Category: Endemic Birds

September 10, 2021

The Struggle is Real for the Bridled Quail-Dove on St. Eustatius

The Bridled Quail-Dove is a quiet, retiring bird. It has reason to be nervous, because it is facing a doubtful future on the Dutch-speaking island of St. Eustatius (Statia). Hannah Madden, a Terrestrial Ecologist in St. Eustatius, gives us an important update on how this special bird is faring.

Two years ago we shared the worrying news that the Bridled Quail-Dove population had suffered a significant decline on Statia. This was as a direct result of the powerful and destructive Hurricanes Irma and Maria, which followed each other closely, in September 2017. Four years on, has the situation improved?

The Bridled Quail-Dove (Geotrygon mystacea) is a ground-dwelling species that is endemic to the Caribbean. It spends its day foraging in the forest understory for fruits, seeds and the occasional gecko. Quail-Doves prefer undisturbed forests with a closed canopy. They are very sensitive to changes in their natural habitat. And those changes are happening. Unfortunately the impacts of human-induced climate change mean more intense and more frequent hurricanes, which could spell trouble for this vulnerable species.

The Quill – Before and After

I began surveying Bridled Quail-Doves in the Quill National Park in 2016. The Quill is a dormant volcano that rises to 600 meters with a large, accessible crater. It is the dove’s only home on Statia. Pre-hurricane, Quail-Doves were relatively common and observant birders could almost certainly spot one or two while hiking along the trails. The species breeds in May, when its mournful and unmistakable ‘whooooos’ can be heard echoing through the forest.

Then came Irma and Maria. In September 2017 the forest habitat of the Quill suffered extensive damage from the back-to-back hurricanes. Trees were stripped of leaves and fruits, branches were broken. Some trees did not survive. The hurricanes have left their mark – you can still see the evidence in some parts of the forest.

Hover over each image to see the caption; click on each photo to see it larger and to view images as a gallery

Hannah Madden during fieldwork in May 2021. Some 100 meter transects took up to 20 minutes to complete due to the steep and challenging environment (photo by Oliver Jones)

Overgrazed understory in the Quill National Park, St. Eustatius (photo by Hannah Madden)

Then there are the goats!

In addition, we have a very serious goat problem in the park—one that has been pervasive for decades. These are non-native, free-ranging goats that graze excessively in areas that are already damaged. This results in a limited food supply and reduced understory cover for the Bridled Quail-Dove (as well as other species that depend on the forest). There is nowhere for the birds to find food and shelter. Feral chickens disturb ground cover and compete for the same food source. Invasive black rats and feral cats, both of which are present in the Quill prey on nests and take eggs and chicks. The Bridled Quail-Dove’s survival rate – and its chances of bringing up a family – are slim. There is no evidence that adult birds have come in from nearby islands. The Bridled Quail-Doves of Statia are physically and genetically isolated. We became concerned for the welfare of the Bridled Quail-Dove. We were grateful for the funds from many generous donors, including BirdsCaribbean, allowing us to conduct our surveys.

In search of the Quail-Dove

I conducted surveys of the Bridled Quail-Dove in the Quill National Park, walking previously established transects (walking routes) within the dove’s range (~150 to 600 m). We surveyed during peak breeding season (May), so that we could hear as well as see the birds. Once I saw or heard a Quail-Dove, I measured the distance to the bird. I also recorded how high up they were, and the height of the forest canopy. Once surveys were complete, I pooled all data from 2016 – 2021 to obtain abundance and density estimates per year.

Map of St. Eustatius showing transects (red lines) in the Quill National Park (440 ha).

Greater effort, disappointing results

As shown in the graph below, we increased the extent of our survey from 1,200 m of transects in 2016 to over 15,000 m in 2021. Our coverage increased 13-fold, and yet we were able to find only around one third of the number of doves that were counted in 2016, before the hurricanes. It was challenging work. As you can imagine, repeating so many surveys is physically demanding.

Graph showing Quail Dove detections — Number of detections (left axis; red line) and survey effort (right axis; blue line) between 2016 and 2021 (no surveys were conducted in 2020).

Unfortunately, estimates of the numbers of Bridled Quail-Dove on St. Eustatius have declined significantly since 2016. The current estimate is just 123 individuals (somewhere between a minimum of 72 and a maximum of 210). This is less than half of the 2019 estimate, and less than 5% of the 2016 estimate. So, numbers have continued to dwindle since the hurricanes.

After assessing the influence of covariates (factors that might influence the presence or absence of the dove, like weather, time of day, elevation, condition of the vegetation, etc.) on Bridled Quail-Dove presence, I found that doves were more likely to be found at higher elevations in habitats with a higher canopy (such as inside the crater, along the rim, and on the upper outer slopes of the Quill). It became clear also that in the years following hurricanes Irma and Maria, doves were less and less likely to be present in the survey area.

graph showing abundance estimates of Quail Doves — Abundance estimates of the Bridled Quail-Dove on St. Eustatius between 2016 (pre-hurricane) and 2021 (post-hurricane). No surveys were conducted in 2020.

Urgent action is needed to save the Bridled Quail-Dove on Statia!

We are extremely worried about the Bridled Quail-Dove on St. Eustatius. This lovely bird’s ongoing decline is caused by a combination of two factors: the destruction of the places it calls home, and the invasive species that prey on it. Its long-term survival is now uncertain unless urgent action is taken to save it. Even if the dove does keep going, such a small and isolated population faces additional risks, such as inbreeding.

Climate change is here to stay, and this means that hurricanes are likely to become more frequent and more powerful. This could be catastrophic for the Statia population, and others in the region. Recently the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) proposed that the conservation status of the Bridled Quail-Dove be reassessed, based on our work on Statia. This means the classification could be changed from Least Concern to Near Threatened or Vulnerable. However, apart from Statia, data are still lacking from many islands. We encourage enthusiastic birders to conduct their own surveys so that local populations can be evaluated.

An Action Plan for a precious bird

We will be working with local conservation NGO St. Eustatius National Parks (STENAPA) to create an Action Plan for the Bridled Quail-Dove. To effectively protect the species locally, it is likely that we will have to take action on several fronts, Goats, cats and feral chickens will need to be removed from the park and rodent will need to be controlled. For this, we will need the support of the local government and the community.

Monitoring Bridled Quail-Doves on Statia is a tremendous effort. To make life easier, we are suggesting trying out passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) devices during the breeding season. How does this work? Recording units can be placed in the field for up to a month to record and interpret calls. Using these devices will allow us to collect data in less accessible areas, helping us to broaden our study.

The work will continue as we seek to find help for this iconic bird. Hopefully, by combining conservation efforts with field surveys and PAM, we will have better news in the coming years.

Thank you to BirdsCaribbean and all the generous donors who supported BirdsCaribbean’s Hurricane Relief Fund – my survey work on the Bridled Quail-Dove would not have been possible without your support!

Hannah Madden works with the Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute, based on St. Eustatius. She is also a member of the IUCN Pigeon and Dove Specialist Group. She also works as a bird and nature guide in her spare time, sharing the beauty and diversity of Statia with visitors. Hannah is an active member of BirdsCaribbean and has participated in several training workshops and conferences. She has published papers on different taxonomic groups, but especially enjoys working on birds.

Learn more about the Bridled Quail-Dove and download free activities, including a coloring page, for children.

August 31, 2021

The Cuban Birder—A New Digital Magazine Aims to Encourage Birding in Cuba

Are you looking for a good birding read? We recommend that you log on to “The Cuban Birder,” a quarterly, digital, free magazine, published in English and Spanish. Richly illustrated and packed with information, it is a gem of a publication for birders in all walks of life, and the first of its kind in Cuba. An initiative of Birding Havana, its third issue was released in August 2021, and it is supported by BirdsCaribbean.

The magazine is more than just a substantial and fascinating read. The goal of the publication is simple: to get Cubans – especially the younger generations – excited about birds, so that they can take it up as a hobby. After all, Cuba has the highest number of recorded species in the insular Caribbean (397), of which around 262 are migratory. Once new devotees learn more and become engaged, this will lead to a deeper understanding of how the environment works, as well as a desire to protect and conserve the birds and the places where they live. In other words, it is hoped that the magazine will light a spark of awareness about Cuban birds and the serious, pressing challenges they face. The first issues have already received good readership.

The Cuban Birder has been a long-cherished dream of Birding Havana’s founding director Mr Vladimir Mirabal, former diplomat, lawyer, photographer and passionate birder. He says: “We have needed a magazine like this for a long time. There is great joy in birdwatching, and we want to express this through our publication. It is an educational tool that we hope will support our plans to rebuild a Cuban Birdwatchers Movement. Already, the Cuban Birders Club (Club de Observadores de Aves Cubanas) has experienced growth of over 3,000 new members in the past two months.” All who are seeking more information on Cuban birds and birding activities may join the Club’s Facebook page.

Helping to combat the caged bird threat

The magazine is especially timely as Cuba’s birds and nature face an uncertain future. The threats of climate change and habitat destruction loom large for Cuba, as they do for other Caribbean countries. Another significant threat is capturing and keeping wild birds to sell and keep as pets. Although illegal, this practice, long part of the culture, is growing among the Cuban population. Parrots, parakeets, grassquits, the Cuban Bullfinch, and many songbirds (residents, endemics, and migrants) are trapped, sold, and trained to compete in songbird competitions and kept as pets.

Fall migration is prime “hunting season” for the trappers and private Facebook groups in Cuba show off hundreds of migratory birds for sale, including Painted Buntings, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and dozens of warbler species. Even children are involved in the trapping. BirdsCaribbean will continue to assist with efforts to reduce these harmful behaviors by supplying birding gear and educational materials to help promote birding and develop Bird Clubs in each province. Bird watchers are a growing voice in Cuba. Vladimir commented, “With your support we will be able to reach out to a lot more people in our communities as part of our efforts to replace bird cages and traps with binoculars and field guides by increasing the appreciation for Cuban birds and supporting conservation efforts.” Many of our Cuban colleagues and partners have been working hard to educate and raise awareness about this issue for many years, but it remains a huge challenge. If you would like to donate to help us send binoculars and field guides to Cuba, please click here and select “Reducing bird trapping in Cuba” for your gift designation.

Northern Parula trapped in Cuba August 2021 — “The first bird of the season fell” – August 2021 Facebook post by a bird trapper in Cuba showing a migratory warbler, the Northern Parula.

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, a migratory warbler in a cage in Cuba, ready for sale on a private Facebook group. — Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, a migratory warbler in a cage in Cuba, for sale on a private Facebook group.

Cuban boy trapping wild birds, posted on Cuban social media.

Bird hunters in Cuba heading out with their traps. — Bird hunters in Cuba heading out with their traps, shared on social media.

Painted Buntings in cages in Cuba - this colorful bird is a popular species for the caged bird trade. — Painted Buntings in cages in Cuba – this colorful bird is a popular species for the caged bird trade.

The legacy of Juan Cristóbal Gundlach in Cuba

So what will you find, as you turn the digital pages of this third issue of The Cuban Birder? If you love science history, you will enjoy browsing through articles on the life and work of Juan Cristóbal Gundlach (1810 – 1896), who was born in Germany but left a rich legacy in Cuban scientific discovery. The author of the first major work on Cuban ornithology, among other studies, his name is included in the Latin names of no less than sixty animal species – among the birds he discovered, these included the Gundlach’s Hawk and the Cuban Vireo.

According to a 1915 account, the avid collector and descriptor of thousands of species did not drink and was a frugal eater, often departing in the morning with a biscuit and a sandwich in his pocket – which he forgot to eat during the day. He was tall and reportedly had a bit of a limp, but he was quiet and unassuming, traveling from one end of the island to the other. What a dedicated man! You will enjoy getting to know Juan Cristóbal Gundlach better in the pages of the Cuban Birder. This fascinating section of the magazine, about a significant figure in Cuban natural history is illustrated with photographs of some of the birds he discovered, accompanied by his own descriptions.

Don Juan, as he was known, was also the man who first discovered the smallest bird in the world – the Bee Hummingbird, which is the topic of another article in The Cuban Birder. Noting the tiny bird’s mating ritual, Gundlach noted, rather sweetly: “I have also seen the male when he is in love, go up perpendicularly with a non-progressive flight, sometimes singing, others not, stop, hover for a moment at the female, and then drop down.” Unfortunately, it is not as widely distributed as it was in Gundlach’s day, and is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. You can read a detailed description of this exquisite but endangered bird in the magazine. On another page, there is a very useful fact sheet on Hummingbirds; there are some 343 species identified in the Americas, and they are surprisingly aggressive for their size!

This is just a taste of what you can find in the latest issue of The Cuban Birder. It is an absorbing read that also includes helpful advice on the art of birdwatching and the best cameras for wildlife photography; as well as a gorgeous photo feature on the Alexander Humboldt National Park. A section on identifying hotspots using the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s eBird Caribbean includes how to determine the criteria for a hotspot, and how to navigate the website to suggest one. This section also emphasizes the importance of using the portal, which is specially designed for the Caribbean – especially on days when there are special “counts,” such as the eleven-year-old Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) established by BirdsCaribbean. Data on Cuban birds – and our island birds in general – is more important than ever!

Previous issues have featured interviews with well-known Caribbean scientists like the legendary Orlando Garrido, and artist and naturalist, Nils Navarro, author of Field Guide to the Endemic Birds of Cuba. The magazine is also packed with tips on how to photograph birds, how to identify them, and places to visit and stay to enjoy Cuba’s amazing bird life.

We warmly recommend this digital magazine to our BirdsCaribbean members, and to anyone who wants to learn about and protect Cuba’s birds. We congratulate the editorial team and all the contributors, and hope that readers will share the publication widely online – including, of course, on social media. We eagerly look forward to the next issue of The Cuban Birder!

Here are some readers’ reviews:

José Eugenio Martínez González:

I have been very excited about this idea. You have given us a nice surprise. As a birder, which I have practiced alone or in the company of my family, without equipment, but with a lot of desire, I take my hat off to this initiative.

