We sent out another list of questions to bird guides who have already been profiled on 10,000 Birds. In the sixth edition of this second series, we ask
What still surprises you about birds?
Here are the answers.
A new behaviour I have not seen before. Gabor Orban, Hungary/Costa Rica
Ecology. Zhang Lin, China
How reliable they can be and how routine-bound they can be. Bird migration is also fascinating. Marc Cronje, East and Southern Africa
The behaviour of birds will forever surprise me. I am constantly seeing new things, even from the most common and familiar species. I also adore the fact that anything can turn up anywhere at any time – and always when you are least expecting it. David Lindo, Spain
The sheer beauty of birds continues to amaze me. As well as how much we truly don’t know about them! Faraaz Abdool, Trinidad & Tobago
You’re always learning or seeing something new in what they do. John Hague, UK
The precision of migration. Even after years, seeing birds return—sometimes to the exact same tree—is astonishing. Each season feels like witnessing a miracle. Marcelo Carlos De Cruzky, Argentina
Ways and means of making their nests, for example, “Red Headed Malimbe” makes a ball nest with a long tube entrance, which makes the whole thing interesting. Kwame Brown, Ghana
What still surprises me about birds is their extraordinary resilience and intelligence. Migratory species, in particular, seem almost magical in how they respond to changing weather patterns—adjusting timing, routes, and altitude with remarkable precision. Their ability to navigate vast distances, sometimes flying thousands of miles across oceans, in search of breeding grounds, food, and safer habitats, remains deeply fascinating. Equally impressive is how they instinctively avoid predators and endure harsh environmental conditions along the way. Then there are the intricate nesting behaviors—especially in hornbills, where the female seals herself inside a tree cavity, relying entirely on the male for survival. It’s a powerful example of trust, adaptation, and survival strategy in the wild. Birds are not just travelers of the skies; they are master strategists, constantly adapting to a changing world in ways we are still trying to fully understand. Magada Haily Miriam, Uganda
The fact that every year some migrant species might choose the same tree or bush means that you can almost guarantee that they will be there next year. Spyros Skareas, Greece
Everything. Even with a familiar species, I’ll always find something new to learn or enjoy – an odd call, a different behavior, a new interaction. Birds will never cease to amaze me. Derek Lovich, Maine, USA
Sometimes their behavior is confusing, and their color patterns are interesting to see and capture every time we observe them. Eko Lesomar, Papua New Guinea
Birds are always happy and content, no matter the external conditions in the wild. René Santos, Brazil
Each species has its own unique courtship rituals and nest-building behaviors, as well as its own efforts to complete its reproductive cycle. Sandra Maria Plua Alban, Ecuador
Their sheer resilience. Even in the face of habitat loss, the heartbreak of failed nesting seasons, or the harsh realities of nature, birds meet every sunrise with a sense of renewed optimism. They don’t dwell on yesterday’s struggles; they simply start again with everything they have. There is a profound lesson for all of us in that—a reminder to keep moving forward, no matter the odds. Savio Fonseca, India
After more than 53 years of birdwatching, I still enjoy the vibrant colors of, for example, a male Common Redstart; the fascination of large flocks of birds (e.g., waders and starlings) and seasonal bird migration; the adaptability of some bird species to changing environmental conditions (urbanization of the Northern Goshawk in Berlin); and the fact that there are still open questions in ornithology that can be explored. Rolf Nessing, Germany
The editor:
Many guides continue to be surprised by birds no matter how many years they have spent watching them. Their behavior, migration, nesting strategies, resilience, and adaptability are recurring themes, with several guides emphasizing how birds still reveal new behaviors and mysteries even among familiar species. Migration in particular is often described as astonishing, especially the precision with which birds return to the same places year after year. Others highlight the beauty, intelligence, and optimism of birds, as well as the fact that ornithology still contains many unanswered questions.
Photo: Smew, Nanhui, Shanghai, November 2017
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