Author: Alex Sansom

December 16, 2024

Sweet Sixteen! Get ready for the 2025 Caribbean Waterbird Census

Get ready for the 16th annual Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) Region-Wide count! From January 14th to February 3rd 2025, you can make a direct impact on waterbird conservation in the Caribbean. Want to know more? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about our CWC 2025 regional count.

The data collected from the past 15 years of the CWC has been invaluable in helping us conserve waterbirds in the region! Your survey efforts can help us identify and protect important places for waterbirds in the Caribbean. For instance the Cargill Salt Ponds in Bonaire were designated a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) site of Regional Importance as a direct result of survey efforts. CWC surveys are also critical in tracking waterbird populations and threats to waterbirds and their wetland homes.

Cargill Salt Ponds, Bonaire.

The Cargill Salt Ponds site also supports other habitat types, like these mangroves. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)

Least Sandpiper and Western Sandpiper walking on salt crystals at Cargill Salt Ponds. (Photo by Jeff Gerbracht)

Flamingo at the Cargill Salt Ponds, Bonaire.

Caribbean wetlands are home to over 185 species of waterbirds making them a treasure to explore and vital to protect. Our wetlands host endemic and globally threatened species, along with many migratory birds. The data you help us collect through this ongoing, standardized survey is crucial for understanding how to conserve these exceptional species and manage their habitats effectively.

Ready, set, count! Get out there and enjoy the waterbirds

Why not wade into the wonderful world of waterbirds? Everyone is welcome to join in with the CWC in 2025! You can do your waterbird counts solo, team up with friends, or even reach out to a local environmental NGO for support and guidance. It’s as easy as heading out to your nearest wetland, and recording all the birds you see.

Three Little Blue Herons in flight — A small flock of Little Blue Herons comes in to land. (Photo by Matthew Addicks Macaulay Library-ML189076771)

For the CWC, a wetland is any area where water is the primary factor controlling what lives there. This wide broad definition includes covers coastal wetlands like mangroves, mud flats, lagoons and beaches, as well as inland wetlands like lakes, ponds, swamps, areas around rivers and streams and even some types of agriculture (e.g. rice fields).

Of course, to participate in the Caribbean Waterbird Census, you need to be in the Caribbean when you do your counts! Check out our handy survey tips below to help you get started with your CWC surveys:

You can find detailed information about how to conduct surveys here.

Remember: Use CWC protocols in eBird!

Making a bird list during CWC — Coral Aviles listing the birds in the CWC list on eBird, Blassina Canal Puerto Rico. (Photo by Eliezer Nieves)

Want to be sure that your counts count? Then use eBird AND chose one of the CWC protocols. Data from the CWC is all stored on eBird Caribbean but to make sure your count is included in the CWC you must use one of the CWC protocols for your list.

Using one of these protocols in eBird is critical, without it we will not know that you have done a CWC count and your data will not be logged in our CWC database.

When you submit your sightings on Step 2, under “Observation Type” be sure to pick one of the CWC options. Simply making an eBird list during the regional count dates is not enough—selecting the appropriate protocol is required for it to be ‘counted’ as CWC data. If you are using the mobile eBird app to collect and submit your data, don’t forget that you need to use the eBird Caribbean portal to see the CWC protocol options (check in your settings). If you’re new to eBird, check out our helpful video here on how to use eBird and Merlin.

Finally, whilst you’ll be on the lookout for waterbirds (ducks, herons, egrets, shorebirds etc.) you should be sure to count all the birds that you see and hear during your survey visits. If you need help with eBird submissions, have questions about which CWC protocol to choose, or with setting up an eBird account, please contact Alex Sansom: waterbird.manager@birdscaribbean.org

We’re here to help!

New to the CWC survey or need a refresher? Don’t worry! We’ve put together amazing resources that will make your counts easy, enjoyable and successful. To help you get started or refresh your memory, watch our YouTube webinar that walks you through the CWC survey steps!

What’s that? You need a hand with your waterbird ID? You’ve come to the right place—brush up on your ID skills using our videos on YouTube!

Part I covers herons, egrets, ducks, marsh birds, and seabirds.

Part II tackles those tricky shorebirds!

We also have even more ID, survey planning tips, and outreach resources that are available for you to use and download on this page. This includes information on what to do if you see a banded bird during your surveys as well as our handy ID Guide to Common Caribbean Shorebirds, which can print and take with you on your surveys.

A volunteer uses a Shorebird ID card at a Caribbean Waterbird Census count. (Photo by Dayamiris Candelario OPAS)

Handy Caribbean shorebird ID card

Studying shorebird identification in the field with Lisa Sorenson. (Photo by Kristy Shortte)

If you need more help with those troublesome shorebirds you can also check out our series of short videos. Each of these deals with ID-ing some of the shorebirds that are more difficult separate, like Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs and Peeps!

Have fun out there!

We hope you have a great time exploring your country’s wetlands and counting birds during the regional CWC count. Remember every count completed helps protect waterbirds! Please stay safe and carry out your counts responsibly. This means taking care not to disturb the birds or damage their habitats. See how many of your local wetlands you can visit during this three-week period and make an even greater impact on waterbird conservation.

If you find yourself having a fab time with your CWC counts and want to spot more waterbirds, the fun doesn’t stop at the regional count! You can do a CWC survey at any time of the year—just head to a Caribbean wetland and count all the birds you see!

Counting flamingos, herons, egrets, and many other waterbirds at Las Salinas, Zapata Swamp.

Good luck! We look forward to hearing about your findings. If you need help with bird ID, or have photos and exciting observations to share, please post to our Waterbird Group Listserv (everyone is welcome to join) and/or on our BirdsCaribbean Facebook page. For sharing on social media, use hashtags: #CaribbeanWaterbirdCensus and #WaterbirdsCount AND please tag us: @BirdsCaribbean

Promotional Social Media Graphics – Please feel free to download these graphics and use these to promote your Caribbean Waterbird Census surveys (just open the graphic you want to use right click and choose ‘save image as’) .

December 14, 2024

Birds Connect Our World – Day 75

Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) with us in 2024! This year’s theme is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds”. Have fun learning about a new migratory bird every day. We have coloring pages, interesting facts, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.

Migratory Bird of the Day: Wood Duck

Meet the dazzling Wood Duck! It is one of North America’s most stunning ducks, turning heads wherever it goes with its vibrant and ornate plumage. The elegant male sports a glossy green head with a long green, purple, and white crest at the rear, chestnut-coloured breast, black-and-white neck, orange-red bill, and brilliant red eye. Females have a more understated beauty with warm brown to grayish plumage, a pronounced white tear drop around the eye, white throat, and soft gray crest. Males in non-breeding plumage and juveniles resemble adult females.

True to their name, Wood Ducks live in or near forested swamps. They stand out among ducks for their ability to perch gracefully on tree branches and logs, thanks to their strong claws. Unlike most ducks that nest on the ground or in reeds, Wood Ducks favor snug tree cavities high above ground—sometimes directly over water. They rely on pre-existing holes, often crafted by woodpeckers or natural breaks in trees. The female selects the nest site, while the male waits nearby.

To make the cavity cozy, the female lines it with soft down feathers from her breast, ensuring warmth for her eggs. After hatching, the one-day old ducklings climb up to the cavity entrance and leap fearlessly, landing safely on the ground or water below, even from heights exceeding 50 feet! Their mother calls them, but the ducklings navigate this daring jump on their own—and land without injury!

A study in South Carolina found that 42% of nesting females returned to the same site the following year, highlighting the crucial need to protect these nesting trees.

Wood Ducks enjoy munching on aquatic plants, but they also eat seeds, fruits, insects, and other arthropods. When their aquatic buffet becomes scarce, they venture into the forest to forage for nuts or into fields to snack on grains. Ducklings feed exclusively on protein-rich insects and small invertebrates to fuel their rapid growth.

These birds can be found year-round along the Pacific Coast, in the Northwest, Midwest and Eastern United States, and in Cuba! Migratory populations winter in the southern U.S. and northern Mexico and are rare visitors to the northern Bahamas. Wood Ducks form pairs on their wintering grounds and males follow their mates back to their breeding areas. This means a male may make a long journey north one spring and a shorter one the next, depending on where his partner leads him.

In the early 20th century, hunting pressure coupled with loss of nesting sites pushed Wood Ducks to near extinction. Thanks to legal protection and artificial nest boxes, their populations rebounded, and the species is no longer considered threatened. However, preserving their habitats and the insects they rely on remains vital. Keep waterways clean, and opt for organic fertilizers and biopesticides to minimize harm to wetlands. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here. Great news! If you’re in the Caribbean, thanks to BirdsCaribbean, you have free access to Birds of the World and you can find out even more in the full species account of this bird!

Thanks to Aliya Hosein for the text and Arnaldo Toledo for the lovely illustration!

Color in the Wood Duck

Download the Migratory Birds of the Day Coloring Page! Use the picture above and the photos on this page as your guide, or look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your colored-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #WMBD2024Carib

Listen to the calls of the Wood Duck

Female Wood Ducks have a loud “oo-eek, oo-eek” call that they make in flight or when disturbed.

Enjoy these photos of Wood Ducks

Female Wood Duck — The more demure female Wood Duck has an understated elegance of her own. Females normally lay 10-11 eggs per clutch, and will sometimes raise two broods in one breeding season! (Photo by Alan D. Wilson)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Some times birds can be hard to find! Your task in this activity is to find and identify the hidden bird in the given picture!

All you need to do is download and print this activity sheet. Then color in the spaces according to the instructions below to see what kind of bird this is. Once you have found them, describe or name the bird.

Esta actividad también se puede descargar en español en español. ¡Disfruta buscando todas las cosas de la lista!

Tu tarea consiste en encontrar e identificar el pájaro escondido en la imagen dada. Colorea los espacios según las instrucciones siguientes para ver de qué tipo de pájaro se trata. Una vez encontrado, describe o nombra el pájaro.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy this video of a Wood Duck in the wild!

December 11, 2024

Showing Some Love for Shorebirds: Caribbean Highlights from World Shorebirds Day 2024!

Timed with the global migration of shorebirds from breeding to overwinter areas, World Shorebirds Day is celebrated every September 6th! This special day highlights these incredible birds and the amazing journeys they make. It also brings attention to the threats they face and actively promotes shorebird monitoring and conservation through the Global Shorebird Count (GSC). Over the week-long GSC, people all over the world come together to monitor shorebird populations and protect the vital habitats these birds depend on for shelter and food. In the Caribbean, we enthusiastically joined the count, showing our love for these remarkable birds. Here are highlights from around the islands!

Sargassum draws shorebirds in the British Virgin Islands (BVI)

Rondel Smith, a Terrestrial Warden with the National Parks Trust of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), headed out to survey shorebirds across Anegada’s wetlands. He was surprised that of all the wetland habitats he visited the beaches proved to be the hotspot for shorebirds. Perhaps because of their thick beds of sargassum? Rondel said “the beached sargassum seemed to be very popular as hundreds of sandpipers could be seen foraging through it.” You can learn more about how beneficial sargassum is to wildlife from the free e-book ‘Suddenly Sargassum’ by Les Fruits de Mer linked at the ned of this blog. Rondel also spotted Ruddy Turnstones, Sanderlings, Short-Billed Dowitchers. The highlight of the count?—A Piping Plover! This small globally near-threatened shorebird is a fairly common winter visitor in parts of The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and Cuba, but it is a much rarer sight in the BVI. This shows that once you are out monitoring waterbirds you never know what you might find! Rondel’s efforts also revealed an unexpected discovery—an active Brown Pelican nesting colony, the first ever recorded nesting on the island!

Enjoy Rondel’s beautiful photos from his shorebirds surveys:

Western Sandpiper BVI. (Photo by Rondel Smith)

Shorebirds feeding on sargassum, BVI. (Photo by Rondel Smith)

A Semipalmated Sandpiper enjoying the sargassum, BVI. (Photo by Rondel Smith)

Young Brown Pelicans, BVI. (Photo by Rondel Smith)

You can also find out more about birds and sargassum in this great book on the topic “Suddenly Sargassum”

Suddenly, Sargassum! New Book Documents Relationship Between Sargassum and Birds

Another exciting discovery in Cuba

Ailen Anido Escalona shared some amazing finds from her shorebird surveys in Cuba with us. During their week of surveys, Ailen and her team counted many wetland birds in addition to shorebirds. Their efforts led to the discovery of a previously undocumented colony of American Flamingos—an exciting find! They also managed to visit the lagoons of the Las Balsas wetland, a site monitored with BirdsCaribbean’s support. Alien reflected on the importance of their work: “It was a unique experience, as we continue to build knowledge about our birdlife.”

Group of birders in Cuba — Ailen and the survey team.

American Flamingos (Photo by Ailen Anido Escalona)

Engaging youth in St. Eustatius

Group of people on a beach — Jethro and group enjoy a walk and bird survey along Zeelandia Beach for World Shorebirds Day. (Photo by Jethro van ‘t Hul)

Small islands with small wetland areas are still important for shorebirds on the move, so we were delighted to hear about the monitoring effort of Jethro van ‘t Hul of STENAPA on St. Eustatius. As part of their celebration, Jethro hosted an afternoon walk along a local beach on September 6th, World Shorebirds Day itself! Seven participants, including curious youngsters, joined in the fun. They spotted 17 bird species, 10 of which were shorebirds, including Short-billed Dowitchers and Wilson’s Plovers. This hands-on experience inspired participants to connect with nature and appreciate the importance of shorebird conservation.

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A post shared by St Eustatius National Parks (@stenapastatia)

An abundance of birds in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico celebrated World Shorebirds Day with impressive results. Biologist Nahíra Arocho-Hernández along with volunteers, Julián Rivera and José (Cheo) Vargas, surveyed the Salt Flats of the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge. Their efforts paid off in a big way! They identified an impressive 22 shorebird species of shorebirds, with a total of 2,540 birds counted! The Salt Flats were teeming with Stilt Sandpipers and Semipalmated Sandpipers. Nahíra and her team also encountered several individuals of the larger shorebird species, such as Whimbrels, Willets and striking American Oystercatchers, adding more excitement to their GSC. Their dedication highlights the incredible biodiversity of Puerto Rico’s wetlands.

The local organization De Pajareo Puerto Rico also joined in, sharing their shorebird adventures during the Global Shorebird Count. Follow along on their shorebird-counting adventures here:

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A post shared by De Pajareo Puerto Rico (@depajareopr)

They also posts some great ID tips for waterbirds and shorebirds in Puerto Rico!

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A post shared by De Pajareo Puerto Rico (@depajareopr)

Join us next year!

World Shorebirds Day is more than a celebration of amazing shorebirds — it’s a tribute to the beautiful wetlands they rely on to survive and the love and dedication shown to them by all the Caribbean shorebird monitors. We thank everyone who participated in this year’s event. Together, we’re making a difference!

Mark your calendars for next year’s Global Shorebird Count and World Shorebirds Day. Bring your friends and family, and let’s make it another unforgettable celebration as well as grow the move to monitor and protect shorebirds and their habitats.

In case you missed them from earlier in the year, BirdsCaribbean made some great ID videos to help you separate the Peeps and Spotted Sandpiper from Solitary Sandpiper. You can find all our shorebird ID videos here, and all of our great shorebird ID and outreach resources can be found here.

Suddenly, Sargassum! New Book Documents Relationship Between Sargassum and Birds

December 9, 2024

Honoring the Legacy of Wayne Burke, a Shorebird Conservation Champion in Barbados

Group photo in hut overlooking wetland habitat at Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge, Barbados — BirdsCaribbean visiting Woodbourne in 2022 during our Wetlands Education Workshop in Barbados. L to R: Lisa Sorenson, Wayne “Doc” Burke, Alex Sansom, Ian “Bolt” Alkins. (photo by Michele Kading)

With deep sadness, we share the news of Wayne Burke’s passing on November 19th, in Barbados. Affectionately known as “Doc,” Wayne was a tireless advocate for shorebird conservation and a visionary leader in transforming Barbados into a safer haven for migratory birds.