Daniela Ventura del Puerto:

Excellent! I hope this magazine contributes to more people leaving the cages and changing them for cameras and binoculars. Success in that work!

Alejandro Padrón:

Excellent work for Cuban nature. Congratulations to all the members of this Club. I will follow you with attention.

Agustín Dimas López Guevara:

What good news! Graphic showcase and sample of the work of this great team that brings to light, with image, nature; fauna and flora, beauties to appreciate.

Lázaro Ramón Sosa Morell:

Great initiative, something very worthy of the culture of respect in our country and the effort that so many people have made for years to make it so! Congratulations!

To get on the mailing list for this quarterly magazine, write to: birdinghavana@gmail.com

Download the August 2021 Issue – English

Download the August 2021 Issue – Spanish

Download previous issues here.

August 3, 2021

Sing, Fly, Soar Like a Bird! Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival Sparks Creative Expressions

July 27, 2021

“31 More Reasons to be Proud of Jamaica” – BirdLife Jamaica Launches its New Endemic Birds Poster and a Lovely New Logo

July 8, 2021

The Caribbean has Two New Bird Species . . Sadly, They May Both be Extinct

The American Society of Ornithology (AOS) recently announced the newest taxonomic changes for North American birds in the Sixty-second Supplement to the American Ornithological Society’s Check-list of North American Birds. There is some exciting news, but it is bittersweet. Read on for more details.

Bahama Nuthatch declared a full species

The Bahama Nuthatch (Sitta insularis), formerly considered a subspecies of the Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla), has finally been split from the Brown-headed Nuthatch. This elevates the Bahama Nuthatch to a full species, meaning we now have a new Caribbean and Bahamas endemic!

⁠The Bahama Nuthatch was split from the Brown-headed Nuthatch due to research showing differences in vocalizations. The calls of the Bahama Nuthatch are strikingly different from those of the Brown-headed Nuthatch, including a unique, rapid, high “warble.” In addition, there is a weak response of each species to playback of vocalizations of the other species. In other words, each species does not recognize the other as members of the same species. Additionally, there are some physical differences that distinguish the Bahama Nuthatch such as a much darker brown facial stripe, much longer bill, and considerably shorter wings.⁠

Sadly, this species may now be extinct. Found on only ONE island in the Bahamas – Grand Bahama- it was exceedingly rare after Hurricane Matthew pummeled Grand Bahama in 2016 followed by Hurricane Irma in 2017. Only 5 birds were found after intensive surveys in 2018. It has not been seen since the Category 5 Hurricane Dorian caused catastrophic damage and massive flooding of its pine forest habitat in September 2019.

Bahamian Biologist, Scott Johnson commented, “After many years and a lot of research, the Bahama Nuthatch has been elevated to full species status (although many of us knew and recognized it as such for a while now). Sadly, we are not sure if it is still alive. Hurricane Dorian destroyed the only place on Grand Bahama where it was found. I will be keeping an eye and ear out for this species during my next trip to GB.”

More surveys are urgently needed. We hope we can still find this incredibly special bird and find a way to bring it back. In the meantime, conserving its pine forest habitat is paramount! ⁠

St. Kitts Bullfinch granted full species status

Since it was first described by George Lawrence in 1881, the St. Kitts Bullfinch was considered a sub-species of the Puerto Rican Bullfinch (Milopyrrha portorinsis). This bird, locally known as the St. Kitts Bullfinch (Melopyrrha portoricensis grandis), was living in St. Kitts with a restricted distribution on the upper slopes of Mt. Misery.

However, the AOS have formally amended the status of the St. Kitts bird from a subspecies to a distinct full species, now officially named the St. Kitts Bullfinch (Milopyrrha grandis). This gives St. Kitts its first and only endemic bird! The catch – this bird has been extinct for almost 100 years!

The last official sighting (a collected bird) was in 1929. . . but there’s hope. There have been two reported sightings without photographs in 1993 and 2012. And in 2021 a sonagram (bird song recording) experiment may have recorded the St. Kitt’s Bullfinch; results are still being analyzed. It is likely that the St. Kitts Bullfinch is an elusive species and difficult to see, like the Puerto Rican Bullfinch. So maybe it is still alive and hiding in the remote high forests of St. Kitts, holding on precariously to life, and waiting to be rediscovered!

Thanks to a few specimens and a PhD study on this unique bullfinch, the St. Kitt’s Bullfinch was differentiated from the Puerto Rican Bullfinch by a larger size of about 25%, bigger and heavier beak, and differences in coloration. The St. Kitts Bullfinch has consistent black markings on the undertail coverts that the Puerto Rico birds do not have. In addition, the plumage of St. Kitts birds is more glossy black and the throat and upper breast patch is more extended and darker reddish-brown.

What caused the extinction of this species? It’s hypothesized that the St. Kitt’s Bullfinch likely existed with a very restricted range on Mt. Liamuiga. It was thought to be common in the 1890s but when two large hurricanes struck in 1899, the bullfinch disappeared. You can read more about the St. Kitt’s Bullfinch here and here.

Museum-specimens-male-St Kitts-Bullfinch-and-Puerto-Rican-Bullfinch-Douglas-Wechsler — Museum specimens showing the marked difference in size between a male St. Kitts Bullfinch (upper) and male Puerto Rican Bullfinch (lower). (photo by Douglas Wechsler)

Mounted-specimen-St Kitts-Bullfinch-Naturalis-Zoology-and-Geology-catalogues — Mounted specimen of a St. Kitts Bullfinch. (Naturalis Zoology andGeology catalogues)

Other Caribbean taxonomic updates

Additionally, there were a few interesting broader reclassifications published in the AOS Supplement. The Antillean Piculet (Nesoctites micromegas) is reclassified as no longer belonging to the Piculet subfamily. Recent genetic evidence shows that these unique Caribbean picids are more closely related to woodpeckers (subfamily Picinae) than to the smaller South American piculets. However, the Antillean Piculet still lacks some classic woodpecker features such as stiffened rectrices (tail feathers) and adaptations for drilling, making it unique among both piculets and woodpeckers.

Antillean Euphonia, Puerto Rican Subspecies (Photo by Aldredo Irizarry)

Another Caribbean classic, the Antillean Euphonia (Euphonia musica), has been reclassified with the genus name—Chlorophonia musica. Recent genetic analyses have distinguished Antillean Euphonia as well as its cousin, the Elegant Euphonia, as more closely related to the Chlorophonia finches than the Euphonias (all within Family Fringillidae).

Another generic change—Jamaican Owl has been moved from Pseudoscops grammicus to Asio grammicus.

Finally, Crested Caracara (Caracara cherway) and Southern Caracara (Caracara plancus) have been lumped into a single species Caracara plancus.

We are excited to welcome the two new species of endemics to the BirdsCaribbean family, and hope beyond hope that they somehow still survive. Caribbean birds remain understudied and we hope future research will help us solve some other taxonomic mysteries in the Caribbean.

Thanks to Michael Ryan and his blog article about the St. Kitts Bullfinch on the Birders of St. Kitts & Nevis website for further information and context.

July 7, 2021

And the Winners Are…The BirdsCaribbean Zine Contest Produces Beautiful Work!

BirdsCaribbean hosted its first Bird Zine (pronounced zeen) Contest during the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival. Now, what is a Zine, you may ask?

A zine is a self-published booklet. Zines tend to be a collage of different images, text, and messages put together by writing, drawing, and/or cutting and gluing content into a booklet. In other words, it’s a hands-on creation utilizing various techniques that showcase informational content. We recognize the value of encouraging this form of expression and acknowledging the talent and knowledge of both novice and experienced birders.

The contest was presented as an opportunity for anyone with a love for birds to dig deep into one of the following topics that fascinates them: Bird Sounds; Bird Flight; Caribbean Endemic Bird Species Spotlight; and Why Caribbean Birds Matter.

We received 33 zines (22 in Spanish and 11 in English) from Barbados, Bonaire, Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad and Tobago. Some zines were handmade while others – like Allison Perkins’ zine about the Blue-headed Quail Dove and Alondra Del Mar Norat Pérez’s zine ‘Get to Know Me – the Puerto Rican Emerald’ – were beautifully made using free online design software.

All zines submitted are worthy of celebration! The unique quality of a zine is how its ability to share an idea/s will differ depending on the context and reader. We honour the work of all the zine creators. They were artistically unique and effective at expanding our knowledge of the bird and topic.

Grand Prize Winners

Adults (16 and older)

Arnaldo Toledo, Cuba, was the winner of our Grand Prize for adults (ages 16 and older). Arnaldo Toledo, Cuba- “Apuntes de campo Carpintero Churroso” (Field Notes Fernandina’s Flicker). Arnaldo’s zine explores the amazing adaptations of a Cuban endemic bird, the Fernandina’s Flicker. He beautifully combines art & science with his exquisite drawings and his deep knowledge of the species. One judge commented, “This zine is beautifully designed and packed with information. It reminds me of artwork I would find in The Naturalist’s Library by Sir Jardine Williams (published in the 19th Century).”

We asked Arnaldo what inspired him to create his zine. He replied, “Woodpeckers are among my favorite birds, they are so active and full of cool adaptations. The Fernandina’s Flicker is special for me, I have spent a lot of time observing it and studying its life. It is a Threatened species that needs all the help we can give it. I had a lot of fun creating the Zine. I was able to draw freely about a topic I love, mixing a lot of art techniques and ideas. My hope was to make anyone who opens my zine interested in our beautiful flicker.”

Children (15 and under)

Dayami Ravelo, Cuba, age 9, created a lovely zine on the topic of Why Caribbean Birds Matter. Dayami Ravelo, Cuba- “Por qué importan las aves del Caribe” (Why Caribbean Birds Matter). Dayami’s zine showcases many Cuban endemic birds and why they are important. It is inspirational to both children and adults. Dayami’s zine received great reviews from the judges. One judge commented, “It is visually appealing with the hand drawn photos of all the birds and landscapes. A lot of effort was put into creating this zine and I am curious to learn more about Cuba’s endemic birds.”

Prizes for Each Age Category

After much deliberation, the judges made their selections in the following age group categories:

Adults (ages 16+)

First Place: 1st Beatriz Hernandez, Puerto Rico – “Why Caribbean Birds Matter” Beatriz’ lovely sketches and handwritten information on Todies makes this zine an absolute delight to read. Beatriz was delighted to hear that she was a winner and commented, “I was not only making something, I was learning along the way! Creating the zine was an incredible opportunity to think about how to combine art and words to talk about Why Caribbean Birds Matter. By using the iconic todies, endemic and well represented in the Caribbean, I hope to engage others to learn about the importance of birds in our region as well as ways to protect them and their habitats.”

Second Place: 2nd Amy Sardarsingh, Trinidad and Tobago – “Field Notes Hispaniolan Trogon” Amy’s ‘Field Notes’ is visually stimulating with her elegant handwriting and vivid paintings.

Third Place: 3rd Sarita Emmanuel, Trinidad and Tobago – “Camping Out With The Jamaican Owl” Sarita introduces the reader to a bird that is feared throughout the Caribbean in an engaging and fun manner, and with a striking color scheme.

First Place (adults): 1st Beatriz Hernandez, Puerto Rico – “Why Caribbean Birds Matter”

Second Place (adults): 2nd Amy Sardarsingh, Trinidad and Tobago

Third Place (adults): 3rd Sarita Emmanuel, Trinidad and Tobago

Children

7 to 9 years old: Iris Garrido, 9, Cuba – “Tesoro de mi país” (Treasure of My Country) Iris expresses her appreciation for Cuban endemic birds through poems and art. This zine also highlights the multitude of threats these birds face. [Add photo]

10 to 12 years old: Luis Yaniel, 10, Cuba – “Vuelos de aves” (Bird flight) Luis shares information on one the most fascinating characteristics of birds, flight! [Add photo]

13 to 15 years old: Miguel Alejandro, 13, Cuba – “Por qué importan las aves del Caribe” (Why Caribbean Birds Matter) Miguel presents information on the Bee Hummingbird in fun and interactive ways. [Add photo]

Winner: 13 to 15 years old: Miguel Alejandro, 13, Cuba – “Por qué importan las aves del Caribe” (Why Caribbean Birds Matter)

Winner: 10 to 12 years old: Luis Yaniel, 10, Cuba – “Vuelos de aves” (Bird flight)

Winner: 7 to 9 years old: Iris Garrido, 9, Cuba – “Tesoro de mi país” (Treasure of My Country)

We would like to express our deepest thanks to everyone who entered their zine; and to the judges, who had the undoubtedly difficult task of reviewing all the zines and selecting the winners.

We invite you to visit our Caribbean Bird Zine Library at this link and below to explore and enjoy the amazing bird zines we received. We would love to see this collection of bird zines grow! Please contact Aliya.Hosein@birdscaribbean.org and info@birdscaribbean.org if you would like to contribute a zine – or two – to our library.

May you be awed and inspired by the bird zines!

June 29, 2021

BirdSleuth Caribbean in Sint Maarten – Opening Up a Whole New World of Learning

June 4, 2021

From the Nest – Day 80

Celebrate the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) with us! Our theme in 2021 is “Sing, Fly, Soar—Like a Bird!” Have fun learning about a new endemic bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.

Endemic Bird of the Day: Hispaniolan Oriole

One of its Dominican names is “Platano Maduro.” In Haiti, people call it the “Bananann mí.” These local names for the Hispaniolan Oriole mean “Ripe Plantain” because of its black and yellow colors, as well as the mottled appearance of juveniles – and because it is quite long and slender, just like a plantain (20 to 22 cm). In the DR it is also called “Cigua Canaria.”

