Stuart Reeves is a professional photographer, a passionate birder, and member of BirdLife Jamaica, based in Kingston. The group’s members have been missing their regular group outings due to the restrictions of the COVID pandemic. However, Jamaicans are still managing to see plenty of wonderful birds! Read Stuart’s delightful story for some inspiration and insider tips on how to attract, observe, and photograph your backyard birds.
Loggerhead Kingbird “just checking.” (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Our backyard – designed for birds
I started creating the birding area in 2014. It began after we extended the house and cleared the builders’ rubble in the “bush” left behind from the construction of the housing scheme called Long Mountain, on the outskirts of Kingston. The land behind the house is dry limestone forest, on the southern side of the Mona Dam, one of the reservoirs which serve the city’s water needs.
The terrain is steep, and the undisturbed, virgin forest is difficult to traverse.
We set up our bird station in 2015 with a water trough (plastic roller paint pan) and a flat open grassed area for broadcast feed (cracked corn) surrounded by the forest leaf litter and bush. Beyond the water station is a sliver of flat land approximately 50 feet from my observation position. Shielded by trees on three sides, this includes a gently sloping area, now covered in leaf litter. Caribbean Doves use this as a courtship area while White-chinned Thrushes and Ovenbirds use it as a hunting ground.
A Caribbean Dove. Like a rainbow, colors everywhere! (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
The first birds I observed were a group of Caribbean Doves. These beautiful birds walk on their crimson feet; the crunching of dead leaves underfoot was my introduction to them. They were shy, but eventually came in to feed accompanied by White-winged Doves, Zenaida Doves, and Common Ground Doves.
Gradually other birds followed as the doves became regular visitors and excellent watchmen.
The variety of migratory and local birds is extensive. In 2021, I took on the challenge to document the birds and enjoyed the time spent in the bush – stalking the birds that do not come in for water or feed but passed through the forest edge canopy.
The arrival of COVID changed everything
Just before Christmas 2021, COVID-19 came home to roost, in the form of a love letter from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, advising me that I was quarantined for fourteen days. What to do? My good friend and fellow BirdLife Jamaica member, Kahlil Francis, suggested I take the camera, capture the birds in the yard, and put them together as a record of the visiting birds. I’m glad I took him up on his suggestion.
I had already spent many hours watching and photographing birds here at home and at Hope Gardens, but now had to focus on the area around the water station some 30 feet away. My wife only cautioned that I did not stand or sit in a cold breeze. Some days I could hardly manage myself and the camera; on other days I was on task and on target. If you have endured COVID-19, I am sure you understand this ebb and flow of energies.
Most of my images were made between 3:00 pm and 5:30 pm, when the majority of smaller birds came in for water and a good bath.
Black-faced Grassquits, families that bathe together. . . (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
A flood of feathered visitors
There were warblers in abundance, besides Northern Parulas, American Redstarts, Bananaquits, White-chinned Thrush; these were the everyday stars of the bird station. Rarely, a Loggerhead Kingbird or better still, a Gray Catbird (an uncommon winter visitor) came to the birdbath. It was never dull. The only visitor that is really hard to photograph is the Jamaican Tody, which passes through very fast, flitting from perch to perch.
Pigeons and Doves scare all but the bravest birds away when they feed and fight, clapping wings with threatening vocalizations. At the watering station, the Bananaquits were fearless, refusing to leave while White-wings that dwarfed the Bananaquits drank their fill. Defiance fits the little bird well. It looked and acted angry. The doves left.
Similarly, one of the male Black-throated Blue Warblers would swoop in and throw water around, hissing and posturing at any bird rude enough to use the facility while he was bathing. No one told the Grassquits to be afraid of this posturing, and the defiance of this local resident was good to observe. The Grassquits just went on with their business, totally disregarding the warblers’ antics, their swagger and their hissing.
The highly strung…
The Loggerhead Kingbird and endemic White-chinned Thrush (Hopping Dick) receive the Award for Being Highly Strung. Loggerheads do not usually perch to drink; they swoop down, crash into the water and fly on, return, and repeat. The Loggerhead devotes a huge amount of time to carefully looking around and selecting the best launching point. The swoop is very fast and furious. The White-chinned Thrush is a terrestrial poser. It will come in, prance, pose, look around repeatedly and only when sure, will take a quick sip or two. Then it reverts to posing, prancing, and if you are lucky giving a piercing call.
White-chinned Thrush youngster, posing. (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
…and the show-offs
Ovenbird: “Yes I do look good.” (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Our two Ovenbirds (local name: Betsy Kick-up), are ground-level birds too, strutting their stuff around the area once they feel comfortable and at home. Most days they announce their presence by belting out a call repeatedlytea-cher, tea-cher, tea-cher; it is very loud for such a tiny bird. They walk as though “large and in charge,” finding perches with a view and posing for the camera! With a shiny white, dappled chest held high, they run through the bird melee to take up grains of corn, and for the first time I watched as they went to the water to drink. Like the White-chinned Thrush, they were very alert and fast dippers while drinking, then off they proudly walk. It is wonderful to see one putting on a show to the other, raising its golden-brown crown bordered with black, and showing off its colours.
The bathing crowd
Then we come to the really dedicated bathers, with female American Redstarts in the vanguard. They start and end the bathing frenzy with all the other warblers and grassquits joining in. They bathe, fly off to preen, return, and repeat, often with the Black-faced Grassquits. It’s a jolly, competitive mob, each trying to best the last bather. Northern Parulas are the most energetic. Sometimes they come to a halt, apparently taking a count before another round of bathing.
The number of Yellow-shouldered Grassquits coming in to drink has increased. They are dainty drinkers that do not waste any time. In, drink, and gone. I have yet to see a male of this endemic species bathe. Black-faced Grassquits are next in line and their numbers are on the increase. Both male and female bathe with considerable energy.
American Redstart (male). Refreshed, clean, and standing tall. (Stuart Reeves)
Northern Parula, think you could hide down there? (Stuart Reeves)
Our winter visitors, the Black-and-White Warblers are very shy, whether drinking or bathing. A single click of my camera is sufficient to send them fleeing. As a photographer, I have to watch them carefully and take single pictures frame by frame, not in full drive mode.
To my surprise a Gray Catbird has returned for a second year. I observed and photographed one twice last year. This year, this uncommon winter visitor, a shy bird that is normally hard to spot, has appeared hopping from the bush into the water. Once there, it is unstoppable. It’s in at the deep end. Water is propelled vigorously everywhere. After taking a breather, it continues. It probably holds the record for taking a long bath at our bird station. Then it hops away; it never flies off. I think I have seen the bird only fly in the deep bush, as a fast-moving shadow.
Gray Catbird: “Yo . . . Bath needs refilling.” (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Tips for bird bath watching and photography
Here are my recommendations for backyard birding at the bird bath:
Find a comfortable observation point; you may be there for two hours.
Be still and make slow movements, whether you are using binoculars or a camera.
A monopod for binoculars or camera eases the demand on the upper body.
Be patient, observe until you learn how different birds behave.
Place dead branches around the water station, as many birds like to scope out the surroundings before coming in. They can also perch and preen on the branches after bathing.
Watch the trees around the area, as birds will move through them towards water. This gives you a heads-up that they are approaching.
Change the water every day. It may sound daft, but as soon as the water is changed and the container is clean, the water sparkles – and yes, the birds move in.
Be prepared to deal with predators! Cats and mongoose can be problems; the birds will give an alarm call. I keep a slingshot handy to discourage them. Mongoose will chase young birds into a tree and follow them up the tree – they can climb very fast. Cats tend to leap from cover and box birds out of the air; they too are fast movers.
Doves are the prey of choice for these marauders. Just keep that slingshot within reach! As with everything else, practice makes perfect. Soon you will no longer hit your own thumb…which is painful and then some!
Black-and-white Warbler, ready to bathe. (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
My COVID therapy – the joy of the bird bath
The birds helped me to forget COVID. I was so busy concentrating, observing and photographing local and visiting birds as they enjoyed the watering station. Should you have the opportunity to watch birds bathing, then go for it. Nothing beats watching the sheer joy of birds simply enjoying the moment, shaking dry, preening feathers, preparing for nighttime.
There are some benefits to quarantining with COVID, after all! I got to know my neighbourhood birds so much better!
Enjoy more of Stuart’s back-yard bird photos below, click on each image to enlarge and scroll through the gallery.
Black-throated Blue-Warbler and Grassquit bathing: “Quit…now!”
Prairie Warbler holding the pose. (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
“Who put Logwood flowers in the bath?” (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Northern Mockingbird watching the noisy bathers. (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Worm-eating Warbler: “Check out the crest style nuh.” (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Common Ground Dove. “It’s cold, was taking a nap.” (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Sad Flycatcher, locally known as Little Tom Fool, carefully looking for a morsel. (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Prairie Warbler. “Tastes good . . . refreshing.” (Photo Stuart Reeves)
Saffron Finch: “I hear you.” (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Cape May Warbler feeding gymnastics. (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Yellow-faced Grassquit and American Redstart: ‘Yes, we can share Mr. Christmas Bird.”
Bananaquit: “My better side.” (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Juvenile Jamaican Wood-pecker. “OK mum, ready to go.” (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Bananaquit and a White-winged Dove. “Get-real! Wait your time now!” (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Worm-eating Warbler: “Definitely my best side -full colours”. (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Red-billed Streamertail, locally known as the Doctorbird: black, green, red . . . perfect. (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Zenaida Dove. “I am boss here…everybody go ‘way….now”. (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Prairie Warbler. “Looks a little bit too deep at this end”. (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
A Yellow-faced Grassquit and Black-throated-Blue-Warbler share a bath. “These blue throats….No manners”. (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Conservian is setting sail again this May for important shorebird and seabird conservation and research – join us! The mission is a continuation of on-the-ground protection and restoration measures at key shorebird and seabird sites in The Bahamas with support from Conservian, BirdsCaribbean, Bahamas National Trust, and partners.
Volunteers Needed for Shorebird Habitat Conservation & Restoration!
We need your help to protect beach-nesting birds, nests and young. Conservian is seeking a weekly crew of 10 enthusiastic volunteers for our Bahamas Shorebird Habitat Conservation Program in May 2022 aboard our 75ft research schooner. Crews fly to The Bahamas each week to designated airports for shuttle transport to the schooner. All trips include bunk, onboard meals, drinks, and ground transportation associated with the project. A valid passport is required. Airfare and health travel insurance are not included. Trip cost is $1875 per person/week. Please go to Coastalbird.org for more info!
This is a wonderful opportunity to gain field experience and shorebird ID skills or simply a once-in-a-lifetime experience! In 2018, BirdsCaribbean’s own Jennifer Wheeler joined the trip. Read all about her amazing adventures here. And check out an article by Margo about one of the past expeditions.
Conservian, BirdsCaribbean, Bahamas National Trust, and partners continue on-the-ground protective measures to limit human-caused disturbance and restore coastal habitats at key shorebird/seabird sites.
May 2022 Expedition Dates & Locations:
Choose one week or more! Each week includes 7 nights aboard the schooner.
