10,000 Birds

Demotivational Posters for Birds (XLVII)

Kai Pflug — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000

At Bird Motivation Solutions, we believe every bird has untapped potential. Whether this potential is useful remains to be determined. With our poster series, we aim to unlock it anyway.

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US State Birds by Popularity

Kai Pflug — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Unsurprisingly, not all bird species are equally popular in the United States. One way to measure this is by looking at how often they have been chosen as official state birds. The undisputed champion is the Northern Cardinal, selected by seven states. It is followed by the Western Meadowlark (six states) and the Northern Mockingbird (five states). After that, the field gets much more fragmented, with familiar species such as bluebirds, American Goldfinch, American Robin, Brown Thrasher, Black-capped Chickadee, and Common Loon appearing in multiple states. The pattern is fairly clear: Americans tend to prefer familiar neighbors over obscure specialists. A bird does not need to be rare or restricted to the state to become a symbol of it. It helps much more if people see it in their backyard. The populists are winning. This also explains why some birds have struggled to gain political fame. The California Gull, for example, is the official bird of only one state — and despite its name, that state is not California but Utah. Even an ambitious campaign by MAAGA (Make American Gulls Great Again) has so far failed to convince other states that gulls deserve more recognition.

Not Just Another Bulbul

Faraaz Abdool — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 17:00:00 +0000

I’ve been reading a bit about bird and flower motifs – specifically those involving roses and nightingales – a curious path to take given that I’ve never seen a nightingale, nor do I possess any particular affinity toward roses. The pairing has been used to describe “young love in the springtime”; the rose as the ultra-beautiful, proud, delicate yet thorny feminine energy that gets endlessly caressed by the nightingale’s sweet, bubbly song. In Persian, the pairing is known as gol o bolbol, and I’m sure by now you’re beginning to piece together how I’ve wafted over here. See, the Persian word for nightingale is bolbol, which ultimately gave rise to the name “bulbul” which describes members of a family of birds which we have all come to know and love: Pcynonotidae – Bulbuls. Naturally these birds are unrelated to nightingales, much like members of Furnariidae (Ovenbirds) being unrelated to the actual Ovenbird. According to Birds of the World, bulbuls were so named for some members of the family indeed possessing a bubbly song much like a nightingale. Yet, among birders, they are much more famous for being nondescript, brown flashes in the canopy, far more often heard than seen. Even when seen, however, bulbuls present identification challenges that frustrate many, and excite a select few. Birds of the World goes on to describe their predilection for wild fruit as “A great many have an irresistible fondness for fruit, and fruiting trees in these areas are often bustling with pycnonotids of several species, challenging the identification powers of all but the most experienced observers.” Overall, I haven’t seen a great many bulbuls, but while editing my images from my last trip to Uganda my memory got triggered, and I was transported right back to where I stood, under a fruiting tree, trying to track a pair of Red-tailed Greenbuls as they chased each other overhead, eye-level, and then lower down the steep, heavily forested slope. I didn’t manage a photo of any of those, but I enjoyed some good looks through my binoculars as one paused briefly on an open branch, flaring its bright white throat. Certainly, many would pass up on the opportunity to see a greenbul as they’re mostly olive, brown, and dull yellow – but a bird need not be bright for it to be beautiful. On my sojourns through East Africa by far the most frequently encountered member of this family is the Common Bulbul, which partly inspired the title of this blog post. I’ve lost count of how many of my guests have noticed a sudden movement in nearby trees to then exasperatedly sigh “just another bulbul”. As the trip wears on, other words are added to that phrase, which I shall exclude such that we at 10,000 Birds can keep our content suitable for all ages. Common Bulbul In northern Kenya the Common Bulbuls are a bit different, with a slight white splash on their ear-coverts. Some consider this to be a distinct species: Dodson’s Bulbul. The Little Greenbul is famously nondescript, not particularly little nor is it green. My field guide lists Slender-billed Greenbul as “distinctive”, which in the land of nondescript birds, I guess it is. Any clear delineation between colours can be considered distinct. Species splits meant that what I had originally recorded as Eastern Mountain Greenbul now is Kikuyu Mountain Greenbul. A beauty of a bird that seems to be a bit more distinctive than the previous species. I’ve seen Stripe-faced Greenbul, according to a tick in my field guide – somewhere in Tanzania – but no photo. I’m not entirely certain what criterion was used to change green to brown, but the preponderance of brown in the plumage of a Northern Brownbul may provide a clue. Northern Brownbul Seemingly equally brown, however, is another greenbul: Cabanis’s Greenbul. Outside our room at our lodge in Bwindi, one of my guests photographed a greenbul I hadn’t seen before. She directed me to where the bird was seen, and I sauntered over there without much hope of seeing it myself. By some stroke of luck the bird was still there! I stepped into our room, retrieved my camera, and photographed it from our verandah. Pale-throated Greenbul In terms of being distinctive, the Honeyguide Greenbul has my vote for easiest species to identify. Its upright pose, white eyes, white underbelly, and white tail feathers are many straightforward field marks to take note of. There are other pycnonotids that escaped my eyes, as they tend to be quite vocal in the foliage. But they also tend to remain in said foliage, which is fine by me. That just leaves something else to see when I return!

