lake, Utah (4 Aug 2018)
190. Brown-Headed Cowbird
191. Rusty Blackbird
192. Common Grackle
193. Boat-Tailed Grackle
194. Eastern Meadowlark
195. Western Meadowlark
196. European Starling
197. Baltimore Oriole
198. Spotted Oriole
199. Scarlet Tanager
200. Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra), 11 May 2016, BK*.
201. Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana), Midway, Utah (5 Aug 2018)
202. House Sparrow
203. Dark-Eyed Junco
204. Northern Cardinal
205. House Finch
206. Purple Finch
207. Cassin’s Finch (Haemorhous cassinii), Silver Lake, Utah, 7 Aug 2018
208. Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra), Silver Lake, Utah, 7 Aug 2018
209. Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus), Guardsman Pass, Utah, 7 Aug 2018
210. American Goldfinch
211. Indigo Bunting
212. Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena), Silver Lake, Utah, 7 Aug 2018
213. Blue Grosbeak
214. Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus), first positively identified in central Indiana (6 May 2017)
215. Black-Headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus), Silver Lake, Utah, 7 Aug 2018
216. Eastern Towhee
217. Spotted Towhee
218. Green-Tailed Towhee (Pipilo chlorurus), Silver Lake, Utah, 7 Aug 2018
219. American Tree Sparrow (Spizella arborea), first positively identified at Indiana Dunes State Park (8 May 2017)
220. Chipping Sparrow
221. Field Sparrow
222. Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana), first positively identified in Springfield, VA, 28 May 2018.
223. Song Sparrow
224. White-Crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys), first positively identified at Indiana Dunes State Park (8 May 2017)
225. White-Throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis), 18 Dec 2015, BK*, Downhill of Arrowhead Pond.
226. Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca), Silver Lake, Utah, 7 Aug 2018
227. Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii), Silver Lake, Utah, 7 Aug 2018
228. Nelson’s Sparrow (Ammodramus nelsoni), Scarborough Marsh, Maine, July 2018
229. Saltmarsh Sparrow (Ammodramus caudacutus), Scarborough Marsh, Maine, July 2018
230. Yellow-Breasted Chat (Icteria virens), 23 May 2017, BK* on farm road by treehouse
231. American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla), first positively identified in Springfield, VA, 28 May 2018.
232. Black-Throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens), Indiana Dunes State Park (8 May 2017)
233. Blue-Winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera), first positively identified at Indiana Dunes State Park (8 May 2017)
234. Black and White Warbler (Mniotilta varia), first positively identified at Indiana Dunes State Park (8 May 2017)
235. Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina), first positively identified in Lexington, KY (10 May 2017)
236. Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca), first positively identified at Seymour Lake, VT (20 Sept 2018)
237. Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas), first positively identified at Seven Islands Birding Park, TN (27 June 2017)
238. Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia), August 2016, on Lake Seymour , Vermont. First spotted by my 5-year-old daughter, Abigail!
239. Myrtle Warbler/Yellow-Rumped (Setophaga coronata coronata), Winter 2016, BK*, outside the big house
240. Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla), first positively identified at Indiana Dunes State Park (8 May 2017)
241. Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla), first identified by voice, Spring 2017, BK*
242. Worm-Eating Warbler (Helmitheros vermivorum), first identified Sept 2018, BK*
243. Hooded Warbler (Setophaga citrina), first identified Sept 2018, BK*
244. Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum), Winter 2015, Orlando, Florida
245. Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus), April 2017, BK*, outside the big house
246. Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor), August 2016, BK*, in the Elderberry patch on the edge of the pasture behind the barn
247. Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea), first positively identified at Indiana Dunes State Park (8 May 2017)
248. Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia), first positively identified at Indiana Dunes State Park (8 May 2017)
249. Orange-Crowned Warbler (Vermivora celata), Silver Lake, Utah, 7 Aug 2018
250. MacGillivray’s Warbler (Geothlypis tolmiei), Silver Lake, Utah, 7 Aug 2018
251. Northern Parula (Setophaga americana), Monhegan Island, Maine, July 2018
252. Black-Throated-Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens), first positively identified at Brighton State Park, VT (19 Sept 2018)
253. Chestnut-Sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica), first positively identified at BK*, 1 Oct 2018
254. Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina), first positively identified at BK*, Oct 2018

Prairie Warbler (female) at the Bauernhof Kitsteiner

 *BK = Bauernhof Kitsteiner. This is our family farm in northern Greene County in East Tennessee.