Week 1: May 1-8 – Joulter Cays & S. Andros (Nassau Int Apt)
Week 2: May 8-15 – Exumas & Great Exuma (Nassau Int Apt/Exuma Int. Apt)
Week 3: May 15-22 – Cat Island & Eleuthera (Exuma Int. Apt/Nassau Int. Apt)
Long Island flats. (Photo by Margo Zdravkovic)
To join our conservation pirate crew please contact Margo Zdravkovic at MargoZ@Coastalbird.org Watch the short video below, and visit Coastalbird.org for more information on our 2022 expedition itinerary and Conservian’s coastal bird conservation work.
Expedition flyer (Click to open as a pdf).
IMPORTANT: Applicants must be responsible, adventurous, in good physical condition, enjoy working in teams, and be capable of walking several miles during warm weather on Bahamas beaches. Applicants must be comfortable living communally onboard a schooner for a week and riding in small boats to access survey sites.
Volume 34 of the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology (JCO) presents a wide spread of original contributions, from methodical surveys of seabirds and landbirds, to the documentation of rarely seen behaviors, that all add to the knowledge of the Caribbean avifauna. Despite ongoing challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, our team of editors, reviewers, other JCO staff, and valued authors worked together to provide all these publications to the scientific and conservation communities around the Caribbean. Thank you all!Behind the scenes, Dr. Stefan Gleissberg has taken over the reins as JCO Managing Editor, learning the ropes from Justin Proctor, who continues to work on behalf of JCO as BirdsCaribbean’s Vice President. See below short summaries of the 12 regular articles reporting from 7 island territories. Free access to the journal’s entire content also includes 4 book reviews and the annual review of ornithological literature from the Caribbean by Dr. Steven Latta. Please take some time to enjoy all of Volume 34. If you enjoyed reading an article, please send the authors or the Managing Editor a quick email letting them know. — Joseph M. Wunderle, Jr., JCO Editor-in-Chief | jmwunderle@gmail.com— Stefan Gleissberg, JCO Managing Editor | stefan.gleissberg@birdscaribbean.org
Map depicting research locations of the studies published in Volume 34.
Luis A. Ramos-Vázquez, Nahíra Arocho-Hernández, Cielo Figuerola-Hernández, José L. Herrera-Giraldo, and Jan P. Zegarra-VilaThe Cordillera Reef Nature Reserve, an island chain just off the northeast coast of Puerto Rico, provides critical breeding habitat for seabirds in the Caribbean; however, little is known about the seabird populations, and the threats they face, on these islands. To address this, Ramos-Vásquez et al. conducted seabird surveys and an invasive animal detection assessment across the nature reserve, providing updated information that highlights the importance of the reserve for seabird colonies and the need for effective, well-planned invasive species management.
Vivan M. Lee, Alejandra Pérez, Olive Onyekwelu, Jordan M. Chan, Dominic E. Cannady-Lindner, Alexander A. Levitskiy, María Teresa Reinoso-Pérez, and André A. DhondtAre Broad-billed Todies territorial during the non-breeding season? To answer this, Lee et al. conducted playback experiments in native scrub forest in the Dominican Republic to assess responses to three distinct Broad-billed Tody vocalizations. Todies responded more rapidly and intensely to song playbacks compared to other sounds, suggesting that they aggressively defend their habitats even during the non-breeding season.
Karina Velazco Pérez, Felix Noel Estrada Piñero, Hiram González Alonso, and Alina Pérez HernándezThe Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) is a common winter resident and one of the most abundant migratory species in the Cuban Archipelago; however, little is known about the species’ migration dynamics. In this study, Velazco Pérez et al. conducted mist-net surveys on the Guanahacabibes peninsula to establish a baseline for both the physiological and ecological characteristics of the Ovenbird’s autumnal arrival in Cuba.
Ted GillilandIt’s a bird-eat-bird world! Pearly-eyed Thrashers (Margarops fuscatus), known for their aggressive interspecific interactions, are suspected predators of other resident birds, including Bananaquits (Coereba flaveola). Northern Parulas (Setophaga americana) are neotropical migrants that regularly mob predators in defense and to gain information. In this research note, Gilliland documents a chance observation in Puerto Rico of Northern Parulas mobbing a Pearly-eyed Thrasher, a behavior with implications for social learning and future predator avoidance.
Pascal Villard, Alain Ferchal, Philippe Feldmann, Claudie Pavis, and Christophe BonenfantOrganochlorine insecticides can have lasting and devastating effects on bird populations, by altering bird behaviour and reproductive success. Almost three decades after the cessation of its use in Guadeloupe, the organochlorine “chlordecone” persists in the soils and waterways of the island. The Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata) is one of the species likely affected by this persistent pollutant, and in this paper, Villard et al. explore the possible links between remnant chlordecone pollution and habitat selection by Ringed Kingfishers.
Alexandra Heathcote, Paulson Des Brisay, Christopher De Ruyck, Paula Grieef, and Nicola KoperHow are birds on small, species-poor islands like Grenada different from their neighboring conspecifics? Lower species diversity on islands can lead to more generalist behaviour in birds, where these island populations live in more varied habitats and eat a more varied diet than elsewhere. This phenomenon is called “ecological release”. In this paper, Heathcote et al. explore the morphological effects of ecological release on four common Grenada bird species, comparing them to their neighbors throughout the Caribbean Basin and providing evidence that these Grenadian birds are perhaps even more different than we thought.
Pedro M. Alarcón-Elbal, Holly M. Garrod, Spencer C. Schubert, and Alonso Santos MurgasLouse flies (Hippoboscidae) are obligate parasites that often live on birds. The louse fly Ornithoctona erythrocephala has been documented with avian hosts of all sizes throughout the Caribbean, though it is previously unreported on tanagers (Thraupidae). In this research note, Alarcón-Elbal et al. describe the first record of this fly parasitizing the Black-faced Grassquit (Melanospiza bicolor) and Green Heron (Butorides virescens) in the Dominican Republic, an observation with implications for avian health and the direction of ornithological and entomological research in the region.
Juliana Coffey and Natalia CollierThe Grenadine islands are one of the remaining hotspots for breeding seabird populations in the Caribbean. There, as elsewhere, introduced mammals threaten the survival of seabirds through predation and habitat degradation. In this paper, Coffey and Collier present the most thorough inventory ever compiled of invasive mammals throughout the Grenadines, a critical first step to conservation planning for mammal eradication and habitat restoration.
Jean P. González-Crespo and Alberto R. Puente-RolónBlackbirds (Icteridae) have been known to engage in some cutthroat nesting behaviours, such as brood parasitism (e.g., the infamous Shiny Cowbird [Molothrus bonariensis]) and nest piracy or usurpation. Nest usurpation involves stealing another individual’s nest for breeding, and the usurper will forcefully remove all obstacles in its way, including any unfledged nestlings. In this research note, González-Crespo and Puente-Rolón present the first record of nest usurpation by the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird (Agelaius xanthomus) in Puerto Rico, with implications for the reproductive success of this endemic and Endangered species.
Cielo E. Figuerola-Hernández, Rickard S. Toomey III, Patricia Kambesis, José L. Herrera-Giraldo, and Nick D. HolmesInvasive mammals pose a threat to seabird populations throughout the Caribbean, and Mona Island—off the coast of Puerto Rico—is no exception. The Audubon’s Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri) and the Bridled Tern (Onychoprion anaethetus) are two cave-breeding seabirds whose habitat is limited by the presence of rats, cats, and other invasive mammals. In this research note, Figuerola-Hernández et al. present evidence of breeding of these two species in caves on Mona Island, the first documented nests in over eight decades.
Eleanor S. Devenish-Nelson and Howard P. NelsonResident landbirds are an ubiquitous yet unique part of the avifauna in the Caribbean, but they are relatively understudied. Several of these species are also endemic to the region, making the documentation and monitoring of their populations all the more important. On Grenada, there are approximately 36 resident landbird species, of which at least 25% are regionally endemic. In this paper, Devenish-Nelson and Nelson present abundance and density estimates for these species, from one of the first island-wide surveys since the 1980s.
Andrew le F. Dobson, Andrea Webb, Ingela Perrson, Richard Brewer, Luke Foster, and Miguel A. MejíasIn this research note from Bermuda, Dobson et al. document a vagrant Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides), a western North American species discovered by local birders among Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis). The observation represents the first record of the species outside the continent.
Steven LattaThe annual compilation of the most important articles that appeared elsewhere, annotated by Steve Latta. Article by:(1) Zoya Buckmire – Copy Editor for the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology; (2) Joe Wunderle –Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology(3) Justin Proctor –Vice President of BirdsCaribbean(4) Stefan Gleissberg – Managing and Production Editor for the Journal of Caribbean OrnithologyThe Journal of Caribbean Ornithology relies on donations to keep all of our publications free and open-access. Support our non-profit mission and give a voice to Caribbean ornithologists and their work by becoming a supporter of JCO.
BirdsCaribbean recently lost a dear friend, a conservation stalwart and defender of Caribbean birds, Erika Gates.
Sadly, Erika passed away on December 13, 2021 in Grand Bahama, after a battle with cancer. It is with heavy hearts that we extend condolences to her husband, Ed Gates, and her family, as well as to her colleagues, friends – and the many who benefited from her mentorship and kind spirit.
Erika was a delightful, warm, and charismatic person. She worked tirelessly for many years to champion, restore, and protect native habitats on her adopted home island of Grand Bahama (GB). Erika’s passion for birds inspired so many people to “take action” and get involved in their conservation.
She was a dedicated educator, hosting annual celebrations of our Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival and World Migratory Bird Day events in GB and at her restored Garden of the Groves.
Erika opened up the eyes of hundreds of new people to the joys of birding and the importance of conservation. She loved visiting schools, taking both children and community members on birding field trips, and trips to plant native trees and gardens. Her love of birds and can-do positive outlook inspired so many to learn and love the birds she so fondly taught about. She generously shared her knowledge with everyone she met.
Erika was also a pioneer in ecotourism and avi-tourism, trained many guides, and helped to develop our Caribbean Birding Trail project. She provided dozens of jobs to local people in her innovative ecotourism businesses, demonstrating that providing economic opportunities does not have to happen at the expense of the environment.
Erika birding with a young participant during the Grand Bahama West Indian Whistling Duck & Wetlands Conservation Workshop, March 2007.
Erika received a Lifetime Achievement Award from BirdsCaribbean (Lisa Sorenson presenting) for her outstanding contributions to bird conservation, BirdsCaribbean Conference in Freeport, Grand Bahama, July 2011. (Photo by Bruce Purdy)
Erika’s remarkable life story is an illustration of her focus and resilience. She never let obstacles stand in her way. Her husband Ed recalls, “It may be her Germanic roots, but she did have a drive to do things and make things better.” Erika was born in Germany during wartime, in 1942. Her childhood was spent in the dangerous, unstable atmosphere of post-war Germany; her mother cared for her and two older brothers while her father spent time in a prison camp for German officers in Canada. Her love of birds may have started from as early as eight years old, when her brother began taking her birdwatching.