In 2008, Wayne began his journey with BirdLife International to address the unsustainable hunting of shorebirds. Together with two former hunters, he helped secure the lease for the abandoned shooting swamp at Woodbourne. Following restoration, the Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge welcomed its first southbound migrants in 2009, becoming a vital sanctuary for a remarkable diversity of shorebirds and waterbirds year-round.

Wayne’s 2009 publication in the Journal of the Barbados Museum and Historical Society beautifully documents Woodbourne’s establishment and highlights the site’s immense ecological value. To ensure its long-term protection, he co-founded the Shorebird Conservation Trust, a registered charity in Barbados.

Wayne Burke at Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge. (photo by Yves Aubrey)

Wayne’s influence extended beyond Woodbourne. His efforts, in collaboration with the Barbados Wildfowlers Association, helped shift hunting practices in Barbados, leading to self-imposed bag limits by hunters. The Wildfowlers Association and many hunters and ex-hunters actively supported the work Wayne and the Shorebird Conservation Trust did to restore and improve the habitat for shorebirds at the Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge. There are now several swamps in Barbados, including Congo Road and Fosters—where habitat is still managed for shorebirds but no shooting takes place, provide important shorebird refuges alongside Woodbourne.

In recognition of his tireless dedication, Wayne received the Pablo Canevari Conservation Award in 2017. You can read more about this award as well as his life and contributions to shorebird conservation in this article published when he received this award, and also in this tribute from Manomet.

Bolt and Wayne stand in the hut at Woodbourne, whilst Bolt holds a Birds of the West Indies field guide. — Wayne with Ian “Bolt” Alkins at Woodbourne in 2022. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)

For many years, Wayne managed the Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge with support from USAID, ensuring it remained a haven for shorebirds, students, researchers, and bird enthusiasts.

In recent years, as Wayne has faced health issues, Ian “Bolt” Alkins has taken up this work, continuing Wayne’s legacy with equal passion and commitment.

Last month, during our 8th Caribbean Birding Trail Guide Training Workshop in Barbados, Woodbourne was a highlight for participants. Its incredible diversity of shorebirds and waterbirds made for an unforgettable experience, reinforcing the importance of Wayne’s work.

Group at Woodbourne looking at wetland birds — Participants at our Caribbean Birding Trail (CBT) Guide Training Workshop in Barbados last month enjoyed the huge diversity of birds at Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge (photo by WIRRED)

Our deepest condolences go out to all who knew and worked alongside Wayne. His unwavering dedication to protecting shorebirds has left an indelible mark on conservation in Barbados. We are profoundly grateful for his hard work, humor, and passion, and we are honored to continue supporting his vision for a thriving Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge.

We invite anyone with memories or stories about Wayne to share them with us and we will add them to this tribute (see below).

Find out more about the history of hunting in Barbados and the work Wayne and other did to change hunting practices and establish Woodbourne as a no-shooting refuge here.

You can read more about Wayne’s pioneering shorebird conservation efforts and Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge in this feature published in “Ins and Outs of Barbados” in 2013.

If you would like to know more about threats to shorebirds in the Caribbean and Wayne’s contribution to their conservation see this post:

Shorebirds Under Fire

Tributes to Wayne

From Brad Andres: “Wayne “Doc” Burke worked tirelessly for the conservation of shorebirds, and other species, on Barbados. He gave me a thorough education about the history of shorebird hunting on the island and was a constant source of information on the changing politics and attitudes towards shorebird hunting. His efforts helped form the first Shorebird Harvest Working Group that engaged hunters and practitioners across the Caribbean Basin. I appreciated Wayne’s frank perspectives on what was best for conservation of shorebirds on Barbados. He conducted work at Woodbourne and elsewhere for mediocre wages and even suffered personal injury for his conservation efforts. I hope the trade winds will carry his soul to a place of painless tranquillity.”

From David Wege: “Wayne was a unique conservationist. A surfer birder who’d settled in Barbados after surfing the Americas. Passionate about Bajan birds and their conservation, he was probably the only person able to bridge the divide between the Bajan shorebird hunters and an international conservation community that was in part anti-hunting. Wayne showed that there was a way that benefitted shorebirds by working with the hunters. A way that he was so passionate about that he was often knee deep in mud, literally “getting his hands dirty” to ensure the vision of a shorebird refuge became a reality. When not moving mud or birding at Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge, he would often be on the porch of a swamp hut sharing stories with shorebird hunters. His legacy lives on across the swamps of Barbados – long may they be filled with fall shorebirds and other wildlife.”

David also shared these photos with us:

Group overlooking Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge

Wayne showing a group Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge. (Photo by David Wege)

Golden Plover decoys, used by hunters, Wayne contributed to this species no longer being hunted on Barbados. (Photo by David Wege)

Wayne speaking about shooting swamps. (Photo by David Wege)

November 27, 2024

Birds Connect Our World – Day 74

Migratory Bird of the Day: Louisiana Waterthrush

Who’s that cutie bobbing their booty? It’s the Louisiana Waterthrush! This lively songbird is famous for its constant tail-bobbing, which inspired its scientific name (Parkesia motacilla)—both parts meaning “tail-wagger.” True to its name, the Louisiana Waterthrush thrives near fast-moving rivers and streams, often hopping gracefully along rocky edges.

Its cryptic, thrush-like plumage is dark olive-brown above and white below, with brown streaks on its breast and sides. A bold white eyebrow stripe (wider behind the eye) and a clean, white throat help set it apart from its equally bobbing cousin, the Northern Waterthrush. The latter has buffier underparts, a narrower eyebrow stripe, and streaking on its throat.

You can also tell them apart by song: the Louisiana Waterthrush’s tune begins with 2-4 clear, descending whistles, followed by a complex jumble of notes. Its sharp metallic chip call is higher-pitched than the Northern’s.

While both species winter in the Caribbean, the Louisiana Waterthrush tends to prefer fast-flowing streams, while its cousins favor mangrove swamps—though they can sometimes overlap. It’s hypothesized that the tail-bobbing behavior may serve as camouflage, mimicking rippling water as they forage for invertebrates near streams. Other wetland birds, like Spotted Sandpipers and Solitary Sandpipers have similar bobbing behavior.

The Louisiana Waterthrush is one of the earliest migrants to arrive in their Caribbean and Central American wintering grounds, often reaching as early as July or August. It is also among the first to return north in spring, arriving on breeding grounds in eastern North America well ahead of most warblers. They seem to prefer traveling solo, usually spotted migrating with only one or two individuals.

Despite being a relatively common migrant in the Caribbean, much remains to be learned about their migration. Some take inland routes through Mexico and Central America, while others cross the Gulf of Mexico to overwinter on islands like Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico.

These streamside specialists feed on a great variety of insects, larvae, and even the occasional small frog or minnow. They walk briskly and skillfully among rocks and sticks as they pursue their prey, sometimes wading into water to obtain food. Their reliance on clean streams makes them bioindicators—birds whose health reflects the condition of their habitat. Studies show that water pollution directly affects their survival and breeding success, as it reduces the macroinvertebrates they depend on for food.

Although not considered threatened, Louisiana Waterthrush populations depend on healthy stream ecosystems. Simple actions like disposing of trash properly and using eco-friendly fertilizers can help protect these amazing birds and the waterways they call home. Keeping streams clean safeguards not only the Louisiana Waterthrush but also countless other species that share their habitats.

Let’s celebrate the Louisiana Waterthrush, a migratory bird whose beauty and behavior remind us of the importance of protecting our natural world! Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here. Great news! If you’re in the Caribbean, thanks to BirdsCaribbean, you have free access to Birds of the World and you can find out even more in the full species account of this bird!

Thanks to Holly Garrod for the text and Arnaldo Toledo for the lovely illustration!

Color in the Louisiana Waterthrush

Listen to the calls of the Louisiana Waterthrush

The call of the Louisiana Waterthrush is a loud, metallic ‘chip‘, similar to that of the Northern Waterthrush.

Enjoy these photos of Louisiana Waterthrush

Louisiana Waterthrush with insect prey — Louisiana Waterthrush grabbing a tasty insect snack, this bird mainly feeds on aquatic invertebrates. (Photo by Ryan Shean ML618924609)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Use your observation skills and go on a migratory birds and insect Scavenger hunt! Print the cards on sturdy paper and use a clipboard or piece of cardboard as a writing surface outside.

Talk about this with your kids and then go outside to investigate your habitat and get looking for birds and insects. Instead of collecting the items, this is an observational scavenger hunt. See what you can find on your search and note down each bird or insect you find and anything interesting you spot about them, as they are located. When everyone has had a chance to take part and add items to the list, come back together to chat about what was seen and where they were located. How many different bird did you see? Which habitat had the most insects? Did you spot any birds eating insects?

Esta actividad también se puede descargar en español. ¡Disfruta buscando todas las cosas de la lista!

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy this video of a Louisiana Waterthrush in the wild! In the winter you will likely only hear their ‘chip- chip’ call, but here is a sample of their sweet song from the breeding grounds.

November 12, 2024

Birds Connect Our World – Day 73

Migratory Bird of the Day: Ring-necked Duck

With such a fab updo and glossy plumage, the Ring-necked Duck is one dashing duck! It is also a strong and fast flier, able to take flight by springing up directly from the water! In contrast, most diving ducks need to do a laborious take-off run before flying off. Although Ring-necked Ducks are diving ducks, they’re frequently seen in shallow waters (four feet deep or less), where patches of open water are fringed with aquatic or emergent vegetation such as sedges and lilies.

Ring-necked Ducks don’t tip up as “dabbling” ducks do, like the elegant Northern Pintails and Blue-winged Teals. They plunge underwater and swim using only their feet for propulsion. The plants they munch on include crunchy leaves, stems, seeds, and tubers from pondweed, water lilies, wild celery, wild rice, millet, sedges, and arrowhead. They also chomp down on snails (shell included!), dragonfly larvae, and even leeches! When it’s time to lay eggs during spring (March through April), these ducks need lots of protein, so they gobble up more bugs and small creatures. In the fall, they switch back to munching on plants during their big migration!

Ring-necked Ducks breed in freshwater marshes and bogs across the boreal forests of northern North America. They build their nests about 10 inches above the water, using bent plant stems, or on floating vegetation. This elevated nesting keeps their eggs safe from land predators like foxes. The female lines the nest with her own down feathers, making it soft and cozy. She typically lays between six and 14 eggs. Ducklings hatch and leave the nest within two days, already able to swim and find food, though they stay under their mother’s watchful eye. As temperatures drop, Ring-necked Ducks migrate to warmer areas, including Central America, northern South America, and the Caribbean. On your island, you’re most likely to spot them in swamps, river floodplains, and reservoirs.

The Ring-necked Duck is named for the chestnut collar across its black neck. This collar is hard to see in the field but it was clearly visible to the nineteenth-century biologists that described the species using dead specimens. Males can instead be identified by their pointed heads, bright yellow eyes, satiny black body, light gray sides, and white wedge at the shoulder. Males have a gray bill with a black tip. Their bills are bordered by a white ring. Females have a gray bill with white band and black tip but no white ring around the bill. Males in eclipse (nonbreeding or “hiding”) plumage, which is worn for a month or more after breeding in the summer, display a browner plumage with brown-black head, breast and back. They differ from the females by having bright yellow eyes and no eye-ring.

Females have a brown-gray body, pale white feathers around the base of the bill, a brown top of the head that contrasts with its gray face, and white eye-ring with a narrow white line that extends back from the eye. Immature ducks resemble their corresponding adult plumages by sex, but they are duller in color.

Ring-necked Ducks and other waterbirds rely heavily on wetlands for breeding, wintering, and migrating. If these vital habitats are threatened, their populations can suffer too. Even if wetlands seem far from where you live, you can still help protect them. Keep your sidewalks, lawns, and driveways free of pet waste, trash, and toxic chemicals like motor oil, which can wash into storm drains and pollute wetlands. Talk to friends and family about the importance of wetlands for both wildlife and people. Also, opt for non-nitrogen lawn fertilizers to prevent nutrient pollution, which can lead to harmful algae blooms and dangerous “dead zones” in water. Your actions can make a big difference in preserving these vital habitats and supporting waterbird populations. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here. Great news! If you’re in the Caribbean, thanks to BirdsCaribbean, you have free access to Birds of the World and you can find out even more in the full species account of this bird!

Thanks to Aliya Hosein for the text and Arnaldo Toledo for the lovely illustration!

Color in the Ring-necked Duck

Listen to the calls of the Ring-necked Duck

Ring-necked Ducks make a series of short calls consisting of grating barks or grunts.

Enjoy these photos of Ring-necked Ducks

Male Ring-necked Duck — A beautiful male Ring-neck Duck in striking black and white breeding plumage. In winter he will have gray-brown sides, but you can still use his distinctive peaked head to ID him. (Photo by Becky Matsubara)

Female Ring-necked Ducks — Females are brown with a subtle white eye-ring and grayish face. Look for these ducks in small, shallow wetlands. (Photo by Denny Swaby ML317836361)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: During migration, Ring-necked Ducks will stop to rest and feed on shallow lakes with lots of vegetation. Here they will munch on submerged plants and aquatic creatures.

Can you help this tired and hungry Ring-necked Duck get to the swamp to take a rest and grab a snack on its journey south?

You can find the answer here.

When you are out bird watching, look for Ring-neck Ducks in swamps, on floodplains and estuaries, shallow inland lakes, marshes, ponds and reservoirs!

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy this video of Ring-necked Ducks in the wild!

November 4, 2024

Birds Connect Our World – Day 72

Migratory Bird of the Day: Summer Tanager

Summer Tanagers are one of our boldest and brightest migratory birds, and they come in three exciting “flavors”! Look for them in an entirely bright red plumage or what we like to call strawberry (adult male), a warm yellow plumage better known as banana (adult female), and finally, a mixture of reds and yellows AKA strawberry-banana (young males and older females)!

Despite this buffet of colors, like many birds, Summer Tanagers were named after the appearance of the male. Their latin name, Piranga rubra, is a combination of the Tupi (a language native to Brazil) word for “bright red,” and the Latin word for “red.” Their name essentially means “bright red red” — a perfect description for the male’s stunning plumage!

These striking beauties breed in many parts of the Southern United States. However, there are two distinct breeding populations that likely each take different migration routes. Birds breeding in the Southwestern US migrate through Mexico, down into Central America, and even to northern South America. Birds breeding in the Southeastern US migrate through the Caribbean — Summer Tanagers have been recorded migrating through Cuba, The Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Barbados, Grenada, and Curacao. Whilst the majority will continue on to South America, some birds have been recorded overwintering in the Caribbean!

Like many other songbirds, Summer Tanagers prefer to migrate at night. Cooler temperatures help them avoid overheating during long flights, calmer nighttime air provides smoother flying conditions, and traveling under the cover of darkness means that they can avoid predators that hunt during the day. These birds sometimes flock together, forming groups of up to 30 individuals before leaving to their next stopover site. Flocking may help birds navigate and better avoid predators on the move.

Their rest and refuel time is spent gorging on the good stuff — flying insects like bees, wasps, and beetles, crunchy grasshoppers, and gooey caterpillars. Much like their strawberry and banana plumage, Summer Tanagers are also big fans of fruit, and they can often be found munching on mulberries, blackberries, citrus, and bananas. These crucial meals help them build muscle and fat reserves prior to taking off — in fact, in a study looking at weights and fat storage of migratory birds in the tropics, Summer Tanagers arriving in Panama in the fall were estimated to have enough fat to continue another 860 km of flying!

Summer Tanagers are ready to take summer with them, they are one of the earlier migrants detected migrating as early as August and arriving to their overwintering grounds by the end of September! During migration, look for these birds in secondary growth forests, with a preference for edge habitats and gardens. Their overwintering habitat is similar and they can often be found in forest edges and second-growth woodlands such as those used in shade-grown coffee plantations. You may spot them anywhere from low-lying mangroves, up to 1800 m in elevation!

If you’re fortunate enough to live on an island that serves as a migration stop for the Summer Tanager, you can attract these beautiful birds to your backyard by planting native trees that provide a rich source of flying insects and produce the fruits they love to feast on. This will help sustain these tanagers on their journey to South America. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here. Great news! If you’re in the Caribbean, thanks to BirdsCaribbean, you have free access to Birds of the World and you can find out even more in the full species account of this bird!

