Category: Birding

October 26, 2022

One of a Kind: The First Field Guide to Birds of the Lesser Antilles is Released!

Front cover of the 'Birds of the Lesser Antilles' — The brand new ‘Birds of the Lesser Antilles’

It’s here at last! We are thrilled to announce the recent publication of the highly anticipated, one-of-a-kind Birds of the Lesser Antilles field guide.

The author, Ryan Chenery, is the Barbados-born director of Birding the Islands – a locally owned and operated birding tour company specializing in organizing and delivering both single and multi-island bird tours throughout the Lesser Antilles.

Popular holiday destinations such as St. Lucia, Dominica, Barbados, Guadeloupe, and the other islands dotted along this south-easterly region of the Caribbean now have a comprehensive bird field guide dedicated exclusively to them. Previously these islands have tended to be incorporated into all encompassing Birds of the West Indies field guides. Drawing on over twenty years of experience, the author focuses solely on species that can be seen in the Lesser Antilles. By excluding species unique to other islands in the wider Caribbean region – this field guide allows readers to easily identify all the birds they could possibly find, from Anguilla in the north of the chain to Grenada in the south.

Some important features of this exciting new book are:

- The full list of islands covered is as follows: Anguilla; Saint Martin; Sint Maarten; Antigua and Barbuda; St. Kitts and Nevis; Montserrat; Guadeloupe; Dominica; Martinique; St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and Grenada.
- Each of the field guide’s more than 400 stunning photos has been carefully selected to highlight the key identifying features of each species. Photos include perched birds and those in flight, and importantly also depict notable differences in gender, age and breeding status.
- Special attention has been paid to endemics, near-endemics, and the host of regional specialties unique to the islands of the Lesser Antilles – with notable attention even being paid to detailing differences between subspecies on various islands.
- With the region such a rich area for migratory birds, the publication includes every migrant species likely to be seen, along with the most commonly recorded vagrants and introduced species.
- In clear and helpful language, the key physical characteristics of each species are described to assist with accurate identification. Vocalizations are also included in each species account, along with the island where the bird can be seen.
- The best birding locations, key habitats to focus on and the likely species to be encountered in each location are also detailed. From marine and coastal habitats to wetlands and montane forest – this book covers them all.

click each image to enlarge

A sample page of birds of the Lesser Antilles — A sneak preview of the guide showing two endemic parrots from the region.

Sample page showing maps and habitat guide — The book contains maps, a guide to types of habitats for birds and much more!

Sample page from book showing flycatchers — The guide includes multiple photos of the same species to best show their ID traits.

The islands of the Lesser Antilles are rapidly becoming more popular in the birding community, as well as with holiday visitors. If you are planning a trip to any of these remarkable small islands, whether for a holiday or any other reason, you just have to pack this highly portable guide in your bag!

If you find yourself on an island in the Lesser Antilles, staring at a bird….odds are you’ll find it in the pages of this book!

About the author: Born in Barbados, Ryan (aka the Bajan Birder) has been leading birding tours in the Caribbean for nearly two decades and is Birding the Islands’ head birding guide. Before starting the company in 2017, Ryan combined leading his birding excursions with a full-time career in conservation. During this time, he was employed as Chief Naturalist and Eco-guide Manager at Graeme Hall Nature Reserve in Barbados; Environmental Consultant for PAA Management Ltd, Barbados; Field Researcher with Global Vision International in the Ecuadorian Amazon; Development Officer with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) at one of its flagship reserves in the UK; and finally Parks Officer with North York Moors National Park in North Yorkshire, UK. Ryan leads Birding the Islands’ Every Endemic trips through the Lesser Antilles and Trinidad, as well as Endemics of the Solomon Islands tours, but still enjoys branching off to do other projects – including authoring this guide book, and writing episode scripts for a US Fish and Wildlife Service and Canadian Wildlife Service Nature Documentary on shorebird migration through the Lesser Antilles.

We encourage you to visit Birding the Islands website and consider signing up for one of their amazing tours (or build your own tour). Ryan and Birding the Islands are an official partner of our Caribbean Birding Trail program and he donates a portion of the proceeds to BirdsCaribbean from every tour to help conserve Caribbean birds and habitats.

How to get your copy of Birds of the Lesser Antilles:

Available now in stores across the US and Canada. It can be purchased online and delivered worldwide on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Birds-Lesser-Antilles-Wildlife-Guides/dp/1472989619

If you are a Kindle reader, the Kindle eBook is available for purchase now and can be read on any device with the free Kindle app.

The field guide is also now available in stores across the UK and for purchase online on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Birds-Lesser-Antilles-Wildlife-Guides/dp/1472989619

Or directly from Bloomsbury Publishing here: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/birds-of-the-lesser-antilles-9781472989611/

October 11, 2022

Uncovering the Story of F54 – One Osprey’s Journey to Bonaire

Ospry holding fish in its talons — Osprey catching a fish. (Photo by Bernie Duhamel)

Susan, a certified bird guide from Bonaire, was out birding when she spotted a newly arrived Osprey perched on a post. Only when she looked back at her photos did she spot something different about this bird. Read on to find out more about this bird and its amazing migration from Susan.

Fall migration is an exciting time of year in the Caribbean! This is when those of us birding on Bonaire begin to see the arrival of many migratory species, and one of those is the majestic Osprey. Although we do observe Ospreys year-round, the population greatly increases during fall migration and over the winter months.

Many of the Ospreys that spend winter on Bonaire have a highly refined site fidelity. They actually return to the same tree limb, or other favorite perch, each and every winter. For other arriving Ospreys, Bonaire is quite likely to be the first land they encounter on their southern journey. They will rest and recover from a long flight across the Caribbean Sea, before continuing southward to overwintering grounds in South America.

Two bands are better than one…

Banded Osprey perched — The ‘mystery’ banded Osprey photographed on Bonaire. (Photo by Bonaire Bird Tours)

On September 12, 2022, I was birding down in the southern salt flats of Bonaire. Along the way to the southern point, I noticed that one Osprey had just arrived and was perched on its favorite hunting tree. As I continued birding, I spotted a second Osprey perched on a post. Here was a great photo opportunity, I thought, as I snapped off several images. However, it wasn’t until I looked at the images the following day, that I noticed this Osprey wore two bands.