There is no denying that Erika had an energetic, adventurous spirit, which endeared her to many. This started at an early age, when as a teenager she took kayaking trips down the Rhine in Germany with her brothers. She pursued her love of the outdoors in The Bahamas and many other locations: biking, hiking, camping, kayaking, and even dog sledding. She trained as an instrument-rated pilot and flew a twin-engine plane between Freeport and Florida for over ten years. In her earlier years, she was also a professional tennis player and an umpire, and ran two tennis clubs in Freeport, encouraging young players.
Erika was truly a beloved member of our BirdsCaribbean community. Beautiful, intelligent, caring, loving, funny, generous, revered, compassionate, highly respected, full of productive energy – these are a few words that friends and colleagues are using to describe Erika. We will sorely miss Erika’s presence at our conferences, workshops, and field trips.
Erika’s many friends conducted the East Grand Bahama CBC (Christmas Bird Count) in January 2022 for the first time without her. The group (Grand Bahama Island Birders) created and wore specially made t-shirts with Erika’s photo as a tribute to her. They comment, “Our appreciation for birdwatching, nature – caring for our planet, was developed and encouraged by Erika Gates, our birding guru, mentor and friend. Her spirit will continue with us.”
Erika served on our board for 4 years (2015-2018). She was a long-time supporter of BirdsCaribbean and our mission; she had so much love and regard for our community.
“There are no words to express how much gratitude we have for her amazing life – her friendship, kindness, and countless contributions,” commented Executive Director Lisa Sorenson. “Erika has left us far too soon, but her spirit is flying free, soaring with the birds she loved so much. She will always be with us, in the songs of beautiful birds in our gardens and in the sound of the wind blowing through the trees.”
Rest in peace, dear Erika. Your amazing life will continue to inspire us, and we will strive to continue your legacy of protecting Caribbean birds and nature.
Erika enjoying the birds in her garden.
Biography
Erika Gates played a significant – or rather, a starring role in the development of eco-tourism on her island home. She was co-founder of the Ecotourism Association and founded Grand Bahama Nature Tours, where she trained nature guides, providing many jobs for young Bahamians. She was a strong supporter of the Lucayan National Park, established on the island in 1977. Her work was lauded by tourism officials (she received several awards).
Erika had an unrivaled passion for birds, and assisted with the development of several birding trails, including BirdsCaribbean’s Caribbean Birding Trail. She inspired other eco-tourism groups, including on other islands such as Bimini. She regularly organized and hosted bird events and festivals, including the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival and World Migratory Bird Day. Erika served as a Board Member of BirdsCaribbean from 2015 to 2018. She was especially supportive of several Cuban projects and the elaboration of a book on birds of the National Botanic Garden, providing invaluable encouragement and advice.
One of her greatest loves – and a deep-seated commitment – was for the 12-acre Garden of the Groves on Grand Bahama. After the onslaught of several hurricanes, by 2004 these botanical gardens had been abandoned and left to ruin. Along with Michelle Hanson, Erika committed herself to restoring them in 2008.
More storms followed, but on each occasion, including after the devastating Hurricane Dorian in 2019, Erika brought the Gardens back and reopened. Naturally, birding was an integral part of her work there, as her reports on the Gardens’ website show. It is now a lovely oasis, with walking trails, native trees, a lagoon, and of course many species of birds.
Those whom she trained and mentored at the Gardens praised her “energy and compassion,” as well as her hard-working, down to earth approach.
Erika’s kindness and compassion was not only for humans. She rescued and cared for hundreds of cats and dogs, and kept an amazing “cattery” for dozens of abandoned and wild cats at her home.
Gallery
CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE AND SCROLL THROUGH THE GALLERY. SEE TRIBUTES TO ERIKA FROM HER MANY FRIENDS BELOW.
Erika in Freeport with the New Providence birding group, Nassau, March 2010.
Erika with Lisa, Martha, Delores, & Gina at the BirdsCaribbean Cuba Conference, 2017.
Erika, Lisa & Michele Kading take a group birding on Grand Bahama during a West Indian Whistling-Duck & Wetlands Conservation Workshop, March 2007.
Erika looking at certified wildlife habitat she created at Lucaya International School. (Photo by Linda Huber)
Erika with Andrew Dobson at the Bird Fair in the UK.
‘West End Bandits’ Erika, Bridget & Carolyn on World Shorebird Day.
Erika bird watching at Hobby Horse Lake, the Bahamas, 2019. (Photo by Linda Huber).
Erika with Lisa
Erika with Bahamas National Trust staff at Petersen Cay seabird nesting site. (Photo by Scott Johnson)
Group photo. Birding in Jamaica during the BirdsCaribbean conference, 2015.
Erika with Leno Davis & baby, at the BirdsCaribbean booth during NAOC 2016.
Erika on a ladder during a bird nest rescue at a power-line.
Margo & Erika at the BirdsCaribbean conference in Jamaica, 2015.
Erika with Lisa, Kate, Jennifer, Howie, Ellie & Wayne at the BirdsCaribbean booth at NAOC, 2016.
Erika & Lisa enjoying bird watching on the beach in Grand Bahama.
Erika with Esther Krigbaum and grandchildren (Felicity, 5 and Will, 7) in Grand Bahama, 1999. (Photo by Katy Krigbaum)
Erika with Annie, 2018. (Photo by Linda Huber)
Erika at a Tainos Trail bird sign, a birding trail she created in Grand Bahama. (Photo by Linda Huber)
BirdsCaribbean Board, group photo by the pool, 2015.
A selfie taken by Erika in Germany in the Fall of 2021.
Martha Cartwright, Marilyn Laing & Erika at Garden of the Groves in 2018. (Photo by Linda Huber)
Erika with the Garden Cafe Staff in 2018. (Photo by Linda Huber)
Erika enjoying a drink with Lisa Sorenson, Christina Maillis & Lynn Gape, New Providence, Bahamas.
Erika on a trip to Zapata Swamp, Cuba, during our 2017 International Conference.
Erika at the Garden of the Groves, 2018. (Photo by Linda Huber).
Erika with the advanced Inagua birding guides. (Photo by Scott Johnson).
Erika & Ed Gates at Agave Restaurant, Lighthouse Point. (Photo by Linda Huber)
Erika out birding with Martha Cartwright in Grand Bahama, 2018. (Photo by Linda Huber)
Erika’s beloved Painted Buntings at one of her backyard feeders. (Photo by Erika Gates)
Erika with her mother ‘Mutti’ (aged 98) in 2012. (Photo by Linda Huber).
Erika with Martha & Marilyn at the Garden of the Groves. (Photo by Linda Huber)
Erika and Ed Gates. (Photo by Linda Huber)
BirdsCarbbean board group photo during a meeting at Garden of Groves, 2014.
Erika with Lisa & Anthony at the BirdsCaribbean conference in Antigua, 2009.
Erika birding in Jamaica, after our International Conference in 2015. (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Tributes
Once news reached the BirdsCaribbean community that Erika was very ill, messages of hope and love began pouring in. Erika passed away on the evening of December 13, 2021. The below tributes were shared from members of our community:
Sandy Buckner (Sandy sent this message before Erika passed)
Dear Erika – You are in our thoughts with great affection for who you are, for all you have done and for all the pleasure you have brought to so many. Bringing joy, knowledge and the wonders of nature in these islands to so many. As we go into the Christmas Bird Count, yet again this year, know that we will be thinking of you and Ed, and all your personal birding community, and wishing you were with us here on New Providence. As we gather after the CBC at Sandyport, we will most certainly raise a glass to you remembering how often you have stayed with us. We thank Lisa for letting us know. Wishing you comfort. Love, Sandy and Hugh.
Howard Nelson and Ellie Devenish (Howard and Ellie sent this message before Erika passed)
Dear Erika and Ed, Ellie and I are so distressed to hear that you have been so unwell. We were very much looking forward to the chance of seeing you in the summer at the Puerto Rico meeting of BirdsCaribbean next year and even a chance of perhaps re-living our trip to Grand Bahama and visiting you there some time soon. I have very fond memories of our time on the Board together and the fun we all had at the NAOC! Do know that all our thoughts are with you and we are praying for you.
Andrew Dobson, Past President, BirdsCaribbean
“This is such awful news – ‘devastating’ as you say. Such a wonderful, caring person – she doesn’t deserve to suffer in this way. I loved staying with her in the Bahamas and sharing her passion in tennis as well as birding. In my most recent correspondence (October), she told me she was in Germany and had been birding some eBird hotspots as well as participating in Global Bid Day where she was thrilled to see 36 formations of more than 1600 Common Cranes migrating from Scandinavia across Germany right over her home near Koblenz.”
Rosemarie Gnam
This news is devastating. I am so sad to hear this and it just confirms to me how quickly things can change with cancer. Please pass my prayers onto Ed and her family. She did so much for Bahamian bird conservation. More later. A hug, Rose.
Kate Wallace
Dear Erika, Such a special lady. We will all miss you much! If hugs can be sent by email, here is mine! Abrazos, Kate
Ann Maddock
Her spirit has been carried on the wings of all the birds she loved. Sidney and I are so blessed to have known her as our friend. You may not know this- but Erika and Ed have a truly special loving relationship. They adore one another and care so deeply about one another.
Lynn Gape
Such devastating news. Erika was an inspiration to so many and she was always willing to provide support. Sincere condolences to her friends and family.
Carla Montalvo Martínez
Very sad news. I’m very sorry for her family and the ones who knew her. Her spirit is free and she will always be an inspiration for everyone who knew her. Prayers and strength for her family and colleagues.
Carol Beidleman
I am so deeply saddened to hear this news. I have fond memories of Erika’s graceful and smiling presence at meetings, particularly at Garden of the Groves on Grand Bahama in 2011, and I’ve had such appreciation for her dedication to the birds and to inspiring others to learn and care about them. My sympathies to her loved ones.
Eric Carey
Erika is a legend in the birding sphere and nature tourism industry in The Bahamas. She was a pioneering trailblazer in nature tourism, and greatly influenced and impacted many individuals and companies in that arena. She was a valued BNT partner in Grand Bahama in particular, and especially at the Lucayan National Park. She is revered in our country, and highest respected in many other countries. She will be sorely missed and will never be forgotten. Condolences to her Dear life partner Ed. May all who knew her be comforted by the many many memories she made in The Bahamas and across the Caribbean. Rest In Peace Dearest Erika.
Frantz and Eric Delcroix
This is a very sad day, I have no words to tell you all that I feel. Please Lisa, assure Ed of our support, from the bottom of our heart.
Grand Bahama Island Birders
Our appreciation for birdwatching, nature – caring for our planet, was developed and encouraged by Erika gates, our birding guru, mentor and friend. Her spirit will continue with us.
Margo Zdravkovic
This is impossibly sad news. Sending my love and condolences.
Natalya Lawrence
I’m so very sorry to hear this! As a young birder, I remember receiving training in the Bahamas and Erika would be present on some of our trips. I only remember her ever-ready for birding. She pointed out a number of species to us and taught which were migratory, resident, introduced… I learnt so much from her. Sending sincerest condolences to Ed, her friends, BNT, and the people of the Bahamas.