1. Plain Chachalaca (Ortalis vetula), 2-3 June 2017, Cancún, Mexico
2. Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens), 2-3 June 2017, Cancún, Mexico
3. Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla), 2-3 June 2017, Cancún, Mexico
4. White-Crowned Pigeon (Patagioenas leucocephala), 2-3 June 2017, Cancún, Mexico
5. Groove-Billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris), 2-3 June 2017, Cancún, Mexico
6. Ferruginous Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum), 2-3 June 2017, Cancún, Mexico
7. Cinnamon Hummingbird (Amazilia rutila), 2-3 June 2017, Cancún, Mexico
8. Golden-Fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons), 2-3 June 2017, Cancún, Mexico
9. Olive-Throated Parakeet (Eupsittula nana), 2-3 June 2017, Cancún, Mexico
10. Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus), 2-3 June 2017, Cancún, Mexico
11. Boat-Billed Flycatcher (Megarynchus pitangua), 2-3 June 2017, Cancún, Mexico
12. Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis), 2-3 June 2017, Cancún, Mexico
13. Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus), 2-3 June 2017, Cancún, Mexico
14. Couch’s Flycatcher (Tyrannus couchii), 2-3 June 2017, Cancún, Mexico
15. Green Jay (Cyanocorax yncas), 2-3 June 2017, Cancún, Mexico
16. Yucatán Jay (Cyanocorax yucatanicus), 2-3 June 2017, Cancún, Mexico
17. Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus), 2-3 June 2017, Cancún, Mexico
18. White-Collared Seedeater (Sporophila torqueola), 2-3 June 2017, Cancún, Mexico
19. Melodious Blackbird (Dives dives), 2-3 June 2017, Cancún, Mexico
20. Great-Tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus), 2-3 June 2017, Cancún, Mexico
21. Black-Cowled Oriole (Icterus prosthemelas), 2-3 June 2017, Cancún, Mexico
22. Hooded Oriole (Icterus cucullatus), 2-3 June 2017, Cancún, Mexico
23. Altamira Oriole (Icterus gularis), 2-3 June 2017, Cancún, Mexico

I had the opportunity to travel a little bit through a few countries in Central America, and I spend almost a full week at Manuel Antonio National Park in southwestern Costa Rica. I also spent about a week in southern Brazil. I was not very focused on birding during this time in my life, but I did take note of a few memorable birds. I will update this list as I have time to go back through my photos and notes.

1. Cherrie’s Tanager (Ramphocelus costaricensis)
2. Gray-headed Tanager (Eucometis penicillata)

These birds were spotted during my two years living in the Azores. As with all other places I have been, I saw many more species of bird, but I was unable to identify them. The only bird I have on this list that I have not identified for certain is the Azores Bullfinch. I place it on the list because I am almost certain I saw one when driving through its very small territory… an area just over 2.2 square miles (5.8 square kilometers). It is the second most endangered bird in Europe. I would say I am 90% certain I saw it, but that is not enough for me without an explanation.
The italicized and non-numbered list are of birds mentioned, and counted, above.

1. Atlantic Canary (Serinus canaria)
2. Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris aurantiiventris)
3. European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis parva)
4. Azores Bullfinch (Pyrrhula murina)?
5. Common Waxbill (Estrilda astrild)
6. Azores Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs moreletti)
7. Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla gularis)
8. Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea patriciae)
9. European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
10. Common Azores Blackbird (Turdus merula azorensis)
11. Azores Starling (Sturnus vulgaris granti)
12. Azores Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus azorica)
13. Azores Common Quail (Coturnix c. conturbans)
14. Eurasian Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus correiana)
15. Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)
16. Roseate Tern (Sterna dougalli)
17. Cory’s Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea)
18. Great Shearwater (Puffinis gravis)
19. Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis atlantis)
20. Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus)
21. Greylag Goose (Anser anser)
22. Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis)
23. Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
24. Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
25. Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo rothschildi)

• House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
• Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)
• Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)
• Mallard (Anas platyrhyunchos)
• Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
• Great White Egret 
• Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
• Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

Due to my time in the Air Force, I spent a decent amount of time in England and central and western Europe. I never lived there, but I was able to travel quite a bit. Unfortunately, I did not have the chance to focus on birding as much as I would have liked. I will update this list as I have a bit more time.
The italicized and non-numbered list are of birds mentioned, and counted, above.