Kerinci – Profile for Birders

Editor — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Highlights Kerinci Seblat National Park lies within the Bukit Barisan mountain range on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Covering approximately 13,791 square kilometers (5,325 square miles), it is the largest national park on Sumatra and spans elevations from about 250m to 3,805m. The park is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra” and encompasses an impressive range of habitats and landscapes, including volcanic peaks, montane and cloud forests, wetlands, lowlands, hot springs, waterfalls, and lakes. This remarkable variety of environments supports an equally impressive diversity of wildlife, making Kerinci Seblat an exceptional destination for nature and birding enthusiasts. For adventurers looking to the skies to chase after Sumatra’s rarest species, Kerinci Seblat stands at the top of the list for birdwatching in Sumatra, and all of Indonesia. Home to 360+ species of birds, a birding tour in Kerinci offers a plethora of rare bird species, including many rare Sumatran endemics, like the Schneider’s Pitta, Sumatran Ground Cuckoo, and Sumatran Trogon. These can be found alongside charismatic birds like Rhinoceros hornbills and colorful barbets like the Fire-tufted barbet. Below you’ll find the three main regions where Sumatra birdwatching tours occur – on the slopes of Mt. Kerinci for the high-altitude endemics, Bukit Tapan for a range of elevations, and Hutan Adat Lempur for a well-protected mixed habitat with some species harder to see elsewhere. Each of the areas is about one hour apart from the next, with Mt. Kerinci furthest north, then Bukit Tapan in the center, and finally Lempur in the southern end of the Kerinci valley. Although this is for birding specifically, it is important to note that Kerinci Seblat also hosts a vast number of living species. Over 85 species of mammals and 4,000 species of plants call Kerinci Seblat home. A small sampling of this diversity includes Siamang Gibbons, Malayan sun bears, Civets, Pitcher Plants, Wild cats, and of course the Sumatran Tiger. Kerinci Seblat is one of the world’s most important remaining strongholds for the Critically Endangered Sumatran tiger, a well-known and highly respected species among the Kerinci people. All of this contributes to an exceptional, one-of-a-kind birding location. Schneider’s Pitta Key Bird Species and Families With the wide diversity of birds in Kerinci, it is challenging to limit it to just a few key families. Regardless, a commonly found bird family in the region is Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls), featuring the Cream-striped Bulbul and the Spot-necked Bulbul. Other target families include Phasianidae (Pheasants and Partridges), featuring Salvadori’s Pheasant, Sumatran Peacock-Pheasant, and the Red-billed Partridge; Pittidae (Pittas), featuring the Schneider’s Pitta; Turdidae (Thrushes), featuring the Sumatran Cochoa; and Trogonidae (Trogons), featuring the Sumatran Trogon; and finally, a rare flagship family, Cuculidae (Cuckoos), featuring the Sumatran Ground Cuckoo. Some other key species to note in Kerinci include Black Laughingthrush, Black-browed Barbet, Black-crowned Pitta, Blue-masked Leafbird, Fire-tufted Barbet, Graceful Pitta, Great Hornbill, Long-tailed Broadbill, Marbled Wren Babbler, Rajah Scops Owl, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Rufous-chested Flycatcher, Rufous-vented Niltava, Rusty-breasted Wren-Babbler, Salvadori’s