Nils Navarro
Thanks for keeping us informed about Erika, I am so sorry to know about her passing, my most sincere condolences to her family and friends. Rest in peace, Erika.
Leo Douglas
Very sad news! Erika was such an inspiration. Our deepest sympathies to all her loved ones and dear friends. In sympathy!
Will Mackin
My whole family is so sad to hear this. I signed the four of us up for a tour from her company in 2019 when we visited Grand Bahama. She ran the tour herself and personally guided us. It was such a fun day hanging out with a celebrity and a pioneer. We were inspired and honored. She will be missed around the Caribbean and the World. RIP. Condolences to all who were lucky enough to call her a friend.
Andrew Rothman
I’m so sorry to hear. Such a kind, passionate person.
Lisa Yntema
I am so sorry to hear of Erica’s passing. She was a remarkable woman, with her wonderful combination of intelligence, organizational skills, compassion, perseverance, humor, and generosity. Although I didn’t know her well, I join the many who will miss her. My condolences to her family and all who hold her dear.
Rosemarie Gnam
I want to add my condolences to those of others. Erika was a remarkable woman and the inspiration for nature tourism in The Bahamas. I still remember the first time I met her, at a then SCSCB meeting, and the kindness she showed me. I lost a winning bid in the Silent Auction for a hibiscus print that she had donated to the Auction. She sent me another print when she returned home from the meeting. Her thoughtfulness is still remembered. My sympathy and prayers to her husband. Ed and family – may your memories provide comfort during this very difficult time. Thank you for sharing Erika with us.
Carolyn Wardle and members of the Bird Club of New Providence
We have lost a true pioneer for the environment but are happy to have known a wonderful and talented champion for the birds. The Bahamas and particularly Grand Bahama have been blessed to know Erika and her legacy will live on. She brought the Garden of the Groves back to life and created her own Garden of the Gates and passed on her extensive knowledge to members of the Grand Bahama Island Bird club. Let’s celebrate a very special person.
Jeff Gerbracht
I’m so sorry to hear this. Erika’s enthusiasm, kindness and heart touched so many others in so many wonderful ways. Her passion for The Bahamas, birds and people were always a joy to be near. My sincere condolences to Ed, her family and her many friends.
Lyndon John
So sorry to hear this sad news. As with so many of you, Erika’s charismatic energy and joyful nature certainly made an indelible impression on me during my visit to Grand Bahama in 2015. My condolences to Ed and family as well as to her BirdsCaribbean family.
Joni Ellis Thank you, Lisa, for sharing the details and albeit sad news. She was a champion and important member of BC. We will all be sending healing thoughts and meditations to her family.
Adrianne Tossas
This is a sad moment for BirdsCaribbean… I remember being around Erika as a very pleasant experience, because of her charm, positive aura, and joy for the birds and life in general. I join all her friends and family members in the sorrow.
Aly Ollivierre
Such sad news, Erika was such a wonderful lady. Deepest condolences to her family and friends.
Greg Butcher
Erika hosted Linda and I for a wonderful visit on her property and all over Grand Bahama in March of 2018, before the devastating hurricane. She, of course, was a wonderful hostess, making sure we enjoyed everything about the island. We got to meet Ed and reunite with Martha and Delores. It was a fantastic trip!
One of my best memories was seeing Erika’s cat colony – a wonderfully kept-up series of cages that hosted feral, unadoptable cats. The Grand Bahama Humane Society had (has?) a similar colony that allows cats to live humanely without being subjected to the tribulations of life alone outdoors. We took some pictures that I share with others facing the dilemma of what to do with unadoptable cats.
Ernesto Reyes
Dear Lisa. I am so sorry to get this email too late!! I am in Hondones with a very poor signal. It is terrible to hear that sad news!! Send to Ed and Erika all our Love from Cuba. I will remember her as the great person that she was, unfortunately I don’t have the opportunity to see my pictures on her walls by myself but she was so happy to hang some of my first pictures in her house. Warmest and big hugs to Ed and Erika’s family from a Cuban friend.
Lourdes Mugica
Erika was special with Cuban people, with her kindness she provided support to several Cuban projects, helped the 1917 BirdsCaribbean meeting to be celebrated in Cuba, and always encouraged us to complete the book on the birds of the National Botanic Garden in Cuba, that is almost ready – we are so sorry that she couldn’t enjoy it! Our deepest condolences to Ed, her family and friends. We all will miss her smile, positive energy and passion for birds that was part of all BirdsCaribbean meetings. We will always have fond memories of Erika! Rest in Peace. Lourdes.
Zeko McKenzie
Such grief-stricken news to receive. Dr. Hayes and I send our condolences to the Gates family. I will always remember Mrs. Gates’ hugs and welcoming smile. She will be missed. May her spirit rest in peace.
Herb Raffaele
This is very sorrowful news. Erika was a very special person who left an extraordinary legacy in The Bahamas and beyond. She will be missed, but well remembered by all of her friends throughout the Caribbean. I extend my heartfelt condolences to Ed, her family, and friends.
Leo Douglas – 14 Dec (sharing photo of Erika and Margo)
I shared this photo of Erika last night, and wanted to share it with everyone – as for me, it captured so well the life and spirit of a woman who touched so many in such deeply personal ways with her passion and joy for living. We will miss her dearly. A true loss for our community.
Tyrone Buckmireand the Grenada Fund for Conservation
The Grenada Fund for Conservation Family (Zoya, myself and our Directors) extend sincere condolences to Ed and all the members of Erika’s household, as well as her extended BirdsCaribbean family. She was truly a stalwart and a champion for all our feathered friends, and her passion, compassion and commitment will be missed. May she rest in eternal peace.
Anne Campbell and Team, Smithy’s Garden /Caribbean Horizons Tours, Grenada
Sincere Condolences to all the family and friends on the passing of such an amazing and accomplished woman. Just reading about some of the incredible bird conservation initiatives Erika Gates started, or was so wholeheartedly involved with, is warming to my soul – here is someone who lived life to the fullest, contributing, influencing, sharing and caring about people and the environment! May she Rest In Peace and May all who were touched by her incredible legacy continue to champion her cause. God’s blessings and comfort to all.
Eric Salamanca – TCI
I want to express my deepest condolences to the family of Madam Erika Gates. Since I joined BirdsCaribbean in 2008 (formerly known as SCSCB) until recently, I have had a chance to meeting Madam Gates in The Bahamas and other Caribbean countries where the meetings were held.
Alcides Morales
My most sincere condolences to her family and friends. Erika, an inspiring example of what we can achieve. Rest in peace.
Judd Patterson
I, too, was touched by the passion and kindness that Erika exhibited daily. My wife and I visited Grand Bahama in 2014 and stumbled upon Garden of the Groves. Erika was hosting the annual CBC and instantly invited us to join the compilation event and dinner. She generously shared advice on where we could go the next day, and we talked about a potential photo book to document the flora and fauna of her wonderful gardens. I continue to be inspired by her deep roots in conservation projects across The Bahamas/Caribbean. My sincere condolences to her family and friends.
Katy Krigbaum (sharing a photo of Erika with the Krigbaum family)
I was heartbroken to read that Erika Gates passed away. She was such a generous, giving and inspirational woman. She guided me several times on Grand Bahama Island, and took my mother and my children birding there in 1999. I was lucky to be on her team for the first ever Christmas Bird Count on Great Abaco in 2003. She made sure everyone on the team saw each bird her keen eyes spotted. Her work and tenacity in promoting birding and conservation in the Bahamas was accompanied by such grace and enthusiasm.
Here is a photo of her, my Mom (Esther Krigbaum) and my children (Felicity, 5 and Will, 7) on that unforgettable day birding on Grand Bahama Island in July, 1999. That smile of hers is so radiant.
My condolences to Erika’s husband and the Caribbean birding community for the loss of such a champion.
NOTE: If you have stories, memories, a tribute, and/or photos of Erika you would like to include in this tribute article, please send them to: Tahira Carter, BirdsCaribbean Communications Manager Tahira.Carter@BirdsCaribbean.org
It was an extraordinary year. But then, so was 2020! Despite the ongoing roller coaster ride that was the COVID-19 pandemic, BirdsCaribbean pressed on. While some activities were necessarily curtailed, with our ever-enthusiastic partners we “pivoted,” adapted to the changing circumstances, and overcame obstacles. We had some great successes. We also turned to highlighting some pressing issues impacting our Caribbean birds. Now, we are looking forward to an exciting 2022, full of potential and possibilities!
We are feeling very positive about this new year. The theme of our upcoming conference in Puerto Rico (June 27 to July 2), which we are co-hosting for the first time with the American Ornithological Society (AOS), is “On the Wings of Recovery: Resilience and Action.”
This theme reflects the focus of our activities in the past year, supporting our partners as they work on solutions to the many challenges facing the region’s birds. We are also looking forward to hosting workshops in the Dominican Republic and The Bahamas, on Landbird Monitoring and Bird Banding, respectively.
In case you missed it, here’s an overview of BirdsCaribbean happenings in 2021:
It was a “quiet” year, but…
Ash plume on April 9th at 4 PM, the first day of eruptions (photo by Richard Robertson, UWI Seismic Research Centre)
Thankfully for the islands, the hurricane season was not as devastating as in previous years, although climate change is still with us. Year after year, the region continues to suffer from droughts, coastal erosion, and floods after heavy rains, damaging habitats and creating havoc in communities. However, there was still some unexpected drama this year.
The explosive eruptions of La Soufrière, a volcano in St. Vincent, began on April 9th, 2021, and continued spewing volcanic ash and debris into the atmosphere for weeks – displacing thousands and blanketing forests and towns in many inches of volcanic ash. Although it has now quietened down (its eruptive phase was declared over at the end of November, 2021) there was considerable damage to trees and river valleys from pyroclastic material, rocky debris and mudflows.
In the wake of the destruction, concerns for the St. Vincent Parrot and several other endemic bird species rose and we were thankful for the valiant efforts of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Forestry Department. With generous donations from friends and donors to the BirdsCaribbean fundraising site, we were able to ship a range of supplies to the Department, including field equipment, food, veterinary supplies, and much more. We also supported intensive surveys of the St. Vincent Parrot by Forestry staff in December, 2021 – more news on their status soon!
A Turkey Vulture costume, the biggest Big Day, and CWC was busy too
As usual, bird festivals were important days in our calendar. Island residents hosted at least scaled-down activities – whether virtual, in person, or a “hybrid” mixture, since COVID regulations varied from time to time.
Héctor Fidel Ravelo Romanguera wins first prize in the WMBD costume competition for his amazing Turkey Vulture costume. (Photo by Ines Lourdes Fernandez)
World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) in Fall, when our beautiful “winter visitors” start to appear in gardens, fields and forests across the Caribbean, is always an opportunity for fun activities, especially with young people. This year’s theme, “Sing, Fly, Soar Like a Bird” inspired bird walks, field trips and an exciting Bird Costume Party, won by creative schoolchildren in Cuba. The winning Turkey Vulture costume was stunning! Many thanks to Environment for the Americas for assisting with educational materials.