Thanks to Holly Garrod for the text and Arnaldo Toledo for the lovely illustration!

Color in the Summer Tanager

Listen to the calls of the Summer Tanager

The calls of the Summer Tanager are a short, descending “pit-a-tuck.”

Enjoy these photos of Summer Tanagers

A pair of Summer Tanagers. Adult males are completely red whereas females can be a range of colors, from pale dull yellow to brighter orange. (Photo by Magdalena Richter ML623482755)

Immature male Summer Tanager. When it comes to diet these colorful birds are bee and wasp specialists though they will also eat fruit. (Photo by Linda Petersen)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Honey bees feed on both nectar and pollen. Nectar provides energy, and pollen provides protein and other nutrients. They find their food through sight and smell.

In today’s activity you will do an experiment to test how great bees are at remembering where they can find food!

With the help of an adult, you will need to gather the following items before you get started:

Pan or microwave-safe dish
Water
50g sugar
5 clear dishes
4 pieces of white paper
1 piece of red paper

Then download and follow these simple instructions and get started finding out more about bees!

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy this video of a male Summer Tanager feeding on fruit!

October 15, 2024

Birds Connect Our World – Day 71

Migratory Bird of the Day: Cliff Swallow

Meet the Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)! The Cliff Swallow is a master of the skies, performing dazzling acrobatics as it hunts for its favorite food—flying insects. Unique among swallows, the Cliff Swallow frequently changes altitude while flying, has a high-speed flight, and often glides with its wings tilted downward.

The Cliff Swallow is a compact swallow with a short, square tail. Its striking plumage features a metallic, dark-blue back and crown, cinnamon-colored neck, pale buffy-orange rump, whitish belly, and bright buff-white forehead patch. Males and females look similar, while juveniles look like a drab version of the adult.

It can be challenging to identify these fast-flying birds, so it’s important to know how they differ from similar species. The Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva) has a paler throat and orange forehead, while the Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) has a long deeply forked tail and lacks the Cliff Swallow’s buffy-orange rump.

The Cliff Swallow has a vast range, breeding throughout North America. It winters in and/or passes through many Caribbean islands on migration, traveling as far south as Brazil and Argentina. Its exact distribution in these wintering areas and the migratory routes it follows are not well understood highlighting the need for more research.

Cliff Swallows are highly social, often nesting in colonies that can host up to 6,000 nests at a single site! Historically, they chose natural sites like cliff faces or canyon walls to place their intricate mud nests. But in the last 100 to 150 years, they’ve expanded their range across North America, finding nesting spots on modern structures like bridges, culverts, and buildings.

The social behavior of the Cliff Swallow during the breeding season has been well-studied, helping us understand the evolution of colonial nesting and rapid adaptation to environmental changes both natural and human-made. Their flexibility has allowed them to thrive across North America, even colonizing areas where they hadn’t previously been recorded.

Cliff Swallows migrate through a wide variety of habitats. You can most likely spot them over grasslands, wetlands, and agricultural areas, zooming around acrobatically to catch insects on the wing. You may also spot them perched in trees preening or roosting for the night, or bathing in shallow water.

Although classified as a species of “Least Concern,” conservation actions are still vital to their long-term survival. Reducing pesticide use helps keep their insect food abundant, and participating in citizen science counts aids researchers in tracking migration and population trends — contributing to the protection of this remarkable species.

Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here. Great news! If you’re in the Caribbean, thanks to BirdsCaribbean, you have free access to Birds of the World and you can find out even more in the full species account of this bird!

Thanks to Alieny González Alfonso for the text and Arnaldo Toledo for the lovely illustration!

Color in the Cliff Swallow

Listen to the calls of the Cliff Swallow

The calls of the Cliff Swallow are a short, repeated “chur”.

Enjoy these photos of Cliff Swallows

Cliff Swallow in flight — Cliff Swallows eat flying insects all year round, catching them on the wing and sometimes foraging in large flocks of thousands of birds! (Photo by Daniel Irons Macaulay Library-ML193593551)

Cliff Swallow Perched. Migration in both in Fall and Spring spans several months. In Fall birds can arrive on migration from July through to November and may even still be arriving in December. (Photo by Brad Imhoff Macaulay Library-ML338869051)

Activity of the Day

Talk about this with your kids and then go outside to investigate your habitat using the Habitat Scavenger Hunt cards. Instead of collecting the items on the list, this is an observation scavenger hunt. You can check off the items (with a pencil or pen), as they are located. When everyone has had a chance to look for the items listed, come back together to chat about where they were located. Were any difficult or impossible to find? Why do you think that was? For example, was it too dry to find any waterbirds or insects that live in water?

Esta actividad también se puede descargar en español en español. ¡Disfruta buscando todas las cosas de la lista!

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy this video of Cliff Swallows in the wild! You can see a Barn Swallow, which is also a migratory bird in the Caribbean, next to the Cliff Swallow for comparison (it does not have a white ‘forehead’!).

October 4, 2024

Birds Connect Our World – Day 70

Migratory Bird of the Day: Gull-billed Tern

Have you ever spotted a sleek, silver-gray and white tern with a thick black bill soaring gracefully above a saltmarsh, beach, or flooded field? You’ve likely encountered the Gull-billed Tern! This medium-sized bird can also be identified by its long black legs and slightly forked tail. During the breeding season, it sports a striking black cap, while in other months, its head has a more subtle black band stretching from the eyes to the back of the head. Juveniles, on the other hand, have fine dark speckles between the crown and back of the neck and warm brown mottling on the upper wings.

The Gull-billed Tern has an impressive range, with breeding populations scattered across the Americas (including the Caribbean), Europe, Africa, and Asia. Birds from North America and the Caribbean fly south to winter along the Gulf of Mexico and coasts of Central and South America, while some remain in the Caribbean. It breeds in select spots in The Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, and Sombrero Island (Anguilla).

This adaptable bird thrives in various habitats. During the non-breeding season, it can be found foraging and resting in salt pans, coastal lagoons, marshes, and even plowed or flooded fields. Inland, it favors large rivers, lakes, rice paddies, sewage ponds, and irrigation canals.

When it’s time to nest, Gull-billed Terns prefer to nest in colonies on islands with sparse or no vegetation, or on sandbanks, dry mudflats, dunes, and even near wetlands like marshes and lagoons. It uses small stones and plant material to build nests and typically lays one to two eggs. This species appears less tolerant to human disturbance and is not as faithful to nesting sites as other gulls and terns.

Unlike many of its gull and tern relatives, Gull-billed Terns are not die-hard seafood lovers. They have a broad diet, and this where having a thick bill comes in handy. They hawk for insects in the air, pluck crabs, small reptiles and frogs from the ground, and snatch small fishes out of the water — without diving! They also boldly pilfer fish straight from the bills of other birds like the Common Tern. Occasionally, they’ll eat the chicks of other species, such as shorebirds and Least Tern!

What does this audacious tern sound like? Its call has been described as a slightly upslurred “kay-wek.” Its song is “raspy” and consists of 2-3 syllables.

Although their global population is stable, it’s crucial to share the shore with this and other waterbird species. Human disturbance can cause parents to abandon nests and chicks can die if driven away from the nest area too soon. So when you’re near their habitat, remember to give these birds space, keep dogs leashed, and clean up after yourself. You can find more tips on sharing the shore and a free downloadable infographic here.

Keep your eyes to the skies and your senses sharp — spotting this charismatic seabird is always a thrill! Whether it’s soaring gracefully or acrobatically hunting its insect prey, the Gull-billed Tern never disappoints. Happy birding! Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here. Great news! If you’re in the Caribbean, thanks to BirdsCaribbean, you have free access to Birds of the World and you can find out even more in the full species account of this bird!

Thanks to Antonio Garcia Quintas for the text and Arnaldo Toledo for the lovely illustration!

Color in the Gull-billed Tern

Listen to the calls of the Gull-billed Tern

The call of the Gull-billed Tern is a lightly upslurred “kay-wek”

Enjoy these photos of Gull-billed Tern

Gull-billed Tern in flight — In breeding plumage, Gull-billed Terns sport black-caps. Gull-billed Terns are monogamous and pairs stay together for many years! (Photo by Steve Schnoll)

Gull-billed Tern Foraging — Gull-billed Tern foraging with its distinctive thick bill. This tern is not fussy when it comes to food, and will eat a variety or prey, including insects it catches on the wing. (Photo by Pablo Re, Macaulay Library-ML350199221)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Four our activity today why not imagine that you are a Gull-billed Tern and complete the My Migration Adventure creative writing activity!

We have provided a template for you to write a short story about a migration journey. Pretend that you are a migrating Gull-billed Tern flying from the US to the warm and sunny Caribbean. Imagine getting ready to make this epic journey: how would you be feeling having to fly so far? Think about the places you will see along the way and perhaps about other migratory birds you could ‘meet’ on the way.

This is a long journey so you should also think about challenges you, as a Gull-billed Tern, might face!

As well as writing about the journey you might also want to add some pictures to your story. Perhaps you could add a map of where you would be traveling or you could add some pictures of the other migratory birds on the route, of a particular challenge you might face or of a ‘rest stop’.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy this video of a Gull-billed Tern in the wild! First in breeding plumage and then, in winter plumage without its black cap.

September 20, 2024

Birds Connect Our World – Day 69

Migratory Bird of the Day: Pectoral Sandpiper

If you’re out birding in marshy, wet, grasslands during migration season, and you see a shorebird’s head pop up — with a slightly down-curved bill — chances are you’ve just spotted a Pectoral Sandpiper! As the medium sized shorebird obligingly steps out of the vegetation you will observe its distinctive, boldly-streaked brown breast. One more stride into the open reveals that this streaky breast pattern ends abruptly — in a stark line marking the start of the white belly and underparts! Pectoral Sandpipers also sport streaked heads and necks, while the feathers on their back and wings are brown with rufous edges. They have shortish yellow-green legs, and are often seen in shallow water or at the water’s edge in grassy vegetation. You might spot them with American Golden Plovers who like similar habitats, and sometimes form flocks with Pectoral Sandpipers.

We all know that many shorebirds are great travelers during migration, but the long-distance journey of the Pectoral Sandpiper is especially amazing! They breed in the high arctic tundra through Siberia and North America, and most of their population winters in South America. Their winter range includes Peru, south Bolivia, south Brazil, Uruguay, south to central Chile, all the way down to southernmost Argentina. This means that some individuals, leaving from the northernmost parts of the breeding range and flying down to the southern tip of Argentina, are making round trip migrations of up to 30,000 km! This is similar to the journeys made by another epic long-distance migrant, the Arctic Tern, and is amongst the longest migrations for a shorebird in the Americas. Pectoral Sandpipers fuel up for these long trips by chowing down on wriggling midge and crane fly larvae.

In fact, Pectoral Sandpipers feast on different types of insects year-round, underscoring our WMBD theme “Protect Insects, Protect Birds”. During fall and winter they can be found in their favorite grassy wet areas — freshwater marshes, pond edges, and flooded agricultural areas. Their love for these environments have earned them the nickname “grasspipers” among birders. They use their down-curved bills to peck at insects at the water’s edge and probe the soft mud, feeling for aquatic insects such as diving beetles, insect larvae of midges and flies, as well as mollusks and worms.

Pectoral Sandpipers are listed by the IUCN as ‘least concern’, but like many shorebirds, their population is unfortunately in decline. Although this shorebird was extensively hunted in North America in the past, this is unlikely to be the cause of the current population decline. The reasons for this present decline are not well understood and need further study, however, it is thought that the loss of freshwater wetlands needed during migration and on their wintering grounds could be part of the problem. Wetland areas supporting thriving insect and invertebrate populations provide essential food for so many of our migratory and resident birds. Keeping wet, grassy areas full of the insects that birds like Pectoral Sandpipers need to thrive can help them on their way during their long migrations! Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here. Great news! If you’re in the Caribbean, thanks to BirdsCaribbean, you have free access to Birds of the World and you can find out even more in the full species account of this bird!

Thanks to Alex Sansom for the text and Arnaldo Toledo for the lovely illustration!

Color in the Pectoral Sandpiper

Listen to the calls of the Pectoral Sandpiper

The calls of the Pectoral Sandpiper is a low, sharp “churt”. This call is quite distinctive and can help identify Pectoral Sandpipers when flushed or in flight.

Enjoy these photos of Pectoral Sandpipers

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Have you ever wondered how migratory birds like the Pectoral Sandpiper know which direction to go when they hit the skies for their long trips south? And why it is they they hardly ever get lost (unless they get blown off course)!

We don’t yet fully understand how it is that birds are so good at finding their way to their winter homes. But they know that birds can use different senses to help them navigate as they migrate. They can help set their direction using the position of the sun and stars. They can also use landmarks, just like we do, to help them know where they are. One other special way birds can navigate is to use Earth’s magnetic field. Just like birds we can navigate using this magnetic field, unlike birds we cannot sense this ourselves but we can use a magnetic compass.

In our “Navigate Like a Bird” activity You will make your own compass at using materials you have at home! You will need:

Sewing needle about 1-2 inches long
Small bar magnet or refrigerator magnet
A small piece of cork (a flat piece from a wine bottle works but make sure it is cork and not plastic)
A shallow bowl
Water
Pliers

Remember needles are sharp, so you will need a trusted adult to help you with this activity.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy this video of a Pectoral Sandpiper in the wild!

September 11, 2024

Birds Connect Our World – Day 68

Migratory Bird of the Day: Semipalmated Sandpiper

Meet our first ‘Migratory Bird of the Day’ for 2024, the Semipalmated Sandpiper! Despite being pint-sized and gray-brown in color, this bird is anything but boring! For a start do you know why it has such a curious name? ‘Semipalmated’ refers to the bird’s partially webbed toes—amongst the other small sandpipers this trait is only shared with the Western Sandpiper!

Semipalmated Sandpipers belong to the exclusive ‘peep’ club, a group of small, tricky-to-identify sandpiper species. Semipalmated Sandpipers can be separated from their cousins, the Least and Western Sandpipers, by a few subtle details. Least Sandpipers have yellow legs, a thin slightly down-curved bill, and their upperparts are a warmer brown hue, while Semipalmateds sport dark legs, straighter, slightly thicker bills, and are more gray-brown in color.

Separating Semipalmateds from Westerns can be challenging even for experienced birders since both have gray-brown upperparts and dark legs. Start by looking at bill length and shape. Semipalmated Sandpipers typically have shorter, blunter and straighter bills compared to Western Sandpipers, whose bills are typically longer and curve down slightly at the tip. Western Sandpiper can also look ‘chunkier’ and more ‘front-heavy’. You can find some more great ID tips for separating peeps in our video here (be sure to read the caption too!).

Though tiny, Semipalmated Sandpipers are mighty when it comes to migration! They travel thousands of kilometers from their breeding areas in the Arctic to their wintering grounds in South America with the Caribbean serving as an essential pit stop to refuel. On migration they are often found in flocks (sometimes of thousands of birds), and often with other ‘peeps’. They feast on aquatic invertebrates that live in the surface layer of the muddy habitats they prefer. You can spot them on mudflats, beaches, on the edges of ponds and lagoons, and even in muddy agricultural areas!

Sadly, Semipalmated Sandpiper populations are in decline, and they’re currently listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. Habitat loss, hunting, and changes in their food supply pose threats to these birds during the course of their long journey. That’s why it’s crucial to protect wetlands across the Caribbean and ensure that these tiny travelers have safe places to rest and feed on their amazing journeys south each year. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here. Great news! If you’re in the Caribbean, thanks to BirdsCaribbean, you have free access to Birds of the World and you can find out even more in the full species account of this bird!

Thanks to Alex Sansom for the text and Arnaldo Toledo for the lovely illustration!

Color in the Semipalmated Sandpiper

Listen to the calls of the Semipalmated Sandpiper

The calls of the Semipalmated Sandpiper include a strident “jer-jer-jer-jer-jer” as well as softer chirping calls made when in flocks and sometimes in flight.