One was a color band and was mostly readable. The number 54 was clearly discernible, but a toe partially obscured the initial letter on the band; it appeared to be an F. Unfortunately, the second band was not readable in my images. Finding a banded bird makes it an individual – it is no longer an anonymous bird among many other anonymous birds. I was curious about this special bird, and so I began my Internet search for registries of banded Osprey to try to find out more, with what little information I had.

But my efforts fell flat- I came away empty handed!

The BirdsCaribbean network: a fountain of knowledge

Every birder needs to be part of a bird network. Since there is just so much to learn about our feathered friends, it’s impossible to know everything. A birder needs a support network–somewhere he or she may go with questions, and, for me, there is no better bird network than BirdsCaribbean. It’s an incredible resource that delivers again and again!

When my initial Internet searches didn’t help, I turned instead to my trusty bird network. And, hey presto! Within just two hours, I learned that Dr. Scott Rush, Associate Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management, Mississippi State University, was mentoring a Ph.D. research assistant, Natasha Murphy, who was banding Ospreys as part of her doctorate program. Now in touch with the person in the know, I learned the backstory of Osprey F54.

Osprey F54: a long-distance traveler who makes it look easy

Osprey getting banded — F54 gets his band as a chick. (Photo by the Rush Lab)

Natasha was able to provide me with the who-what-where-when details I sought! Natasha and her technician, Sage Dale, with help from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and USDA personnel, banded Osprey F54 and his sister, F55, on June 20, 2022. Their nest was at Guntersville Lake (lat/long: 34.659337, – 85.944116) in Alabama, on a structure that acts as a navigational marker in Jones Bar, on Guntersville Reservoir. When banding took place blood was also drawn for research purposes, which also provided DNA-sexing: Osprey F54 was a male. On that same day, Natasha and Sage banded 30 Osprey chicks in the area!

Based upon measurements taken when banded, it was estimated that Osprey F54 was 36 days old at that time. Along with his color band, he was also outfitted with a U.S.G.S. band with the number 1218-10018.

Less than three months later, this Osprey was sighted here on Bonaire. This means that F54 had covered a distance of over 3,000 kilometers, or about 1,900 miles! It would take nearly seven hours in a plane to make that trip. We humans might consider it a long flight, yet this young Osprey made an equivalent trip and arrived in Bonaire looking healthy and fit after his long flight. Zero jet lag!

Only time will tell if Osprey F54 will join the ranks of the many human “snowbirds” who fly to Bonaire to spend the winter (I am talking about the tourists escaping the chilly weather up north, of course). Or, will Osprey F54 be a short-stay “stopover visitor” as tourism officials say, who visits for a week or two for some rest and relaxation, before moving onward? It’s his first migration, and perhaps he will decide he likes Bonaire. Like many other overwintering Ospreys, we are likely to see him back year after year. And he will find his favorite branch or perch, too.

Now all F54 needs is a name!

Bird banding tells a story

A group observes a bird banding demonstration. — The group observes a bird banding demonstration at a BirdsCaribbean workshop.

With the information I received from Dr. Rush and Natasha Murphy, I was able to report banded Osprey F54 to the Bird Banding Laboratory at the U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center. Each reported sighting adds a data point to this individual’s history and will provide further insight as to his movements and migrations.

The world’s birds need us now more than ever. Recent studies have shown that an alarming number of birds have declining populations. Research projects, such as Natasha Murphy’s, provide insight and knowledge, allowing for better-managed conservation and preservation efforts.

Making the most of banded birds

How can we maximize the value of banded birds, and learn more from them?

A BirdsCaribbean group enjoying birds and photography in Viñales Valley, Cuba (photo by Lora Leschner).

Get photos if you possibly can. It really doesn’t matter if you are using a point-and-shoot camera, as I do, or if you have the fanciest camera that today’s technology can provide. The point is to document your observations with images. Sometimes we only get a brief glimpse of a bird, and we don’t have time to take in all the details, such as bands. Even if we identify the bands, we might not have the luxury of time with the bird to be able to read them. By taking images, you have a record and can review them for additional details you might not have discerned in the field.

I would also suggest that you become part of a birding network! Knowledge and information can only add to the enjoyment of your birding experiences. In the case of Osprey F54, I would never have been able to find out the bird’s history without my birding network. It added so much to the pleasure of seeing this splendid bird; it is now a unique individual to me. If you can find birders in your area with similar interests, you can discuss your observations. Learning from each other is so rewarding!

Susan has lived on Bonaire for 30 years, she is a graduate of the Caribbean Birding Trail Interpretive Guide Course run by BirdsCaribbean. Susan is a bird guide and a wildlife photographer. You can read more of her Bird Blog posts on her webpages here and get some useful photography tips here.

Find out more about the Caribbean Birding Trail On Bonaire and throughout the region!

If you spot a banded bird, 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. Scientists use this information to track bird populations and migrations. Report your sightings of to the USGS Bird Banding Lab which oversee all banding in the United States, and you can report sightings of color banded shorebirds to BandedBirds.org.

You can find out more about Ospreys as a migratory bird in the Caribbean on our ‘Migratory Bird of the Day’ page all about Osprey! This contains interesting facts, puzzles, videos and photos and more!

Birds Connect Our World – Day 24

October 10, 2022

Taking Care of Your Mental Health: Bird Therapy is the Best Kind

Disclaimer: The content of this article is provided for general information only. Please, always obtain professional or specialist advice when seeking to address your personal mental health issues and concerns.

“The bird will see you now…”

World Mental Health Day, recognized by the World Health Organization since 1992, takes place on October 10 every year. On this day, social media posts, events, and activism on and offline help raise awareness of mental health problems and solutions. This year’s World Mental Health Day theme is

‘Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority’

So, how do birds help to improve our wellbeing? Well, birds can be our very best therapists, if we give them the chance. They can help us through the tough times.