Our Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF), which we have hosted for the past twenty years, is always a delight. 2021 did not disappoint. After all, we have no less than 171 endemic species to choose from! The theme “Sing, Fly, Soar Like a Bird” provided ample opportunities for fun activities and important learning through webinars, birding field trips, and activities and online resources for families and youth to celebrate. Check out the exciting webinars here! Our partners shared what the theme meant to them in short inspiring videos – these can be viewed here.
The 12th annual Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) was another important activity, which was highly successful. From mid January to early February, birders fanned out across wetlands and beaches to record their sightings on eBird Caribbean. From the offshore islands of Venezuela to the wetlands of Kingston Harbour, Jamaica, there was a great turnout of birders. Anguillan partners were excited to spot Piping Plovers, while in Antigua, a young birding group participated in a “Mask-erade.”
We did mention successes, didn’t we? Global Big Day 2021 (Saturday, May 8) was – well, big! Close to 2,000 checklists were submitted from the Caribbean – a big jump in participation. 364 species were spotted, beating last year’s record. Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas were stars, and fifteen teams participated, raising funds for Motus bird monitoring stations. Some wonderful photos were taken of birds and people, enjoying the day; take a look here at the winners of our Photography Awards.
An exciting project is about to unfold…
Earlier this year, we announced our plans for a new bird monitoring initiative, the Caribbean Motus Collaboration, to set up a Motus Wildlife Trafficking System that will use nano-tags tracked by receivers to gain valuable data on the movement of birds across our region. We are grateful to Birds Canada and the Northeast Motus Collaboration for their support. For full details and if you are interested in contributing in any way, please complete a short survey or make a contribution here.
A wealth of online material – yes, we went virtual again
Cover of Arnaldo Toledo’s amazing Grand Prize winning bird Zine
To enhance these programs and special calendar events, and also to boost our advocacy for birds, we were very busy throughout the year designing and producing a whole range of online products. In 2021, we again broadcast virtually “From the Nest” with an Endemic Bird of the Day for the CEBF, accompanied by related puzzles, games and coloring pages. Our very first “Bird Zine” contest garnered some beautiful, artistic products from contestants in various age groups, with winners from Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad and Tobago. For the Caribbean Waterbird Census we started off with no less than three webinars, helping us to identify tricky species and with an additional webinar on Puerto Rican waterbird species.
For the 2021 Caribbean Waterbird Census, we gave webinars on how to participate in the CWC, including presentations on using eBird Caribbean and Merlin, how to do a CWC count, and how to identify waterbirds and shorebirds – always challenging! Check out our helpful webinars on our Youtube channel CWC playlist.
For World Migratory Bird Day, we produced a series of four videos highlighting our migratory shorebirds, many of which are endangered. One species, the Lesser Yellowlegs, is in particular trouble, with a drastic decline in numbers since the 1970s. At a free webinar on October 8, wildlife biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Management Program Laura McDuffie explained the work she and colleagues are doing to track, monitor and gain more information on these vulnerable birds.
A major highlight of our year was the opportunity to present at the 2021 AOS Virtual Meeting, from August 9 – 13. BirdsCaribbean was thrilled to present a three-part symposium entitled “Resilient Caribbean Birds – Surviving and Thriving in a Challenging World,” in which we highlighted recent avian research and conservation projects in the region, on August 11 and 12. Our presentations were well attended and online networking and information sharingtook place.
And then, to business. Our General Business Meeting on October 28 had over 80 participants and lasted for over two hours (there was a lot to tell our members and supporters about!) providing a comprehensive update on BirdsCaribbean’s activities.
General Business Meeting 2021 Group Photo on Zoom 1
General Business Meeting 2021 Group Photo on Zoom 2
General Business Meeting 2021 Group Photo on Zoom 3
One memorable online event was the Seabird Fest on December 2, organized by our dynamic Seabird Working Group. The meeting provided a thorough update on the group’s impressive activities, from the Isla Contoy National Park (Island of Birds) off the Yucatan peninsula to Bermuda and the Cayman Islands – and all islands in between. There are 20 resident seabird species in the Caribbean, not all regularly monitored. The hope is to organize a big seabird monitoring effort in 2023. While it faces challenges, we applaud this group’s work. If you would like to know more, sign up for their recently launched newsletter!
Our advocacy for birds continues…
Our focus on shorebirds tied in with ongoing concerns among ornithologists and bird lovers regarding the hunting of these migratory gems on the islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique, and to a lesser extent Barbados. In a short video “Caribbean Shorebirds Under Fire” (available in English, French and Spanish here) that is at times distressing to watch we sought to explain this complex issue. We continued to support our partners’ efforts to have as many species as possible protected and to reduce this devastating harvest of endangered birds, through email petitions to the French authorities.
Images of wild bird trafficking in Cuba.
Many migratory species are also under threat on the island of Cuba, due to the illegal capture and sale of wild birds as they arrive on the island in the autumn months. Endemic and resident species are also targeted by trappers. BirdsCaribbean is extremely concerned at the dramatic increase in the trafficking of a range of species, both at home and extending overseas. We highlighted this growing concern recently in our investigative report, urging Cuban authorities to enforce wildlife protection laws. We are raising funds to help our colleagues combat this problem and we need your support! We will continue to shine the spotlight on these and other issues that are affecting our birds negatively.
We have had a frantically busy year, as you can see. Despite the difficulties of the pandemic, with the support of our wonderful donors and the boundless enthusiasm, dedication, and hard work of our partners on the ground, we feel a sense of achievement, and look forward to what 2022 will bring.
Wishing you all a happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year!
13th Annual Caribbean Waterbird Census – please join our regional count which helps us to monitor and conserve our amazing waterbirds.
It’s time to brush off those water boots! And get out your binoculars, of course.
The Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) kicks off on Friday, January 14 and the last day is Thursday, February 3, 2022. This period includes World Wetlands Day (February 2), which this year has the theme: Wetlands Action for People and Nature. During that time, you are encouraged to venture out to seashores, beaches, and wetlands to count as many waterbirds as possible. Count all the birds you see!
Why is the CWC important? The Caribbean is home to 185 species of waterbirds (which include seabirds, wading birds, shorebirds, and waterfowl) – many of which are migratory. This varied and critical group of birds also includes many endemic species and a number that are endangered globally. The CWC is a valuable tool, helping us to assess how these remarkable birds are doing. They breed, rest, and feed in habitats that are themselves facing a range of threats, including development, pollution, human activities, and climate change impacts. Learn more about the CWC and access more resources here.
Note: Our CWC promotional graphics are available for free download in English, Spanish and French, and also as a template in Canva so that you can add your logo and modify for your events – see links below.
Those confusing waterbirds!
Now, which sandpiper is that? Is that a Greater or Lesser Yellowlegs? How can I identify a mixed group of birds? Sometimes it’s a learning curve!
If you are not feeling too confident with waterbirds, BirdsCaribbean is here to help! We have free online resources that will help you identify those tricky little sandpipers and plovers in their winter plumage, as they patrol our shorelines or fly in groups over the water. Before you start, why not download our ID Guide to Common Caribbean Shorebirds, which you may like to print and take with you? Also, take a look at the accompanying shorebird poster and other resources on this page.
It might also be worth your while to take in our two webinars on waterbird ID, which you can find on our YouTube pages (please subscribe, like and share!). Part I covers herons, egrets, ducks, marsh birds, and seabirds. Part II covers those fun and challenging shorebirds!You will also find a “how to participate” video guide there and detailed instructions here. For some more background information, you might enjoy our overview of the past ten years of the CWC, presented at last year’s Symposium at the North American Ornithological Congress (NAOC) online meeting.
Getting it all down on eBird
An important aspect of the CWC is that it is all captured and stored on eBird Caribbean. As you enter your sightings, you must be sure to use the CWC protocol on Step 2, under “Observation Type.” eBird is playing an increasingly crucial role in the CWC process. If you’re new to eBird, check out our helpful video here on how to use eBird and Merlin. If you need help with eBird submissions (it’s really not complicated!) or with setting up an eBird account, do contact Alex Sansom: waterbird.manager@birdscaribbean.org
All that remains to say is: have fun! Count responsibly and enjoy your day (or days) of counting during this three-week period.
Footnote: We recognize that some territories are still under restrictions of various kinds due to the ongoing pandemic. We urge everyone to stick to your local COVID-19 protocols, while enjoying your Caribbean Waterbird Count! Stay safe and well!
Promotional Graphics for CWC 2022 are available in English, Spanish and French. This year we also have ‘CWC Survey Tips’ graphics (in English) formatted for Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Click on each image in the gallery below to enlarge. You can add your own logos or event information: right click on an enlarged image and ‘save image as’ to download. You can also download our graphics from Dropbox here (including high-res version for printing) or use these links to Canva to use our promotional graphics as a template (each link contains graphics in all three languages):
This festive season we introduced 12 fascinating Caribbean birds in our twist on the classic carol The Twelve Days of Christmas. This English Christmas carol was first published in 1780, and presented without accompanying music, in a children’s book of poems and stories Mirth Without Mischief.
It is believed that The Twelve Days of Christmas was intended to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith. However, this theory has been widely contested. The origins of the carol are unknown but perhaps it was written as a memory game.
We are certain, however, that no other Christmas carol features birds quite as prominently as The Twelve Days of Christmas. The lyrics are from old Europe with birds that are not found in the Caribbean. We thought it was time for an upbeat version so we put the spotlight on some magnificent migratory and endemic birds of the Caribbean!
If you follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn), we shared a new bird every day or two for the last several weeks. (#12CaribBirdsOfChristmas) Here, we compile all the bird profiles into one blog in case you are not on social media, missed any, or would like to learn more about these amazing birds.
We really enjoyed curating posts for this series and had the pleasure of reading your lovely comments. Thank you for following along, bird after bird, with us. Let us know which bird was your favorite and why in the comments below .
And do sing along with us on our remix of this classic song! Any singers/ musicians out there—we would love to hear your recorded rendition of the song!!!
Photo credits: West Indian Whistling Duck by Ray Robles, Fernandina’s Flicker by Ken Pinnow, White-breasted Thrasher by Hank Tseng and Adams Toussaint, St Vincent Parrot by Nandani Bridglal , Golden Swallow by Francisco Alba, Jamaican Blackbird by Tom Johnson (ML890623210), Guadeloupe Woodpecker by Frantz Delcroix, Grenada Dove by Greg Homel, Bahama Oriole by Dan Stonko
Twelve Birds of Christmas – BirdsCaribbean Remix
An Oriole in a Pine Tree – Bahama Oriole
🎄On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, A Partridge in a Pear Tree.🎶 But wait, that doesn’t seem quite right for the Caribbean 🤔, so let’s turn up the heat ☀️, amp up the vibrancy, migrate south 🌎, and what do we get…. An oriole in a pine tree 🌲 . That is, of course, the Bahama Oriole. This striking bird stands bright at the tree tops boasting shiny black ⚫️ plumage on its head, back and chest, and bright yellow 🟡 plumage on its shoulders, belly, and rump. It can only be found on Andros Island in the Bahamas 🇧🇸 , where it nests in native pine forests.