Nightjar, Shiny Whistling Thrush, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Sunda Bush Warbler, Sunda Minivet, Sumatran Bulbul, Sumatran Drongo, Sumatran Frogmouth, Sumatran Green Pigeon, Sumatran Leafbird, Sumatran Treepie, Sumatran Wren Babbler, Sumatran Whistling Thrush, Temminck’s Sunbird, Wreathed Hornbill, Grey-cheeked Bulbul, and Grey-headed Woodpecker. Kerinci Seblat is home to at least 17 bird species endemic to Sumatra. Sumatran Ground Cuckoo Best Regions for Birding A diversity of birdlife in three regions of the Kerinci Seblat National Park 1. Mt. Kerinci While Mt. Kerinci is the highest active volcano in Southeast Asia at 3805m, most of the birdwatching is done at elevations between 1600m and roughly 2000m. While there are a few branching paths you will take further into the forest, the majority of the time you’ll be searching on the main trail up the volcano. Optionally, spend a morning taking a boat into the Rawa Bento wetlands for different species opportunities, with a return to Mt. Kerinci in the afternoon. A sampling of endemics and other targets in the area: Schneider’s Pitta, Salvadori’s Pheasant, Salvadori’s Nightjar, Sumatran Trogon, Sumatran Cochoa, Sumatran Wren Babbler, Sumatran Whistling Thrush, Sumatran Frogmouth, Shiny Whistling Thrush, Red-billed Partridge, Rufous-vented Niltava, Wreathed Hornbill, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Sunda Bush Warbler, Rajah Scops Owl, and many more. Sumatran Trogon 2. Bukit Tapan The Bukit Tapan Road gives a great range of elevation, from roughly 1500m to 250m, so there is a wider variety of species available compared to the higher elevations of Mt. Kerinci. It’s also much easier to see and photograph them because of the abundant light allowed into the canopy by the road you follow, and the farther distances you can see. Of course, going along a road also means you’ll occasionally be annoyed by trucks, cars, and motorcycles. A sampling of endemics and other targets in the area: Sumatran Leafbird, Graceful Pitta, Sumatran Green Pigeon, Sumatran Treepie, Sumatran Peacock-Pheasant, Sumatran Drongo, Sumatran Trogon, Cream-striped Bulbul, Spot-necked Bulbul, Black-browed Barbet, Long-tailed Broadbill, Temminck’s Sunbird, Fire-tufted Barbet, Sunda Minivet, Marbled Wren Babbler, Sumatran Green Pigeon, Rufous-chested Flycatcher, Black Laughingthrush, Great Hornbill, Rhinoceros Hornbill, and many more. Sumatran Treepie 3. Hutan Adat Lempur While not as famous as the two previous locations, Hutan Adat Lempur is a new birding spot the local community has been developing, and we believe it has some of the best birding in the Kerinci region. Elevation is between 1000 m and 1250 m, but there is a great variety of bird species, as this area has been hit much less by bird poachers than Bukit Tapan. There’s also a chance to see the extremely rare Sumatran Ground Cuckoo. A sampling of endemics and other targets in the area: Sumatra Ground-Cuckoo, Sumatran Peacock-Pheasant, Sumatran Leafbird, Graceful Pitta, Sumatran Green Pigeon, Sumatran Treepie, Sumatran Drongo, Sumatran Trogon, Sumatran Bulbul, Cream-striped Bulbul, Grey-cheeked Bulbul, Spot-necked Bulbul, Black-browed Barbet, Long-tailed Broadbill, Temminck’s Sunbird, Fire-tufted Barbet, Sunda Minivet, Marbled Wren Babbler, Sumatran Green Pigeon, Rufous-chested Flycatcher, Black Laughingthrush, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, and many more. Cream-striped Bulbul Best Birding Season There is no true “dry season” as there can...