Indeed, this handsome, conspicuous jet-black bird with bright yellow shoulders, rump and lower belly is a real find! It is not a common bird, restricted to more remote areas. But when you see it, it really stands out, whether it is feeding on orange maguey (agave) flowers, flying across open fields, or perched on trees in open woodlands or treelines

The Hispaniolan Oriole mostly feeds on nectar, fruit, and other flowers, but it can also be found searching for insects under palm fronds. These fronds are also where it attaches its nest, a shallow basket woven of palm fibers. The oriole’s song is an jumble of squeaky and metallic notes and whistles. Its calls include a sharp “check” and scratchy sounding “jrrrt.”

The Hispaniolan Oriole is found in a variety of habitats island-wide: in highland forests of the Central Mountain range in the Dominican Republic, in shade coffee and fruit plantations in the foothills of San José de Ocoa, and also at sea level where there are palms including Las Dunas de Baní, the beaches of Miches and Punta Cana, Los Haitises National Park, and on offshore islands like Saona. It is regularly seen in the Puerto Escondido Valley on the north slope of the Sierra de Bahoruco, where abundant ficus trees and maguey provide food.

Although listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN, the population may be declining due to loss of habitat caused by increased agricultural activities in its favored habitat. Another threat is the increasing numbers of the invasive Shiny Cowbirds, brood parasites who lay their eggs in the oriole’s nests, displacing the oriole’s eggs. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Hispaniolan Oriole

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

Listen to the song of the Hispaniolan Oriole

The song of the Hispaniolan Oriole is a jumble of squeaky and metallic notes and whistles. Calls include a scratchy sounding “jrrrt” and metallic “zhwee.”

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!

The Hispaniolan Oriole is scarce but found in a wide variety of habitats, from highland forests to coffee and fruit plantations to gardens, as well at beaches and on offshore islands. (Photo by Dax Roman)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: How much can you remember about the birds we have featured during the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival 2021? Test your memory of your newly gained knowledge of these wonderful birds with our 2021 Caribbean Endemic Bird Quiz! Today we have Part Two of a two-part bird trivia quiz. Try to answer all the questions without checking back to our posts or looking up the answers online or in your bird guides! But just in case you do get stuck you or if you want to do some studying before you try the quiz you can read about all our featured endemic birds here or take a browse on ebird. Did you miss Part One of our quiz? You can find it here.

There are two different ways for you to try tackling our bird-themed questions. You can download a fun and interactive version of the quiz as a PowerPoint file here. If you don’t have PowerPoint you can also open the quiz in google slides here. Read the instructions (given before the questions start) carefully and remember to view the quiz in presentation / slide show mode to play interactively! OR if want to, you can download a pdf version of the quiz here, as printable question sheets. An answer sheet to go with this is available here, but don’t look till you’ve tired to answer all the questions! This is a great activity to try by yourself or with a group of friends and family, either in person or online! If you play in a group remember to designate one person as the ‘host’ who will read the questions, keep score and give the correct answers (if you play with the printable version). Have fun!

Who remembered the most? Which team got highest score over the two parts of the quiz? Who can claim the title of Caribbean endemic bird expert 2021? !

June 2, 2021

From the Nest – Day 79

Endemic Bird of the Day: Green-throated Carib

A flash of emerald zips through the forest — could it be a Green-throated Carib (Eulampis holosericeus)? This is a large bird by hummingbird standards (10.5-12 cm, 4.9-7.8 g), characterized by its slightly down-curved bill, and bright green, iridescent head, back, and throat. As with other birds with iridescent feathers, its black belly and brilliant violet-blue breast band can be hard to see in poor light, and its dark blue tail may sometimes look black in color. Look for the “fan” created by its wide tail feathers. Males and females are similar, but the female’s bill is a little longer and more down-curved, and she is slightly less colorful.

The Green-throated Carib can be found in highlands and lowlands, in gardens, parks, and forests. Its entire range is in eastern Puerto Rico (primarily in coastal areas), the Virgin Islands, and the Lesser Antilles. Like other hummingbird species, it loves to feed on nectar, as well as small invertebrates like flies, small wasps, and beetles. Like the Purple-throated Carib, males and females of the Green-throated Carib may feed on different flowers, judging from the differences in their bill lengths. You may hear a sharp chewp and a short tsip, which it repeats rapidly when upset – and whirring wings!

This species nests from March to July, and both sexes aggressively defend their feeding territories. Hummingbirds are good home-builders, and the Green-throated Carib’s nest is cozy. The female – who does all of the work during breeding season – builds a cup-shaped nest lined with soft plant fibers, and camouflages it with tree bark and lichens to hide it from predators. She lays 2-3 tiny white eggs, which she incubates for 17-19 days. After feeding the nestlings for 20-22 days, they will follow her around for several weeks after fledging. A mother’s work is never done!

The Green-throated Carib is common through most of its range, and is considered “Least Concern” by the IUCN. It seems to adapt well to humans’ presence. However, we need to find out how its movements are affected by habitat fragmentation created by development. We still have a lot to learn about this bird in order to ensure it continues to thrive. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Green-throated Carib

Listen to the call of the Green-throated Carib

The calls of the Green-throated Carib include a mix of twittering noises and a “chewp” call.

Puzzle of the Day

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: How much can you remember about the birds we have featured during the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival 2021? Test your memory of your newly gained knowledge of these wonderful birds with our 2021 Caribbean Endemic Bird Quiz! Today we have Part One of a two-part bird trivia quiz. Try to answer all the questions without checking back to our posts or looking up the answers online or in your bird guides! But just in case you do get stuck you or if you want to do some studying before you try the quiz you can read about all our featured endemic birds here or take a browse on ebird.

See how many you can get right and remember to have fun!

June 1, 2021

From the Nest – Day 78

Endemic Bird of the Day: Greater Antillean Grackle

This noisy bird is quite an extrovert. Not at all shy, the Greater Antillean Grackle is a clever bird, quickly adapting and modifying its behavior based on the circumstances. It is quite comfortable in heavily disturbed habitats or areas with high human activity – such as outdoor restaurants – where it can become quite a nuisance, trying to steal humans’ food!

Did you know that there are seven sub-species of the Greater Antillean Grackle? Endemic to the Greater Antilles, this is a common bird found on Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, the Cayman Islands, and adjacent offshore islands.

Ranging in size from 10-12 inches long, this raucous bird has glossy, metallic-blue to violet-black plumage over its entire body, a yellow iris, and an unusual keel-shaped tail which is often held fanned open in flight. Locally referred to as Chango, Cling-cling or variations of this name, it makes its presence known with a distinct 4-syllable song “cling cling clii-ing” that sounds like a rusty hinge. It also gives musical notes, a sharp “cluck,” and wheezy gasps. It has no difficulty expressing itself, in its vocalisations and flamboyant behavior.

The slightly smaller females lay 3-5 eggs, which are incubated for about two weeks. Juveniles fledge after 23-25 days and resemble the adult, except they have shorter tails and lack iridescent coloring. Nesting and roosting occurs in a colony in mangroves, trees, or reeds and often near a water source. For some reason, this bird also likes to roost on power plants. It truly loves water, and can often be seen splashing around in bird baths in the rain!

Using its strong pointed bill, it forages mostly on the ground, eating pretty much anything that they can fit into their beaks. This includes fruits, plants, small vertebrates, invertebrates, and human food scraps.

The Greater Antillean Grackle is classified as Least Concern. Common threats to this species would include deforestation of its nesting and roosting habitats due to the clearing of land for development. Designating specific areas as wildlife reserves would help to combat this issue .Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Greater Antillean Grackle

Listen to the song of the Greater Antillean Grackle

The song of the Greater Antillean Grackle a metallic 4-syllable song “cling cling clii-ing” that sounds like a rusty hinge. It also gives musical notes, a sharp “cluck,” and wheezy gasps.

Puzzle of the Day

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Get out your colouring pencils, pens, or paints and get ready to be creative with our “My Caribbean Bird” art activity! Choose your favourite endemic Caribbean bird and draw or paint its portrait. You can download our colourful feather frame and get started. Not sure which bird you want to draw? Or want to check where your bird lives or what its call is? Check back to all our featured Caribbean endemic birds here. OR let you imagination run wild and create your very own imaginary endemic bird using other endemic Caribbean birds as your inspiration! Have fun making up a name for your ‘new’ Caribbean endemic bird! Where do you think your imaginary bird might live? And what sound does it make?

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: What does the Greater Antillean Grackle have to do with James Bond? Find out here in this blog post by Jim Wright – all about Bond, Fleming and Kling-klings! (the local name for Greater Antillean in Jamaica).

Enjoy these videos of Greater Antillean Grackles! The first video shows a handsome glossy blue-black adult bird, perched on a branch. In the second you can see another adult, filmed in a tree in the Dominican Republic. You can also hear this bird’s distinctive call in this video.

May 31, 2021

BirdsCaribbean Awards David S. Lee Fund Grants for Nine Projects to Study and Conserve Caribbean Birds

We are excited to announce that the David S. Lee Fund for the Conservation of Caribbean Birds will fund 9 projects in 2021! In the previous 4 years (2016-2020), the fund has provided assistance for 15 projects in 6 countries for work on dozens of species in the Caribbean.

This fund was created by generous donations from the family, friends, and collaborators of David S. Lee to continue his inspiring legacy of conservation in the Caribbean. You can help us to continue supporting these invaluable projects by making a donation here.

Congratulations to these exemplary researchers, and we look forward to hearing about your results in future blog articles and publications!

Investigating variation in cooperative breeding behavior between Puerto Rican Tody populations

Amber Wendler, Virginia Tech

Cooperative breeding occurs when some individuals, known as “helpers,” assist with raising their siblings, rather than reproducing themselves. This breeding strategy is used by many bird species, including the Puerto Rican Tody (Todus mexicanus). However, only some individuals of this species breed cooperatively, and differences are thought to be linked to habitat. Amber’s research will examine how the Tody’s cooperative breeding behavior differs in rainforest and dry forest habitats. By increasing our understanding of the Tody’s natural history, her work can help manage and conserve this endemic species.

Territory use of the Critically Endangered Bahama Oriole across the annual cycle

Michelle Moyer, University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)

The Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi) is a Critically Endangered species that is found only on Andros Island in The Bahamas. Thanks to recent work by the Bahama Oriole Project — a collaboration between UMBC and the Bahamas National Trust (BNT)— we have learned a lot about this species’ breeding habitat, including that it uses the native pine forest much more than previously thought. However, it is unknown how Orioles use the pine forest and other habitats outside of the breeding season. Using tiny, solar-powered transmitters (CTT Life Tags™ ), which will be attached to Orioles and detected by a central receiver (CTT Node), Michelle will track their movements throughout the full annual cycle. The results of her research will inform BNT’s conservation management strategies for the Oriole.

Caribbean psittacines as indirect controllers of ecosystem dynamics through commensal feeding associations and ecosystem engineering

Damion Whyte, University of the West Indies at Mona

Parrots and parakeets are notorious for not finishing the fruits that they open. As a result, they are often viewed as wasteful pests, and are feared by farmers. However, we do not have a great understanding of the impacts that this behavior can have on the local ecosystem, such as providing easier access to the fruit by other species and dispersing seeds. Damion’s research will quantify the ecosystem-wide effects of foraging by parrots and parakeets on the island of Curacao. Using observations and camera-traps, he will identify which species visit fruit that has been opened by, and how their behaviors vary. By providing insight into these species interactions, his work will support bird conservation and management in protected areas.

**Pre-reproductive survival, movements, and habitat use of the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird (Agelaius xanthomus) in Southwestern Puerto Rico**

Jean P. Gonzalez Crespo, University of Wisconsin

The Yellow-shouldered Blackbird (Agelaius xanthomus) is an Endangered species that is endemic to Puerto Rico. Although conservation measures such as artificial nesting structures increased the reproductive success of this species, populations have continued to decline. Using CTT Life Tag™ transmitters Jean will track Blackbirds after they fledge from the nest and estimate their survival during this critical period. His work will help local and federal agencies determine whether survival rates before breeding are contributing to population declines, and identify the factors that influence survival.

Establishing a long-term banding program for migratory birds in Isla Contoy National Park, Mexico

Jonathan Nochebuena Jaramillo, Estación de Anillamiento Parque Nacional Isla Contoy

Isla Contoy National Park (PNIC) is a small Caribbean island (238 hectares) near the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. The island is an important site for many migratory birds to rest and refuel on their long journeys between North, Central, and South America. In 2019, Jonathan personally initiated a banding program in PNIC. He will continue and expand this program to document and spread awareness of the importance of the island for a wide diversity of birds, and provide information to conserve birds and their habitats on the island.

**Understanding nestling diet composition of Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii) through fecal DNA Metabarcoding**

Luis Ramos, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez

Environmental changes such as rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification pose many threats to seabirds and the marine food sources that they depend on. The Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii ) is a species of conservation concern in the Caribbean, including in Puerto Rico. Yet we know little about foraging behavior, ecology, and population trends of this species. Luis’s research will use an advanced molecular method (DNA metabarcoding) to assess the diet composition of chicks in Tern populations on the southern and northern coasts of Puerto Rico. His work will identify the fish and other prey that are available to Terns in different colonies, and advance our understanding of DNA metabarcoding as an important biomonitoring tool.

Evaluating the effects of greening actions on avian diversity on tropical urban landscapes

Julissa Irizarry, Penn State University

Expansion of urban areas contributes to loss and fragmentation of habitats across the globe. These drastic landscape changes can negatively impact biodiversity, especially on islands. Large-scale tree planting efforts, such as those planned in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria, have the potential to increase the suitability of urban areas for native wildlife. Julissa’s project will investigate the benefits of urban reforestation for resident and migratory birds. Using an experimental approach, she will compare how birds use newly planted trees—“functional” tree species that are known to be important for foraging and “structural” plants that are traditionally used for landscaping. Her work will inform best practices for implementing urban greening projects in order to maximize conservation benefits.