Unfortunately, this bird faces multiple threats, including brood parasitism from the Shiny Cowbird, depredation by free-ranging domestic cats 🐈 , and habitat loss due to logging and residential development 🏘. There’s also the looming threat of increasingly frequent and severe hurricanes that could easily wipe out the Bahama Oriole’s entire small population 📉.
However, all hope is not lost! ✨ Our partners at the Bahamas National Trust and University of Maryland, Baltimore Maryland are doing exciting research to learn more about this species 🤓 and educating local communities on Andros about the importance of its pine forests. Click here for more facts ℹ️, to listen to its song 🎵, and free Bahama Oriole themed activities 🧩 for adults and children!
Two Grenada Doves
🎄The second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Two Turtle Doves 🎶. Those turtle doves are adorable ☺️, but come on down to the southern Caribbean 🌎 and we can do you one better – two Grenada Doves!
As their name implies, these shy and elusive birds live only on the island of Grenada 🇬🇩. This somewhat plump dove has brown 🟤 upperparts, buffy cinnamon-colored chest and neck, and grayish forehead, face and crown, with bright pinkish-red 🔴 statement legs and feet. How can you tell you’re looking at the ultra-rare Grenada Dove and not another dove 🧐? Be sure to take a look at its belly where you’ll find a strip of white ⚪️ feathers that extends from its side up around the bend of the wing!
The Grenada Dove prefers the coastal dry forests of deciduous thorn-scrub thickets and some emergent trees 🌳. Watch your step 👣 as these doves are typically found on the ground, searching for food; small seeds, fruits 🫐 and insects 🪱. IBut if you aren’t lucky enough to see this dove, keep an ear 👂 out for its characteristic call 🎶 which is a single descending note hooooooo that is repeated every 7-8 seconds.
Two Protected Areas have been established for the conservation of the Grenada Dove, but habitat loss remains a major threat. Its coastal habitats are unfortunately prime areas for development by the tourism 🏝 and industry sectors 🏭. We have been working with our partners in Grenada to try and halt 🛑 these unsustainable developments as well as remove mongoose, invasive predators of the Grenada Dove. Click here to learn more about the Grenada Dove, listen to its song, and access free activities.
With your support 🙌🏽, we can continue to protect the Critically Endangered Grenada Dove as we work to reverse the trend of habitat loss for this beautiful species. ✨Please consider making a donation.
Three French Peckers – Guadeloupe Woodpecker
🎄On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Three French hens 🎶. To be honest, that’s not a bad gift 🎁 at all, especially if those hens are good layers 🥚. But domestic fowl 🐓 pale in comparison to some of the wild French birds you can find in the Caribbean 😎, including the Trois Toto bwa —un oiseau magnifique found only in Guadeloupe 🇬🇵! In local French Creole the Guadeloupe Woodpecker is called Toto bwa for the tapping noise it makes.
It appears to be an all black bird ⚫️ however its head and upperparts actually have a blue glossy sheen. Their underparts are a sooty black except for a reddish 🔴 hue on the chest and their tail feathers are brownish-black with blue-black legs. Females look like the male, but are smaller 📏. Interestingly, there are size differences within the island—woodpeckers found on the peaks of Basse-Terre are slightly bigger than those of Grande-Terre!
These fine French birds inhabit all different forest types, including swamp forests and mangroves, but they rely on dead coconut palm trees 🌴 for nesting. They are monogamous and pairs remain in their territory throughout the year. Young woodpeckers will take about a month 📆 to fledge and afterwards juveniles spend several months with their parents. They might even hang around until the next breeding season.
Although considered a Least Concern species, this handsome woodpecker is restricted to the island of Guadeloupe and is threatened by hurricanes 🌀, habitat conversion 🏘 and the removal of dead trees which they depend upon for nesting. Continued protection of this species and conservation of its habitats will help ensure that this beautiful species survives for future generations to enjoy! ✨
🎄The fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Four colly birds 🎶. But you had no idea what those were 💬. Did you say “colly birds” or “calling birds”? Our basic research 💻 suggests both phrases are correct, though “colly” is the Old English word for coal while “calling” refers to birds that “call out” in song, or songbirds. Either way, it’s an odd gift, so today we’re featuring a Jamaican endemic that fits both versions; the Jamaican Blackbird 🇯🇲.
High up in Cockpit Country and the Blue and John Crow Mountains ⛰ National Park lives the Jamaican Blackbird. It is Endangered, with the greatest threat to its populations stemming from Bauxite mining, agriculture 🌾 and human developments 🏘. This taxonomically and ecologically distinct bird is all black with a slight blue gloss, short bill, legs and tails. Unlike other blackbirds it is mostly found feeding high in the trees 🌳 in montane forest. It feeds by pecking, like a woodpecker, in bromeliads, lichens and mosses, but will also probe tree bark and cavities for beetles 🪲 and caterpillars 🐛 . This bird is more likely to be heard than seen. Its song is a wheezy whee-whee-oooo; common call is a squeaky wheet. 🎶
Learn more about this fascinating bird here. This species was also an inspiration for an amazing bird song album by our partner Shika Shika, undertaken to raise funds to protect endangered birds in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean – check out the project and songs here.
✨Together with our on-the-ground partners we work to protect incredibly unique birds like the Jamaican Blackbird that are threatened by habitat loss. Please consider making a contribution and give the gift 🎁 of birds to future generations.
Five Golden Swallows
🎄The fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me…Five gold rings 🎶. But you’re not a materialistic person, nor can you tolerate the environmental impact that comes with the extraction of precious metals 💍, so you looked your lover 💞 in the eye and said “Honey, I’d rather see gold in its natural form – take me birding for Golden Swallows!”
The upperparts of male Golden Swallows often appear golden ✨ but are ever-changing as they fly around and catch the sunlight ☀️ at different angles. In a few seconds you might observe a blue-ish 🔵 sheen changing to a golden iridescence that then changes to an olive-green 🟢! Their underparts are white with dusky bronze-green wings and tail. The female on the other hand, is duller, with some gray-brown mottling on the chest.
One can spend hours ⏳ watching and being entertained by these amazing birds as they twist 🔀, turn ⤴️ , and dive ⤵️ through the air with incredible grace and precision. They feed on airborne insects like beetles 🪲 and wasps.
The Golden Swallow has disappeared from the island of Jamaica 🇯🇲 and is restricted to patches of montane pine forest🌲in Hispaniola. They have possibly disappeared from Jamaica due to lack of food. Insect populations have been steadily decreasing 📉 due to destruction of native habitats as well as the widespread use of chemicals to kill insects ☠️. The good news is that everyone can help by planting native plants 🌱 at home. Native plants attract native insects, and these insects provide lots of food for MANY different bird species 😃.
Learn more about the Golden Swallow and access free activities and resources here. Read about our VP 👨🏻💼 Justin Procter’s quest to find the Golden Swallow in Jamaica’s Ram Goat Cave.
Six Songbirds Singing – Summer Tanager
🎄The sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Six Geese-a-laying🎶. While we often think of egg-laying as a beautiful, miraculous event (and it is), have you given any thought to the size of those eggs and the mechanics involved🤔? Needless to say, six geese-a-laying won’t be a peaceful scene, but rather a headache of hissing and honking 📣. Let’s reduce holiday stress where we can and consider down-sizing to six songbirds singing 🎶 instead.
‘Songbirds’ are beautiful passerine birds with melodious songs, a great example is the Summer Tanager. This neotropical migrant has strawberry 🍓 coloured plumage and is quite vocal. Its call is described as pi-tuck or pi-ti-tuck or ki-ti-tuck while its song is similar to that of an American Robin with a series of warbling phrases.
The Summer Tanager is one of many songbirds illegally captured 📦 in Cuba for the pet trade. Although it has a beautiful song, this bird is mainly captured for its ornamental beauty. Sadly, many migratory songbirds like the Indigo Bunting and Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and resident/ endemic birds like the Cuban Bullfinch and Cuban Grassquit, are targeted by trappers for their singing abilities.
Songbird competitions are very popular in Cuba 🇨🇺, Trinidad 🇹🇹, and Venezuela 🇻🇪 , with betting and cash prizes 💰 for the best singer. These birds are inhumanely trapped using cages with lures, perches covered with glue, and nets. Many die from the process or soon after due to improper care. The surviving birds are readily offered for sale on social media 📲 platforms reaching more potential buyers. The songbird trade is rampant in the Caribbean and is emptying our forests of both song and life 😞.
ℹ️ For more information about the alarming numbers of birds illegally captured in Cuba and our proposed strategies to combat this unsustainable and cruel trade please read our investigative report.
This crisis can end with your support 🙌🏽! Please consider making a contribution here. Your gift will help us in our appeals to local governments to enforce the laws mandated to protect birds, help our partners develop a national media campaign, and create other livelihoods like eco-tourism 🏞.
Seven Parrots Squawking – St. Vincent Parrot
🎄The seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Seven Swans a-Swimming🎶. Swans 🦢 are the universal symbol of grace and beauty🪞. But here in the Caribbean, Christmas is a time for noisy merriment and flocking together 🎊 so we present you with Seven Parrots Squawking!
The striking Saint Vincent Parrot 🦜 is the national bird of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 🇻🇨 and is endemic to the island. If you look carefully, it has the yellow 🟡, blue 🔵 and green 🟢 colours of the national flag, making it extra special to Vincentians!
There are two colour morphs for this uniquely coloured parrot: yellow-brown (more common) and green. Both have pale heads and bronze-colored underparts, a blue, yellow and orange tail, and green-and-blue flight feathers.
The Saint Vincent Parrot can be found in mature rainforest 🏞 along western and eastern slopes of the island’s central mountain range and, occasionally, in nearby cultivated lands. They are loud birds with an impressive vocal repertoire, so listen for their call 🎶 in the early morning ☀️ or late afternoon when they are most active! Males and females look similar and are usually seen flying in pairs but have been observed in flocks foraging on fruits 🥭, seeds, flowers 🌺 and leaves.
Its small population of around 850 birds has been slowly increasing however, this vulnerable parrot suffered devastating habitat loss and food scarcity after the La Soufriere volcanic eruptions 🌋 earlier this year. With assistance from BirdsCaribbean donors and other partners, the St Vincent Forestry Dept has been working hard to assess the status of the parrot and restore habitat.You can help to save this iconic bird from extinction. ✨.
Click here for more facts, to listen to its call, and free Saint Vincent Parrot themed activities 🧩 for adults and children!
🎄The eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Eight Maids-a-Milking🎶. In 15th and 16th century England, the phrase “let’s go-a-milking” was a euphemism for “let’s get married.” 💍 We’re going to update this to the 21st century with a spunky yet elegant Caribbean bird and give you Eight Thrashers Thrashing! While you may not want these birds in your house at Christmas time, they certainly are dashing 🎩!