Ask a Birder: Any birding activities that put you in danger?

Editor — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000

We asked several of our writers the same questions. Here are the answers to the one above. — I try not to. You may not want to take pictures of military installations. I have been to a few garbage dumps and wastewater treatment plants, but you can keep your safe distance there, too. Stray dogs in Egypt were a problem until I found out that they are relatively harmless (Peter Hinow). — Being charged by a young bull Elephant while walking in the Okavango Delta in Botswana was a memorable experience, while I once had a companion tossed by a Buffalo while birding along the Mara River in Kenya. I’ve had a few encounters with poisonous snakes too, including both Black and Green Mambas in Africa, but otherwise my birding adventures have been relatively incident-free. On one occasion in Romania, our minibus skidded on a dirt road, and we ended up at a crazy angle in a ditch. Our local guide, who was also the driver, was quite unfazed. Nobody was hurt, and the vehicle was undamaged, but we had to get a tractor to pull us out (David Tomlinson). — Driving to Nanhui for birding in the very early morning, I overlooked a large pile of sand that had been dumped on one side of the seawall road and not marked in any way. The car overturned and skidded on its roof for another 100 meters or so. But the radio kept playing, and both the camera and the photographer were unhurt, though a pair of expensive Swarovskis did not make it (Kai Pflug). — Read my posts. The trend is clear: I will get in trouble every time I think “I wonder what that is all about?”. For me, the joy of birding lies in the exploration of the unknown. Traveling to São Tomé or to Timor-Leste excites me more than a trip to a well-explored place like Costa Rica (Peter Penning). — I once had a serious accident while checking 150 nest boxes. The ladder tipped over, and I severely injured my foot. Apart from that, at 66, I’ve become quite cautious (Rolf Nessing). — I very much prefer birding in solitude, and walking the wilds alone is certainly not something that’s generally advised (Jochen Roeder). — I once did a local twitch into Nottinghamshire to see a Siberian Stonechat. The roads were icy and snowy, and the hill down to the site was treacherous… I was sure I was going to crash off the road, but somehow I kept the car on the road (John Hague). — Birding on slippery rainforest trails while carrying expensive camera equipment has produced a few interesting moments. My first thought is usually about saving the camera; concern for myself arrives shortly afterwards (Fitzroy Rampersand). — It isn’t danger, but I go on the Christmas Bird Count each year along the Sand Creek Trail north of Denver. Bounded on one side by a highway and the other by the river, the area is home not only to a wide and fabulous variety of birds, but to many of Denver’s unhoused humans. I worry not for me, but for the safety of the women and younger people I see on this walk each year (Susan Wroble). — Walking the swampy trails in coastal North Carolina where the poisonous Cottonmouth snakes like to lay around and enjoy the fetid heat and sun. I nearly stepped on one and will never forget the primal surge of adrenalin and gut-twisting fear as I saw my foot heading towards its open mouth. How I moved away I had no recollection, only that I was running away from it. I did not stop for a long while. A bite from that snake and I would have been real trouble (Mary Alice Hayward). — Birding has brought me unexpectedly close to bobcats on several occasions and, once, to a bear that I would have much rather observed from a greater distance (Kelly Isley). — Sure, for example, the “danger” of feeling inspired to live authentically. All birding activities are known to have this effect (Rhea Alaudra).