The BirdsCaribbean community knows this! Watching, photographing (Birdlife Jamaica member Stuart Reeves shares his photography experience, and tips, during the COVID-19 lockdown) and attracting birds to one’s yard are truly enjoyable experiences that support a healthy and happy lifestyle. Walking through nature – your backyard, neighborhood park, a national park or botanical garden – in search of your favorite bird offers many benefits. We have listed five below.

1. Community and Togetherness

Birdwatching does not have to be a lonely pursuit. It can be a way to bond with family and friends. You might even meet new people along the way! Being a member of the birding community satisfies our very human need to belong. Members of a birding group share knowledge and experiences with each other. In some cases, birdwatching with others helps us to define our sense of self and social identity, and to achieve goals that might be harder to reach if we worked alone. A bird that a companion points out to you might be one that you would never have seen otherwise – even a “lifer,” perhaps!

A group of bird watchers — Find your flock! Birding in a group can be rewarding and fun. (Photo by Edward Hernandez Lara)

Regardless of gender, age, socioeconomic status, ability and experience, birding can be enjoyed by all. It’s an inclusive experience, when you have company. You can discuss the birds that you have seen, the places you have visited, and especially those birds you so badly want to see in the wild. If you’re planning a solo birdwatching trip soon, remember: you don’t have to do it alone. You can contact your local birding group or ask a relative or neighbor to see if they would like to join you. Birding can help strengthen relationships!

2. Time away from screens

We are bombarded with media on all sides; isn’t that true? It’s not always very good for our mental health and can actually increase our anxiety.

On the other hand, birdwatching can be a very reflective activity, almost like meditation. It is an opportunity to spend time in a quiet place, removed from distractions like social media and movie streaming service providers (you know exactly what we’re talking about! We all experience it these days). The different colors, scents, and sounds found in nature can occupy the mind and push out, if just temporarily, worrying and stressful thoughts. Find out how people found comfort in birds during the pandemic in our recently published booklet Loving Birds is Human Nature: An anthology of short stories and poems in English and Spanish. Immersing oneself in nature for a few hours can also help us “reconnect.” Hearing a familiar birdsong or spotting a particular plant, for example, can help people recall fond memories from their youth. We sometimes tend to forget how much our natural environment was, and remains, part of our human experience. It’s always good to remember.

A Common Gallinule on a pond — A Common Gallinule reflected in the water. (Photo by Dorian Rose)

3. See new places

It is so easy to fall into a comfortable daily routine. Get up, go to work, return home, and repeat. Seeking out birds in their natural habitats is a great way to snap us out of the monotony of our normal routines. Birdwatching can also be enjoyed from inside the house, it is true; but getting out and about is a better choice. A short trip to a nearby park will provide a change of scenery, and it is even better if you can visit a nature reserve. Make a point of exploring new places, where new and different bird species may be waiting for you!

View from Belair lookout point Carriacou, Grenada — Belair lookout point Carriacou, Grenada

Watching the sunrise over a mountain, going out into the forests or swamps to look for potoos, even going to a reservoir to see a rare waterbird—all of these are bound to take us on a welcome detour from our everyday experiences. Once they have become familiar with the birds in their immediate area, for many birders there is an insatiable curiosity about species elsewhere in the world. Birding can be the motivation to move out of your comfort zone and be rewarded with new travel experiences.

4. Exercise for the brain and body

The brain is like a muscle. It needs exercise!

Keeping our minds active and alert is important for our overall well being. If you are new to birdwatching, identifying the birds you see can be a challenging mental puzzle. Take shorebirds, for example, which are notoriously hard to identify! Give your brain a good challenge. Experienced birders can still learn new things every day about bird behavior. There is no end to the bird knowledge we can acquire. Researchers have reported that new neural paths are formed from these kinds of brain activities and can help fight back against diseases like Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, as well as Parkinson’s.

Antillean Nighthawk on a nest — An Antillean Nighthawk on it’s nest in the Bahamas. These birds are well camouflaged and can be tricky to spot! (Photo by Scott Hecker)

Some birds are harder to find than others. Without even realizing it, you can walk for several miles while actively looking and listening, before you find the bird you’re looking for. Some species remain higher up in hills and mountains, forcing birders to really do some uphill work for the prize! You can go at your own speed, though. Birders always pace themselves. There is always enough time to catch your breath and notice the beautiful biodiversity that surrounds you: butterflies, fungi, lizards, ferns and wildflowers. This can improve your cardiovascular health. You will be soaking up the sun’s vitamin D, which helps the body absorb and retain calcium and phosphorus. Just remember to stay hydrated!

Small Green Iguana — Keep your eyes open and who knows what you might spot! A Green Iguana amongst the leaves. (Photo by Karla Kelly)

5. The amazing variety of birds

As we mentioned already, life can get dull. Sometimes it’s good to add some variety. Monotony encourages boredom and fatigue, which have a negative impact on our mood and our mental health. Birds offer a ridiculous amount of variety, don’t they? An array of colors, shapes, sizes, calls and behaviors awaits you on the birding trail. You can research and make a list before heading out to a birding spot – but always be prepared for some totally unexpected birds to pop up. Birds literally keep you on your toes, open to new possibilities. Birds’ remarkable variety – no two birding trips are ever the same, even if you visit the same birding site – can encourage a more energized and positive mindset.

The Cuban Parrot. (Photo by Gerlinde Taurer)

Northern Potoo perched — A Northern Potoo in Jamaica. (Photo by John Webster)

Antillean Crested Hummingbird. (Photo by Xianoni Xu)

Male Indigo Bunting. (Photo by Stephen Buckingham)

So give yourself a mental “booster” this month

Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it was estimated that one person in eight was living with a mental disorder. The pandemic worsened the global crisis for mental health, fueling short- and long-term stress and anxiety. Growing social and economic inequalities, conflicts, violence and public health emergencies decreased skills and funding available for mental health, especially in low and middle income countries. However, we are hopeful that the ability to reconnect in-person this year will provide everyone the opportunity to revitalize their efforts to protect and improve their mental health.