The White-breasted Thrasher, with a chocolate brown 🟤 back, striking white chest, and piercing red 🔴 eye, was described by James Bond as “one of the rarest birds in the West Indies.” Not surprisingly, Bond was onto something! Found only in Saint Lucia 🇱🇨 and Martinique 🇲🇶, where it is known as Gòj Blan and Moqueur Gorge Blanche, respectively, there are fewer than 2,000 thrashers left. White-breasted Thrashers also display a unique behavior called cooperative breeding, where they delay independent breeding, and instead help their parents in raising their siblings – how lucky for Mom and Dad 😊!
The White-breasted Thrasher population is thought to be declining 📉 due to increased predation by non-native invasive species, such as rats 🐀 , domestic cats 🐈 , and mongoose. Our incredible partners in Saint Lucia safely continued their critical work throughout the pandemic and recorded a total of 19 White-breasted Thrasher nests in 2020 🏆
✨Learn more about this unique and endangered species here.
For more information on the White-breasted Thrasher Species Recovery Plan and field work by our partners 📑, supported in part by BirdsCaribbean donors , click here.
Nine Flickers Flicking – Fernandina’s Flicker
🎄On the 9th day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, nine drummers drumming🎶. But of course no drum sticks or snare drums 🥁 showed up, because your true love has style 😎, and appreciates nature’s real drummers – the woodpeckers! So pop some aspirin 💊 and get ready for the ensuing explosive sound of nine Fernandina’s Flickers tearing apart your house’s 🏠 new cedar wood siding.
The island of Cuba 🇨🇺 is home to one of the world’s most threatened flickers – the Fernandina’s Flicker. The male has a buff-cinnamon head with fine black ⚫️ streaking. It has a distinct black malar stripe, sometimes with a red tinge. This mark is absent ❌ in the female. Chin and throat are heavily but finely streaked black. Its bill is black, long, pointed and curved. Its body and tail are largely barred mustard yellow 🟡 and black.
Interestingly you’re likely to see this woodpecker foraging on the ground, in open woodlands and savanna-palm 🌴 habitats, for insects 🕷 , seeds, and worms 🪱 . Pairs nest in both live and old hollowed-out palms and share these breeding trees with other secondary cavity nesting birds such as the American Kestrel, and fellow-endemics the Bare-legged Owl 🦉 and Cuban Parakeet 🦜. During the breeding season, however, the West Indian Woodpecker and Fernandina’s Flicker fight for nesting sites 😠, even though the nesting holes were most likely excavated by the West Indian Woodpecker! The West Indian Woodpecker is very territorial, they will even destroy eggs 🥚 and remove chicks 🐣 of other secondary nesting birds, including those of the Fernandina’s Flicker!
Its population is estimated at no more than 400 pairs with the largest occurring in the Zapata Swamp. It was once common across Cuba but habitat loss due to logging and conversion for agriculture 🌱 have resulted in its patchy distribution. Another major driver is loss of prime nesting sites when dead palms are cut down to illegally collect parrots and parakeets for the pet trade 😞. Learn more about this Cuban endemic here.
Ten Plovers Piping – Piping Plover
🎄On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Ten Pipers Piping🎶. But we’re still in a pandemic 😷 and, where you are, gatherings might be restricted 🚫. Instead we present you with 10 Plovers Piping 😀.
Small, chubby, and adorable ☺️, the Piping Plover is a sand-coloured shorebird with white underparts, a black ⚫️ neck band, orange 🟠 legs, and a short stubby beak. Most striking of all, its dark round eyes that give it that “I’m a good cuddler” look. They have a two-part piping whistle 🎵 that drops in pitch, pwee-doo.”
The Piping Plover breeds in North America but heads south for the winter 🌎. They do not go as far south as other shorebirds, instead they stop off in The Bahamas 🇧🇸 , Turks and Caicos Islands 🇹🇨 and Cuba 🇨🇺 . You are most likely to find them on open sandy beaches, wetlands, and mudflats feeding on small invertebrates. It is also a pretty clever feeder. On the beach 🏝 , after a wave 🌊 rolls up and leaves a glassy film, the Piping Plover will extend one foot slightly forward and vibrate it against water-saturated sand bringing invertebrates in the sand to the surface before pecking 🍽.
Developments on beaches 🏙 and lake shores mean Piping Plovers have lost some of their breeding habitats and are now far less common than they used to be 😔. Nesting areas on beaches are now often protected ⚠️ from disturbance to try to help the population grow.
Making sure they have safe places to feed and rest 💤 in the Caribbean during the winter is also important. Click here for some tips on how you can #ShareTheShore with these lovable little shorebirds. And learn more about the Piping Plover and access free activities and resources here.
Eleven egrets dancing – Reddish Egret
🎄The eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, eleven ladies dancing 💃🏻. Your true love 💗 may have been trying to pull a fast one, knowing all too well that the men usually dance to get the ladies’ attention in the animal kingdom! In the spirit of gender equality, you both get in on the dancing 💃🏻🕺🏻, showing off snazzy moves inspired by Eleven Egrets Dancing.
The Reddish Egret is a relatively large and elegant 🪞 bird known for its entertaining feeding behavior – often described as a ‘drunken dance’ 🍻 – running through shallow water with long strides, staggering sideways, leaping in the air ⬆️, raising one or both wings, and abruptly stabbing at fish 🐠 . Holding its wings over the water while hunting is thought to reduce glare and help the egret more accurately sight 👀 and spear its prey – or maybe it’s to regain its balance, we’re not sure! 🤔
During the 1800s this egret and others were hunted almost to extinction for their beautiful feathers 🪶, used to adorn ladies’ hats and other apparel! Thankfully, two women jump started a conservation movement which put an end to the slaughter. You can learn all about this fascinating history in our webinar: https://bit.ly/Killer-Fashion
Reddish Egrets come in two morphs: the dark morph, with shaggy reddish head 🔴 and neck and slate gray body (more common in the southern U.S. and Mexico); and the more rare white morph, with entirely white plumage ⚪️ (more common in the Bahamas 🇧🇸 and Greater Antilles). Breeding adults of both morphs have a two-toned bill, pinkish at the base and black at the tip.
The Reddish Egret is our rarest and least-studied Ardeid (Family of herons, egrets, and bitterns) – the total population is estimated at only 7,000 to 11,000 birds. It is a Species of Conservation Concern.
✨ Learn more about the Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) here and show your support for our citizen science programs like the annual CWC, which gathers critical data to conserve the Reddish Egret and many other threatened birds.
Twelve Whistlers Whistling – West Indian Whistling-Duck
🎄On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, twelve fiddlers fiddling🎶. A kind gesture, but you’d think that after all this time your true love would have recognized your greater appreciation for acapella-style whistling. It’s an acquired taste that only a refined individual like yourself 😎 could truly appreciate. So redirect those fiddlers to the neighbor’s house 🏡 , and head over to a nearby pond to enjoy a musical production 🎭 of Twelve Whistlers Whistling!
We thought it fitting to bring our 12 Birds of Christmas to a close with the grace of the West Indian Whistling-Duck 🦆 . You can only hear the hauntingly beautiful calls of this Caribbean bird at twilight 🌅, when the sun begins to dip toward the horizon. West Indian Whistling-Ducks often remain hidden during the day, roosting in mangrove trees 🌳 or other vegetation, and become active at sunset when they feed.
This gorgeous mostly-brown duck was once common, but populations are now very small 📉 and isolated on each island. Destruction of wetland habitats, illegal hunting, and invasive predators (like mongoose) have all contributed to the decline of this species.
The West Indian Whistling-Duck is our flagship species for the conservation of mangroves and wetlands throughout the West Indies! We have a fun curriculum, “Wondrous West Indian Wetlands—Teachers’ Resource Book,” 📖with many hands-on activities 🧩 to learn 🧠 about wetlands and birds, and other resources available on our website. 😉
You can also visit our webpage for more facts, to listen to its song, and free West Indian Whistling-Duck themed activities for adults and children! 😃
And now our 12 Caribbean Birds of Christmas Advent calendar is complete!
The online Seabird Fest on December 2 really made waves! It was a tremendous success, with a substantial participation by over 50 partners and individuals involved in seabird research and monitoring. The online meeting, over two hours long, was a sweeping and extensive overview of BirdsCaribbean’s Seabird Working Group’s (SWG) activities and findings, followed by a discussion on ways in which its members’ work can be strengthened. Reports came in from islands off the coast of Yucatan (including the Isla Contoy National Park, or Island of the Birds) to Bermuda, the Grenadines, and all the way to the offshore islands of Venezuela – and many islands in between.
Seabird Fest 2021 Group Photo on Zoom
A Caribbean Seabird Census?
The SWG is hoping to organize a major seabird monitoring effort in 2023, along the lines of the Caribbean Waterbird Census. A major part of the Seabird Fest was not only to report on activities and results, but also to seek ideas on the way forward, especially in regard to the proposed count. The goal was also to obtain feedback from partners on their needs and challenges. Would it be training, personnel, funds – or all of the above?
What is the Seabird Working group?
Rhiannon Austin, a seabird ecologist working in the UK Overseas Territories since 2015, gave a short introduction to the work of the SWG. Its core objectives are to connect people, share knowledge, promote conservation, and advocate for seabirds. In the past year the SWG has done a revamp of its web pages, updated its database, and is seeking to create new ways of sharing information – for example, they now have a Facebook group and have launched a Seabird Newsletter. And funding and support is always needed!
Seabirds are one of the most threatened groups of birds in the world, both at sea and on land.
Participants in a Seabird-focused Workshop in San Salvador, 2013 (Photo by Jennifer Wheeler)
Building capacity to study, monitor and conserve Caribbean seabirds
Grenadian biologists conducting a seabird survey at Diamond Rock (Photo by A. Mitchell)
There are some 23 resident seabird species in the Caribbean – not all regularly monitored. There are some gaps in information. At the Seabird Fest, participants shared updates on the work they have been doing and the status of seabirds in their area. Most of the published information only extended up to 2012, so updates were greatly needed.
Austin noted that many partners need help with planning, as well as support for seabird research, education and training. With this in mind, a series of workshops and webinars is planned for 2022.
Cats, rats, and humans – a problem for nesting seabirds
Tweet shared during Miguel Landestoy’s presentation on seabird monitoring in the Dominican Republic – Seabird Fest 2021
As each island reported on its progress, it became apparent that partners involved in seabird monitoring had several issues in common. Invasive species and human disturbances were of concern in almost all the territories, including Dominican Republic, where Miguel Landestoy reported that surveys of inland salt ponds where Least Terns breed can only be done on foot. From the offshore islands of Belize, however, Dominique Lizama was happy to report that Half Moon Caye is “rat-free.” In the Cayman Islands, where seabird monitoring by the Department of Environment is supported by the Darwin Plus Project, cats remain a significant problem. On Anguilla, mouse eradication has been successful but the work continues to prevent reinvasions.