Current status of the breeding colonies of Red-footed Booby, Brown Booby, and Masked Booby in Los Roques Archipelago, Venezuela

Josmar Esteban Márquez, AveZona / BirdsCaribbean / Fundación Científica ARA MACAO / PAAVe

Los Roques Archipelago National Park is in the Caribbean Sea 130 km north of Venezuela. It has 42 islets and 200 sandbanks arranged around an internal lagoon. It is home to all the typical ecosystems of tropical maritime and coastal areas: sandy beaches, coral formations, salt and brackish water lagoons, seagrass meadows, and mangroves. This archipelago was declared a National Park in 1972, and its Use Regulation and Management Plan was finalized in 1990. Los Roques is home to a great diversity of seabirds and is a priority area for conservation. Conserving seabirds in the Caribbean is essential, as their numbers have been decreasing over time. Documenting their status and trends is needed to develop conservation plans. Two species of boobies have breeding colonies in Los Roques: Red-footed Booby and Brown Booby. Masked Booby’s presence has been documented, but their reproduction has not been confirmed. 20 years have passed since the last assessment of the population of seabirds in the Los Roques Archipelago. Since then there have been many political, economic and environmental changes in Venezuela—changes that may put the Los Roques Archipelago and the booby colonies at risk. We propose to survey and evaluate the reproductive colonies of boobies in 4 keys of the archipelago. We will also explore other cays to look for confirmation of breeding activity. We will integrate the local “Roqueños” communities in the censuses and outreach activities.

**Population dynamics, conservation and management of the American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) on Margarita Island, Venezuela**

Anahy Marcano , INPARQUES / AveZona / PAAVe

Venezuela has about 38% of the total population of American Flamingos, Phoenicopterus ruber. It is considered a resident species on the Isla de Margarita in Venezuela. Although its population has shown variations in size and distribution, historically, American Flamingos have been observed on the Isla de Margarita since the beginning of the last century. Recently, a new flamingo nesting area has been identified on Margarita Island in the Laguna de las Marites Natural Monument. However, its population status is unknown and currently there is no plan for its conservation and management. As the first stage of this project we will estimate the size of the breeding population, the reproductive success, and the demographic parameters in two of the nine areas occupied by the American Flamingos on Margarita Island, las Marites Lake Natural Monument and La Restinga National Park. Visual observations will be conducted from a safe distance so as not to disturb the breeding areas. After the breeding season, the area used for the nests will be evaluated. As part of this project, we will involve local communities in the censuses and an educational campaign will be established.

The David S. Lee Fund for Conservation seeks to continue David’s passion for protecting wildlife. The fund supports direct, innovative conservation work in the Caribbean Region for birds and their habitats. The fund is managed by BirdsCaribbean and used for annual small grants. We are grateful to all those who have supported the fund, and also to our David S. Lee Fund Review Committee who carefully reviews proposals each year and makes recommendations on funding.

You can you help us to continue to fund invaluable research to conserve Caribbean birds by making a gift to the fund.

Click here to make an online contribution.

If you prefer to donate with a check, please make the check out to “BirdsCaribbean” and in the memo section, note that it is for the David S. Lee Fund. If you have questions or to make other arrangements for donating, please feel free to contact Jennifer Wheeler, BirdsCaribbean Financial Officer (jennifer.wheeler@birdscaribbean.org)

Checks can be mailed to: BirdsCaribbean, 841 Worcester St. #130, Natick, MA 01760-2076

May 30, 2021

From the Nest – Day 77

Endemic Bird of the Day: Bahama Warbler

Wandering through the pinelands of the northern Bahamas (specifically, the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco), you might be lucky enough to come upon the charming Bahama Warbler (Setophaga flavescens). The male has a bright yellow throat, breast, and underparts with black stripes on his sides. His black face mask is broken up by a yellow lore (that’s the area between the eye and the upper base of his beak) and white stripes surround his eye. He also sports the longest bill of any wood-warbler species, which he uses to find tasty insects in the bark of pine trees. The grey on his crown and back are accented by two white wingbars. The female looks similar, but is not as bright.

How do you tell the Bahama Warbler apart from a Yellow-throated Warbler – which visits the Caribbean in winter? Well, it’s confusing. They are close relatives and look very much alike; however, the Yellow-throated Warbler’s breast and sides are white, and the forehead is blackish-grey.

These species also have different songs. From a perch in the canopy, the male Bahama Warbler sings sweetly: short, loud, and clear whistled notes that increase in pitch. The Yellow-throated Warbler, on the other hand, has a descending song.

This bright little warbler loves pine trees. Grand Bahama and Abaco include large areas of Caribbean pine forest – just perfect for the Bahama Warbler, which is often seen creeping up and down the tree trunks, feeding on insects. It also breeds in these forests in spring and summer, but its breeding behavior remains a mystery.

However, there is a sad story. The Bahama Warbler is now listed as Endangered. In 2019, Hurricane Dorian slammed into Abaco and Grand Bahama, causing massive destruction. Grand Bahama lost most of its pine forest habitat due to heavy winds, rain, and storm surges. No Bahama Warblers have been found there since then, despite intensive searches by researchers from the Bahamas National Trust and the American Bird Conservancy.

The island of Abaco is now perhaps the last refuge for this Bahamian endemic, and conservation is critical. Already hit by Hurricane Dorian, this lovely bird faces other threats, including habitat loss, predation by introduced feral cats and raccoons, and frequent fires. Let us hope this beautiful endemic survives these dangers, and thrives once again!
Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Bahama Warbler

Listen to the song of the Bahama Warbler

The song of the Bahama Warbler is an ascending “chutty, chutty, chutty, swee, swee, tsoo, tsoo”

Puzzle of the Day

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: What facts can you remember about todays endemic bird – the Bahama Warbler? Test your knowledge by filling in the missing words in each of our Bahama Warbler facts! We have given you the correct words 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 for lots more information about the Bahama Warbler! Then, when you have completed all the sentences, you can check your answers here.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: There are 37 warbler species recorded on the island of Abaco in the Bahamas. You can find about more about them here, especially the five species that are resident in Abaco (live there all year round), including today’s endemic bird, the Bahama Warbler!

Enjoy the video below of a Bahama Warbler in the wild! This bird was filmed on Grand Bahama (before Hurricane Dorian); you can see it creeping up the trunk of a Caribbean pine tree, probably searching for food.

Learn how to draw and colour a Yellow-throated Warbler! Draw along with artist Josmar Esteban Marquez- who created all the pictures for the birds featured in our 2021 Endemic Bird Festival! The Yellow-throated Warbler is also found on the Bahamas and looks at lot like a Bahama Warbler. But the Bahama warbler has a yellow throat and belly, and shorter wings. The adult male Bahama Warbler also has a less black forehead than the Yellow-throated Warbler and its wingbars are shorter and thinner.

May 29, 2021

Birds of Puerto Rico East to Antigua in Your Pocket

May 28, 2021

Global Big Day 2021 Photography Awards

May 28, 2021

From the Nest – Day 76

Endemic Bird of the Day: Lesser Antillean Flycatcher

This chill bird gives off that famous, laid-back Caribbean vibe — a true Caribbean endemic. As you wander through woodlands or dry scrubland, the Lesser Antillean Flycatcher (Myiarchus oberi) peers down, thoughtfully, curiously, watching you. This medium-sized flycatcher (8.5 inches) is inconspicuous, blending in nicely with the vegetation just below the canopy.

Feeling at ease with your presence, it might hazard its distinctive call: a loud, whistling, peeeeeee, or pheeuuu song, or shorter bursts of oo-ee, oo-ee or e-oo-ee. Or maybe it gives away its location going after that delectable flying insect — its favorite food.

Once you spot it, you might second guess yourself. Could it be a Flycatcher after all, or a similar-looking family member, an Elaenia maybe? You replay the call in your mind as you focus on the characteristics that set this species apart. It has a distinctive pale gray chest, a yellow belly, rufous edges to the wings, and rufous-toned tail. The bill is slightly heavy and black. If your eyes are good, or you’ve brought your binoculars, you’d even notice the tiny hook at the tip of its bill. Its dusty gray-brown upper body is capped with an elegantly round head. When excited, individuals may erect the feathers on the crown of their head.

The Lesser Antillean Flycatcher breeds from March to July. It builds its nest using strips of leaves and sticks, usually in a tree cavity. It lays 3–4 eggs that are cream-colored, with heavy purplish-brown and violet-grey markings.

Although its conservation status is Least Concern, the Lesser Antillean Flycatcher is found in only a handful of Caribbean islands. It is common in Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique and Saint Lucia.

Like many other birds in the tropics, this flycatcher faces the threat of habitat loss due to tourism and housing development. They also have to ride out more intense and frequent storms brought on by climate change. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Lesser Antillean Flycatcher

Listen to the song of the Lesser Antillean Flycatcher

The song of the Lesser Antillean Flycatcher is a plaintive, drawn out “pheee” or “phee-u-uu.”

Puzzle of the Day

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: The Lesser Antillean Flycatcher catches and insects to eat. It sometimes this bird will flit between plants searching for its next meal. At other times it will perch perfectly still on a twig or branch and wait to strike its prey- perhaps catching a moth, fly or spider! Imagine you are a Lesser Antillean Flycatcher and find out what bugs there are in your backyard in our fun bug hunt! Follow out instructions and see how many different types of bugs you can find! Perhaps you will spot a butterfly of a bee flitting past? Remember just to 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 the videos below of Lesser Antillean Flycatchers in the wild! In the first you can see a Lesser Antillean Flycatcher perched in the branches of a tree, filmed on Barbuda. You can tell the bird is excited because his the feathers on the top of his head are raised. In the second video you can see another perched Lesser Antillean Flycatcher, you will hear its distinctive, loud “oo-ee” calls.

May 26, 2021

From the Nest – Day 75

Endemic Bird of the Day: Gundlach’s Hawk

The Caribbean has some handsome endemic hawks! One of them is Gundlach’s Hawk (Accipiter gundlachi) – an elegant, medium-sized forest hawk endemic to Cuba. Known locally as falcon or falconeta, this bird is easy to distinguish by its short, rounded wings and its long, narrow, banded tail, rounded at the tip. The steel-blue on its back becomes darker on the top of the head. Its grey throat fades to a reddish-brown breast and belly, with varying amounts of barring. Females are slightly larger than males, with a longer tail. Juveniles are dark brown above and streaked with brown below.

You are likely to hear its strong and strident kec-kec-kec-kec-kec-kec call in many forest types, wetlands, and on wooded coastlines in Cuba. This species is adapted to fly at high speed through the trees, although it can also be seen gliding across open spaces.

Gundlach's Hawk perched. — Gundlach’s Hawk perched. (photo by Michael J. Good)

The Gundlach’s Hawk breeds from January to June, building a platform nest with branches and twigs in a tall tree, and lays 2-4 eggs. It will aggressively defend its nest, even attacking humans who wander too close. Its fledglings will follow their parents around, constantly begging for food.

The Gundlach’s Hawk is a feared (and often hunted) predator that specializes in hunting birds. Medium-sized birds such as parrots, gallinules, pigeons, doves, crows, nighthawks, and thrushes are among its prey. Unfortunately, this highly efficient predator has gained a bad reputation: it is one of the few Cuban birds of prey known to hunt chickens. Hunting and the destruction of nests are major threats to the species. This species is one of the most sought after for use in falconry, which has become increasingly popular in recent years. It is often captured in the wild or taken from the nest.

Habitat loss remains the biggest threat to this Endangered species. The Gundlach’s Hawk was considered common in the 20th century, but its populations have declined considerably to an estimated 400 individuals. There is an urgent need to conserve this splendid hawk by protecting the places where it lives, feeds, and breeds. Raising public awareness about the extremely serious situation of this fascinating raptor would also help to discourage people from persecuting it. Let’s protect this superb Cuban endemic! Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Gundlach’s Hawk

Listen to the call of the Gundlach’s Hawk

The calls of the Gundlach’s Hawk are a loud repeated “eh-eh-eh-eh-eh…”

Puzzle of the Day

Juvenile Gundlach's Hawk — Juvenile Gundlach’s Hawk – they are dark brown above and streaked with brown below. (Photo by Maikel Cañizares)

Adult Gundlach's Hawk — Adult Gundlach’s Hawk. Note the steel-blue on its back that becomes darker on the top of the head, and the long banded tail. (Photo by Michael J. Good)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Can you find the words in our Gundlach’s Hawk word search? Remind yourself of some of the interesting facts about this endemic bird 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.

Find out more about birds of prey! Hawks, like todays birds the Gundlach Hawk, falcons, kestrels, eagles, owls and others birds including vultures are all different types of a group of birds know as ‘birds of prey’; birds in this group are also also known as ‘raptors’. Find out more about this group of birds by reading all about raptors here.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy this video of a Gundlach’s Hawk in the Wild! The video shows a bird high up in the air in a soaring flight.

May 25, 2021

From the Nest – Day 74

Endemic Bird of the Day: Jamaican Spindalis

When you set eyes on a male Jamaican Spindalis (Spindalis nigricephala), you cannot help but admire this spectacular endemic. The vivid black-and-white stripes on his head give him one of his local names — “Mark Head.” He has a brilliant yellowish-orange breast that becomes yellow on the belly, and a white lower belly and undertail. His yellow-olive back fades into yellowish-orange on the rump. The black feathers on his wings and tail are edged with white.

What’s the difference between male and female? This species is “sexually dimorphic,” meaning that males and females look different from each other. As is often the case, the female is less colorful – she is the dull one! She has an olive back, a greenish-yellow breast and belly that fades to pale yellow, and a grayish-olive head and throat. Like the male, she has a white undertail and white-edged wing feathers, but she lacks those bright stripes on her face.

The thin, high-pitched call “tsee” of the Jamaican Spindalis is a common sound in Jamaican forests, and might be your first (or only) hint that one is nearby. It also gives a soft, weak “seep” in flight. While foraging in groups, individuals may give a fast, high “chi-chi-chi-chi-chi.” From an exposed perch, a male will sing a song that consists of a long-sustained phrase repeated several times — “chu wheet, chee see whee see, chu wheet.” These distinct sounds have inspired another popular local name, “Champa Beeza.”