Group of birders — Everyone can join in, birding in a group can help you learn new things. (Photo by John Webster)

And now, as we emerge from the COVID-19 period, it’s definitely time to give yourself a healthy dose of birding. It’s October, which means migratory birds are making their way to the Caribbean. We encourage you to reach out to a trusted friend, relative, or local birding group and plan a birdwatching trip. A walk along the seashore will reveal that many migratory shorebirds are already enjoying the warm weather and pottering along at the water’s edge in search of food. Check out our shorebird resources for help with identifying these marvelous migratory shorebirds birds. If you’re hoping to spot some warblers, here is a blog to help with warbler identification. But if you’re completely new to birding and don’t know where to begin, we’ve got 10 tips to get you started and a Birding 101 webinar.

So, relax and enjoy some good bird therapy!

American Flamingo and Scarlet Ibis in Caroni Swamp. (Photo by Richard Lakhan)

October 3, 2022

October Big Day 2022 is October 8th, 2022 – Join Us!

BirdsCaribbean October Big Day Graphic featuring a Baltimore Oriole — A Baltimore Oriole, a migrant to the Caribbean, is featured on our October Big Day 2022 promo graphic.

Get ready, get set, let’s go birding! The biggest day of birding in the fall season, October Big Day, is right around the corner! On Saturday October 8th, October Big day and World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) are celebrated in the Caribbean and around the world. This 24-hour birding opportunity lands right during some of the peak activity for bird migration. It’s also a great day to participate in educational activities about migratory birds for WMBD – the theme is Dim the Lights for Birds at Night! Check with your local organizations to see if any events are planned.

The goal for October Big Day is to get outside to watch, celebrate, and record your resident and migratory birds! You can bird in your backyard, neighborhood park, seashore or woodland. Watch birds for as little as 10 minutes in your local birding patch or plan out a route to find as many bird species as possible in 24 hours. No matter what, we hope you will get outside and go birding!

Like Global Big Day celebrated in May, it is hoped that this concerted effort will bring in a record number of bird sightings from citizen scientists around the world, contributing to our bird knowledge and a deeper understanding of conservation.

Where are the birds, and what are they doing?

The data collected will be used by birders and scientists to better understand and protect birds. This is also an opportunity for the individual birdwatcher to contemplate birds, their behavior, and the places where they may be found. For example, are there birds you are only likely to see in the late morning or early afternoon? And if so, are they at specific locations? Tanagers and bullfinches are often very active during the morning hours. As the day heats up, you may see raptors soaring above. Seagulls and shorebirds can be observed at almost any time of day. Migratory warblers generally show up in early morning or evening hours, feeding and bathing in suburban gardens and parks.

Make your birding count—submit & share your data!

Participating is easy with the essential tool, eBird, where you should record all the birds you see (and even hear) on Saturday 8th October via the eBird website or mobile app. If you’re in the Caribbean, be sure to use eBird Caribbean (and choose the eBird Caribbean portal in your eBird app settings on mobile). If you do not already have one, it’s easy to sign up for a free eBird account and here’s a quick guide on how to use eBird. Eager birders should spot as many birds as they can from midnight to midnight in their local time zone on October 8^th. Or bird anytime during the weekend of Oct. 7-9 for the Global Bird Weekend. The handy mobile app allows you to keep and submit lists while you’re still out birding, perhaps exploring nearby Hotspots. It will even track how far you have walked while watching birds. Remember to submit eBird checklists before October 12, 2022 to be included in the initial results announcement!

Share your sightings with us, and join BirdsCaribbean!

We look forward to seeing your stories and photos on social media. You can find us on Facebook and on Twitter and Instagram @birdscaribbean. Be sure to tag us! If you’re not on social media, consider joining our discussion group where you’ll be able to share your October Big Day experience with over 850 members.

May we remind you that BirdsCaribbean membership has so many benefits; for a reasonable membership fee you are entitled to a FREE subscription to Birds of the World ($49 value) – the most comprehensive online resource on birds. Additionally, you may receive discounts on our products, workshops and conferences; meet and network with fellow birders, scientists, educators and conservationists across the region; and keep in touch with birding trends and news through our monthly newsletters (free sign-up here). Join us today and help us save our Caribbean birds and their important habitats!

See you on October Big Day 2022 – and let’s see some birds!

Most importantly, have fun and don’t forget to tag BirdsCaribbean (@BirdsCaribbean) in your birding adventures! We can’t wait to see which of our migratory friends have arrived to the Caribbean!

October 1, 2022

“Lifer” Species Thrill Caribbean Participants in the Global Shorebird Count 2022

September 17, 2022

Captured! The Stunning Birds of Puerto Rico and More—Winners of BirdsCaribbean Photo Contest 2022

The 2022 joint AOS-BC Conference in Puerto Rico was the setting for BirdsCaribbean’s fourth biennial photography competition. Over 800 wildlife professionals from 34 countries attended the conference with many of them using their cameras while they explored Puerto Rico’s rich biodiversity. With over 280+ gorgeous photographs submitted for review, the five judges certainly had their work cut out for them!

The judges found beautiful composition, impressive technique, and humor while reviewing the collection. Photos were taken between June 23 and July 5, 2022 and uploaded to Flickr (photo sharing site). Click here to see all the photos submitted in the contest (labeled with tag: BCPhotoContest2022). The Grand Prize was donated by Vortex Optics.

Photographers had the opportunity to submit up to six photographs in each of three categories:

Endemics – including endemic birds of Puerto Rico and regional endemics;
Fun With Birds and People – showing humans, birds and nature interacting (including conference activities); and
Birds and Nature – featuring Puerto Rico’s non-endemic birds, close-up shots of other wildlife, natural habitats, and landscapes.

BELOW ARE THE WINNERS, WITH SOME COMMENTS FROM THE JUDGES:

Grand Prize Winner

Red-legged Thrush by Edward Hernández-Lara. “Beautiful, expressive shot with great background and context.” The judges noted that the “colours are terrific,” and the photographer created a “fabulous bokeh effect with the thrush in sharp focus off-centre.” The Red-legged Thrush is a regional endemic found in the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico.

Red-legged Thrush on the ground amongst red petals by Edward Hernández-Lara. — Red-legged Thrush by Edward Hernández-Lara.