Enjoy these photos of Semipalmated Sandpipers

Semipalmated Sandpiper perched on a rock — Semipalmated Sandpiper. These small sandpipers build up and store fat reserves before migrating. This means they make amazing non-stop trips, with some individuals probably migrating over 4000km directly from New England in the US to South America! (Photo by Anthony Levesque Macaulay Library-ML67930001)

Semipalmated Sandpiper standing next to a Western Sandpiper — Semipalmated Sandpiper (left) and Western Sandpiper (right). You can see the shorter, straighter bill of the Semipalmated Sandpiper. This feature can be great for ID but there is an overlap in bill length between both species, so also take note the ‘heavier’ appearance of the Western Sandpiper and the slight ‘barrel chested’ look. (Photo by Jeff Gerbracht)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Test your shorebird ID skills with our “Spot the Semipalmated Sandpiper” challenge! Small sandpipers or ‘peeps’ can look very similar to each other. As well as their small size, they share other similar features—both have plumage that is brown or grey above and white below, pointed black-coloured bills, and a habit of feeding in muddy wetland areas. You can pick out Semipalmated Sandpipers if you look very carefully. You need to pay special attention to their leg color, back color, and bill size and shape. Read the text above, watch our handy ID video, and look closely at the pictures we have shared. Once you’ve done this take a look and see if you can pick out the Semipalmated Sandpiper! (there are some extra tips for you on the second page if you get stuck). You can find the correct answer here.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy this video of a Semipalmated Sandpiper in the wild! This bird is on the mud feeding on ‘biofilm’. This is made up of microorganisms living on the surface of the mud that are stuck together. They eat this by slurping the biofilm into their bill!

August 30, 2024

Show Some Love for Shorebirds: Celebrate World Shorebirds Day and Join the Global Shorebird Count!

With Migratory Shorebirds already arriving in the Caribbean we are getting ready to celebrate World Shorebirds Day on September 6! This year we’re asking you to show some love to our shorebirds and join the Global Shorebird Count, which runs from September 2 to 8. BirdsCaribbean has everything you need to help you take part. Read on to find out how to take part, and why you (and your friends!) should join the count this year!

World Shorebirds Day is held every year on September 6. This day celebrates shorebirds, their amazing migration journeys, and most importantly, raises awareness of the threats they face and actively promotes their monitoring and conservation. The key event associated with this day is the Global Shorebird Count (GSC), which this year runs from September 2-8.

Whether you’ve never taken part in the GSC before, or you are a seasoned shorebird counter—make sure that this fall migration you Show Some Love to Shorebirds in the Caribbean!

How do you join in?

First, and most importantly—get out to your local wetland sites and get counting! Remember to record all the species you see and/or hear (including other non-shorebird species), and to note how many individuals of each species you spot. Take your time and scan the habitats carefully for birds, but be extra careful to stand and walk only in places where you won’t disturb the birds you are trying to count!

Counting shorebirds on the Turks and Caicos Islands. (Photo by Simon Busuttil)

Make sure to record what you are seeing, and to start a new bird list for each location. The best way to do this is using the eBird app on your phone. If you’re in the Caribbean, use the eBird Caribbean Portal. To check or change the portal you are using, go into your settings on the app and look for “Portal” then select “eBird Caribbean.” If you are recording your birds in a notebook be sure to note the start and finish time of your count and add your list to the eBird website once you are home.

Any counts you do at Caribbean wetlands, mangroves, mud flats, coastal areas or beaches at any time of year can be Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) counts. If you are in the Caribbean, please choose one of the CWC protocols when you add your counts in eBird.

Finally, to contribute to the Global Shorebird Count, share each list on eBird with the eBird user ‘worldshorebirdsday’. This will ensure that your checklists are included in data analyses for the Global Shorebird Count. If you are new to checklist sharing, check out this quick tutorial on how to do it.

If you do not have an account, it is easy to register—here’s a quick guide on how to enter eBird data online. Check out our helpful video here on how to use eBird and Merlin. If you have questions about eBird checklists, or need help with setting up an eBird account, do contact our Waterbird Program Manager, Alex Sansom: waterbird.manager@birdscaribbean.org

Why do shorebirds need our love?

The answer is that our migratory shorebirds are more vulnerable than ever—they are threatened by human activities such as destruction of their habitats, pollution, disturbance, and climate change. Recent analyses show that shorebirds in North America are declining more than any other group of birds; in fact, more than half of 28 species studied were estimated to have lost more than 50% of their abundance in the last 30 years.

The Caribbean is an important region for migratory shorebirds. They rely on our mangroves, salt ponds, beaches, sand flats, and mud flats to rest and refuel as they continue on their long migrations. Some shorebirds may even spend the entire winter with us!

Semipalmated Plover (Photo by Gary McHale)

Black-bellied Plover (Photo by Ray Robles)

Greater Yellowlegs (Photo by Jeff Gerbracht)

The striking Black-necked Stilt has long legs for wading into deep water to find food. (Photo by Dan Pancamo)

The Global Shorebird Count helps to both map the distribution of shorebirds during migration, and to record their numbers. Data from citizen science initiatives like this and our Caribbean Water Bird Census are essential to help us identify and protect the key stopover and/or wintering habitats that shorebirds use. Protecting these habitats benefits people too because healthy coastal areas provide vital ecosystem services such as clean water, food, sustainable livelihoods, protection from storm surge, and much more.

Show double (or triple) the love!

The more information we have about shorebirds using Caribbean wetlands the more we can learn about their populations and which places are most important for them. So, if you want to show some extra love to the shorebirds, and increase our ability to conserve Caribbean shorebirds consider carrying out several counts at the same wetland(s) during migration season (August-October).

TCI’s extensive wetlands provide essential refuge for Near Threatened Piping Plovers during migration – this flock was spotted feeding at South Caicos. (Photo by Craig Watson)

If possible you can try to do 2 or 3 counts at your local shorebird hotspots per month during fall migration (August-October). More frequent counts can help us better understand important aspects of shorebird migration in our region—like how many individuals use Caribbean wetlands, the timing of migration, and how long they stopover at different sites.

Need some help with shorebird ID?

We know that Shorebirds can be tricky to identify, with some being especially difficult to tell apart. BirdsCaribbean is here to help with some useful tools! We have a Shorebird Poster and “Quick ID Guide” to get you started as well as handy Shorebird ID cards that you can download and print featuring common shorebirds of the Caribbean. Go to our shorebird resources page to find everything you need. Of course, don’t forget to take your favorite bird ID guide with you when you do your shorebird counts!

You can brush up on your CWC survey skills, waterbird ID, and shorebird ID before you go out on your surveys by watching our fantastic CWC and Shorebird ID webinars on YouTube. We also have series of shorebird ID shorts pointing out key features to help you distinguish between those tough-to-tell-apart species. Check our latest video all about peeps below, and see them all on our social media accounts or our YouTube Shorebirds Short Videos Playlist.

If you can get photos or even sound recording of the birds you see, these can be looked at/ listened to later. If you encountered any birds that were difficult for you to identify in the field, visual (or sound) evidence can be shared with birding colleagues and experts for ID support!

Where to find shorebirds?

The simple answer is: anywhere there is water. This means that, as their name suggests, you can find them at the beach and on other types of shorelines. However, some shorebirds will be further inland, including in salt ponds and salinas, freshwater pools, agricultural fields, and at brackish marshes and ponds. Shorebirds will also gather on mud flats, in mangrove areas, and on tidal flats.

Photo of a man and woman birdingwatching on the beach. The man is looking through a spotting scope while the woman points.

Martha Cartwright and Cesar Montero searching for Wilson’s Plovers at Barbery Beach, Grand Bahama. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)

Shorebirds on a dike at Cargill Salt Ponds.

Flamingos and shorebirds share the mud and water at Monte Cristi in the northern Dominican Republic. (Photo by GAE)

You may not be quite sure of the best places to look in your area. If so, why not take a look for ‘hotspots’ at your local wetlands on eBird. Just take a look at the eBird hotspots map. Zoom in on your local area and then click on a hotspot to see what types of birds have been seen there recently.

What should you do if you spot a banded bird?

While counting shorebirds you may see birds with colourful bands on their legs. Do your best to record the band colors and any numbers or letters paying special attention to the location of the band or bands on the bird’s legs. Binoculars or zoom photography may allow you to clearly see the band colors and the numbers engraved onto the band—if you get a photo you will be able to send it along with your sighting. You can report your sightings and send any photos you have to BandedBirds.org and the USGS Bird Banding Lab, which oversee all banding in the United States.

Spotted a banded Piping Plover?

There are several projects that have banded Piping Plovers. The Caribbean is one of the wintering areas for these cute plovers (they are mainly found in The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, and Cuba, but are also recorded on other islands), so it’s always possible you might spot one! This 1-page guide which details what to do when you see a banded Piping Plover is available to download as a pdf here. We also have 2-page version with more information for you to use and share here. You can find out more about reporting banded Piping Plovers from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at this link.

Be social with your shorebird counts

Birders doing a survey — Survey team in Cuba searching for Piping Plovers during CWC2023. (Photo by Daniela Ventura)

We love looking at photos of shorebirds, your local wetlands, and your smiling faces; so please share the highlights of your shorebird counts with us! Use a phone or any other camera that is available, but remember to tag @birdscaribbean and use the hashtags #WorldShorebirdsDay #GlobalShorebirdCount #ShowSomeLoveForShorebirds when sharing on social media. We look forward to seeing and sharing your amazing photos and reading your stories!

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about counting shorebirds. Reach out to Alex Sansom at waterbird.manager@birdscaribbean.org

We hope you have a great Global Shorebird Count 2024!

Get some more ID tips with our short shorebird ID videos!

Lesser vs Greater Yellowlegs

Black-bellied vs American Golden Plover

Separating the small plovers

Stilt Sandpiper vs Short-billed Dowitcher

June 14, 2024

From the Nest – Day 158

Celebrate the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) with us! Our theme in 2024 is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds”—highlighting the importance of protecting insects for birds and our environment. Have fun learning about a new endemic bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy learning about and celebrating nature!

Endemic Bird of the Day: Cuban Kite

Today we delve into the natural history of a fascinating, elusive, and controversial bird—the Cuban Kite (Chondrohierax wilsonii)! It is a distant and mysterious relative of the widely known Hook-billed Kite (Chondrohierax uncinatus). The Cuban Kite is an endemic species confined to the beautiful island of Cuba where it is called Gavilán Caguarero.

Although once sighted in various regions, from the lush savannas of Cienfuegos to the wetlands of the Zapata Swamp, its presence nowadays is restricted to the far eastern part of Cuba, specifically in the provinces of Holguín and Guantánamo. Unfortunately, its appearance in these territories has become so rare that there are serious concerns about its possible extinction, or at least its imminent functional disappearance.

The taxonomic history of the Cuban Kite has been as intriguing as its existence in the wild. Named by the prominent ornithologist John Cassin in the 19th century, this bird has gone through periods of uncertainty regarding its taxonomic status, oscillating between being considered an independent species and then as a subspecies of the Hook-billed Kite. However, it has recently regained its status as a separate species, a well-deserved recognition for this marvelous raptor.

One of the most distinctive features of the Cuban Kite is its plumage and massive bill, which reveal its unique identity. With its broad wings and barred tail, and a notably large and hooked yellow bill, this elegant raptor stood out in the Cuban landscape. It was once incorrectly believed that the Cuban Kite feasted on birds, especially doves, and the occasional lizard. But this Cuban emblem has a more sophisticated palate and prefers escargot. This bird feeds exclusively on tree snails! In the eastern part of Cuba its primary food source is the Cuban painted snail (Polymicta picta), however this species does not occur in its former range in west-central Cuba, where tree snails of the genus Liguus (presumably L. fasciatus and L. vittatus, based on range) might be its alternative food source. The Cuban Kite uses its strong hooked bill to pierce or crush the mollusk’s shell before slurping up the soft snail. As a famous animated lion cub once said, “Slimy…yet satisfying!”

Currently there are no sound recordings for the Cuban Kite, but in flight calls are believed to be very similar to that of the Hook-billed Kite. Additionally, with just a handful of sightings, most recently in 2010, information on its breeding ecology, and other social or antagonistic behaviours remain unknown.

However, ornithologists are certain that the survival of the Cuban Kite is in jeopardy. Habitat destruction, indiscriminate snail collection, and direct persecution by farmers who mistakenly believe it preys on their poultry represent significant threats to its existence. The shells of the snails that the kite feeds on come in a wide variety of colors: pastel yellow and pink, brick red and black, pearly white and ochre and are sought by collectors who sell them to tourists or trade them to the US and Europe.

The Cuban Kite reminds us of the fragility of wildlife and the importance of our role as stewards of nature. It is crucial to organize expeditions to search for the Cuban Kite and implement urgent conservation measures, ranging from the protection of its vital habitat to public awareness of the importance of preserving this unique and little-known species. Every effort to protect this majestic bird contributes to maintaining Cuba’s rich biodiversity and preserving an invaluable treasure for future generations. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here. Great news! If you’re in the Caribbean, thanks to BirdsCaribbean, you have free access to Birds of the World and you can find out even more in the full species account of this bird!

Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Nils Navarro for the text!

Colour in the Cuban Kite

Download our West Indies Endemic Bird colouring page. Use the photos below as your guide, or you can look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your coloured-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #CEBFfromthenest

Puzzle of the Day

Click on the image below to do the puzzle. You can make the puzzle as easy or as hard as you like – for example, 6, 8, or 12 pieces for young children, all the way up to 1,024 pieces for those that are up for a challenge!

Cuban Kite painting — The Cuban Kite was once seen across Cuba. Today its presence is likely restricted to the far eastern part of Cuba, specifically in the provinces of Holguín and Guantánamo. Unfortunately, sightings of this bird are so rare that there are serious concerns about its possible extinction, or at least its imminent functional disappearance. (Art by Nils Navarro)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS : The only food the Cuban Kite will eat is tree snails! They use their huge strong hooked bills to pierce or crush the snail’s shell, before slurping up its soft insides.

Can you help this hungry Cuban Kite find its way through our maze to to grab some tasty snails?

You can find the correct route here.

June 12, 2024

From the Nest – Day 157

Endemic Bird of the Day: Jamaican Crow

The Jamaican Crow (Corvus jamaicensis), otherwise locally known as the ‘Jabbering Crow,’ is endemic to Jamaica and is the only species of crow on the island! They are infamous for their loud and distinctive call, consisting of a harsh “Craaaa” and various nasal jabbering, bubbling sounds. It’s a call that will surely scare the wits out of any person in the forest who is unfamiliar with this crow’s presence.

The Jamaican Crow has sooty gray-black plumage and a thick and heavy black bill. It is the smallest species of crow in the Caribbean, with a length ranging from 35-38cm. Despite this fact, it is actually the largest of the fully black birds found in Jamaica. They are often seen perched high in the trees in small flocks of up to five individuals. These birds are frequently observed in forested areas at elevations above 500m and are reported to migrate to lower regions in the dry season. They are also observed in farms, gardens, and urban areas, including towns—there just might be one outside your window!

Jamaican Crows are omnivores. They forage for fruits like soursop, banana, and plantain—but also leave no leaf or bark unturned in search of protein-rich insects. They can be found inspecting epiphytes for lizards, frogs, and other small animals. They also have an appetite for bird eggs and nestlings! They are known particularly to raid the nests of wild pigeons.They intimidate their victims with harsh vocalizations and even physical contact to get their beaks on the prized eggs. Instead of nesting in tree cavities like other crows, they usually build their nests on a high platform in tall trees. Research is needed on this species’ breeding season, clutch size, and incubation and nestling periods which remain undescribed.

Whilst the Jamaican Crow is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, little is known about the main threats to this species. Since this crow has been observed spreading into parts of the island outside of their habitat range, notably in Westmoreland and Manchester, it is possible that they are threatened by habitat loss. The Jamaican Crow, and many other birds in Jamaica, will benefit from policies that prevent the unsustainable destruction of forests and intensive reforestation efforts where needed. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here. Great news! If you’re in the Caribbean, thanks to BirdsCaribbean, you have free access to Birds of the World and you can find out even more in the full species account of this bird!

Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Damion Whyte for the text!

Colour in the Jamaican Crow

Listen to the call of the Jamaican Crow

The calls of the Jamaican Crow are an emphatic harsh “raaaa” sometimes given in a series.

Puzzle of the Day

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS : Can you work out what the Jamaican Crow saying? Test your skills to decode our Jamaican Crow Cryptogram! Once you’ve decoded the message you can can check the solution to the puzzle here.

When you have completed the cryptogram why not use the key to make your own cryptic crow messages and challenge your friends and family to decode them!

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS : Enjoy this video of a Jamaican Crow in the wild!

June 11, 2024

From the Nest – Day 156

Endemic Bird of the Day: Greater Antillean Elaenia

The Greater Antillean Elaenia might not be a bird that jumps right out at you, but they do possess a subtle beauty that rewards the thoughtful eye. They have a pale breast and belly, contrasting with a dark olive head and back. Look for their two bold, whitish wing bars, the pale edges to their flight feathers, and their adorably tiny beak. They have a faint spot on their lores and just the barest hint of an eye ring. If you’re lucky, you might even get to catch a flash of their white crest, which often remains tucked away in their head feathers.

There are whispers in the birding community that the Jamaican and Hispaniolan Greater Antillean Elaenias could be different species! Some organizations like BirdLife International currently recognize them as such but for now they are still usually considered the one species. In plumage, the Jamaican subspecies seems to have a light-yellow wash to the belly, whereas the Hispaniolan subspecies is much whiter below.

Although they sport the name “Greater Antillean,” you can consistently find them on just two of the Greater Antilles—Hispaniola and Jamaica. While they prefer montane forest on both islands, they do have slightly different preferences. In Hispaniola, they prefer higher elevation pine-dominated forests, where they can be quite common and fairly easy to see. In contrast, the Greater Antillean Elaenias in Jamaica are much more enigmatic. You can find them in the highlands of Jamaica, though during nesting season you might only be lucky enough to hear them. In Jamaica, listen for their “tseerrr-che-wit-che-wit … tseerr-che-wit … che-wit … che-wit” song; on Hispaniola they have more of a fast descending trill described as “whee-ee-ee-ee-ee”, or “pwee-chi-chi-chiup, see-ere, chewit-chewit.”

After the breeding season in Jamaica, they may also do a bit of an elevational movement, migrating from the highlands of Eastern Jamaica across most of the island in the non-breeding season. In Hispaniola these elaenias aren’t so apt to wandering and are found in the mountains year-round. Vagrants (likely of the Hispaniolan subspecies) have been recorded as far east as Puerto Rico though!

In Jamaica and Hispaniola, the key to identifying the Greater Antillean Elaenia is looking for their wing bars! In Jamaica there is another species, the Jamaican Elaenia, that they can be confused with—the Jamaican Elaenia however lacks wing bars. Likewise, on Hispaniola, the similarly drab Hispaniolan Pewee also does not sport this distinctive feature.

Like many other tropical flycatchers, these birds thrive on a diet of both insects and fruits. They are adept at aerial maneuvers, sallying from a perch to snatch an insect off the underside of a leaf or hover-gleaning to find the ripest fruits. Elaenias agree that foraging is more fun with friends, and they’ve often been observed joining mixed-species flocks. In Jamaica, you can catch them feeding with both Blue Mountain and Jamaican Vireos. And you can often see them foraging in pairs.

Breeding season is similar for both subspecies—it starts as early as late April and continues through July. Greater Antillean Elaenias build a bulky moss cup, delicately lined with the softest feathers, placed either low in a bush or higher in the trees. Once the nest is built, they lay two pale pink eggs. Not much else is known about their breeding habits though, and more study is needed.

Both subspecies are not considered to be globally threatened, with a designation of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. However, whilst we might think of them as abundant, they still face notable habitat loss in Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. This highlights the continued need for protected areas for these and other endemic birds. If you’re lucky, you might just get to see one (or a few!) at our Ebano Verde field trip during our July conference in the Dominican Republic. We (Greater Antillean Elaenia included) hope to see you there!

Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Holly Garrod for the text!

Colour in the Greater Antillean Elaenia

Listen to the song of the Greater Antillean Elaenia

The song of the Greater Antillean Elaenia is a descending whistled “Cheeeu” followed by a quick “wibit-wibit.”

Puzzle of the Day

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS : Can you find the words in our Greater Antillean Elaenia word search? Read the text above all about this endemic bird to remind yourself of some of the interesting facts and information, as you look for all 15 hidden words!

Remember the words appear forwards and backwards, as are horizontal, vertical and diagonal! Need some help? Or want to check your answers? You can see where all the words were here.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS : Enjoy this video of a Greater Antillean Elaenia in the wild!

June 2, 2024

From the Nest – Day 155

Endemic Bird of the Day: Cuban Emerald

Picture this—you’re enrapt in a spectacular pine forest in Cuba, quietly marveling at the many bird species that call it home—and you’re suddenly distracted by the buzzing sound of a giant bumble bee practically grazing your ear! Or so you thought! After the initial surprise, you spin around and spot the culprit and are dazzled to discover that it’s not a bee at all! Just a few feet away, much to your shock and awe, is a stunning green hummingbird—the fantastic Cuban Emerald.

As the name implies, the Cuban Emerald (Riccordia ricordii) is a vibrant green, medium-sized hummingbird. When the light hits them at just the right angle, they’re nearly impossible to miss! Males have an iridescent green throat and breast with a long forked tail, white undertail coverts, and a long thin bill that is black on top and reddish-pink on the underside. Females look similar to males except with green upperparts along with a grayish throat and breast, and a slightly shorter and less forked tail. Both sport a very distinctive white spot behind their eyes, though that of the female extends slightly further back than the male.

The vocalizations of the Cuban Emerald are not as exciting as their looks. When singing, males make repetitive, and slightly high-pitched, “cheep” notes that can often go unnoticed. When close enough though, you can easily hear the distinct buzzy (insect-like) sound produced by their wings as they flit around.

Cuban Emeralds are native to Cuba where they can be found both on the mainland and also on various surrounding cays. Locally, they are called ‘zunzún.’ These beauties are also found on three of four pine islands in The Bahamas, namely Abaco, Grand Bahama, and Andros. These agile flyers are known to use all types of habitats, including pine forests, coppice forests, gardens, parks, and plantations. It is common to see them zipping around as they forage on nectar from native plants, and snack on insects on the fly (known as hawking). They’ve even been known to eat the occasional spider!

This species breeds at any time throughout the year. Like other hummers, they build the cutest little nests! These are tiny but deep, cup-shaped nests using twigs, pieces of bark, and even spiderwebs. The nests are carefully constructed in the fork of small branches up to four meters above the ground. Females lay two tiny white eggs that they will incubate alone for about two weeks. She then takes care of the chicks until they fledge about 19 to 22 days later.

Currently, Cuban Emeralds are considered to be of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, though the current population and population trend is unknown. Likely threats to the species include habitat loss due to natural disasters or habitat destruction by humans. and predation by invasive species such as feral cats. But we can work together to protect these glittering gems by planting native plants that can offer their favourite sweet drink—nectar. Native plants also attract tasty insects which are especially important to nesting females for egg production and to feed their young. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here. Great news! If you’re in the Caribbean, thanks to BirdsCaribbean, you have free access to Birds of the World and you can find out even more in the full species account of this bird!

Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Demonica Brown for the text!

Colour in the Cuban Emerald

Listen to the song of the Cuban Emerald

The song of the Cuban Emerald includes a high-pitched, descending “tsee, tsee, tsee, tse, tse.”

Puzzle of the Day

Cuban Emerald male — Male Cuban Emerald. Males have an iridescent green throat and breast with a long, forked tail, white undertail coverts, and a long thin bill that is black on top and reddish-pink on the underside (Photo by Neil Hilton)

Cuban Emerald. This shining green hummingbird can be found both in Cuba (and its offshore islands and cays) and in The Bahamas where they are found on three islands: Abaco, Grand Bahama, and Andros. (Photo by Greg Lavaty)

Cuban Emerald in flight. These agile flyers are known to use all types of habitats, including pine forests, coppice forests, gardens, parks, and plantations. (Photo by Maikel Canizares)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS : Like lots of birds, the Cuban Emerald and other hummingbirds like to bathe. But they won’t use a traditional birdbath. They prefer to take a shower in moving water: like from a mister, sprinkler, or dripper. They will also bathe in very shallow water, and will even sometimes bathe in the water droplets that collect on leaves!

Why not make a hummingbird water dripper so that these lovely little birds can take a shower in your garden? If you have an empty juice bottle you can make this dripper. Other wildlife in your yard will also appreciate having some water!

To make the dripper you will need:

1 plastic jug or bottle, clean, empty and with labels removed
craft wire, twine, ribbon, strips of cloth
1 straight pin or fine-gauge needle
Scissors
Paint or markers (optional)

Be sure to have an adult on hand when using the needle and scissors!

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS : Enjoy this video of a Cuban Emerald in the wild!

The Cuban Emerald featured in our Global Big Day Photo Awards in 2023- read our blog post to find out more!

BirdsCaribbean Global Big Day 2023 Photography Awards

May 31, 2024

From the Nest – Day 154

Endemic Bird of the Day: Rufous-tailed Flycatcher

Known locally as “Big Tom Fool,” the Rufous-tailed Flycatcher (Myiarchus validus) reigns supreme as the largest Myiarchus flycatcher endemic to the lush landscapes of Jamaica! Standing at an impressive 24 cm (10 in), this charismatic bird captivates observers with its distinctive rufous wings and tail, creating an unforgettable sight when seen in the first morning light on the mountains.

The adult Rufous-tailed Flycatcher boasts a brown head, which may be either rounded or peaked when its crest erects for display. Its bill is large, wide, and flattened, and presents a striking contrast between the dark brown upper mandible and orange base on the lower mandible. The back is a subtle brown, while the wings and tail showcase an olive-brown hue, broadly edged with a mesmerizing orange-rufous. The throat and upper breast adopt a pale gray tone, transitioning to a yellowish hue on the belly. Undertail-coverts maintain a light brown shade, and the legs appear in a subdued grayish-brown.

Distinctive in its habitat and behavior, the Rufous-tailed Flycatcher frequents wooded hills and mountains, thriving in various forest types, dry scrub, and secondary forests. Foraging on a diet of insects and berries, including Red Birch, Sweetwood, and Bitterwood, this flycatcher demonstrates its versatility in adapting to different environments. During the breeding season, spanning from April to July, these birds nest in vertical cavities in trees and rotten fence posts, evincing their resourcefulness in creating secure habitats for their offspring.

What makes the Rufous-tailed Flycatcher truly stand out is its vocal prowess. Its fast, rolling “pree-ee-ee-ee-ee,” reminiscent of a horse neighing, echoes through the wooded hills, and is often heard more easily than the bird itself is seen! However, when in view, the Rufous-tailed Flycatcher exhibits a fascinating obliviousness to observers, allowing for extended close encounters, and earning it its endearing local moniker, “Big Tom Fool.”

Despite its distinctive features and engaging behavior, the Rufous-tailed Flycatcher faces conservation challenges. While currently listed as “Least Concern” by IUCN, the species contends with habitat loss and degradation due to hunting, timber removal, deliberate fires, and agricultural expansion. The resilience of this charismatic bird serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human activities and the preservation of Jamaica’s rich avian biodiversity. Conservation efforts are crucial to ensuring the continued existence of the Rufous-tailed Flycatcher in the vibrant landscapes it calls home.

Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Qwahn Kent for the text!

Colour in the Rufous-tailed Flycatcher

Listen to the calls of the Rufous-tailed Flycatcher

The calls of the Rufous-tailed Flycatcher include a squeaky, emphatic repeated “or-will,” as well at twittering sounds, a whistled “pi-pi-pi-pi-pee-pee-pee-pee,” and a harsh squeaky “pew.”

Puzzle of the Day

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS : Our theme for the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival this year is “Protect insects, protect birds“. Celebrate this theme in our “DIY Butterfly Costume” activity! You will have fun learning all about butterflies. From wings to antennae, you will explore the different parts of the butterfly while making your own butterfly costume!

For this activity you will need:

An empty cereal box or poster board
Scissors
Craft supplies (anything than you can decorate your wings with, such as tissue paper, cotton balls, crayons, fabric strips, markers, paints, pom poms, tinfoil)
Pipe cleaners
Glue or tape
Hole punch
Elastic string or yarn (about two feet long)

You will need a parent or trusted adult to help you with this activity! You can find all the instructions and information you will need here.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS : Enjoy this video of a Rufous-tailed Flycatcher in the wild.

May 29, 2024

From the Nest – Day 153

Endemic Bird of the Day: Antillean Piculet

Imagine walking through the dry forests of Sierra de Bahoruco in the southwestern part of the Dominican Republic when, from up above, you hear a whistling, “kuk-ki-ki-ki-ke-ku-kuk”. You stop to look up and you spy a small bird with a large bill and olive-green wings and back! Struck by this curious sight, you quickly begin to search through your field guide and discover that it’s an Antillean Piculet (Nesoctites micromegas), a small relative of the Hispaniolan Woodpecker (Melanerpes striatus).

You focus your binoculars on the diminutive woodpecker and notice the black dots and streaks against the white to whitish-yellow cheek, throat, chest, and belly. As the piculet flutters through the overhead vegetation, you get a great glimpse of the brilliant lemon-yellow crown. After a few minutes of enjoying this wonderful sight, the bird gives a series of “wiiii” calls and is joined by another piculet! This new piculet looks just the same as the one you have been watching—except for a particularly intense orange spot on the top of the bird’s head! This new bird, with its vibrant orange dot, is a male. You’re invested now, and watch as the pair of piculets work their way to the crown of the tree, and take off for the next feeding site—giving a noisy “yeh-yeh-yeh-yeh” as they go.

The Antillean Piculet can be found throughout the island of Hispaniola, which includes the Dominican Republic and Haiti, living in many types of habitats including humid to dry primary and secondary forests, pines forests, mangroves, and occasionally fruit orchards. In these habitats, you can find the piculet clinging to vines, tree trunks, and branches, or zipping through vegetation in the understory, searching for tasty insects and fruit.

These small woodpeckers that range in size from 14 to 16 centimeters and can weigh as much as 33 grams (about as heavy as a light bulb!). However, the Antillean Piculet is unlike most woodpeckers because the female is larger than the male! Despite this size difference, both males and females will carve out the cavity and take care of the young during the breeding season which starts in February and ends in July. Cavities may be excavated in trees, palms, and fence posts, or they will use another woodpecker’s abandoned cavity—piculets are not too picky when it comes to finding a nest. In the cavities, the female will lay 2 to 4 glossy white eggs. Scientists do not yet know how long chicks take to hatch or how long they stay in the nests.

The Antillean Piculet has been given the “Least Concern” status by the Global IUCN, but habitat destruction, for development and agriculture, may pose a threat to the species in the future, especially in Haiti. For the survival of this chubby woodpecker, and other insectivores, we remind you to use organic pesticides, and to plant more native than ornamental plants which will attract native insects and provide shelter for birds and other wildlife!

Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Qwahn Kent for the text!

Colour in the Antillean Piculet

Listen to the calls of the Antillean Piculet

The call of the Antillean Piculet is a loud staccato “kuk-ki-ki-ki-ke-ku-kuk.”

Puzzle of the Day

Male Antillean Piculet. This bird can be found throughout the island of Hispaniola in many types of habitats, including humid to dry primary and secondary forests, pines forests, mangroves, and occasionally fruit orchards (Photo by Miguel Landestoy)

Female Antillean Piculet. The Antillean Piculet is different most other woodpeckers because the female is larger than the male. (Photo by Carlos A. Objio)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS : Today’s bird the Antillean Piculet searches vines, small branches and twigs, stalks, and leaf clusters for insects to eat! It feeds mainly by gleaning (‘picking’ insects of the surface of leaves, branches etc.) but will sometimes also make weak pecks in search of food items. You can find food by probing in fruits and flowers, and in leaf or pine-needle clusters. Of course having a sharp bill helps!