Interviews with 10,000 Birds Writers: Rolf Nessing, Germany

Editor — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Your Birding History And Future How long have you been a birder, and how did you get into birding? I was already watching birds as a child. I had two small (really small) bird books and identified the birds that visited a feeder at the window in East Berlin. I have been birdwatching seriously since April 11, 1973, at 6:45 a.m. Back then, I caught a blue tit at a feeder (which was already prohibited at the time) in order to band it with homemade aluminum rings (which were also prohibited). That was the first entry in my observation notebook. Has your attitude towards birding changed with time – for example, did it get intense, do you focus on different things now, etc.? Birdwatching has evolved from a hobby into my profession. I have worked in official nature conservation since June 1, 1984, and have been working freelance as a bird guide and organizer of ornithological and nature tours since 1992. Since the pandemic, I have increasingly worked as a surveyor for large-scale wind farms, solar parks, and similar projects. This work is well-suited to my age, as it allows me to be home every day. What were the ornithological highlights in your life so far? For me, the ornithological highlights were certainly the first records of bird species in Mongolia (Rufous Hawk-Cuckoo), Romania (Great Spotted Cuckoo ), and on the island of Socotra (Booted Eagle and first breeding record for Red-knobbed Coot). What are your plans for the next few years, as related to birding? For example, trips planned? I have traveled to many countries so far. Nevertheless, there are still destinations on my bucket list, such as Kamchatka or Pakistan. Furthermore, I would like to write books about certain protected areas in Germany and analyze the hundreds of ring-reading records for Audouin’s gulls and lesser black-backed gulls from Morocco. I would also love to search for lost bird species in remote regions or on isolated islands. I would also like to write regularly for 10,000birds—I’ll have more capacity for that in the future. If you had to make a living off birding, what kind of activity would you try? I have been working in nature conservation since 1984 (including monitoring black storks, lesser spotted eagles, etc.) and have been working freelance as a bird guide and tour operator since 1992—there is nothing better than turning your hobby into your profession. Your Life As A Non-Birder What do you do for work? Birdwatching: I work as a birding guide and tour operator specializing in birding trips. For construction projects (wind farms, solar parks, etc.), I conduct preliminary surveys to map bird and lizard populations. Is there any link between your work and birds/birding? Absolutely—I earn my living from birdwatching and bird mapping. What’s your favourite thing to do outside of birding? Sitting in my garden, drinking tea, scratching our dog behind the ears, and: watching birds. How does your personal environment (e.g., partner, children, etc.) regard your interest in birds and birding? My wife met me when I was already a birdwatcher and a guide for birding tours; neither she nor my son has ever known it any other way. My wife is also a skilled birder with a good knowledge of species. My son grew up seeing birds in his father’s hands—birds I had caught for banding. Birding General Info And Advice What are some of your birding tips for beginners? Get out there, stick with it, and don’t get frustrated if you fail to identify a bird species or misidentify one. It should be fun at all times. How important are apps for your birding? Apps aren’t that important for me and my work, but I do recommend them to beginners. Personally, I enjoy seeing who is faster at identifying bird calls: the app or me. Do you have any favourite birding-related media (e.g., books, podcasts, websites, magazines, videos, etc.) you can recommend? I do recommend the standard book on bird identification in Europe to my guests (without advertising it here). Are there any aspects of birding you would like to learn more about (e.g., bird families, birding destinations, people involved in birding)? There are many sub-disciplines within ornithology: the study of pellets, bioacoustics, feather studies, oology, and parasitology. I often encourage my guests to explore these aspects of bird study. Ornithology is more than just birdwatching. I have delved into all these topics myself—in fact, I just remembered I still have a bag of Barn Owl pellets from Morocco in the garage waiting to be examined. 10,000 Birds Why do you write for 10,000 Birds, other than for the fame and glory? Mea culpa: I really ought to write for 10,000 Birds much more often. However, as a freelance tour operator, bird guide, and surveyor, I have very little time. But I intend to do better! What do you like and dislike about the site? What should change? I find this site really interesting. Reading it is usually a regular part of my daily routine when I’m at home. Hats off to the editor, Kai! In an ideal world, who would you want to contribute to 10,000 Birds as well? I would find it interesting if scientific research and its results were published more frequently as summaries on 10,00 Birds.