1. Eurasian Tree Sparrow

• European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
• European Starling

I lived in south-central Turkey for two years. While it is considered part of Asia, it is definitively part of the Middle East and Mediterranean. While I saw a lot of birds, I had a very difficult time finding a good guide book to identify them. Unfortunately, I think I may never know the identity of all the birds I saw during my time there. Wikipedia has a decent list of Turkish birds. I need to go through them and see if I can find any others I have seen.

1. Hoopoe (Upupa epops)
2. Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)
3. Black-Eared Wheatear (Oenanthe hispanica)
4. Black-Headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala)
5. European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur)
6. Laughing Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis)
7. Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)

Back in 2007, I spent 4 weeks working at an HIV mission hospital in Nigeria. I then took another two weeks to travel through southern Africa (South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, and Mozambique). I was into birding then, and kept a pretty good list. I got rather excited when I saw a new species. The other people in my group (there were five of us total) were not that interested in birds, but they would jump up when I would exclaim, “Oh, wow!” only to be disappointed it was “just a bird” when they were expecting a lion or rhino. They made me promise not to be excited out loud unless it was a mammal. I was fine enjoying the birds on my own.
The italicized and non-numbered list are of birds mentioned, and counted, above.

1. Crested Francolin
2. Natal Francolin
3. Swainsons Spurfowl (Francolin)
4. Common Quail
5. Small Buttonquail
6. Red-Crested Korhaan
7. Bronze-Winged Courser
8. Spotted Thick-Knee
9. Blacksmith Lapwing (Plover)
10. Kori Bustard
11. Common Ostrich
12. African or Jackass Penguin
13. Giant Kingfisher
14. Malachite Kingfisher
15. Brown-Hooded Kingfisher
16. Green-Backed Heron
17. Purple Heron
18. Goliath Heron
19. African Darter
20. White-Breasted Cormorant
21. Marabou Stork
22. Saddle-Billed Stork
23. Glossy Ibis
24. Egyptian Goose
25. Hammerkop
26. African Jacana
27. African Goshawk
28. African Fish Eagle
29. African Black Swift
30. Cape Vulture
31. Bateleur
32. Secretarybird
33. Cape Crow
34. Pied Crow
35. White-Necked Raven
36. Arrow-Marked Babbler
37. Forked-Tailed Drongo
38. Burchell’s Coucal
39. Cape Turtle Dove
40. Emerald-Spotted Wood Dove
41. Cape Wagtail
42. Great Sparrow
43. African Grey Hornbill
44. Red-Billed Hornbill
45. Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill
46. Trumpeter Hornbill
47. Southern Ground Hornbill
48. Common or Black-Eyed Bulbul
49. Grey Go-Away-Bird or Grey Lourie
50. Speckled Mousebird
51. Tawny-Flanked Prinia
52. Ashy Tit
53. Southern Black Tit
54. African Black-Headed Oriole
55. Blue Waxbill
56. Red-Headed Finch
57. Mocking Chat
58. Helmeted Guineafowl
59. Burchell’s Starling
60. Cape Glossy Starling
61. Greater Blue-Eared Glossy Starling
62. Red-Billed Buffalo Weaver
63. Common Fiscal or Shrike
64. African Magpie Shrike
65. Grey-Headed Bush Shrike
66. Orange-Breasted Bush Shrike
67. Brown-Headed Parrot
68. Red-Billed Oxpecker
69. White-Fronted Bee Eater
70. African Paradise Flycatcher
71. White-Bellied Sunbird
72. Wire-Tailed Swallow
73. White-Rumped Swift
74. Sentinel Rock Thrush
75. Lilac-Breasted Roller

• Laughing Dove
• Common Sparrow
• Hoopoe
• Cattle Egret
• Great White Egret
• Great Cormorant

I hope to visit this part of the world one day. Until then, I will just dream of Kiwis, Kookaburras, and Penguins!

Photo References: All photos are mine (except the Lilac-Breasted Roller). If you would like to use them, please let me know!