But birds that eat rodents, flower nectar or shrimps all need very different shaped bills feed themselves! In the following activity, you will learn about beak adaptations and how they help birds to survive.

You can find out more in our activity introduction here. You can find all the information, instructions, a guide to learning objective in our “Fit the Bill” activity guide and materials. This activity is perfect to play with school groups or outdoor education clubs etc.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS : Enjoy this video of an Antillean Piculet in the wild!

May 27, 2024

From the Nest – Day 152

Endemic Bird of the Day: Cuban Nightjar

If you are fortunate enough to visit the first national park established in Cuba—Pico Cristal National Park, you will no doubt be thrilled by the beautiful landscape and abundant wildlife. But while your eyes drink in the bountiful beauty around you, we urge you to also turn your gaze down, and scan the forest floor as you walk along the trails for an especially mysterious bird! You see, spotting this elusive species will require vigilance—it blends in superbly with the leaf litter, rocks, and twigs of the forest floor!

If you’re lucky and attentive though, you might just get a glimpse of the cryptically patterned Cuban Nightjar! You may know it as the Greater Antillean Nightjar (Antrostomus cubanensis) but this species was split in 2023 into the Hispaniolan Nightjar (Antrostomus ekmani) and Cuban Nightjar (Antrostomus cubanensis) based on vocal differences between the two populations. The Cuban Nightjar’s song is described as a low, burry “weeyo” given in rapid succession, whereas the Hispaniolan Nightjar’s song, “pit, whoo-vore?” has an overall rise in pitch. ⁠

The Cuban Nightjar has two subspecies, the nominate A. c. cubanensis and A. c. insulaepinorum. The subspecies of the Cuban Nightjar A. c. cubanensis is 25 to 29.5 cm (9.8 to 12 in) long. Males weigh approximately 76 g (2.7 oz) and females 70 g (2.5 oz). Their upperparts are dark brown mottled with grayish buff, pale buff, and grayish brown. The tail is brown and the three outer pairs of feathers are tipped white in males and beige in females. The innermost pair has grayish-brown chevrons. The wings are brown with spots, bars, and mottles of lighter shades. The face is tawny with dark brown flecks, the chin and throat dark brown with flecks of cinnamon, the breast dark brown with large spots and smaller buff-white flecks, and the belly and flanks are dark brown with gray flecks. A.c. insulaepinorum is smaller, much darker, and has a shorter tail.

The nominate subspecies of the Cuban Nightjar is found on the main island of Cuba and most of the adjacent small islands of the archipelago. A.c. insulaepinorum is found only on the Isla de la Juventud (“Island of Youth”, formerly Isla de Pinos). They inhabit forests, swamps, and adjacent semi-open habitats. The Cuban Nightjar is crepuscular. It feeds at dawn and dusk on insects, most likely sallying from a low perch or from the ground. Although it is a small and stocky bird, it has been seen maneuvering swiftly among the vegetation, wood patches, or along the edges of roads in the dark.

This bird breeds between March and July. The usual clutch of two grayish-green eggs, spotted with brown, is laid directly on the ground among dry leaves. Both male and female are believed to incubate the eggs. If a predator approaches their nesting area, the incubating birds will give an injury-feigning display, similar to the Killdeer’s broken wing display, to distract and lure the predator away from the eggs or chicks.

The Cuban Nightjar has been listed as a Least Concern species by the IUCN. In Cuba it is protected by law from direct (killing or capturing) and indirect (habitat destruction) threats. However its population is believed to be declining. Cuban conservationists emphasize this excellent insect hunter’s importance in controlling pests, and they encourage communities to not destroy its habitats. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here. Great news! If you’re in the Caribbean, thanks to BirdsCaribbean, you have free access to Birds of the World and you can find out even more in the full species account of this bird!

Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Yanelis Sánchez Serrano for the text!

Colour in the Cuban Nightjar

Listen to the song of the Cuban Nightjar

The song of the Cuban Nightjar is a low, rapidly repeated, burry “weeyo.”

Puzzle of the Day

Cuban Nightjar perched — The Cuban Nightjar has two subspecies: *A. c. cubanensis* and *A. c. insulaepinorum*. The ‘cubanensis’ subspecies is larger and less darkly coloured than the ‘insulaepinorum’ subspecies. (Photo by Arturo Kirkconnell)

Cuban Nightjar on the ground — Scan the ground carefully for this bird! The Cuban Nightjar blends in superbly with the leaf litter, rocks, and twigs of the forest floor. (Photo by Ernesto Reyes Mourino)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS : Birds like the Cuban Nightjar are very good at hiding in plain sight. Their colours help them to blend in with their environment. Insects also use camouflage to blend in with their environment and keep them safe from other animals that love munching on them. But note that it also helps some insects catch prey that doesn’t see them! Their colours, patterns and even physical shape make them indistinguishable from their surroundings.

In this activity you’re going to go outside (with an adult) and help insects and birds find the best spot for them to blend in such as in the grass, amongst fallen leaves, branches, leaves, flowers, dirt, tree trunks, and other plants.

You will need:

pencil
scissors
clipboard (optional)
copy of Masters of Camouflage page

Can you find the ‘Masters of Camouflage’ page to print (in colour or black and white) and full instructions of this activity in here !

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS : Enjoy this video of Cuban Nightjars in the wild!

May 24, 2024

From the Nest – Day 151

Endemic Bird of the Day: St. Lucia Black Finch

Known locally as the ‘Moisson Pied-blanc,’ the spectacular St. Lucia Black Finch is endemic to the eastern Caribbean island of Saint Lucia! Though it resembles the Lesser Antillean Bullfinch, which can also be spotted on Saint Lucia, this finch cannot be mistaken for its cousin as it boasts distinct field marks and calls.

Male St. Lucia Black Finches have jet-black plumage with pale pink legs, while the females sport brown upperparts and brownish-gray underparts paired with a gray crown and pale pink legs which explains the “Pied-blanc” part of its local name. Females and immature birds look alike. The similarly sized Lesser Antillean Bullfinch also sports a sleek all-black coat. But its red throat and patches above the eyes will help you to distinguish it from the St. Lucia Black Finch. It also twitches its tail from left to right while perched unlike the St. Lucia Black Finch which bobs its tail up and down.

Be sure to observe as well the St. Lucia Black Finch’s thick, large bill! This heavy bill is perfect for its diet of insects, fruits (mostly berries) and seeds which it finds in the understory. Its habitat includes both the dry forest and the rainforest. Though they can be seen alone, they are more often in pairs. The female lays two white eggs with brownish-red spots in a spherically shaped nest of twigs, located in a palm or shrub about three meters above ground, between November and June.

The call is a high “tseea-ts-ts-tsew” and a slightly squeaky “tsip!” Emphasis is placed on the second and last notes in a similar fashion to the Bananaquit.

Unfortunately, this endemic finch is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Its estimated population range is between 250 and 999 individuals. One of its major threats is habitat conversion for agriculture and tourist amenities. Other threats it faces include the clearing of the understory in commercial woodlands like timber plantations and predation by invasive species like rats and mongooses. This species will benefit from the protection of dry forests on the island which are usually targeted for development associated with tourism. There is also a need to continue public awareness and engagement to increase local support for the conservation of this bird and other wildlife found within the same habitats in Saint Lucia.

Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Jeanette Victor for the text!

Colour in the St. Lucia Black Finch

Listen to the song of the St. Lucia Black Finch

The song of the St. Lucia Black Finch is a blurry “tick-zwee-swisiwis-you” .

Puzzle of the Day

Male St Lucia Black Finch — Male St. Lucia Black Finch. The similarly sized Lesser Antillean Bullfinch also has black plumage, but its red throat and patches above the eyes will help you to distinguish it from the St. Lucia Black Finch (Photo by Cliff Buckton)

Female St. Lucia Black Finch. Both females and immatures look alike, being brown and gray rather than black. (Photo by Peter Hawrylyshyn, Macaulay Library-ML614484439)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS : Can you find the words in our St. Lucia Black Finch word search? Read the text above all about this endemic bird to remind yourself of some of the interesting facts and information, as you look for all 15 hidden words!

Remember the words appear forwards and backwards, as are horizontal, vertical and diagonal! Need some help? Or want to check your answers? You can see where all the words were here.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS : Enjoy this video of a St. Lucia Black Finch in the wild!

Take a virtual tour across St. Lucia, Dominica, St. Vincent, and Trinidad in search of Amazon parrots!

In Search of the Amazonas: A Virtual Tour of Four Islands

May 22, 2024

From the Nest – Day 150

Endemic Bird of the Day: White-eyed Thrush

Let’s dive into the world of a Jamaican beauty—the striking White-eyed Thrush!

The White-eyed Thrush is a charming bird with a glossy, dark plumage and, as its name suggests, stunning white eyes that pop spectacularly against its dark feathers. The head is rich chocolate brown and the body has darker gray upperparts paired with light gray underparts. Its throat features white streaks on a brown background, bordered by a white patch below. These thrushes are endemic to Jamaica, where you will often spot them hopping around in the understory of lush forests. However, they are quite adaptable and resourceful birds, and can also be found in gardens, parks, and even urban areas. White-eyed Thrushes are known for their playful behavior, often seen hopping around fallen branches or splashing in puddles. These birds are quite the acrobats, so be sure to take some time to observe their entertaining antics when you spot them!

White-eyed Thrushes are omnivores, gobbling up all the tasty things that they can get their beaks on—insects, fruits, and berries. You can consider them the foodies of the bird world—they enjoy a quite diverse menu, sampling meals from the forest floor to the top of the canopy!

Their song is a melodic medley of “hee-haw” whistles and trills, a beautiful serenade which echoes through the forest. They are quite vocal, chirping away to establish territories or communicate with their mates. From April to June they focus on building their nests in the cozy nooks of trees, crafting them with twigs, moss, and other bits of nature’s treasures. Clutch size is 2-3 speckled bluish-green eggs. They are dedicated parents and take turns to incubate the eggs and feed the chicks until they fledge.

While not currently considered globally threatened, habitat loss remains a concern due to deforestation and urbanization. Invasive species and climate change also pose potential threats to their survival. We can all support White-eyed Thrush conservation efforts by advocating for the protection of their habitats, participating in reforestation projects, and spreading awareness about the importance of preserving biodiversity. So, the next time you are strolling through a Jamaican national park, keep an eye out for these delightful little thrushes—they are sure to brighten your day!

Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Michelle Roberts for the text!

Colour in the White-eyed Thrush

Listen to the song of the White-eyed Thrush

The song of the White-eyed Thrush is a long series of very variable phrases commonly repeated two to five times.

Puzzle of the Day

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS : Today’s bird, the White-eyed Thrush searches for food through the forest layers. Here it will be looking for fruits and creepy crawlies including earthworms on forest floor and insects in the leaves and branches of the trees.

In today’s activity you will learn about the different places in the forest birds feed, from low down on the ground to high up in the tree tops. You will need to put the White-eyed Thrush in the places in the forest where it can be found. You can download all the instructions for this activity here, including all the pages you need to print out to complete this activity! You can use the information in the text above, all about the White-eyed Thrush, to help you correctly place the bird where it likes to feed.

For this activity you’ll need:

- printed copies of pages 2 and 3
- pencil
- colouring pencils
- scissors
- glue stick

You will need a parent or trusted adult to help you with this activity!

You can find the correct answers here.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS : Enjoy this video of a White-eyed Thrush in the wild!

May 21, 2024

From the Nest – Day 149

Endemic Bird of the Day: Lesser Antillean Pewee

Despite its demure colour and dainty size, the Lesser Antillean Pewee unmistakably asserts its presence with its forceful “pree-e-e” whistle. This Caribbean endemic is found only on the islands of Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, and St. Lucia. In Puerto Rico, locals presumably think it is a cute but silly bird, referring to it as “Bobito”, “Jüi Pequeño”, or “Bobito antillano menor.” In Guadeloupe and Martinique it is known as “Gobe-Mouches” which simply translates to flycatcher.

The Lesser Antillean Pewee is just 15cm long (picture the length of a ballpoint pen!) and has brownish-olive upper parts, with a flat broad beak. The upper mandible is a darkish brown to black, while the lower mandible is pale in colour. There are three subspecies which differ in the colour of their underparts. The St. Lucia Pewee has reddish brown underparts whereas the Puerto Rican Pewee has cinnamon coloured underparts. The subspecies found on Dominica, Guadeloupe, and Martinique have pale yellow-buff underparts.

If you’d like to see this tiny delight, your best bet is to strap on your hiking boots and make your way up to moist mid-elevation forests and woodlands where they will likely be seen sallying out after flies, bugs, bees, wasps, and beetles! At higher elevation montane forests they may even lead you to other endemic birds! In Puerto Rico, the Lesser Antillean Pewee has been recorded joining mixed-species foraging flocks with other endemics like the Puerto Rican Tody, Puerto Rican Vireo, and the Elfin-woods Warbler. Although they love spending time in the mountain forests, you may also see them in smaller numbers in low elevation and more open habitats like dry forests, mangroves and scrub.

During the breeding season from March to June, Lesser Antillean Pewees build nests that are superbly camouflaged! Their lichen-covered cup-shaped nests are so inconspicuous they may simply be overlooked as knots or burls on a branch. Their clutch consists of two cream eggs, with dark reddish-brown spots either at the midsection (Guadeloupe, Martinique and Dominica), broad end (Puerto Rican), or all over (St. Lucia).

Although the Lesser Antillean Pewee is not threatened, their populations are decreasing in Puerto Rico, and possibly also in other islands where they face habitat loss. There was a long-term decline in pewee capture rates in tandem with decreased forest cover reported from a project monitoring bird populations at Guánica Forest in southwestern Puerto Rico. While open areas are used for feeding on insects, wooded areas are important for nesting, so maintaining a diverse range of habitat is important for the survival of this species. You can protect pewee habitats by volunteering for habitat restoration projects, buying sustainably sourced wood products, and if you’re old enough, voting for better land management laws.

Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Aliya Hosein for the text!

Colour in the Lesser Antillean Pewee

Listen to the song of the Lesser Antillean Pewee

The song of the Lesser Antillean Pewee includes a whistled “peee-oo” often followed by a trilling whistle. They also often make a single sharp “pee” call.

Puzzle of the Day

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS : Today’s bird, the Lesser Antillean Pewee, loves to eat insects and is often in search of them for a tasty meal! Why not explore outside and “meet the insects” in today’s activity? You will get up close to some of those mini-beasts that are crawling, flying and even munching on leaves in your own backyard.

You can download all the instructions for this activity here, including instructions for how to make your own ‘mirror box’ for looking at the insects!

For this activity you’ll need:

an old light-colored bed sheet or towel
a magnifying glass or mirror box (see page 3)
garden gloves (optional)
camera
sheet of paper and pencil

Note: You will need a parent or trusted adult to help you with this activity!

Esta actividad también se puede descargar en español

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS : Enjoy this video of a Lesser Antillean Pewee in the wild!

May 20, 2024

From the Nest – Day 148

Endemic Bird of the Day: White-fronted Quail-Dove

If you listen extra carefully while walking along remote, dense, humid forests on the central and southwest mountains of the Dominican Republic, you will hear a very hushed, low frequency “coo-o-o” call coming from the thick vegetation of the forest floor. So soft is this call that it can be quite hard to pinpoint where it’s coming from. But we can tell you who’s making that gentle sound—it’s the White-fronted Quail-Dove! This beautiful, plump, but also terribly shy bird, spends most of its time out of sight. Spotting this bird always presents a challenge to birdwatchers and nature photographers in the Dominican Republic where it is locally known as ‘azulona’! The White-fronted Quail-Dove belongs to the Columbidae family, which comprises doves and pigeons—including the bold ones you see around your homes and schools.

White-fronted Quail doves are medium-sized birds that measure 27-28 cm. The crown, nape, and sides of the head are slate gray; sides of the neck suffused with beautiful reddish purple or violet, sometimes extending onto the breast. Underparts are mostly gray, becoming rufous on the lower belly and under the tail. Its contrasting white forehead gives this dove its name and is a great field mark for identification. Its eyes are red and it has a reddish bill that is paler towards the tip. The legs are pink. Males and females look alike. Young birds are browner and lack the metallic sheen on the back and neck. This is the only quail-dove that lacks facial stripes.