Bird Guides of the World: Adrián Cobas Arencibia, Cuba

Editor — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000

What is your favorite bird species? The Bee Hummingbird — the smallest bird in the world. It feeds all day long in my garden and its surroundings. I also have a special love for the Cuban Trogon (Cuba’s national bird) and the Cuban Tody. Together, these three species are the true jewels of Cuban ornithology. What is your name, and where do you live? My name is Adrián Cobas Arencibia. I live at Casa Ana Birding, inside Ciénaga de Zapata National Park, Cuba. Cuban Trogon What are the main regions or locations you cover as a bird guide? I mainly guide within Ciénaga de Zapata National Park — the largest and best-preserved wetland in the insular Caribbean, and home to the great majority of Cuba’s endemic birds. Depending on each client’s preferences and time available, I also organize tours across other provinces of Cuba, from the western limits of Pinar del Río to Trinidad, and even as far as Cayo Coco in Ciego de Ávila. How long have you been a bird guide? I have been a bird guide for 10 years. How did you get into bird guiding? As a child, I used to hunt birds with a slingshot with my friends, simply out of curiosity and a lack of awareness. My grandparents would tell me the names of the birds I brought home. In 2001, I built Casa Ana Birding, and a Chinese photographer friend, Dustin Chen, began bringing groups of professional photographers to photograph the Bee Hummingbird in my garden. I already had knowledge of birds, but I wasn’t authorized to take tourists into the protected areas of Ciénaga de Zapata National Park. That pushed me to complete several courses in tourism and environmental interpretation in order to become a certified bird and photography guide. Since I am also a photographer myself, I’m able to help most of my clients get great shots by showing them the best wild perches — always respecting what the bird allows. Cuban Grassquit What are the aspects of being a bird guide that you like best? Which aspects do you dislike most? Being a bird and photography guide is a big responsibility — you’re in charge of one or several people at once, and you’re ultimately responsible for leading the group and making sure everything comes together so the tour is 100% successful. I truly enjoy every moment of it, especially each bird that is found and well photographed — even though I recognize it takes time and sacrifice. My greatest satisfaction is seeing clients happy when they capture their favorite bird on camera, or seeing a birdwatcher leave fully satisfied at the end of a tour. Cuban Tody What are the top 5-10 birds in your region that are the most interesting for visiting birders? Bee Hummingbird, Cuban Trogon, and Cuban Tody — the three jewels of Cuban ornithology. Zapata Wren — found exclusively in Ciénaga de Zapata, nowhere else in the world; it lives in the marsh grasslands about 20 km from Casa Ana Birding and can only be observed and photographed at dawn, before the wind picks up with the sunrise Zapata Sparrow — also endemic to Ciénaga de Zapata (with a subspecies on Cuba’s north coast) Cuban Pygmy Owl and Bare-legged Owl — the two endemic owls Cuban Green Woodpecker and Fernandina’s Flicker — the two endemic woodpeckers; the Flicker is endangered due to habitat loss Yellow-headed Warbler, Cuban Bullfinch, Cuban Vireo, and Cuban Oriole Blue-headed Quail-Dove and Gray-fronted Quail-Dove — the two endemic doves. To me, every endemic species matters, but these are the ones most sought after by visiting birders. Cuban Pygmy Owl Can you outline at least one typical birdwatching trip in your area? Please briefly describe the locations, the key birds and the approximate duration of such a trip. It all depends on each client’s preferences and available time. One-day visit: Clients arrive early in the morning, observe the Bee Hummingbird right in the garden, and we do a short walk around the property in search of the three ornithological jewels and the two endemic owls. 4-5 day trip: For clients who want to see the roughly 20 endemic species found within the national park itself, staying 4 nights / 5 days, visiting different protected areas of Ciénaga de Zapata (which are spread out and require transportation between sites). 10-15 day trip: For clients who want to see all of Cuba’s endemic birds, visiting several provinces from the western edge of Pinar del Río to Trinidad, or extending to Cayo Coco in Ciego de Ávila. Everything is adapted to each client’s priorities, time, and budget. Ferdinand’s Flicker What other suggestions can you give to birders interested in your area? Endemic birds can be observed and photographed year-round in Cuba. That said, the best season is November to May, when there is no rain and no mosquitoes. Many clients like to combine endemics with migratory species — migration season runs from October to April. A few extra details for photographers: The male Bee Hummingbird loses its colorful gorget around June (courtship/breeding season) and begins regaining it in December January to March is the best window for courtship photos March to May is the breeding season for most endemics, which is especially good timing for the Zapata Wren, Cuban Tody, Cuban Trogon, and Fernandina’s Flicker. Bare-legged Owl If any readers of 10,000 Birds are interested in birding with you, how can they best contact you? Whatever is most convenient for them: WhatsApp: +53 53536855 Instagram: instagram.com/casaanabirdingendemic Facebook: facebook.com/casa.ana.playa.larga.cuba Cuban Parakeet Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers of 10,000 Birds? I built Casa Ana Birding in 2001 in the heart of Ciénaga de Zapata National Park. Back then, the garden was an old dumping ground full of rubble and plastic bottles. I chose this spot because of a small natural freshwater stream flowing from the Zapata wetland toward the sea — it runs through the back of the garden...