The Jamaican Spindalis roams through forests, woodlands, and brushy areas in the hills and mountains, searching for fruiting trees. Some of their favorites include ficus, pimentos (allspice), palms, cecropia, and oranges. They will also consume nectar, blossoms, leaves, and the occasional insect. You might meet them in pairs and family groups, but you can also find them in flocks with different species.

This agile bird is often seen hanging from twigs and leaves to take berries, or even using its bills to swing effortlessly between plants. Despite these impressive moves, it can only perform short-distance flights, which limits its habitat to forest and forest edges. To protect the Jamaican Spindalis, it is important to conserve and connect habitat, including the preservation of large canopy trees in an ever-changing urban landscape. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Jamaican Spindalis

Listen to the call of the Jamaican Spindalis

The call of the Jamaican Spindalis is a high-pitched “tsee,” sometimes alone sometime repeated in quick succession.

Puzzle of the Day

Male Jamaican Spindalis — The male Jamaican Spindalis is a stunning bird. Note the black head with two bold white facial stripes which give him one of his local names — “Mark Head.” He also has a brilliant yellowish-orange breast that becomes yellow on the belly, and black wing and tail feathers edged with white.(Photo by Matt Grube)

Female Jamaican Spindalis — The female Jamaican Spindalis has a greenish-yellow breast, olive upperparts, and a greyish head. (Photo by Linda Bushman)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: The Jamaican Spindalis, along with many other Caribbean endemic birds found on Jamaica, like the Yellow-shouldered Grassquit, Vervain Hummingbird, Arrowhead Warbler, Jamaican Euphonia and Jamaican Vireo love to live in and around the forests of Jamaica’s hills and mountains. In fact birds across the Caribbean rely on forests as places to nest, feed, rest and shelter. Forests in the Caribbean contain many different types of plants such as, ferns, orchids, other flowering plants and canopy trees. Forests also provide homes for many other types of wildlife as well as birds and plants! Using a variety of textures and colours of paper create your own forest collage with some of Jamaica’s endemic birds! Download our instructions here including some helpful silhouettes and shapes to get you started. You can get an adult to help you with any cutting out.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Read all about how Goat Island, one of the homes of today’s featured bird, the Jamaican Spindalis, and many other Jamaican and Caribbean endemic birds was saved from what would have been a catastrophic development. Then read about the plans to make the same area a Wildlife Sanctuary!

#GoatIslandsSaved! Conservationists Warmly Welcome Jamaican Government Decision Against Transshipment Port in Protected Area

BirdsCaribbean Welcomes News of Proposed Jamaican Wildlife Sanctuary

Enjoy these videos below of Jamaican Spindalis in the wild! In the first video you can see a female Spindalis, filmed in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. The second video shows the more strikingly coloured male, feeding on some flowers.

May 24, 2021

From the Nest – Day 73

Endemic Bird of the Day: Loggerhead Kingbird

What is that noisy bird? The boisterous, chattering call of the Loggerhead Kingbird (Tyrannus caudifasciatus) can be heard echoing throughout dense coppice forests, pine forests, gardens, settled areas, mangroves, and swamp edges in the Caribbean.

This chunky flycatcher (9.5 -10 inches) has a blackish head with a yellow-orange patch on the crown that only shows when it is excited. It has a dark gray back and wings, accented by whitish edges. The throat, breast, and belly are whitish, with varying amounts of yellow wash. Its square tail is also dark grey with a whitish tip. Juveniles have brownish edges on the wings and no crown patch.

You will always know when the Loggerhead Kingbird is around. It is often seen on exposed perches such as posts, tree branches, and telephone wires. From there, it forages by “sallying” forth – flying out to capture prey, and returning to the same or nearby perch. Its diet mostly consists of insects, berries, small lizards, and amphibians. It builds a cup-shaped, woven nest in the fork of horizontal branches of trees. It will lay 2-4 whitish or salmon-colored eggs, with markings that vary in color in different parts of its range.

The Loggerhead Kingbird is a year-round resident. Endemic to the West Indies, its range extends throughout the northern Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico. There are seven recognized subspecies, characterized by the amount of yellow wash and the tail pattern. Two subspecies — Tyrannus caudifasciatus taylori of Puerto Rico and Tyrannus caudifasciatus gabbii of Hispaniola — are under consideration to be classified as new species!

At first glance, you might confuse a Loggerhead Kingbird with another Kingbird species. The Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus), a winter migrant to the region, has a bolder white tail band and smaller bill. The Gray Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis), a summer migrant to The Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, and Cayman Islands, is much paler overall, with a dark face mask and a larger bill. Gray Kingbirds are also much more territorial and aggressive than the Loggerhead Kingbird. The Giant Kingbird (Tyrannus cubensis), which only occurs in Cuba, is a bigger bird with a massive bill and notched tail. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Loggerhead Kingbird

Listen to the song of the Loggerhead Kingbird

The song of the Loggerhead Kingbird is a loud, emphatic trilling, “pit-pit-pit-pit-pit-tirrr-ri-ri-reeee.”

Puzzle of the Day

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Can you tell the difference between todays bird, the Loggerhead Kingbird and the other, very similar, types of kingbirds you might meet when out bird watching? Make sure to read our fascinating facts in this post and then test your memory skills in our kingbird matching game ! Be sure to look carefully at the colours, bill sizes, and also the tails of these birds to tell them apart!

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy these videos below showing Loggerhead Kingbirds in their natural habitat! In the first you will see a bird giving the bubbling, chattering calls typical of this species, and you should spot the rarely seen orange-yellow patch on the crown of this bird. The second video shows a Loggerhead Kingbird from the Puerto Rico race, you can see that the tail lacks the white trailing edge seen on this species elsewhere.

May 23, 2021

Global Big Day 2021: A Record-Breaker for BirdsCaribbean!

On Saturday, May 8th, birders and BirdsCaribbean members around the world went outside birding to celebrate Global Big Day—the biggest birding day of the year which is timed to coincide with peak spring migration for many places in the USA. Approximately 53,000 participants joined in the fun—with 365 observers representing the West Indies and submitting 1,995 checklists—way to go!

This year, observers found 364 species in the West Indies—beating last year’s record by a whopping 19 species! (see Figure 1). Cuba clinched the lead for most species seen—161, followed by Puerto Rico at 139 species, The Bahamas coming in hot at 131 species, Dominican Republic close behind at 127 species, Jamaica swinging in at a nice 104, and Cayman islands finishing with a solid tally of 94 species.

And more Caribbean “eBirders” too…

The number of eBird observers in the West Indies—365—increased by 62 persons from 2020, and the total number of checklists submitted—1,670—increased by a colossal 619! (see Figure 1). This jump in participation helped fuel the increased number of species seen in every country/ island.

graph showing data on ebird observers and species seen by country for Global Big Day 2020 and 2021. — Figure 1. The top graph shows that the total number of eBird Observers in the West Indies, total species seen, and total number of eBird checklists submitted increased from 2020 to 2021. The bottom graph shows the number of species observed on Global Big Day for the top 6 West Indies countries increased from 2020 to 2021.

Inspired by last year, many of us continued to bird together from afar on teams that raised funds for bird conservation. This year, those funds will target new Motus bird monitoring stations in the Caribbean. Our Global Big Day was hugely successful on all fronts, with 15 teams participating, including 10 national teams!!! (up from 7 teams in 2020). And we raised $19,113 USD, very close to our goal of $20,000 USD—congrats and thank you to everyone for your participation and support! Read on for all the exciting details and final team stats…

The Bee Hummers Mighty Achievements – Congratulations to our Cuban Friends!

How did our BirdsCaribbean teams fare? Once again, the indomitable, multinational Flying Pintails, led by Executive Director Lisa Sorenson, claimed the title for the most species observed: 714 (see Figure 2). President’s Perch, led by Past President Andrew Dobson, and the Bee Hummers Dream Team, the Cuban national team led by BC board member Maikel Cañizares, came in second and third with 597 and 465 species seen, respectively. The Bee Hummers swept three other categories, however, with the most eBird checklists (241), most eBird observers (65), and most West Indies endemics (48). Congrats to the team named after the smallest bird in the world for all of these great achievements!!!

Figure 2. Global Big Day results for our 15 BirdsCaribbean teams, which included 10 national teams. The numbers in red show which team had the highest number for each category. A total of 1,348 species and 136 West Indies endemics were observed by all 15 teams combined. ( a total of 147 West Indies endemics were seen by all eBirders, i.e., including those not on a team).

Tracking the Endemics on our GBD Teams

This year, with our 10 new national (Caribbean country or island) teams, we were excited to see which national team would see the highest proportion of their endemic birds on Global Big Day (a category created to control for differences in the number of endemic species on each island – see Figure 3). There were two winners for this title: the One Love Jamaica Birders, whose well-organized sub-teams and individuals fanned out over the entire island and managed to see all 28 Jamaican endemics, and the Bajan Birders who also worked hard and made sure to get their one endemic (Barbados Bullfinch) on their lists! 😉 The Peeping Cuckoos (Puerto Rico), Bee Hummers (Cuba), and Team Jaragua (Dominican Republic) also did well finding their island endemics.

Figure 3. The 7 teams who saw the highest proportion of their island endemics on Global Big Day 2021. The One Love Jamaica Birders managed to see all 28 of their endemics – congrats! And the Bajan Birders easily checked off their one endemic, the Barbados Bullfinch.

Small was Beautiful

Smaller and more local teams also had their advantages. When the total number of species seen was divided by the number of people on the team, Far Flung Flock came in first, with an average of 27 species observed per person (see Figure 4). The Statia Tropicbirders were a close second with 23 species per person, followed by the Flying Pintails (19), Abaco Island Big Day Birders (17), WANSIRI (16), and Turks and Caicos Island Blue Jays (14). The accomplishment of the Abaco Island Big Day Birders is especially impressive, since this was a small team of 5 persons birding on a relatively small island that had been largely decimated by a hurricane less than 2 years ago!

Figure 4. The average number of species observed per person for each of the 15 Global Big Day teams. Far Flung Flock of Friends was the winner in this category with an average of 27 species per person. Statia Tropicbirders came in 2nd with 23, followed by the Flying Pintails (19), Abaco Island Big Day Birders (17), WANSIRI (16), and the TCI Blue Jays (14).

Congratulations and thank you to all the teams for your enthusiastic participation. We will be sharing more about our experiences, including photos and prizes, in a second Global Big Day 2021 blog article.

Handing out Bouquets to these eBirders

The most distinguished eBirders from our Global Big Day campaign were Holly Garrod and Josh Covill (birding together in Costa Rica) of the Flying Pintails, who over 16 hours recorded an incredible 208 species! Richard Korpi and Phil Lehman, both on the Barefoot Bobwhites team, came in 2nd and 3rd with 138 and 136 species, respectively. Holly and Josh both win a year’s membership in BirdsCaribbean and some awesome BC swag!

Special commendations go out to the following birders who had 20 or more West Indies Endemics on their GBD checklist on May 8th:

Maria Paulino and birders in the DR — Maria Paulino (gray shirt) leading a group of urban birders in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on Global Big Day.

Maria Paulino (Dominican Republic) – 30
Lyndon Johnson (Jamaica) – 27
Wendy Lee (Jamaica) – 27
Adrian Cobas (Cuba) – 26
Ana M. Suárez (Cuba) – 25
Maikel Cañizares Morera (Cuba) – 24
Miguel Landestoy (Dominican Republic) – 23
Tania Piñeiro (Cuba) – 23
Alina Perez (Cuba) – 22
Wayne Arendt (Puerto Rico) – 22
Noelia Nieves (Puerto Rico) – 21
Robert Jovel (Cuba) – 21
Wisdenilde Navarro (Cuba) – 21
Alondra Medina Charriez (Cuba) – 21
Karlos Ross (Cuba) – 20

An Exciting Finish to our Fundraising, and Thank You!

After the success of last year’s fundraiser we have carried the tradition onward. This year’s donations will help fund our newly launched Caribbean Motus Collaboration, which is part of our Caribbean Landbird Monitoring network.

The final days of our fundraiser were incredible! We were still a ways out from our target goal of $20K when a most generous BirdsCaribbean member on the President’s Perch team stepped up and offered a $5K match. In other words, if the President’s Perch Team could raise $5K in 3 days, the donor would match it with a donation of $5K, giving us the opportunity to double the funds!

We quickly put out the call and many generous people answered it! With a few hours to spare before the deadline, we reached the $5K goal on President’s Perch team, which was then promptly doubled by our generous supporter! Thus, to date, thanks to your generous donations and support we have raised a total of $19,113, which will help to install at least 4 Motus stations in the islands!!! (note: it is not too late to donate if you want to help us reach our $20K goal).

2021 BirdsCaribbean Global Big Day Teams*

You can visit each birding team’s page profile on eBird to see maps of the team’s countries/ islands where birds were sighted and their checklists. You can also visit each team’s GoFundMe page and donate to specific teams to help them reach their fundraising goal, or donate to the general campaign.