The White-fronted Quail-Dove is endemic to Hispaniola, restricted to the isolated, dense, moist montane forests on Sierra de Bahoruco and the Central Mountains of the Dominican Republic. It likely can no longer be found in Haiti due to high levels of deforestation. It’s found at elevations from 745 to 1,685 m. This quail-dove has also been reported in shade grown coffee plantations. Little is known about its breeding ecology however, except that it lays 1-2 beige eggs on a nest of twigs and leaves placed low in the undergrowth.

This bird spends most of the time on the ground where it looks for seeds and small invertebrates to eat. The easiest way to try to observe this stunning quail-dove is when it ventures out of the dense forest to forage in a semi-open clearing or along a forest trail. While it is usually very shy and hard to spot, if you are in the right habitat, and are very patient, it can show itself very well.

The White-fronted Quail-Dove is classified as Endangered by the IUCN because it has a single, very small population of fewer than 2,500 individuals, which has suffered a continuing decline due to on-going fragmentation, loss of habitat, hunting pressure, and the effects of introduced predators like the mongoose and feral cats. Cats are prolific predators—even if you don’t see your cuddly, well-fed cat catching wildlife, they may still be hunting. Keeping your cats indoors can protect birds and other wildlife from being killed. Keeping cats indoors isn’t just great for wildlife, it’s good for the cats—it keeps them safe from being attacked, getting lost, or being poisoned.

Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Ivan Mota for the text!

Colour in the White-fronted Quail-Dove

Listen to the song of the White-fronted Quail-Dove

The song of White-fronted Quail-Dove is a repeated “oop-oop…”

Puzzle of the Day

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS : UPDATE Test your knowledge of where Caribbean endemic birds live with our ‘Fly away home’ Map Matching Activity!

Draw lines from the picture of each Caribbean endemic bird to match each one with its home. You can find out more about Caribbean endemic birds by reading our posts each day or you can go back and find all the endemic birds that we have featured in previous years here. You can also find out all about our Endemic Birds of the West Indies Colouring Book with even more birds to colour in!

Here is the Answer Key – don’t look until you have completed the activity!!!

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS : Enjoy this video of a White-fronted Quail-Dove in the wild!

May 20, 2024

From the Nest – Day 147

Endemic Bird of the Day: Great Lizard-Cuckoo

Meet one of the Caribbeans avian rock stars – the Great-lizard Cuckoo! This eye-catching bird calls Cuba and The Bahamas its home.

Now, picture this: a big ol’ lizard cuckoo doing its thing on the islands of Andros and Eleuthera in The Bahamas, and chillaxin in Cuba, rocking the same vibe on different islands. They even have their own fancy scientific sub-species names, “Coccyzus merlini bahamensis” in the Bahamas and “C. m. merlini“, “C. m. santamariae” and “C. m. decolor” in Cuba ! Sounds like a bird version of Hogwarts houses, doesn’t it?

It was once also found on New Providence in The Bahamas, but was extirpated with the last one being seen in the Retreat Gardens National Park in the early 2000’s. Historically, the Great-lizard Cuckoo was found on Long Island, indicating a broader distribution across the islands of the Great Bahama Bank. Remains of the species have also been found on Middle Caicos, in TCI.

These birds are hyper- carnivores, munching on lizards, insects, nestling birds and eggs, snails, centipedes, and even wasp larvae. In Cuba, their palate is similar but also includes small fruits.

But here’s the scoop: the Great-lizard Cuckoo in The Bahamas is living the island life on only two islands. Talk about exclusive! Sadly, their population is playing hard to get – nobody’s really counted or studied their population, but the rumour is it’s going down.

Now, let’s talk fashion. These cuckoos have the whole olive-brown upperparts, white or greyish throat, and a rufous belly thing going on. It’s like they stepped out of a bird fashion magazine. And their vocals? A throaty “Ka ka, kaaaa, ka ka ka ka ka” and a “ta-coooo” that’s the bird equivalent of beatboxing.

Love is in the air during breeding season, but details are sketchy in The Bahamas – it’s like they’re keeping it a secret. In Cuba, it’s a different story; they’re throwing bird parties between April and October, laying a couple of white eggs in twiggy nests.

But, oh no, the Great-lizard Cuckoo’s got some drama. Habitat loss, sneaky predators like house cats and raccoons, and playing real-life Frogger with cars are their arch-nemeses in The Bahamas. These birds aren’t jet-setters; they prefer the quiet life in forests and scrub habitats. But wait, development on Eleuthera is cramping their style. We need some serious bird bodyguards and habitat protection to keep the party alive!

So, here’s the deal – let’s make sure the Great-lizard Cuckoos keep strutting their stuff in the region. Conservation and habitat protection can greatly assist the survival of this amazing species. Let’s give them the support they need, ’cause nobody wants to live in a world without these Caribbean icons.

Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Scott Johnson for the text!

Colour in the Great Lizard-Cuckoo

Listen to the calls of the Great Lizard-Cuckoo

The calls of Great Lizard-Cuckoo are a loud, long, ratcheting “eh-eh-eh…”

Puzzle of the Day

Great Lizard-Cuckoo takes flight — Great Lizard-Cuckoos are found in The Bahamas and Cuba. In the Bahamas they are only on the islands of Andros and Eleuthera. (Photo by Neil Hilton)

Great Lizard-Cuckoo on a rock — Great Lizard-Cuckoo. These voracious carnivores will feed on lizards, insects, nestling birds and eggs, snails, centipedes, and even wasp larvae (Photo by Mario Olteanu)

Great Lizard-Cuckoo Perched. These birds can be found in forests and scrub habitats. (Photo by Frantz Delcroix, Macaulay Library-ML62014491)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS : Get active with your family and friends with our fun chick feeding game! We want you to imagine you are a busy Great Lizard-Cuckoo with a hungry brood of chicks to feed! It will take some speed and dexterity to help provide food for your baby birds. Download the instructions here.

We would love to see photos and/or videos of you and your family playing the game. You may email them to Aliya.Hosein@birdscaribbean.org

Please note that by submitting your photos and/or video you give BirdsCaribbean consent to use your photos and/or videos on our website and social media accounts.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS : Enjoy this video of a Great Lizard-Cuckoo in the wild!

May 17, 2024

From the Nest – Day 146

Endemic Bird of the Day: Antillean Palm Swift

A fast flying, deftly maneuvering miniature fighter-jet of the Caribbean sky, your attention will likely be drawn to the Antillean Palm Swift when it dives past your face or emits a flurry of twitters- “tooeee-tooee” – above you in pursuit of its insect prey. This aptly named bird lives exclusively in the Greater Antilles islands (save Puerto Rico). And while Antillean Palm Swifts can definitely fit in the palm of your hand, this bird takes its name from the palms it frequently uses for nesting and roosting.

Up close, these tiny swifts are adorable, with enormous, dark chocolate eyes relative to their little sooty brown and dull white bodies; their tiny beak belies a sizable gape for hoovering in plenty of flies! Males and females seem to be indistinguishable to the human eye, but even if they were, you’d probably have a hard time telling them apart anyway because they seem to never sit still, other than when they disappear into a cluster of palm fronds.

The Antillean Palm Swift’s nest is a remarkable construction — a soft bed of feathers, plant fibers, and silky and fluffy seed heads fashioned into a slight pouch, in which 2-5 white eggs are laid. It’s attached within the nooks and crannies of palm fronds. They prefer to nest in the dead and hanging leaves of Sabal, Washingtonia, Roystonea, and Copernicia palm species. And because of their preference for dead and dying palm fronds, you can also be nearly sure to encounter them nesting and roosting in palm thatch roofs! Both male and female Antillean Palm Swifts take care of the chicks.

And did we forget to mention that Antillean Palm Swifts nest in colonies? That’s right! One can often encounter dozens of these swifts darting in and out of a palm or thatch roof, sometimes at eye-level! And apparently they secure their nest using their own saliva!

A brief aside: So if these birds are such strong flyers, are able to nest in a variety of both natural and manmade structures, and have a food source that is rather ubiquitous, why haven’t they successfully colonized the other Caribbean Islands? You can pretty much throw a stone from one Caribbean Island to the next, but for some reason there is a hard line drawn between Hispaniola and Puerto Rico that these little guys just don’t seem to want to cross. There are tiki huts, palm trees, and insects in Puerto Rico… so what’s the problem? Vagrant records for Antillean Palm Swift on Puerto Rico do pop up from time to time yet the species seems unable to get a foothold (or maybe a winghold?). Clearly more ecological research on this endemic fighter-jet is needed.

All kidding aside, we encourage folks to seek out this one-of-a-kind species and enjoy some time watching these little swifts and their aerial acrobatic shows. Did you know? You can ensure encore performances for years to come when you stop killing native insects. Don’t spray them. Don’t bait them into traps. Don’t poison your landscape and watershed where they live (and tell your neighbors to stop killing insects too)! Instead, devote your efforts to building back a diverse native habitat on your property, which in turn produces beneficial predatory insects that bring balance to the entire system.

Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Josh LaPergola & Justin Proctor for the text!

Colour in the Antillean Palm Swift

Listen to the calls of the Antillean Palm Swift

The calls of Antillean Palm Swift are a high-pitched metallic sounding twitter.

Puzzle of the Day

Antillean Palm Swift in flight — Antillean Palm Swifts can be found feeding over open habitats. Swooping low to the ground with their fast erratic flight. (Photo by Jeremiah Trimble, Macaulay Library-ML257901871)

Enjoy these beautiful photos of the Antillean Palm Swift!

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS : We hope that you have been enjoying learning all about our Caribbean endemic birds! Don’t forget that this year our theme is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds”. Some of the birds we have featured so far are endangered and many others are under pressure, often from human activities. This means our special endemic birds and many of the other beautiful birds that live in or visit us in the Caribbean need your help.

So many birds need thriving insect populations to feed on or to feed to their chicks, so you can help by carrying out the actions in our “Pledge to take Action for Insects ” You can download and print our fun templates here and add a pledge to help insects to each one!

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS : Enjoy this video of Antillean Palm Swifts in the wild!

May 16, 2024

From the Nest – Day 145

Endemic Bird of the Day: Black-billed Parrot

Upon approaching Jamaica’s verdant Cockpit Country in the early morning, you will, depending on the time of year, see pairs or flocks of emerald green parrots flying purposefully across valleys, their flight ‘bugles’ echoing through the forested hills. Landing noisily in the treetops, they call to each other with a variety of squawks and warbles. These raucous birds are Black-billed or Yellow-billed Parrots—both of which are endemic to Jamaica! Their populations are restricted to the wet limestone forests of the Cockpit Country, the John Crow Mountains, and moist mountain forests of central Jamaica.

The Black-billed Parrots, simply called ‘Black Bill’ in Jamaica, are smaller and darker than the more colourful Yellow-billed Parrots. They are most closely related to another Caribbean endemic parrot, the Puerto Rican Parrot. Overall, Black-billed Parrots are a dark, forest green with flecks of scarlet above the grayish-black beak. Most Black-billed Parrots also sport a row of small, scarlet feathers in their wings, which show as a red flash in flight. The leading edges of the flight feathers progress from deep blue to turquoise, with the trailing edges grading from black to green. Splashes of red and yellow show in the tail feathers when the tail is spread.

Courtship for Black-billed Parrots begins as early as January when pairs can be seen flying apart from flocks. They are cavity nesters—they excavate a deep chamber in the trunk of a large tree which they use to nest, lay 3-4 eggs, and raise their young. Most nesting activity happens in March. Females incubate the eggs during which time their mates will bring food for them throughout the day. Eggs hatch after about 24 days and both parents feed and raise the hatchlings. Baby parrots are born completely featherless and with their eyes and ear openings fused shut. They’re also born with large feet which prevent them from toppling over when food is being regurgitated into their beaks. They grow baby feathers first which initially give them a decidedly spiky appearance! These eventually lay smooth as they continue to grow. Baby Black-billed Parrots play with small leaves and sticks—this activity strengthens the muscles which they will need to make long flights in search of food. After about 60 days, the young parrots are ready to leave the nest.

Black-billed Parrots forage over a wide area of forest, eating a variety of fruits, seeds, berries, blossoms, and even the leaves of trees. Like other parrots, they transport fruits and seeds using their beaks and feet, which they disperse over long distances—making them important but often overlooked seed dispersers of the forest.

The Black-billed Parrot is listed as Endangered. Threats to their survival include loss of forest habitat and the increasingly hot and dry climate. Hot, dry, and windy conditions are perfect for bushfires that destroy fruiting trees and kill baby parrots that are unable to fly. Predation by the endemic Jamaican Boa contributes to a high rate of nest failure (over 50%) in Black-billed Parrots. Poaching for the illegal pet trade has also increased, with parrots being sold along the roadside and through social media outlets—deleterious activities that rarely face enforcement action. Bauxite mining is an imminent threat to the blackbills’ stronghold in northeastern Cockpit Country. The survival of the Black-billed Parrot will depend on the protection of this important area, as well as enforcement of Jamaica’s Wildlife Protection Act.

Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Wendy Lee for the text!

Colour in the Black-billed Parrot

Listen to the calls of the Black-billed Parrot

The calls of the Black-billed Parrot include a harsh “mwah” as well as scratchy sounding “uh-luh” calls often given in flight.

Puzzle of the Day

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS : Discover the birds of the Caribbean with Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, and learn how to fold a Parrot out of paper with this video!

All you need is a square sheet of paper – 24 x 24 cm is ideal. The video will show you step by step how to fold and create your Parrot! Enjoy also our photos of the many parrots that are endemic to the Caribbean islands at the end of the video!

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS : Enjoy this video of a Black-billed Parrot in the wild!

Children and Birds – A Happy Combination in Jamaica’s Hope Botanical Gardens

May 15, 2024

From the Nest – Day 144

Endemic Bird of the Day: Oriente Warbler

It is impossible not to stop and marvel at the spectacular hubbub of a foraging flock of Oriente Warblers (Teretistris fornsi). Not only is this warbler is endemic to Cuba where it is known as the ‘Pechero’, these little birds belong to a family known as ‘Teretistridae’—where all the members are only found in Cuba and its surrounding cays!

Its simple but unique plumage instantly grabs your attention. The upper parts of its body are bluish gray which contrast strikingly with the yellow of its lower parts. That delightful lemony yellow extends from around the eyes and throat to the upper belly. The lower belly and undertail are pale gray, and the flanks have a dull brownish wash. Males and females look alike. Don’t confuse this bird with its cousin, the Yellow-headed Warbler, which has a yellow crown and is gray on the belly.

If the Oriente Warbler’s flashes of yellow and gray don’t immediately stop you in your tracks, its melodious song will. It has been described as “buzzy notes interspersed with sweeter notes.” Their call, however, is a shrill “tsi-tsi-tsi.” The Oriente Warbler also emits a series of loud, metallic calls that, during non-reproductive periods, attract several migratory and resident passerines to form mixed foraging flocks.

Orient Warblers can be found in dry coastal scrub and forest habitats along the central-eastern coast of Cuba. They specialize in feeding on all types of insects, but they have also been observed feeding on lizards of the Anolis genus, seeds, and flowers. Their foraging behavior is spectacular—like the Yellow-headed Warbler, they perform vertical and horizontal sweeps through all levels of the vegetation. It is common to find 10 or more individuals foraging together from ground level, up to the branches, trunks, or foliage of the trees!

Oriente Warblers reproduce during the months of March to July with the arrival of spring. Interestingly, researchers from the Eastern Center for Ecosystems and Biodiversity (BIOECO) have observed male Oriente Warblers paired with more than one female! They build cup-shaped nests using rootlets, vines, fine grasses, and ball moss. These nests are found in the branches of thorny plants. Females lay 2 to 3 light blue eggs with brown specks on the wide end. These are attended to by only one parent, most likely the female. The chicks make their wobbly exit from the nest after about a month, but remain with their parents for a few weeks. During this time, parents keep a watchful eye on them, showing them where to find food and stay safe from predators.