ENDEMICS

FIRST PRIZE: Puerto Rican Owl by Ricardo Sanchez. “A wonderful shot that captures a brief moment between the subject and the photographer.” “Beautifully captured through the foliage.”

Puerto Rican Owl peering out between leaves by Ricardo Sanchez. — Puerto Rican Owl by Ricardo Sanchez.

SECOND PRIZE: Pearly-eyed Thrasher by Jadyn Scott. “The texture of the leaves is astounding, a flawless composition.” “This photo is so visually interesting but keeps the thrasher as the center of focus.”

Pearly-eyed Thrasher on a fern by Jadyn Scott. — Pearly-eyed Thrasher by Jadyn Scott.

THIRD PRIZE: Scaly-naped Pigeon by Jen O. “Great composition of an unusual pose.”

Scaly-naped Pigeon reaching down for a twig by Jen O. — Scaly-naped Pigeon by Jen O.

Honorable Mentions in Endemics: King of the Jungle by Russell Campbell and Puerto Rican Tody by August Davidson-Onsgard. See photos in gallery below.

FUN WITH BIRDS AND PEOPLE

FIRST PRIZE: Local Feeding Pigeons in Old San Juan by Christina Kolbmann. “A well-lit, great shot that really sums up people’s engagement with the bird world.”

SECOND PRIZE: PROALAS Practice by Holly Garrod. “The framing and light capture a beautiful morning birdwatching.”

Birdwatchers practicing PROALAS bird surveys by Holly Garrod. — Practice Point Count in the BirdsCaribbean one-day post-conference Workshop on use of the PROALAS monitoring methods, Cambache Forest. Photo by Holly Garrod.

THIRD PRIZE: Chicken Crossing by Stella Uiterwaal. “Chickens take centre stage with soft focus of unaware people behind.”

Chickens Crossing a road with people and cars in the background by Stella Uiterwaal. — Chicken Crossing by Stella Uiterwaal.

Honorable Mentions in Fun with Birds and People: Scanning for White-tailed Tropicbirds at Quebradillas by David LaPuma and Eggs for breakfast? by Maggie MacPherson. See photos in gallery below.

BIRDS AND NATURE

FIRST PRIZE: Bananaquit Call by David Lariviere. “A lovely composition.” “You can almost hear the Coereva singing when you see this image.”

Bananaquit with it's bill open, mid-song by David Lariviere. — Bananaquit Call by David Lariviere.

SECOND PRIZE: Green Heron by A. Dorian Rose. “The lighting is fantastic with the shadowy breast and sun on the face and back.” “A well-lit, atmospheric shot.”

Perched Green Heron by A. Dorian Rose — Green Heron by A. Dorian Rose.

THIRD PRIZE: Bridled Tern by Ricardo Sanchez. “A crisp image of a stunning bird; the cool palette reminds me of birdwatching on windy cliffs.”

Bridled Tern perched on a rock by Ricardo Sanchez. — Bridled Tern by Ricardo Sanchez.

Honorable Mentions in Birds and Nature: Northern Red Bishop by Jessica Guenther, Ubiquitous but Beautiful Bananaquit by Amber Roth, and Roseate Tern by Bruce Lyon. See photos in gallery below.

Congratulations to all our winners!

The Grand Prize winner will receive a Vortex Viper Angled Spotting Scope: 20 – 60 x 85. First, Second, and Third Prize winners will receive $100, $50, and $25 Amazon gift cards.

Many thanks to our five fabulous judges: Andrew Dobson, Stephen Cutting, Daniel Serva, Ernesto Reyes, and Jessica Cañizares for their time and thoughtful consideration of each entry. Huge thanks also to Vortex Optics for donating the Grand Prize. We also really appreciate the effort everyone took to respectfully capture Puerto Rico’s wildlife and conference events. A big thank you to all those who entered the contest with your captivating and beautiful photos!

PLEASE ENJOY THIS PHOTO GALLERY OF ALL THE HONORABLE MENTIONS!

Perched Puerto Rican Lizard Cuckoo lit from behind By Russel Campbell

King of the Jungle, Puerto Rican Lizard Cuckoo by Russell Campbell. Honorable mention in the Endemics category.

Bird watcher scanning the sea for Tropicbirds, with cliffs in the background. David LaPuma.

Scanning for White-tailed Tropicbirds at Quebradillas by David LaPuma. Honorable mention in the Fun with Birds and People category.

Grackles on a table looking hungrily at someone's breakfast. by Maggie MacPherson.

Eggs for breakfast? Greater Antillean Grackles by Maggie MacPherson. Honorable mention in the Fun with Birds and People category.

A Bananaquit perched on a red flower by Amber Roth

Ubiquitous but beautiful Bananaquit by Amber Roth. Honorable mention in the Birds and Nature category.

A Northern Red Bishop perched amongst grass stems by Jessica Guenther

Northern Red Bishop by Jessica Guenther. Honorable mention in the Birds and Nature category.

Puerto Rican Tody perched by August Davidson-Onsgard

Puerto Rican Tody by August Davidson-Onsgard. Honorable mention in the Endemics category.

Roseate Tern in flight with a fish in it's bill. By ruce Lyon.

Roseate Tern by Bruce Lyon. Honorable mention in the Birds and Nature category.

April 20, 2022

Mark Your Calendars and Join Us for Global Big Day on May 14!

It’s that time of year again! We’ll be hosting our annual celebration of Global Big Day—the biggest birding day of the year—on Saturday, May 14, 2022. This time, we are raising funds for travel scholarships to help Caribbean students and wildlife professionals attend the AOS-BC Conference in Puerto Rico this June*.

We are bringing back our popular teams competition from 2021, and celebrating together the energy, excitement, and camaraderie that’s associated with Global Big Day.

Last year was a resounding success, with people from 192 countries reporting 7,234 species in a single day—the biggest Global Big Day turnout ever! For BirdsCaribbean, our numbers were also impressive—15 teams with members from 36 countries reported a total of 1,348 species and raised over $20,000, and we had so much fun doing this. Let’s make this year even better!