Black-whiskered-Vireo spotted on Global Big Day in the Dominican Republic. (photo by Maria-Paulino)

Abaco Island Big Day Birders
*Abaco Island, Bahamas
Team Leader: Chris Johnson
eBird team page

WANSIRI
*Northern Venezuela
Team Leader: Josmar Marguez
eBird team page

Team Jaragua
*Dominican Republic
Team leader: Yolanda León
eBird team page

TCI Blue Jays
*Turks and Caicos Islands
Team Leader: Simon Busuttil
eBird team page

Statia Tropicbirders
*St. Eustatius
Team Leader: Hannah Madden
eBird team page

Bajan Birders
*Barbados
Team Leader: Julian Moore
eBird team page

One Love Jamaica Birders
*Jamaica
Team Leader: Keisha Miller
eBird team page

Grand Bahama Island Birders
*The Bahamas
Team Leaders: Delores Kellman and Erika Gates
eBird team page

Bee Hummers Dream Team
*Cuba
Team Leader: Maikel Cañizares
eBird team page

Cayman Birding
*Cayman Islands
Team Leader: Kelsey Rae-Smith
eBird team page

Barefooted Bobwhites
Team Leader: Justin Proctor
eBird team page

Peeping Cuckoos (Bobos Mirones)
*Puerto Rico
Team Leader: Gabriel Lugo
eBird team page

Far Flung Flock of Friends
Team Leader: Natasha Atkins
eBird team page

President’s Perch
Team Leader: Andrew Dobson
eBird team page

Flying Pintails
Team Leader: Lisa Sorenson
eBird team page

* These are national teams – please support them, and THANK YOU!!

May 23, 2021

From the Nest – Day 72

Endemic Bird of the Day: Key West Quail-Dove

Key West? Well, despite its name, you are very unlikely to see this bird in Key West. Although it was first discovered in the Florida Keys, it is now just an occasional vagrant there. It is a truly Caribbean island bird, endemic to The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, Cuba, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico.

This is a great loss for Florida, because the Key West Quail-Dove, a chunky, round bird (170 g, 28-30 cm), is strikingly beautiful. The iridescent bluish-green and bronze head and neck of the adult male is accented by a broad white facial stripe. The purple and bronze iridescence on his back and wings contrast with his pale pinkish-grey breast that fades into whitish on the belly. The female looks similar, but her colors are generally more subtle and less iridescent. The plumage of a juvenile is duller, with whitish margins on the wing coverts.

This elegant bird is can be found in both arid and moist habitats: coastal thickets, swamp forest, semi-arid woodland, wet montane forest, semi-deciduous and evergreen woods. It favors the understory up to at least 500 m in elevation, but is found up to at least 1,000 m in Dominican Republic.

The Key West Quail-Dove is a secretive bird, difficult to detect on the forest floor. Listen for a rustling of leaves and you may be lucky to spot it as it quietly rummages around looking for fruit, seeds, insects, and small snails to eat. From the dense vegetation you might also hear its deep, mournful call, consisting of a single, repeated hoooooo. The call usually lasts about 1.4 seconds, increasing in volume and then fading and sliding slightly downward in pitch at the end.

This bird generally breeds from February to August. It builds a nest near the ground or low in trees, laying two buff-colored eggs. It is solitary outside the breeding season.

The Key West Quail-Dove is considered a common resident throughout most of its range, but is declining in some islands. Sadly, it is threatened by habitat fragmentation and hunting. You can help this beautiful bird and others to survive by supporting conservation of habitat on your island. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Key West Quail-Dove

Listen to the song of the Key West Quail-Dove

The song of the Key West Quail-Dove is a soft, low-pitched, mournful “hooooooo.”

Puzzle of the Day

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Breeding season for the Key West Quail-Dove is between September and July. This Caribbean endemic dove builds its nests on the ground or sometime low-down in a tree. This makes their eggs vulnerable to predators, including the Indian Mongoose, which has been introduced to the Caribbean from Asia. Can you help the Key West Quail-Dove find her way through our maze and save here eggs from a hungry mongoose? You can find the correct route here.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy this video of a Key West Quail-Dove in the wild! This bird was seen in Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. The video shows a Quail-Dove on the ground foraging. You can see the beautiful iridescent plumage on the birds head and neck.

May 21, 2021

From the Nest – Day 71

Endemic Bird of the Day: Puerto Rican Vireo

It seems as if the Puerto Rican Vireo wants to challenge its local name, bien-te-veo, (“I see you well”). You will probably have some difficulty getting a full view of this active little bird as it flits around, tail cocked, searching for insects and the occasional berry. Looking for it is rather like a game of hide-and-seek!

Ah! There it is! When you finally spot it, you’ll see that this vireo has a brownish-gray head and olive-brown back, wings, and tail, a grayish-white throat and breast, and pale-yellow belly and sides. It also has brown eyes, surrounded by an incomplete whitish eye ring.

Luckily, this species is very vocal, and is usually heard before it is seen. Both sexes will sing a song consisting of 3-4 melodious notes. The species likes to scold intruders, especially near the nest, inspiring other species like Bananaquits to join in.

This vireo is endemic to Puerto Rico and can be found in a variety of forested habitats at all elevations, including wet and dry forest, mangroves, and shade coffee plantations. It avoids open areas. The species breeds from March to July, with males and females sharing parenting responsibilities. They build a tight hanging cup nest in the fork of a tree or shrub, beautifully created from thin vines, grasses, and dry leaves. The birds glue these building materials together with spider webs, adding a touch of moss for additional camouflage. The female lays 2-3 eggs, pale pink with reddish-brown spots, but the nest usually produces only one young.

Sadly, the vireo’s wonderfully camouflaged nest is often the target of an invasive species—the Shiny Cowbird. This species is a “brood parasite” – it lays its eggs in the nest of other bird species. The unsuspecting parents raise the cowbird nestling as their own – which means their own babies suffer. Shiny Cowbirds, as well as invasive mammals like rats, mongooses, and feral cats, threaten vireo populations. Habitat fragmentation and the removal of shade in favor of sun grown coffee are also factors posing a threat. To help this charming bird, be sure to purchase bird-friendly shade grown coffee! Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Puerto Rican Vireo

Listen to the song of the Puerto Rican Vireo

The song of the Puerto Rican Vireo is made up of variations of “chuwee-chuweech-you” and “chewee-wit-weee”

Puzzle of the Day

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: How much do you know now about the Puerto Rican Vireo? Test your knowledge with our crossword puzzle all about this little endemic bird! You’ll need to know about how this bird looks, where is lives, what it eats, and its behaviour as well as some facts about birds in general. Try to remember as much as you can, but if you are not sure of an answer you can check back to the text above or take a look at the Puerto Rican Vireo page on ebird! And you can find the answers here.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Growing coffee under trees – a traditional practice called shade-grown coffee – can result in many benefits, both to people, habitats and wildlife. In fact shade-grown coffee is one of places where you might find the Puerto Rican Vireo, todays featured endemic bird! Find out more about how drinking shade-grown coffee can help save birds in the Caribbean any beyond!

Enjoy the videos below of Puerto Rican Vireos in the wild! In the first you will hear a bird singing, and see a bird at it’s mossy nest. The second video also shows some birds at a nest, in this one you can see the adults swapping places as they take turns incubating their eggs. The final video shows an adult bird feeding a fluffy little fledgling that has left the nest.

May 20, 2021

From the Nest – Day 70

Endemic Bird of the Day: Yellow-shouldered Grassquit

This charming bird makes a nice fashion statement. The Yellow-shouldered Grassquit (Loxipasser anoxanthus), known locally as the “Yellow-backed Finch,” is an attractive, two-toned small bird endemic to Jamaica. Living up to both of these names, the adult male will catch your eye with his bright yellow “shoulders” and upper back, which contrast with his black head and breast. The yellow upper back fades to greenish-yellow on the rump, the lower belly and flanks are dark grey, and the under-tail is rusty-brown.

The female also sports a yellow shoulder patch, but her colors are more subtle. Her olive-gray head and breast fade into grey underparts, and her back and wings are a paler greenish-yellow.

This Grassquit is a fairly common sight in the hills and mountains of Jamaica, preferring the edges of forests and other vegetation. It also forages in gardens and roadsides. To find this species, look for plants with seeds and fruits that it loves to eat, such as the Prickly Yellow Tree, Maiden Plum, Fiddlewood, and Guinea Grass. It may announce its presence with a quick, high-pitched chi-chi-chi-chi-chi descending call, which sounds a bit like beads shaken in a jar – an echo effect. Like other Grassquits, it flies only short distances.

If you’re lucky, you might come across this bird’s bowl-shaped nest in tree canopies or garden shrubbery. This Grassquit is an excellent nest-builder, and both male and female birds take a lot of trouble to create a cozy home, usually made of finely-woven dried grass and twigs, and perhaps Spanish Moss (Tillandsia sp.). The species usually lays 3-4 eggs that are white with reddish or brown speckles. Rather unusually, the home-loving parents often make improvements to the outside of their nest, even after their young have hatched. The breeding season is between March and July.

This unique Grassquit is not threatened, but there is still so much we need to know about this species. It is noticeably absent from areas with minimal vegetation, which means that habitat loss and degradation could affect its population. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Yellow-shouldered Grassquit

Listen to the song of the Yellow-shouldered Grassquit

The song of the Yellow-shouldered Grassquit is made up of four or five descending or ascending notes, that are high-pitched and ‘scratchy’.

Puzzle of the Day

The male Yellow-shouldered Grassquit is a striking two-toned bird with bright yellow shoulders and upper back that contrasts with his black head and underside.(Photo by Sam Woods)

The female Yellow-shouldered Grassquit also sports a yellow shoulder patch but her colors are more subdued—olive-gray head and breast, gray underparts, and greenish-yellow back and wings. This species can be seen in a wide range of habitats from mountains, hillsides and forest edges to lowland areas including gardens and roadsides. (Photo by Matt Grube)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Todays featured endemic bird, the Yellow-shouldered Grassquit, builds its rounded nest in tree canopies or garden shrubbery. These little birds will use dried grass and twigs, and sometimes moss, to make the perfect nest in which to lay their eggs and raise their chicks. You could give them and any other birds nesting near your house or in your garden a helping hand, with our nest-material activity. Put out some materials, selected especially to be suitable for bird nests, and see who arrives to make use of them! You can download full instructions here. Be sure to follow our suggestions for nest materials, as some things might be dangerous for birds and their chicks if they put them in their nests. You can keep note of who visits and which things they choose to include in their nests – do some birds have a favourite type of nest material?

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy this video of a Yellow-shouldered Grassquit in the wild! Here you will see (and hear!) a Yellow-shouldered Grassquit amongst some vegetation, singing it’s buzzy descending song. You might hear this little birds song before you spot it!

May 19, 2021

We want to hear from you! Submit your Sing-Fly-Soar videos to BirdsCaribbean

BirdsCaribbean has celebrated the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) for the past 20 years with the encouragement and support of a diverse group of partners throughout the Caribbean. The festival highlights the region’s rich bird community, with special attention given to the 171 species found only in the Caribbean. Each year the CEBF activities are planned around a theme.

This year the theme is “Sing, Fly, Soar—Like a Bird!” Due to the coronavirus pandemic we are celebrating virtually again. Virtual events often leave little room for meaningful interaction. However, it is extremely important to us that we provide our members and partners with the opportunity to share their experiences with us.

Therefore we invite you to tell us, in your own words, what this year’s theme means to you! Whether you are camera shy or not, the guidelines below will help you capture a compelling video. All you will need is a smartphone, laptop, or camera capable of recording video. There will be no need for fancy equipment or spending long hours editing. We need less than a minute of your time!

All suitable submissions will be used to create a video collage which will be shared at the end of the CEBF 2021 on the BirdsCaribbean website and social media accounts.

Guidelines and Tips for Creating your Short Video

Instructions for the video content:

Have fun! Remember this is not a school project or work assignment.
Speak in your native language; if possible, please send us the English script if it is not English.
First introduce yourself: your name and where you’re from
Then let us know what our theme “Sing, Fly, Soar—Like A Bird!” means to you. Smile, speak naturally, from the heart, and feel free to be creative! Some ideas: You can talk about how birds inspire you, how you got into birding, what you love about birds, your birding activities, how birds changed your life, your “spark” bird, why birds matter, how birds unite us, how you relate to this theme personally, your work conserving, studying or educating about birds, etc. Do your best to relate it to the theme, and don’t be shy about conveying your enthusiasm!

Instructions for recording the video:

Videos should be up to one minute in length – two or three sentences is great (20-30 seconds). If you need a little longer to tell your story, that’s okay too!
If possible, shoot your video with a DSLR camera, iPhone, or smartphone at high resolution.
If you shoot the video from a phone, use landscape (horizontal), not portrait (vertical) mode. It’s best to place yourself in the left or right ⅓ of the image, rather than the center.
Shoot from about an arm’s distance from the phone so that the video covers till your stomach and make sure there is a little headspace on the top.
Check your lighting. Natural light outdoors in nature works best (the sun should be behind the camera). If using a lamp or other light source make sure it is in front of you- NOT behind, overhead, or to the side.
Check your sound. Make sure the audio is clear and there is minimal or no background noise.
Ask a friend or family member to handle the camera work while you focus on delivering your best performance.
Optional: If it’s helpful, feel free to check out some past video testimonials on our website or youtube channel.

Videos must NOT contain:

Copyrighted material (such as music tracks, photos) without necessary authorizations.
Material that is inappropriate, indecent, obscene or hateful

Instructions for sending us your video:

Email video, consent form (if needed), and English script (if needed) to Aliya.Hosein@birdscaribbean.org. Note: the file may be too large to send via email; you may also send it via Dropbox, Google Drive, WeTransfer, OneDrive, etc. Please send reasonably high resolution, e.g., 1080 px).
For adults, by submitting your video you give BirdsCaribbean consent to use the video for purposes specified above.
For those under the adult age in your country, the minor’s video must be accompanied with a consent form signed by a parent or guardian – download the form here.

Submit your videos By Monday, May 31, 2021.

May 18, 2021

From the Nest – Day 69

Endemic Bird of the Day: Cuban Parakeet

The Cuban Parakeet (Psittacara euops) is charismatic and easy to identify. It is quite a gorgeous bird—bright green with red feathers like spots scattered on the head, sides of the neck and chest. It has a white eye-ring, a long pointed tail, and a brilliant red patch under its wing can be seen when the bird is in flight. Males and females look alike but juvenile Cuban Parakeets lack the red spots on the body. It is 24–27 cm long.