The size of the Oriente Warbler population is currently uncertain but it is believed that the population is stable, which is why the IUCN classifies the Pechero as “Least Concern.” If you enjoy nature, do not hesitate to visit Cuba to observe this absolute jewel of its birdlife!

Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Claudia Mantilla & Carmen Plasencia León for the text!

Colour in the Oriente Warbler

Listen to the song of the Oriente Warbler

The song of the Oriente Warbler is a jumbled combination of buzzy “zhip” and chipping “tip” notes.

Puzzle of the Day

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS : On Cuba you might spot several different types of warblers. There are two little birds amongst them who look very much alike, but they’re not the same type of bird! Once is today’s endemic bird, the Oriente Warbler, and the other is the Yellow-headed Warbler. Both are mainly gray and yellow! In our activity of the day you need to look carefully at two photos and try to identify the Oriente Warbler. Check the text above for some handy tips.

If you get stuck and feel like you need a bit of extra help then take a look on the second page of this activity. You will find some helpful hints to set you on the right track.

Think that you found the Oriente Warbler? You can check if you are right on our answer sheet here. This activity is perfect to play with school groups or outdoor education clubs etc.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS : Enjoy this video of an Oriente Warbler in the wild!

Wondering about some of the ways we monitor birds like the Oriente Warbler? Read all about the first-ever BirdsCaribbean bird banding workshop in Cuba!

A Cuban Banding Workshop Caps off a Great Year for the Caribbean Bird Banding Network

May 8, 2024

From the Nest – Day 143

Endemic Bird of the Day: Puerto Rican Mango

The Caribbean is alluring to many people with its tropical climate, picturesque landscapes that look like they’ve been pulled straight from paradise, and of course—mangos! But we’re not talking about the delicious tropical fruit—we’re talking about the dazzling hummingbirds that belong to the Anthracothorax genus. We think you’ll agree that they do nourish the soul and spirit, just like our region’s beloved fruit. There are four endemic mangos in the Caribbean, one of which is the Puerto Rican Mango (Anthracothorax aurulentus). This medium-sized hummingbird has a long, decurved bill and that adds a bit of green glimmer to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

In poor light, male Puerto Rican Mangos can appear all-dark, but when well illuminated, those seemingly unassuming colours transform—allowing us to witness a spectacular special-effects polychromatic show! Getting a glimpse of this magic makes it apparent why the local names for the species are “colibrí dorado” (golden hummingbird) and “zumbador dorado” (golden buzzer). The upperparts and throat gleam bright greenish-yellow, and chest deep indigo with green sides. The lower breast and belly are paler than the chest, and the lower belly is usually white. The tail feathers are a moody maroon-purple with black edging. Females have the same iridescent green upperparts, but drab white underparts with gray flanks. When their tails are folded, the outer feathers usually appear coppery or greenish; when fanned, these feathers show large rusty patches near the base with broad white tips.

Not too long ago, the Puerto Rican Mango and Hispaniolan Mango were considered the same species—then called the Antillean Mango. In 2022, the split was made based on plumage and morphometric (size and shape) differences observed in museum specimens. The male Hispaniolan Mango (Anthracothorax dominicus) has a shimmering green throat and entirely velvet-black underparts, and the female has a purplish tail base.

The species is widespread throughout Puerto Rico where you can spot them in dry forests, forest clearings, scrub, shade coffee plantations, and suburban gardens. Historically it was abundant on Vieques island but is now considered rare there as the last reported sighting was in 1994. The decline of the mango on the islands coincided with both the arrival of the Green-throated Carib, another Caribbean endemic, and the conversion of forest to more human-disturbed habitats—which the carib thrives in but the mango does not. A similar decline occurred on the Virgin Islands where its range is now limited to Virgin Gorda, Anegada, the Beef Islands, Guana Island, and St. Thomas.

If you are from, or visiting, any of these islands, listen for its call—a high-pitched, sharp chip described as “tsick“; or for its song, a high, thin rapid trill or buzz preceded and followed by one or several high pitched “tsit” notes.

Like other hummingbirds, the Puerto Rican Mango is a sugar addict with an insatiable appetite for nectar! It doesn’t only consume nectar though. It is also skilled at capturing and eating insects, including small wasps, beetles, and flies—all while in the air! Males will however still aggressively defend nectar-rich territories from other nectar feeding birds.

Its breeding season extends throughout the year but peaks from March to July. Mama hummingbirds build a deep cup-shaped nest lining the inside with soft plant fibres whereas the outside is covered with flakes of bark and lichen bound together by spider webs. They incubate the two eggs for approximately 15 days. The nestlings are fed a nutritious mix of nectar and insects that is regurgitated straight into their hungry beaks. After about 25 days they are strong enough to leave the nest to start their own lives.

Fortunately the Puerto Rican Mango is not a threatened species! However, we need to ensure we can enjoy their dazzling displays for years to come by planting native flowers that hummingbirds feed on in our gardens, reducing our use of insecticides (most of which kill both the good and bad insects), and supporting local environmental organizations with their reforestation initiatives.

Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Aliya Hosein and Adrianne Tossas for the text!

Colour in the Puerto Rican Mango

Listen to the song of the Puerto Rican Mango

The song of the Puerto Rican Mango is made up of high-pitched, thin rapid trills and buzzing notes, often with high pitched “tsit” calls at the start and end.

Puzzle of the Day

Male Puerto Rican Mango. The striking yellow-golden plumage on its upper parts has earned this bird the local names “colibrí dorado” (golden hummingbird) and “zumbador dorado” (golden buzzer). (Photo by Rafy Rodrguez)

Female Puerto Rican Mango at the nest. Females have the same iridescent green upperparts as males, but drab white underparts with gray flanks. (Photo by Alcides Morales Perez, Macaulay Library- ML588237551)

Puerto Rican Mango feeding at pink flowers — Puerto Rican Mango feeding, with his tail fanned showing off his deep purple tail feathers. (Photo by Rafy Rodriguez)

Enjoy these beautiful photos of the Puerto Rican Mango!

Puerto Rican Mango male in flight — Male Puerto Rican Mango in flight. This species is widespread throughout Puerto Rico and can be found in dry forests, forest clearings, scrub, shade coffee plantations and suburban gardens. (Photo by Peter Hawrylyshyn, Macaulay Library-ML540850091)

Male Puerto Rican Mango perched. In addition to eating nectar they are also skilled at hunting insects, including small wasps, beetles, and flies, which they catch on the wing. (Photo by Benny Diaz, Macaulay Library-ML161402841)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS : The Puerto Rican Mango is a striking bird with vivid shining colours of glittering green, inky black and vibrant violet! But who says you have to travel to Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands to see these beautiful colours? In this activity you’ll make a suncatcher—a decoration that catches rays of sunlight and casts them as rainbow hued patterns across the room! You might want to make this beautiful suncatcher as a gift for Mother’s Day!

Here is a list of materials you will need:

empty clear plastic milk jug, washed and dried
permanent markers
scissors
utility Knife
hole punch
twine, string or yarn

You can download full instructions here including a bird template for you to use. This activity involves using a knife and scissors.

Make sure you have an adult to help you with the cutting.

Let’s celebrate moms AND endemic birds!

Mother’s Day is this weekend on May 12th and we’ve got you covered. We have an endemic bird-themed Mother’s Day Cards to download and colour. This is a fun activity for people of all ages to celebrate the mother figure in their life!

Please download and print our card template (letter size will work best but A4 will be ok too). It’s best to use card stock, but regular printer paper will do just fine. Once printed, fold in half horizontally (so the short sides touch) and write your own special message on the inside! Don’t forget to colour in the pictures on the front and on the back. Or if you are feeling really creative be inspired by one our featured birds and draw your own greeting card!

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS : Enjoy this video of a Puerto Rican Mango at its nest in the wild!

Read all about how the Antillean Mango got split into two new species back in 2022! One of these was the Puerto Rican Mango, but do you know which other island also got a ‘new’ species of hummingbird from this split?

New Endemic Species Just Recognized for the Caribbean

May 7, 2024

From the Nest – Day 142

Endemic Bird of the Day: Least Pauraque

You’re enjoying a nice relaxing night in the southwestern dry forests of the Dominican Republic when you hear an eerie “twooorii” from the forest. Is it a ghost?? Or even worse—the fabled Chupacabra!?

Although the avian family name Caprimulgidae does actually hail from myths purporting that these birds suckled (chupa) on goats’ (cabra) udders, the Least Pauraque couldn’t be more of an adorable toasted marshmallow of a bird with no interest whatsoever in drinking goat milk. They are actually far more interested in eating nocturnal flying insects—which is great news for all of us who don’t fancy nights filled with mosquitos!

These birds are locally known as ‘Torico’. Their local names come from their guttural repeated “torico, torico” call.

And while you might wander into the woods seeking to find the source of these spooky calls—you’ll be looking for a long time as these birds are masters of disguise! They are cryptically colored with streaked blackish-brown upper parts and a creamy white belly with feathers laced in blacks and browns. They wear a pearly white collar and search for insects with their huge, dark eyes—all the better for nocturnal foraging! You can tell them apart from Hispaniola’s other nightjar (the endemic Hispaniolan Nightjar) by the band across the end of their tail feathers which is white in males and buffy-cream in females. They also lack the white wing crescents of Antillean Nighthawk and much prefer perching and sallying to actively soaring like the nighthawks tend to do. While it might look like they can’t catch much in their tiny beaks, their mouths actually open very wide to catch unsuspecting insects.

Whilst they do share Hispaniola with several other nightjars, the Least Pauraque is unique in their genus! They used to share their genus with the Jamaican Pauraque, which although discovered first in 1758, has not been seen or detected since 1860. The Least Pauraque on the other hand is newer to science, having been described in 1917 and was later assigned to the same unique genus in 1928 by the notable James Bond.

You can find them in arid or semi-arid lowlands of Hispaniola. They are big fans of scrubby limestone woodlands filled with prickly cactus and thorn scrub, though they have also been recorded in deciduous, coniferous, and other mixed forests spanning from sea level up to 800m in elevation. The best spot to find the Least Pauraque is the Sierra de Bahoruco mountain range in the southwest of the Dominican Republic.

While not globally threatened, these adorable bug-eaters are considered near-threatened. Since they are hard to find and thus hard to count, we can only roughly estimate their population which is believed to be between 6,000-15,000 individuals. This population is suspected to be in a slow decline. Their current status in Haiti is not well known, wide-scale deforestation for agriculture and charcoal production mean they have lost much of their preferred habitat. In fact, there were no records of Least Pauraque in Haiti between 1928 and 1969! They are known at 16 widespread locales in the Dominican Republic—however, their cryptic plumage keeps them well hidden and it is believed that they likely occupy more areas than these. Continued threats include predation from introduced rats and mongoose, and continued forest loss for agriculture.

While decisions about protecting habitats from unsustainable development that can threaten the Least Pauraque are often in the hands of policy makers, you can still help your backyard birds thrive! Just like the Least Pauraque there are other birds, like the Gray Kingbird and Greater Antillean Bullfinch, that like to feed on crunchy and gooey insects. Avoid using insecticides so that these birds will have enough insects to munch on and keep coming back to your garden.

Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Holly Garrod for the text!

Colour in the Least Pauraque

Listen to the calls of the Least Pauraque

The calls of the Least Pauraque include a rising whistle “tooooooeeeeeee,” and a three syllable trilled “oo-weee-oo.”

Puzzle of the Day

Least Pauraque perched. These birds specialize in catching and feeding on flying insects. While it might look like they can’t catch much in their tiny beak, their mouths actually open very wide! (Photo by Kristof Zyskowski, Macaulay Library-ML174412081)

Least Pauraque camouflaged in leaf litter. These birds are masters of disguise. The best habitats to look for them in are the arid or semi-arid lowlands of Hispaniola. They are big fans of scrubby limestone woodlands filled with cactus and thorn scrub. (Photo by Dax Roman)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS : What facts can you remember about today’s endemic bird – the Least Pauraque? Test your knowledge by filling in the missing words in our Least Pauraque facts! We have given you all the correct words to use but can you put them into the right fact?

You can re-read the information all about this bird above, or search on the BirdsCaribbean webpages or online for more information about the Least Pauraque! Then, when you have completed all the sentences, you can check your answers here.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS : Enjoy this video of a Least Pauraque in the wild!

May 6, 2024

From the Nest – Day 141

Endemic Bird of the Day: Tawny-shouldered Blackbird

Blackbirds love to hang out with other blackbirds and this beloved endemic is no exception. The Tawny-shouldered Blackbird is considered nearly endemic to Cuba where locals call it ‘Mayito.’ There is a small relict population in Haiti. Like other blackbirds, it belongs to the Icteridae family, which includes other cool endemics like the Greater Antillean Grackle, Cuban Blackbird, and Red-shouldered Blackbird. It forms mixed flocks with these species. It even flocks with Shiny Cowbirds—which are known to parasitize their nests! Being in a mixed flock affords Tawny-shouldered Blackbirds better protection from predators and possibly improves foraging efficiency. At night, their raucous roosts can be immediately identified in parks and tree groves.

Male and female Tawny-shouldered Blackbirds look alike. Both have black plumage, and distinctive tawny (orange-ochre) patches on the shoulders with a yellowish-cream border. This shoulder patch is particularly striking in males during the breeding season. Females are duskier and lack the bluish gloss of the males. These relatively small birds measure approximately 7.5 inch to 8.7 inch.

Not all species of songbirds can sing duets with their mates but Tawny-shouldered Blackbirds rather delightfully can! Both males and females have melodious voices with males usually leading the serenade. Solo songs are a shrill “shuh-riii-iii” and calls are a short and strong metallic “chic-chic.”

Tawny-shouldered Blackbirds are monogamous, nesting in trees or bushes near water, and prefer colonial nesting, with many nests close to each other. They nest from April to August with chicks fledging the nests mostly between May and July. Females take the lead in constructing the nests using dried grass, moss, twigs, hair, and feathers. Clutches comprise 3–4 bluish to greenish eggs with brown spots.

In Cuba look for these black beauties in woodlands and woodland edges, farmlands, and rice fields. In Haiti, they occur along channels of dry open woodlands. They can also be found in Cuba’s cities and neighbourhoods, and are not restricted to wetlands like their counterpart, the Red-shouldered Blackbird. Their omnivorous diet of insects, seeds, fruits, and nectar allows them to adapt to a variety of habitats.

While primarily sedentary, vagrant Tawny-shouldered Blackbirds have been recorded in the southeastern United States and the Cayman Islands, possibly blown off route during storms and hurricanes.

Fortunately, the Tawny-shouldered blackbird is not globally threatened. Although common in larger islands in the Cuban archipelago, it is rare in Haiti, mainly in the western part, and the current status of its populations there is unknown.

Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Ailén Anido Escalona for the text!

Colour in the Tawny-shouldered Blackbird

Listen to the song of the Tawny-shouldered Blackbird

The song of the Tawny-shouldered Blackbird is made up of long buzzing notes, sometimes interspersed with short higher-pitched ‘buzzes’. Both males and females will sing, sometimes together.

Puzzle of the Day

Both male and female Tawny-shouldered Blackbirds have melodious voices. Unlike many species of songbirds, where only the male sings to attract a mate, they will sing duets together! (Photo by John Drummond, Macaulay Library-ML27841521)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS : The Tawny-shouldered Blackbird enjoys catching and eating bugs. It searches trees and in bushes, sometimes even on the ground to find tasty creepy crawlies to munch on. Perhaps catching a moth, a tasty worm, or a spider!

Imagine you are a Tawny-shouldered Blackbird in search of a meal. In today’s activity you will go exploring and find out what bugs there are in your backyard in our fun bug hunt!

Follow our instructions and see how many different types of bugs you can find! Perhaps you will spot a butterfly or a bee flitting past? Remember to just look at the bugs and not to touch or collect them.

You can check the ones you see off on our list, and perhaps take some photos of them?

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS : Enjoy this video of Tawny-shouldered Blackbirds in the wild!