What is Global Big Day (GBD)?

Twice a year, during peak migration times (once in spring and once in fall) birders around the world go out (often in small groups) and travel around an area trying to observe as many bird species as they can in a 24-hr period of time. The checklists that the global community collects and submit to eBird are hugely valuable for science and conservation!

BirdsCaribbean virtual teams will bird “together” and engage in friendly competition to see which team can: 1) collectively see the most species of birds on GBD, and 2) raise the most funds. You can join/re-join one of the 15 teams from last year or create a new team!

This annual event raises the profile of birds and conservation issues, and gathers a snapshot of bird distribution around the globe—and we need your help to do it!

Get Involved by:

Creating or joining a birding and fundraising team by clicking the JOIN A TEAM button on this page.

The “Join a Team” button can be found just below the header graphic.

Joining a team is easy! Sign up with your email or Facebook account, scroll through the list in the dropdown menu and select the team you’d like to join. If you’d like to create a new team, you can do so by clicking the words “create a new team” to the right of the blue button.

Once on a team, invite family, friends, colleagues, or members of your birding community to join your team and/or donate to your team. Learn more in this “how to” guide.

and/or . . .

Simply making a donation to one of the birding and fundraising teams.

and/or . . .

Committing to spending some time (or the entire day!) birding on Global Big Day (May 14), being sure to keep track of what you see and then entering that information into eBird.

You can bird from your backyard for as little as 10 minutes, or visit sites throughout the day to see as many birds as you can. By being on a team, your observations will contribute to that team’s total list for the day. Who will win top prizes this year for most species seen and most checklists submitted and most endemics seen?! Someone needs to contest the Bee Hummers Dream Team, who cleaned up last year!

This will be a fun event to fundraise for and get excited about! Be ready to go birdwatching for as much of the day as possible, knowing that all of your teammates, friends, and BirdsCaribbean community members are doing the same!

Everyone should plan to submit their observations to eBird (or eBird Caribbean if you’re in the islands). Then we’ll tally them up and see how we all did! We will send out more information about this as the event draws closer.

https://youtu.be/ErkKZZ1aKEw

Why this is Important

The insular Caribbean is a critical region for birds. There are 171 species that occur here and nowhere else in the world! In addition, the islands provide a winter home for numerous migrants—many stay 6 months or longer while others rely on the islands as stopover sites to rest and refuel during their long journeys north and south.

The development of a strong regional conservation community, through capacity-building training and career development opportunities at the island level for local people, is critical to ensure the sustainable preservation of island birds and their habitats.

How your Gift Will be Used

This Global Big Day fundraiser will fund travel scholarships for Caribbean wildlife students and professionals to attend our upcoming AOS & BC Conference, June 27-July 2, 2022, in San Juan, Puerto Rico*. These are dedicated persons who are on the ground, doing the everyday work to secure a future for birds and their habitats. Attending the conference is an invaluable opportunity for them to 1) build upon or gain new skills to address threats to bird conservation on their respective islands, and 2) network with the wider conservation community, share their work, and learn from others. For Caribbean students, this experience will help to kickstart their introduction into the ornithological and conservation community and they will benefit from mentorship opportunities.

Our plan is to raise funds to help cover travel costs that will allow deserving participants to attend, including covering registration, airfare and/or hotel costs as necessary.

As with everything in the Caribbean, we will be successful when our whole community pitches in, so let’s do this together! We need your help to do this!

Prizes will be awarded to

the team that raises the most funds
the team with the most creative name and stylish fundraising page
the team that sees the most bird species on Global Big Day
the “country/island team” that sees the highest proportion of their birds on Global Big Day (to control for differences in the number of species on each island!)
the team with the best “find” of the day (unusual, rare, plumage aberration, etc.)
the team with the best bird photo of the day (must be posted on eBird along with your list)
And others, TBD!

Safety

While COVID is decreasing in many islands and more and more people are getting vaccinated, it’s still important to be cautious. Be sure to choose birding locations that (1) comply with your municipality’s COVID-19 safety guidelines (i.e. social distancing, wearing a mask, and travel guidelines), and (2) comply with your personal safety preferences. And so whether you will be birding at local parks, reserves, wetlands, beaches, neighborhood or backyard, we will all be enjoying the opportunity to distract ourselves with some safe, fun birdwatching. Additionally, we will all be birdwatching “together” for a great cause that unites us!

*Note: Since our Cuban colleagues, very sadly, are unable to attend the conference this June because it’s in the U.S., any money the Cuban team raises will go towards installing Motus stations in Cuba – plans are in the works for this!

Scaly-naped Pigeon in St. Lucia (Jerome Foster)

Part of a group of Western and Semipalmated Sandpipers resting on Trinidad’s west coast during spring migration. (Photo by Jerome Foster)

Youth spotting birds for Global Big Day, Puerto Rico.

Greater Yellowlegs (Niels Larsen)

Red-billed Streamertail (Claude Fletcher)

Red-billed Streamertail – endemic in Jamaica. (Photo by Claude Fletcher)

Maria Paulino (gray shirt) leading a group of urban birders in Santo Domino, Dominican Republic on Global Big Day, 2021.

A yellow warbler on a small island in the Portland Bight Protected Area, Jamaica. (Photo: Robin Moore)

Birding Tours of Cuba in 2023 with BirdsCaribbean

March 2, 2022

10 Tips Every New Birder Should Know

Want to go birding? Here are 10 tips to get you started!

Junior Prosper and son out birding, Antigua and Barbuda. (Photo by Shanna Challenger)

Stop, Look and Listen. Birds are everywhere – you don’t need to know anything about birds to get enjoyment from watching them – in your garden, at the beach, on your way to work – providing attraction and pleasure for us all. Your eyes and ears are all you need to start watching birds. Start looking at bird shapes, sizes, colors, posture, and where they live (habitat). Are they small like a bananaquit or large like a hawk? Is the tail long and pointed or short and forked? Are they all one color or multi-color? Are they feeding on the ground or high in trees? Do they hang in groups or solo? Take a cup of coffee out to your porch in the morning and listen to their calls and songs – you’ll soon start to notice differences between species. Do they sing with a pleasant song or with a constant trill? You’ll start to find patterns and learn to recognize your local neighborhood birds!