This Parakeet’s beak is robust and downcurved – a useful tool for eating seeds, pods, green and ripe fruits, leaves, shoots, flowers and buds, pollen, and nectar. In fact, it feeds on over 50 species of plants.

Sadly, this striking bird is now listed as “Vulnerable.” Its numbers are declining, primarily because it is frequently caught for the caged bird trade. Farmers also still shoot them as agricultural pests. Its habitat is also threatened by extreme weather due to climate change. It was once common throughout Cuba, but now only fragmented populations exist in the Zapata Peninsula, Sierra de Najasa, and Guantánamo.

The Cuban Parakeet dwells in palm savannas; on forest edges; on tree stumps near swamps; and in some degraded forest areas, as well as undisturbed forests.

This lively parrot can express itself well. When flying, you may hear a loud, repeated crick-crick-crick. A high pitched kkkkeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrr can often be heard when a flock is feeding in the canopy and looking out for predators. The warning calls, increasing if there is a nearby threat, are repetitive metallic sounds of erh, erh, erh, erh. When socializing, it emits a keirp-keirp-keirp. You may hear an interesting buzzing sound made with its tail and wing feathers during rapid take off or landing.

Living in flocks of six to 50 parakeets, pairs usually mate for life. Nesting parakeets compete aggressively for the best sites: woodpecker holes in dry palm trunks, and occasionally cavities in cliffs and caves. Females lay two to five eggs between March and August.

Trapping for the pet trade remains a serious issue. Cuban Parakeets are beloved household pets. But let us remember that these are wild birds. Let’s allow them to fly free and thrive in the beautiful savannas and forests of Cuba! Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Cuban Parakeet

Listen to the calls of the Cuban Parakeet

The Cuban Parakeet has many different calls to communicate with members of its flock. A shrill and squeaky call is often heard when this bird is in flight.

Puzzle of the Day

Cuban Parakeet feeding on berry — Cuban Parakeets feed on seeds, pods, green and ripe fruits, leaves, shoots, flowers and buds, pollen, and nectar. In fact, they feed on over 50 species of plants! (Photo by Jean Sébastion Guénette)

Cuban Parakeets pairs usually mate for life and are considered monogamous. Nesting parakeets compete for prime nest sites in woodpecker holes, cavities in trees, and occasionally in cavities in cliffs and caves. (Photo by Sergey Uryadnikov).

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Use our template to write a poem about Parakeets! Each line of your poem should start with the letters of this birds name. This type of poem is called an ‘acrostic’. You can use words and ideas from the description and information about Cuban Parakeets above. Think about how this bird looks, its colours, the way it flies, how it behaves, where is lives and what it likes to eat. If you feel inspired you could write some more bird-themed poems! Just choose your favourite endemic bird, write it’s name vertically to get started. You can look at the birds we’ve featured so far for inspiration here.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy these videos of Cuban Parakeets in the wild! The first video shows a small group of Cuban Parakeets foraging, as they flit around in the bush you can see the bright red patches under their wings. The second shows some Parakeets preening and in the final video you can see some a bird feeding on West Indian elm (guásima).

May 16, 2021

From the Nest – Day 68

Endemic Bird of the Day: Brown Trembler

The Brown Trembler (Cinclocerthia ruficauda) is a plump, rufous-brown bird, 23–26 cm long. It has a long black beak, slightly decurved at the tip, and a long tail, often cocked over its back. Its flat head is grayish with a faint black eye mask, and it has bright yellow eyes. Males and females look alike but females have longer beaks.

Brown Tremblers live up to their name! They are best known for their curious habit of drooping their wings and trembling (fluttering) them, a behavior that helps you quickly identify this species. They tremble most often when meeting other tremblers, suggesting that the trembling may be a threat signal. They can also be identified by their distinctive warbling songs and calls. These range from one to three syllable phrases (pio-tareeu-tsee) to squeaky musical notes to a nasal rasping yeeeah call, often repeated many times. Brown Tremblers may not win a singing contest, but they have lots of personality.

Brown Tremblers can only be found in the Lesser Antilles; they are most common on Saba, St. Kitts, Guadeloupe, Montserrat, Dominica, and St. Vincent; uncommon in Nevis, and rare in St. Eustatius, St. Lucia, Martinique, and Antigua. They live in humid forests and sometimes may be found in secondary forests and plantations, as well as drier woodlands. They are smart foragers – on the ground, where they toss leaves in their beaks to find insects underneath, and in the trees. Their long, strong beaks come in handy as they stick them into spaces between vines, epiphytes, and tree trunks, or pull on leaves trapped in vegetation, in the forest’s understory and mid-story. Snails, scorpions, spiders, beetles, cockroaches, fruit, and even small lizards and frogs – all make tasty meals for the Brown Trembler.

Brown Tremblers are similar to the closely-related Gray Trembler (Cinclocerthia gutturalis) which has pale gray plumage above, more grayish-white underparts, a broader and dark black eye mask, and a longer bill. The Gray Trembler is found only in St. Lucia and Martinique.

Because this bird prefers humid forests, the conversion of forests to plantations or other human settlements could cause the population to decrease. You can help save this species by teaching others about this bird, and supporting forest conservation on your island. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Brown Trembler

Listen to the song of the Brown Trembler

The song of the Brown Trembler is very variable, with a jumble of whistles and high-pitched notes.

Puzzle of the Day

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Use the information above and the clues on the sheet to untangle our our word scramble – all about todays endemic bird the Brown Trembler. With clues about how what is looks, what it likes to eat, how it behaves and where is lives! When you’ve finished you can check all the answers to the clues here.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy these videos showing some of the behaviours of Tremblers! In the first video you can be today’s featured endemic bird, the Brown Trembler foraging amongst the branches of a tree, searching for insects to eat. The second video shows the similar Gray Trembler, which pale gray and not brown above, you can see this bird ‘trembling’. It is this fluttering behaviour that gives both these two bird species their name!

May 15, 2021

From the Nest – Day 67

Endemic Bird of the Day: Vervain Hummingbird

Was that an insect buzzing past me just now? No, it’s the Vervain hummingbird (Mellisuga minima), the second smallest bird in the world! This tiny bird, just 5 cm long and weighing just over 2 grams, is endemic to Jamaica and Hispaniola and common and widespread on both islands. Both sexes have metallic green upperparts, pale underparts and a short, straight, black bill. Males are slightly smaller than females, have green spotting on the sides of their breast, and a dark slightly-forked tail. Females have a rounded tail with broadly-tipped white on the outer three tail feathers. Juveniles resemble the adult female but with smaller white tail tips.

Vervains are surprisingly vocal for their size, and always let you know when they are around. Often heard before seen with their very loud, high-pitched, rhythmic twittering, one only has to look up towards the highest open perch in the area. You might see its tiny shape on the leafless limb of a tree or a powerline, as it surveys its territory. It truly punches above its weight! From these perches this cranky little bird quickly darts to ward off other little Vervains from their preferred flowers – including pentas, Chinese hat, aloe, tamarind, moringa, and the similarly named vervain plant. These flowers are smaller than those utilized by the larger hummingbirds. It’s also for this reason Vervains are not particularly fond of hummingbird feeders.

These little birds are full of character and energy – and not very shy. Their lively courtship displays can be quite obvious and daring in nature, as the male and female quickly rise together face-to-face to great heights. Twittering and sometimes clutching each other by the feet, they then tumble to the ground or separate at the top of flight, falling away in opposite arcs. Two birds of the same sex conduct a similar precarious dance when defending their territory.

The birds are tiny, and so are their nests! The nest is a tiny cup made of plant fibers held together with cobwebs, and decorated with lichen or moss for camouflage. The nest is usually attached to a twig in a little shrub or in more precarious places like the leaf margin of a palm or on man-made structures. Females lay two eggs and do all the incubation and rearing of the chicks. Main nesting season is December to May.

The Vervain can be found across a broad range of elevations and habitats, including urban settings, gardens and open woodlands – as long as there is ample vegetation with small flowers. Despite how common this species is, it has been little studied. However, much that we know about this species has come from Jamaican residents, who have published their valuable observations in the Gosse Bird Club Broadsheet, a long-running publication of this club (now BirdLife Jamaica). In Jamaica these birds are called Little Doctorbird; in the Dominican Republic Zumbadorcito, and in Haiti, Ouanga Négresse. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Vervain Hummingbird

Listen to the song of the Vervain Hummingbird

The song of the Vervain Hummingbird consists of a series of high-pitched, squeaky “swee” and “swee-ip” sounds.

Puzzle of the Day

Vervain Hummingbird feeding chick. The tiny cup nest is made of plant fibers held together with cobwebs and decorated with lichen or moss for camouflage. Females lay two white eggs. (Photo by Tony Pe)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Be inspired by the Vervain Hummingbird and get creative by making some hummingbird button art to hang on your wall! For this activity you will need a pencil, marker pens or paint, scissors (get an adult to help with any cutting), a paper or plastic plate, glue and some colourful and shiny things to decorate your bird with (beads, glitter, buttons etc.). You can download a silhouette to act as a guide and full instructions here. You can use the pictures of the Vervain Hummingbird on this page as inspiration for colours and patterns or look up other species of hummingbirds in a bird guide or on ebird. Or just use our template and let your imagination run wild!

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy these videos of Vervain Hummingbirds in the wild! In the first you can see a bird, perched up high, singing it’s loud and squeaky song. The second video shows a Vervain Hummingbird building its tiny nest, which it has attached to a fork in a twig. In the final video you can see an adult female Vervain Hummingbird feeding a fledgling.

Interested in Hummingbirds? Want to find out more about them? Read this fascinating post from Aliya Hosein, all about the Hummingbirds of Trinidad and Tobago!

Hummingbirds—Tiny but Mighty

May 14, 2021

From the Nest – Day 66

Endemic Bird of the Day: Puerto Rican Screech-Owl

The Puerto Rican Screech-Owl (Megascops nudipes) is a small owl endemic to Puerto Rico. It is dark brown above and white below with brown streaks on the breast, and prominent white eyebrows. It is about 23- 25cm in length and weighs only 140g, as much as a cup of flour or an adult hamster. There are two color morphs (forms): brown and rufous (reddish-brown). There is also a rare grey morph that can only be found in dry forested areas. It’s scientific name nudipes refers to this owl’s unfeathered legs and feet, which is rare for most owls. Males and females look alike, but females are a bit heavier than males.

The Puerto Rican Screech Owl can be hard to see because it is completely nocturnal and spends the day resting—camouflaged in thick vegetation. Listen out for its call—low-pitched, tremulous trills and a descending whinny. It also gives jumbled hoots and cackles that sound monkey-like. Locally it is known as the “Cuckoo Bird” because of the loud coo-coo sounds it makes. When alarmed, it will elongate its body and raise feathers to form small “ear” tufts.

This owl is common in forests and thickets in montane and coastal zones throughout the whole island of Puerto Rico. It nests inside natural tree cavities from April to June, usually laying one or two eggs. It hunts rodents and small prey, like lizards, coqui frogs, and insects; cockroaches, crickets, grasshoppers, mantis, beetles, weevils, moths and caterpillars, and scorpions. Like other owls, the Puerto Rican Screech-Owl uses its acute hearing and sharp night vision to locate and catch its food. The Spanish name of the species “Múcaro” is also the Taíno word for owl.

The Puerto Rican Screech-Owl previously inhabited the nearby islands of Vieques and Culebra, as well as the US Virgin Islands, but searches for a number of years have failed to find it. It probably went extinct on these islands due to extensive destruction of native forest habitats for agriculture in the early 20th century. Egg predation by the Pearly-eyed Thrasher may have also played a role.

The natural history of this amazing endemic owl is poorly known. Future research should focus on its diet, breeding behaviour, reproductive success, dispersal, and life span. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Puerto Rican Screech-Owl

Listen to the calls of the Puerto Rican Screech-Owl

The calls of the Puerto Rican Screech-Owl are variable- including a tremulous, low-pitched trill, chatters, and whoops.

Puzzle of the Day

Puerto Rican Screech-Owls — Puerto Rican Screech-Owl . This small owl has two common morphs (colourations); brown and rufous (pictured here) and a rare grey morph. The grey morph can only be found in dry forested areas. (Photo by Alfredo Irizarry)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Can you find the words in our Puerto Rican Screech Owl word search? Remind yourself of some of the interesting facts about this endemic bird as you look for all 15 hidden words! Need some help? Or want to check your answers? You can see where all the words were here.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Puerto Rican Screech-owls are nocturnal, so they might not always be that easy to spot. Don’t worry you can enjoy these videos of Puerto Rican Screech-owls in the wild! In the first video you will see and hear this small owl calling at night. You’ll notice that this individual is the brown, rusty coloured morph of the species. The second video shows two fluffy owl chicks in the nest!

May 12, 2021

From the Nest – Day 65

Endemic Bird of the Day: Arrowhead Warbler

The endemic Arrowhead Warbler is locally known as Ants Picker. This bird has never been in doubt of its identity even though scientists recently changed the species name from Arrow-headed Warbler (Dendroica pharetra) to Arrowhead Warbler (Setophaga pharetra). The Arrowhead Warbler is Jamaica’s only endemic warbler. It is a small active bird with heavy black-and-white streaking and two white wing bars. It might be confused with the migrant Black-and-White Warbler, however, the blackish arrowhead shapes from throat to abdomen, pointing towards the bill, make it readily distinguishable from this winter visitor. In addition, the Arrowhead Warbler does not forage on tree trunks like the Black-and-White Warbler. Female Arrowhead Warblers are similar to males but with dark gray streaking. First year birds have a dull olive-green head, brownish-olive upperparts, yellowish-buff underparts, with no arrowhead streaking and indistinct wing bars. They can sometimes be confused with immature Jamaican Vireos. To tell them apart, look very carefully at the beak—it’s small, fine, and dark grey on the Arrowhead Warbler; chunky and pinkish on the Jamaican Vireo. Arrowhead Warblers are locally common. They occur in a variety of woodland and forest habitats from near sea level into the more humid forests and elevations of Cockpit Country and the Blue Mountains. They are usually seen as an individual or in a small family group, within 3 meters or so of the ground, among thick leaves or tangled undergrowth cover. On many occasions, it is the high-pitched, almost metallic, squeaky sww-sw—swee, sww-sw—swee, sww-sw—swee, swee, swee that first draws your attention. Look carefully and you will spot this special warbler, flicking its tail as it moves around, probing for insects on branches, leaves, and vines. The nest is well concealed in a bush, vine, bromeliad, or tree. It is a compact cup of densely woven, fine roots, lined with moss or lichen. Clutch size is 2-4 eggs. The nesting season is mainly from March to June, but nesting can also occur in November following heavy rains in October. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Arrowhead Warbler

Listen to the song of the Arrowhead Warbler

The song of the Arrowhead Warbler is a high-pitched, squeaky sww-sw—swee, sww-sw—swee, sww-sw—swee, swee, swee. 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!

