I just spent the amount you mention on a 14.2 mp camera outfit, the Sony A350.
Body and 18-70 kit lens is $899.00. I got battery grip, 250.00. Extra required battery,
$70.00. Also the Zeiss 16-20 F/3.5 - 4.5 zoom lens at $689.00. Sandisk 4gb ultra lll memory card for $90.00. Lots of pixel density for crops. Very very good IQ. This outfit covers everything except the long wildlife lens. Several economical lens in the 300mm range are available for this camera. ALL lens will be stabilized as the camera has stabilization. You may not require stabilized image taking right now, but if you try it I bet you will want it for sure.

Just an alternative. If you want to do without the battery grip, you could pick up a 70 - 300 zoom to get you started for the amount you specify.

Previous comment about never being close enough or having big enough lens for wildlife is absolutely on the mark.