Zoom In. If you decide to get more serious about birding, find a pair of binoculars to take a closer look – any old binoculars will do to start. If you’re looking to buy binoculars, we recommend 7 x 35 or 8 x 42. Vortex, Nikon, Bushnell, and Celestron all have some great options for beginner birders. No binoculars? Try a camera to take photos – even a phone camera can take a good bird photo. Use your binoculars or camera to really look at the detail of the bird. Is the bill small and fine like a warbler’s or short and stout like a seed-cracking grassquit? Does the bird have distinctive patches or patterns of color that stand out, called field marks, or is it more plain? Are the legs black, yellow, green or pink? Does it fly with regular wingbeats, hover, or soar?

Youth birding with Damion White and Ricardo Miller, Botanical Gardens, Jamaica.

Read Up. Try and get hold of a bird field guide for your region or island – Birds of the West Indies is an excellent one for the Caribbean. Spend some time getting familiar with the layout of the book. Many books will have checklists and distribution maps of birds you might expect to find in your area. Look at the pictures, and read the species description as it’ll tell you what distinguishing features to look for. You’ll also find it useful to read the habitat description to compare with where you saw the bird. Check out the vocalization descriptions too – you can also find many audio recordings of bird calls online. If you want a mobile version, download the Merlin app and the bird pack for your region. Merlin comes equipped with range maps, photos, description, and audio calls all in the convenience of your phone!

Find your Flock! If you’re getting hooked, it’s now time to find a local birding group. Meeting more experienced birders will help you learn to identify species that might be difficult to distinguish. All bird species are different from each other in some way, but some are so similar they can take years to become expert at identifying. You might even sign up for the “rare bird alerts” on eBird so you can know when unusual species have been found in your area!

Group photo of birders — Wadadli Warblers Bird Club in Antigua out on a Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) survey. (Photo by EAG/ Wadadli Warblers)

Make your Yard Bird-friendly. Provide some bushes and trees for cover and plant native plants that have flowers, fruit, and/or seeds that birds can eat. A free ebook, Heritage Plants, features dozens of native Caribbean plants that are of particular value to local birds as well as techniques for creating a great backyard bird habitat. A free webinar, Native Plants for a Bird-Friendly Backyard, features Caribbean bird, plant and habitat restoration experts.

Bring the Birds to You! It’s easy to make your yard a bird haven. Purchase an inexpensive bird feeder, or better yet make one from materials you have laying around your house! Here’s a helpful video to get you started. Nectar feeders are also a great way to attract hummingbirds, Bananaquits, and even warblers. Providing water can be as simple as putting out a clay pot dish or plastic roller paint pan. Fill it with fresh water every day and you will soon have avian visitors coming for a drink or a bath.

Prairie Warbler stands on the edge of a paint roller pan filled with water. “Looks a little bit too deep at this end”. (Photo by Stuart Reeves)

Talk the Talk. Learn the lingo of experienced birders, like Lifer (a bird species that you’ve seen for the first time); Twitcher (a birder obsessed with keeping a life list and going to great efforts to add to it), Dipping (missing out on the bird you specifically went looking for); Pishing (making a sound, pishhhh pishhhh, with your lips to get songbirds to come out or come closer); Peeps (a term used to refer to small, almost identical-looking sandpipers); LBJs (little brown jobs – a blanket term for drab songbirds that are difficult to distinguish); Patch (a local area frequented by birders); Spark Bird (the species of bird that sparked a life-long passion for birding); Vagrant (a bird straying well outside of its usual range); or Skulker (a cryptic, notoriously difficult bird to see).

Take Notes. Get a small notebook to record your observations. Taking notes on date, location, weather conditions, and detailed information on the birds seen will improve your powers of observation and memory and help you remember each birding session or trip accurately. You should describe in detail the field marks of any unidentified birds and later look through your field guides. With good notes, there is a strong chance you will be able to identify the bird later. Keep track of what you are seeing, i.e., your checklists, and at the same time contribute to science with a powerful app called eBird. (If you’re in the Caribbean, use eBird Caribbean). eBird is an invaluable tool for birders, storing all your sightings, so you know when a bird is a new lifer. You can also explore species range maps and learn about the best birding spots, called hotspots, near you. That’s it! You’re on your way to becoming a birder and a citizen scientist!

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)

Respect. Birding should be a fun experience for everyone. Make sure that you’re respecting the space of the birds. While it can be tempting to get that NatGeo shot, make sure you’re not upsetting a nesting bird that is already expending a lot of energy breeding and maintaining a territory. And respect extends out to your fellow birders. Your neighbor might have the perfect vagrant patch, but make sure you always ask permission before birding someone’s property. This extends to National Parks too, those visitor fees help keep the park a safe space for birds and birders alike! Don’t skimp out on park fees and make sure you take all your trash back out with you.

Practice, Practice, Practice . . . and Have Fun! Like anything else in life, to become a really good birder takes practice, in other words, lots of time in the field observing, listening, and studying your field guide. Before you know it, you’ll be identifying those LBJs and Peeps! Whatever level you’re at, the most important thing is to get out there and enjoy seeing some birds!

Birding fun in Cayo Coco, Cuba (Photo by Garry Donaldson)

Resources

Some of BirdsCaribbean’s flagship programs can help you or your kids to get involved in bird watching. Check out our BirdSleuth and Caribbean Waterbird Census programs to find out more. Wondering where to go? Check out the Caribbean Birding Trail.

Bird Silhouettes Poster, BirdSleuth Caribbean

Bird Body Part Diagram, Black-throated Green Warbler.

Support Bird Conservation

If you’d like to get more involved in the protection and preservation of Caribbean birds, consider joining the BirdsCaribbean community! You can support our work in a number of ways: volunteering, bird monitoring, and becoming a member. Membership has many benefits, including discounts on annual conferences and events; and a free annual subscription to Birds of the World, the most comprehensive database of ALL the world’s bird species (a $49 value).