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Can you remember the difference between the Arrowhead Warbler and the other similar small birds you might meet on Jamaica? Make sure to read our fascinating facts in this post and then test your memory skills in our Arrowhead Warbler matching game ! FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: There are many different warblers you might encounter in the Caribbean! Some of them are endemics, like the Arrowhead Warbler and live in the Caribbean all year round, others are migratory and only visit during fall or over the winter. Some of these birds can look similar to each other and it can be confusing trying to identify them. Take a look at this helpful guide, from wildlife artist Christine Elder, for identifying warblers. Add colors of the bird you see, look at its behavior and add some notes to help you identify and remember it. You can also take a look at this article all about Identifying Warblers in the Caribbean with detailed tips and tricks to help you. Enjoy this video of an Arrowhead Warbler in the wild! This little bird was filmed in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. You can see it hopping around amongst the vegetation, searching for insects to glean from the leaves. https://www.birdscaribbean.org/2016/06/identifying-warblers-in-the-caribbean/

May 11, 2021

From the Nest – Day 64

Endemic Bird of the Day: St. Lucia Parrot

The St. Lucia Parrot is the national bird of St. Lucia. Affectionately known locally as “Jacquot,” it is the best known St. Lucian endemic bird species. At 18 inches, it is also one of the largest birds in St. Lucia. Its plumage is mostly iridescent green, with patches of bright red, black, white, yellow, and blue. The vivid cobalt blue to purple on the head and scarlet breast are striking characteristics of the Jacquot. The St Lucia Parrot is one of the most colourful of the entire genus of Amazona parrots, hence the species name versicolor.

Many years ago the St. Lucia Parrot was in grave danger of becoming extinct. Its population was estimated at only ~150 birds in 1976 due to years of hunting, habitat destruction, and the illegal bird trade. Now, there are about 2,000 parrots flying, feeding, roosting, and nesting in various forested areas in St. Lucia.

There are several reasons why the parrot population rebounded so successfully. In 1978, in partnership with Paul Butler of Rare, the Forestry Dept launched a campaign to save the species from extinction. In 1979, the parrot was made the National Bird of St. Lucia. In 1980, wildlife legislation was revised, making the parrot and other forms of wildlife absolutely protected year-round. Anyone found hunting, keeping, or trying to trade in these birds is liable to a fine of $5,000 or one year in jail. In addition, Forestry laws were also revised to protect watersheds as well as wildlife habitats. Illegal clearing of forest is punishable by fines of $2,000.

Finally a Pride Campaign—an island-wide education program about the unique value and beauty of the bird— was carried out. Schoolchildren and the public learned about the parrot through a parrot mascot “Jacquot,” songs on the radio, billboards, bumper stickers, stamps, hats, t-shirts, posters, and more. Gradually, St. Lucians embraced the parrot as a national treasure. This landmark campaign and other actions reduced the incidence of deforestation, hunting, and other illicit activities in the forest reserves to near zero, thus helping to ensure the long-term survival of this amazing endemic bird.

The parrot’s habitat is primarily moist forest in the interior mountain range; it can also occur in secondary forest and cultivated areas. Despite their large size and bright plumage they can be difficult to see in the dense forest canopy as they clamber about in search of fruits, nuts, seeds, and berries from a wide variety of trees including Gommier, Chatagnier, Bois Pain Maron and Aralie. They may travel considerable distances to feed on their favorite fruit trees, which includes awali, mangoes, and wild passion fruits.

St. Lucia Parrots nest in cavities in tall Gommiere, Chataniere, and other trees, where they lay two and occasionally three white eggs. Breeding occurs mainly from February to May, sometimes in June and July.

Did you know that parrots usually mate for life? If one of the pair dies or is killed it may be years before the survivor finds another mate. Parrots do not sing. They fly to their feeding grounds early in the morning and return home late in the afternoon. As they fly, their loud screeching calls echo through the forest, making them easy to identify. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the St. Lucia Parrot

Listen to the calls of the St. Lucia Parrot

The calls of the St. Lucia Parrot are a loud, squawking “ka-chuck and plaintive “ay-uh.”

Puzzle of the Day

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: St. Lucia Parrots love to eat fruits and seeds! Why not try making this passion fruit cup feeder? You can can fill it with seeds or pieces of fruit, and hang in your garden to keep the parrots well fed. Not in St. Lucia – the home of these beautiful endemic parrots? No problem, any parrots that live near you and many other types of wild birds, will love this feeder! Hang it out, fill it with food and see who comes to visit for lunch. Remember that this activity involves using scissors and knife, you will need an adult to help with making this.

Even if you don’t get any parrot visitors to you feeder you can enjoy this video of St. Lucia Parrots in the wild! The video shows a pair or parrots feeding on some palm fruits.

Find out more about the St. Lucia Parrot in this fun and creative St. Lucia Parrot zine! If you enjoy reading this zine and feel inspired, why not enter our Caribbean endemic bird zine competition? Just like the example here, a zine is a self-published booklet. Zines tend to be a collage of different images, text, and messages put together by writing, drawing, and/or cutting and gluing content into a booklet. You will find detailed guidelines and judging criteria in these docs: Bird Zine Contest Guidelines and What is a Zine and Bird Zine Contest Instructions. Be sure to read both documents carefully. There are prizes for each age category and two awesome GRAND PRIZES of a pair of waterproof Vortex Optics Binoculars! The new deadline for entries is Sunday May 30th!

May 10, 2021

From the Nest – Day 63

Endemic Bird of the Day: Zapata Wren

The spectacularly beautiful song of the Zapata Wren welcomes many visitors to the Zapata Swamp National Park. When you hear it, there is no doubt that you have reached the only place in the world where this melodious species lives. The Zapata Wren is one of three endemics named for this important Caribbean wetland in the late 1920s by Spanish soldier and naturalist, Fermín Cervera, who is commemorated in the scientific name of the species (Ferminia cerverai).

There are several distinctive features of these beautiful birds. Their upperparts are rich brown with heavy dark barring (stripes) on the back and tail. The underparts are whitish to light gray-brown with barring on the flanks and undertail feathers. The long tail is often held straight up when the bird is perched, however, the tail is down when the bird is singing. The bill is long and slightly down-curved, dark brown above and paler yellow-brown below. The sexes look alike. Juveniles are similar to adults, but with fine blackish speckles on the throat and less distinct barring on the flanks.

To see the Zapata Wren, you have to visit its characteristic habitat, very early in the morning, on non-windy days, and listen for its song. It is challenging to observe due to its cryptic coloration, highly secretive nature, and because it quickly disappears into the vegetation in the face of any alarm. Although their precise range is not known, they are restricted to savanna-type swamp in western Zapata Swamp where sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) and cattail (Typha domingensis), with scattered bushes, predominate.

The Zapata Wren forages in low vegetation and on the ground. It eats insects, caterpillars, spiders, mollusks, small fruits, and even lizards. Its typical song is high, strong and very musical, “Tseuu-we-we-we-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu,” usually repeated 3 times. Nesting takes place between January and July. Pairs build a ball-shaped nest of sawgrass leaves lined with feathers, with a side entrance. Nests are low to the ground, in sawgrass. They are similar to nests of other seed-eating birds, and almost impossible to find. They lay 2 eggs white, on alternate days. Only the female incubates; both parents feed the young. The first nest was discovered in 1986 and only 5 have been found so far!

The Zapata Wren is the only member of its family that lives in the Greater Antilles year-round (2 other species are considered accidental). It is Endangered, due to its small population (recent estimates suggest between 120 and 140 pairs) and very small range. The main threats to its survival are periodic fires and possible predation by introduced mongoose, rats, and catfish (Claria sp). Conservation of this species is a high priority in the National Park Management Plans. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Zapata Wren

Listen to the song of the Zapata Wren

The Zapata Wren is most often found by listening out for it’s “Tseuu-we-we-we-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu” song, usually repeated 3 times. It also has sharp, buzzy chips and harsh notes of various tones.

Puzzle of the Day

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Say hello to someone in your family or a special friend AND celebrate endemic birds with a fun Greeting Card for you to download and colour! With a cute bird-themed picture for you to customise, our card also features a beautiful drawing of today’s endemic bird – the Zapata Wren- along with some wren facts!

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: Did you know that the melodious song of the Zapata Wren has inspired musicians? Last year Shika Shika released their album “A Guide to the Birdsong of Mexico, Central America, & the Caribbean”. The project was a unique fusion of music and birdsong , the ten-track electronic music album, incorporated the songs and calls of endangered birds. Amongst the calls and songs of endemic from the region, there was a track incorporating the sweet song the the Zapata Wren! You can still listen to the tracks on Shika-Shika’s Bandcamp website. Read all about how Shika Shika managed to raise an amazing $30, 000 USD for bird conservation in to our blog post:

New Album Blending Birdsong and Music Raises Money to Help Birds

And finally, here is a video of a Zapata Wren singing it’s heart out in Zapata Swamp, Cuba (video by Lisa Sorenson).

The Quill – Before and After

Then there are the goats!

In search of the Quail-Dove

Greater effort, disappointing results

Urgent action is needed to save the Bridled Quail-Dove on Statia!

An Action Plan for a precious bird

Helping to combat the caged bird threat

The legacy of Juan Cristóbal Gundlach in Cuba

Here are some readers’ reviews:

“Birding Bundles” on your doorstep, and learning with a past president!

Students in Cuba kept busy with birds

Some even burst into song!

Endemic birds went virtual…

…and weekly webinars were a hit

Zines, videos, social media…Oh my!

We may ask for your help…

Bahama Nuthatch declared a full species

St. Kitts Bullfinch granted full species status

Other Caribbean taxonomic updates

Grand Prize Winners

Adults (16 and older)

Children (15 and under)

Prizes for Each Age Category

Adults (ages 16+)

Children

Endemic Bird of the Day: Hispaniolan Oriole

Colour in the Hispaniolan Oriole

Listen to the song of the Hispaniolan Oriole

Activity of the Day

Endemic Bird of the Day: Green-throated Carib

Colour in the Green-throated Carib

Listen to the call of the Green-throated Carib

Activity of the Day

Endemic Bird of the Day: Greater Antillean Grackle

Colour in the Greater Antillean Grackle

Listen to the song of the Greater Antillean Grackle

Activity of the Day

Investigating variation in cooperative breeding behavior between Puerto Rican Tody populations

Territory use of the Critically Endangered Bahama Oriole across the annual cycle

Caribbean psittacines as indirect controllers of ecosystem dynamics through commensal feeding associations and ecosystem engineering

Pre-reproductive survival, movements, and habitat use of the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird (Agelaius xanthomus) in Southwestern Puerto Rico

Establishing a long-term banding program for migratory birds in Isla Contoy National Park, Mexico

Understanding nestling diet composition of Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii) through fecal DNA Metabarcoding

Evaluating the effects of greening actions on avian diversity on tropical urban landscapes

Current status of the breeding colonies of Red-footed Booby, Brown Booby, and Masked Booby in Los Roques Archipelago, Venezuela

Population dynamics, conservation and management of the American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) on Margarita Island, Venezuela

Endemic Bird of the Day: Bahama Warbler

Colour in the Bahama Warbler

Listen to the song of the Bahama Warbler

Activity of the Day

PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS

Enjoy this gallery of bird, people and scenery photos taken on Global Big Day by various team members in the Caribbean, US, UK, Costa Rica, Panama, Netherlands, and more!

Endemic Bird of the Day: Lesser Antillean Flycatcher

Colour in the Lesser Antillean Flycatcher

Listen to the song of the Lesser Antillean Flycatcher

Activity of the Day

Endemic Bird of the Day: Gundlach’s Hawk

Colour in the Gundlach’s Hawk

Listen to the call of the Gundlach’s Hawk

Activity of the Day

Endemic Bird of the Day: Jamaican Spindalis

Colour in the Jamaican Spindalis

Listen to the call of the Jamaican Spindalis

Activity of the Day

Endemic Bird of the Day: Loggerhead Kingbird

Colour in the Loggerhead Kingbird

Listen to the song of the Loggerhead Kingbird

Activity of the Day

And more Caribbean “eBirders” too…

The Bee Hummers Mighty Achievements – Congratulations to our Cuban Friends!

Tracking the Endemics on our GBD Teams

Small was Beautiful

Handing out Bouquets to these eBirders

An Exciting Finish to our Fundraising, and Thank You!

2021 BirdsCaribbean Global Big Day Teams*

Endemic Bird of the Day: Key West Quail-Dove

Colour in the Key West Quail-Dove

Listen to the song of the Key West Quail-Dove

Activity of the Day

Endemic Bird of the Day: Puerto Rican Vireo

**Pre-reproductive survival, movements, and habitat use of the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird (Agelaius xanthomus) in Southwestern Puerto Rico**

**Understanding nestling diet composition of Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii) through fecal DNA Metabarcoding**

**Population dynamics, conservation and management of the American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) on Margarita Island, Venezuela**