World Without Birds: A KidLit Bird Book Review

Susan Wroble — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 10:52:12 +0000

World Without Birds: How to Save the Planet, One Bird at a Time manages a near-impossible feat: providing hope in a book about extinction. WORLD WITHOUT BIRDS, written by Nick Lund and illustrated by Asia Orlando Author and birder Nick Lund manages outreach for Maine Audubon, runs The Birdist blog, contributes to Audubon, Slate, and National Geographic—and manages to also write books for kids. His 2024 book, Dinosaurs to Chickens: How Evolution Works received the Junior Library Guild Gold Standard, an award given to top-tier children’s books. For this project, Nick was approached by publisher Workman Kids to write a companion book to the award-winning World Without Fish. World Without Birds opens with what this world would be like, and then outlines the ways that humans are causing extinctions. Nick writes that “while climate change is the latest of our environmental impacts we’ve recognized, it might be the most dangerous of all.” But the message in this book is positive: “if we want to prevent birds from going extinct, we need to look our mistakes in the face and fix them. In some cases, it’s too later; in many cases, it’s not.” “American scientists have identified nearly 400 bird species, about two-thirds of all American bird species, that are at risk of extinction from rising temperatures.” World Without Birds is structured by ecosystem. Each chapter begins with a gorgeous two-page full illustration spread by illustrator Asia Orlando, and then delves into the specific issues of that ecosystem. Each chapter has section on what that would happen in that ecosystem if birds disappeared—for example, in tropical forests, the effect would be an insect apocalypse. The chapters conclude withs two case studies: one of a bird that has gone extinct, and the second of a bird where conservation efforts have been a success. Illustrator and digital artist Asia Orlando is based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Her illustrations in World Without Birds are bright and friendly and accurate—and show up on every spread. Combined with plenty of white space between the lines and on the page, opening this book feels like an invitation. Aimed for kids age 10 and up, it would also be a great fit for younger readers with stronger reading skills. Asia Orlando’s illustration of a Great Auk with sailing ship approaching in WORLD WITHOUT BIRDS Asia’s passion for art and the environment led her to create the illustration movement Our Planet Week in 2020 to spread environmental awareness. The annual event is not a competition. Instead, it’s an open invitation for everyone to draw what they love about the world. Seven years in, more than 33,000 artworks have been shared. The partnership between Our Planet Week and One Tree Planted led to the planting of over 11,000 trees. Climate anxiety in children is real. This book can help them move from anxiety to action. The final chapter in World Without Birds is “What Can We Do?” and is packed with resources. There are details on jobs that protect birds like ornithologists and bird guides and environmental lawyers. There are groups to join like Audubon and Cornell Lab and American Birding Association and the Bird Conservancy. In addition, there are actions to take, including writing letters to elected officials. Lund delves into planting natives, turning out lights, keeping cats inside and more. As he notes, “the future for all birds—and our entire planet—is at stake.” The “What Can We Do” chapter of WORLD WITHOUT BIRDS provides kids with long-term and short-term ways to save birds and protect the planet This is a book for school and home libraries, and for children who care. With its emphasis on how far we have come in conservation efforts, it’s for all the kids who want to step in and protect the planet. World Without Birds, written by Nick Lund, illustrated by Asia Orlando Workman Kids, 2026; ISBN: 978-1-5235-1802-9 $16.99 US; 176 pages, ages 10 and up