Sign up for our monthly newsletter, to stay informed on BirdsCaribbean news and activities near you, and follow us on social media @BirdsCaribbean!

Grandmom and grandson enjoy birding in Puerto Rico. — Grandmom enjoys birding with grandson in Puerto Rico.

Useful Links

Check out these Bird ID webinars and short videos on BirdsCaribbean’s YouTube channel:

Additional links to help you get better at birding:

…

January 19, 2022

Join the Conservian Bahamas May 2022 Live-Aboard Schooner Expedition

Conservian is setting sail again this May for important shorebird and seabird conservation and research – join us! The mission is a continuation of on-the-ground protection and restoration measures at key shorebird and seabird sites in The Bahamas with support from Conservian, BirdsCaribbean, Bahamas National Trust, and partners.

Volunteers Needed for Shorebird Habitat Conservation & Restoration!

We need your help to protect beach-nesting birds, nests and young. Conservian is seeking a weekly crew of 10 enthusiastic volunteers for our Bahamas Shorebird Habitat Conservation Program in May 2022 aboard our 75ft research schooner. Crews fly to The Bahamas each week to designated airports for shuttle transport to the schooner. All trips include bunk, onboard meals, drinks, and ground transportation associated with the project. A valid passport is required. Airfare and health travel insurance are not included. Trip cost is $1875 per person/week. Please go to Coastalbird.org for more info!

Greater Antillean Grackles enjoyingfountains Hope Gardens Jamaica

This is a wonderful opportunity to gain field experience and shorebird ID skills or simply a once-in-a-lifetime experience! In 2018, BirdsCaribbean’s own Jennifer Wheeler joined the trip. Read all about her amazing adventures here. And check out an article by Margo about one of the past expeditions.

Conservian, BirdsCaribbean, Bahamas National Trust, and partners continue on-the-ground protective measures to limit human-caused disturbance and restore coastal habitats at key shorebird/seabird sites.

May 2022 Expedition Dates & Locations:

Choose one week or more! Each week includes 7 nights aboard the schooner.

Week 1: May 1-8 – Joulter Cays & S. Andros (Nassau Int Apt)

Week 2: May 8-15 – Exumas & Great Exuma (Nassau Int Apt/Exuma Int. Apt)

Week 3: May 15-22 – Cat Island & Eleuthera (Exuma Int. Apt/Nassau Int. Apt)

Long Island flats. (Photo by Margo Zdravkovic)

To join our conservation pirate crew please contact Margo Zdravkovic at MargoZ@Coastalbird.org Watch the short video below, and visit Coastalbird.org for more information on our 2022 expedition itinerary and Conservian’s coastal bird conservation work.

Expedition flyer (Click to open as a pdf).

IMPORTANT: Applicants must be responsible, adventurous, in good physical condition, enjoy working in teams, and be capable of walking several miles during warm weather on Bahamas beaches. Applicants must be comfortable living communally onboard a schooner for a week and riding in small boats to access survey sites.

November 5, 2021

October Big Day 2021: A Bigger and Better Turnout!

October 16, 2021

Leaving no Birders Behind: Birdability Week Celebrates its Second Year (October 18 to 24)

There is no doubt that birding is all about community. We enjoy spending time together, binoculars in hand, sharing sightings and experiences, enjoying birds and nature.

But then, are we leaving some people out?

Birdability is a new non-profit organization founded by Virginia Rose, who fell off a horse at the age of 14 and has been in a wheelchair since then. She began birding 17 years ago and wanted to share her passion and joy with others with disability challenges. Inspired by movements such as #BlackBirdersWeek, Virginia founded Birdability in 2020. Its vision is that birding is for everyone – including those with disabilities and other health concerns.

The first Birdability Week (October 18 to 24, 2020) introduced the organization as not only a celebration of birders with disabilities, but as a sharing of information and resources to encourage the birding community to be more inclusive and diverse. It is supported by National Audubon in the U.S. and many other organizations and businesses.

Birdability focuses on people with mobility challenges, blindness or low vision, chronic illness, intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental illness, and those who are neurodivergent, deaf or hard of hearing, or who have other health concerns.

“At BirdsCaribbean, we welcome this ground-breaking and inspiring initiative,” says Executive Director Lisa Sorenson. “Diversity is very important to us – it enhances the birding experience for everyone. We encourage our partners across the Caribbean to reach out to different communities who may sometimes feel left out, including those with disabilities and other challenges.”

“I recall that a number of years ago, SOPI (Sociedad Ornitólogica Puertorriqueña) held a birding program for blind youth, allowing them to “see” different birds through exploring and handling carved wooden birds,” commented Lisa further. “I remember thinking what a great initiative this is, and that we need to do more of this kind of outreach.”

The Great Texas Birding Classic competition has a blind birding tournament (birding by ear) called the Outta-Sight Song Birder Tournament (their choice of name). Thankfully, the Birdability website has many useful resources and links for blind or low-vision birders.

In her introductory talk on October 7, Birdability founder Virginia Rose shared her experiences of birding in a wheelchair, encouraging those with mobility concerns to go out and get into nature. The discussion included some important issues to be explored in more depth during Birdability Week, such as access considerations for birding locations such as making sure that trails are accessible and safe for those in wheelchairs and interpretive signs are a good height for everyone. They will also talk about adaptive birding equipment; and tips for inclusive communication and language use. You can find the full recording here.

So, if you are wondering how to get started, and to learn more about the practical aspects of “birdability,” there will be an opportunity to chat with birders and potential future birders with disabilities and other health concerns at a free webinar on Tuesday, October 19 at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The theme is “Empowering exploration: Birding with an access challenge.” This will be followed by a series of useful, instructive webinars throughout Birdability Week, ending with a guided workshop on “Slow Birding” on Sunday, October 24. You can sign up for all these fun and interesting sessions here.

Birdability Week offers the opportunity for birding groups, non-governmental organizations, and groups of family and friends to host an accessible bird outing. Lisa Sorenson comments: “With a little thought and planning, and using the great resources that Birdability offers, we can create innovative and enjoyable activities that will include more of our citizens. Let’s do it!”