As noted, there are information gaps in some islands, for example in Trinidad and Tobago, where there is no national monitoring of the four species that breed there, according to Shivam Mahadeo. There are many challenges in the Grenadines also, where there are more than eighty islands, islets and cays with three globally important seabird colonies and more than 18 of regional significance. The islands have 12 breeding species and a number of non-breeding and migrant species. What a task to monitor them all!
The impact of climate change
Some islands face even greater challenges, many due to aspects of climate change. Dominica, for example, currently has no seabird monitoring on the island; Hurricane Maria in 2017 had a very negative impact on White-tailed Tropicbird colonies and seabird records were all lost in the storm. Bermuda’s report was mixed: its population of Common Terns has been badly impacted by numerous storms, and sea level rise has also affected breeding sites. Anguilla is also suffering from coastal flooding.
Seabirds are under pressure in many areas. For example, in Turks and Caicos Islands, where there are very large numbers, tourism development is taking place on many of the cays, while up to date information and management plans are needed. In the US and British Virgin islands, the numbers of boobies have “crashed.” Developments and the inability to monitor privately owned islands is an issue in some areas.
A busy Working Group with good news to report
However, the seabirds are fighting back, thanks to SWG members: the Bermuda Petrel or Cahow has benefited from a sixty-year long recovery program, now with 155 breeding pairs. Sixty years is truly long term! Their White-tailed Tropicbirds make up the North Atlantic’s largest breeding population, supported by no less than 800 artificial nests of fiber glass, installed on cliffs.
Bermuda Petrel (Cahow) chick receiving a health check on Global Big Day, Nonsuch Island, Bermuda (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
A Bermuda Petrel, also known as a Cahow. (Photo by Andrew Dobson)
SWG members are working hard. In the French Caribbean, partners are working on a Seabird Atlas, which includes a summary of all historical data of the 20th/21st centuries. The Environmental Awareness Group in Antigua (with 51 offshore islands) reported that it is conducting training and capacity building of volunteers and members of its bird club, who conduct surveys as citizen scientists. The UK territory of Montserrat, covered by the Darwin Plus Project, has been conducting surveys and has recently rediscovered a previously known nesting site of the Audubon’s Shearwater during a boat survey.
More resources needed – including funding!
For many of the islands, financial and trained human resources are in short supply. For example, in St. Kitts and Nevis, there is a need for equipment and boat time, according to Lynelle Bonaparte. Similarly, Dr. Ann Haynes Sutton reported from Jamaica that monitoring of its 14 breeding seabird species is “very much constrained” and funding is badly needed for training. Cuba also reported that it requires more technical personnel for monitoring, and funding to support field work. In Puerto Rico, funds are needed for boat time and to pay surveyors; training is also a great need.
Executive Director of BirdsCaribbean Lisa Sorensen wrapped up the lengthy session by encouraging participants to give talks, write articles, make videos, and raise awareness of seabirds in their countries. She also reminded partners to make sure to record sightings on eBird Caribbean.
BirdsCaribbean is committed to supporting all its Working Groups, and looks forward to working with them in 2022. If you would like to assist the Seabird WG in any way, you may contact them on their home page or via Facebook. We wish the Seabird WG all the best for the New Year as they get into their boats to go checking on those seabirds!
A BIG thank everyone that presented and participated in the Seabird Fest webinar of 2 December, 2021. Thanks also for taking the time to look through your data and share your work. We found it very exciting to learn about what is happening on the islands: despite many difficulties, there is a lot of work being done! We will soon share a written report summarizing all the information shared. If you missed the Seabird Fest, you can watch it here: n the meantime, you can watch the recording here.
Thanks also to EPIC (Environmental Protection in the Caribbean) for co-hosting the Seabird Fest with us!
We are following up on the suggestions made during the Seabird Fest and will organize quarterly online meetings to catch up and chat.
Héctor Fidel Ravelo Romanguera wins first prize in the WMBD costume competition for his amazing Turkey Vulture costume. (Photo by Ines Lourdes Fernandez)
October 9th, 2021 is the official date for World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) in the Caribbean, but we celebrate throughout the fall, welcoming home our returning migratory birds. We love the extra color and activity these avian gems bring to our backyards, forests, wetlands, and beaches. This year’s theme — “Sing, Fly, Soar—Like a Bird” — provided a fantastic opportunity for learning and birding fun. Find out how we celebrated across the Caribbean!
Despite the challenges faced during the pandemic, educators and students throughout the Caribbean celebrated WMBD with a range of activities. Caribbean coastlines got busy, with young students wielding binoculars and checklists, guided by their teachers. In some countries in-person events were hosted when possible; otherwise, virtual events or “hybrid” activities – a combination of the two – took place. Islands including Anguilla, Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Bonaire, Montserrat, Grenada, and Trinidad and Tobago participated, just to name a few. Many more islands are hosting events, activities and are still celebrating this special time for Caribbean birds.
BirdsCaribbean recognized WMBD by hosting several activities with a focus on the region’s endangered migratory shorebirds. At a webinar entitled “A Year in the Life of the Lesser Yellowlegs” Laura McDuffie, a wildlife biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Management Program revealed the amazing journeys made by a shorebird species that is facing particular challenges at this time. The webinar and accompanying video (in English, Spanish, and French) can be viewed on BirdsCaribbean’s YouTube channel and below.
A series of four short videos, boosted by social media posts, aimed to raise awareness of the importance of the Caribbean region to migratory shorebirds and the threats, they face, including hunting. These can be viewed on our YouTube channel in English, Spanish and French. BirdsCaribbean partners also shared short, inspiring and amusing videos on what the theme meant to them. October Big Day was an opportunity to go out and see some migratory birds – with excellent results, despite the lingering effects of COVID-19 limitations on some islands.
Highlights from this year’s WMBD activities!
Puerto Rico
Staff at the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources educated participants on migratory birds and plastic pollution. They also donated native trees as gifts at the Service Fair organized by Senator Marissita Jiménez in the Cueva María de la Cruz de Loíza Historical Park.
The Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources staff sharing information and giving out trees from their booth. (Photo by Ingrid M. Flores/ DRNA)
Roots and Shoots, celebrate WMBD on a bird watching trip, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Carla Montalvo Martinez)
Dominican Republic
In the second week of October, Babeque Secondary School organized some activities to celebrate the enthusiasm for birds with international institutions. This year they visited the Museum of Natural History Professor Eugenio de Js. Marcano, where the volunteer students learned about the birds that visit the island and participated in lively activities based on the knowledge they had absorbed. Grupo Acción Ecológica (GAE) carried out a variety of activities in the Dominican Republic to celebrate WMBD. They organized a talk and walk, in the National Botanical Garden with Dr. Rafael M. Moscoso. They also held workshops and outreach events with schools and community groups, including with the Doulus de Jarabacoa School. Celebrating with talks, walks and bird watching with the 5th graders. Of course, they also went out to look for migratory birds and caught a female (Black-throated Blue Warbler) as part of their monitoring!
Celebrating migratory birds with Secundaria Babeque, Dominican Republic. (Photo by Monika Gomez)
Kids bird watching during WMBD activities with Doulos school, Jarabocoa, Dominican Republic. (Photo by Maria Paulino/ GAE).
Learning all about bird banding on WMBD, Dominican Republic. (Photo by Maria Paulino/ GAE).
Montserrat
The Department of Environment made an early start to WMBD events in September! They hosted a riveting presentation focused on shorebirds with a church group. Two site visits to observe shorebirds followed.
Later on, in October, the staff made a presentation on bird migration to 4th form biology students at the Montserrat Secondary School, highlighting a few of the bird species that traverse the island during the migratory season. This was followed by a word search race, which included the names of twenty-two migratory species that can be found on Montserrat.
Local radio also played a role, with a spot aired on the national radio station on October 8th and 9th.
A church group in Montserrat enjoyed a shorebird watching trip to celebrate WMBD. (Photo by Ajhermae White)
Bonaire
For WMBD Monique Grol and her colleagues at STINAPA visited all the primary schools on the island! They taught grade 7 classes all about migratory birds, talking to children in the classroom and taking them out on bird watching trips to local Salinas. With 100s of school kids getting involved.
The children of Bonaire learned all about what migratory birds feed on and how bird beaks are different depending on what each type of food each bird eats. All the classes got poster of migratory birds to hang up in their classrooms. Out in the field the intrepid birding groups had great fun using binoculars and ID cards find and identify any birds they could spot!
Grade 7 children looking for birds on a bird watching outing on Bonaire. (Photo by Monique Grol/ STINAPA)
Grade 7 students enjoy birdwatching at a nearby wetland after a classroom session on migratory birds. (Photo by Monique Grol/ STIMAPA)
Bird Costume Party Winners!
Winner of the WMBD bird costume competition, collect their prizes and certificates. (Photo by Ines Lourdes Fernandez).
Congratulations to our Bird Costume Party winners from Cuba! Dayami Ravelo Romanguera was runner up in a gorgeous Yellow Warbler costume. Héctor Fidel Ravelo Romanguera won first prize in his dramatic Turkey Vulture costume.
The contest encouraged young Caribbean citizens to take migratory birds seriously, and to consider celebrating and protecting them in the future. The competition was open to children up to 12 years old, who were asked to depict one of the featured eleven species selected by Environment for the Americas this year. Costumes used only recyclable or reusable materials, encouraging the children to think about environmental sustainability.
Thank you to all of the amazing people and organizations in the Caribbean that celebrate WMBD every year and especially during this challenging year! We look forward to celebrating WMBD 2022 with you all!
If you are interested in celebrating WMBD in your country, we encourage you to visit the WMBD website for more information or contact the Caribbean Regional Coordinator, Laura Baboolal, at lbaboolal@environmentamericas.org. If you have an event planned, you can register it and put the Caribbean on the global events map.
WMBD 2021 digital materials from EFTA are available in English and Spanish, at this link.
Information on migratory birds in the Caribbean, including colouring pages, activity sheets , photos, videos, and puzzles are available from BirdsCaribbean at this link.
Last, but not least, don’t forget to share your WMBD events and experiences on social media with EFTA and BirdsCaribbean. You can find us on all major platforms. If pandemic restrictions allow on your island, go out and enjoy the birds. Most of all, have fun!
Enjoy these photos from WMBD celebrations across the Caribbean!
Celebrating WMBD in Trinidad and Tobago. (Photo by Noor ud din Mohammed)
Roots and Shoots, bird watching on WMBD, Ponce, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Carla Montalvo Martinez)
Roots and Shoots, bird watching on WMBD, Ponce, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Carla Montalvo Martinez)
Roots and Shoots, bird watching on WMBD, Ponce, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Carla Montalvo Martinez)
Roots and Shoots, bird watching on WMBD, Ponce, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Carla Montalvo Martinez)
Roots and Shoots, celebrate WMBD on a bird watching trip, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Carla Montalvo Martinez)
Flyer adverting a Webinar about migratory birds of Puerto Rico, organized as part of the WMBD celebrations in Puerto Rico.
Celebrating WMBD at the Natural History Museum, Dominican Republic. (Photos by Monika Gomez)
Social media post about WMBD activities by Secundaria Babeque. (Photo by Monika Gomez).
Social media post about WMBD activities by Secundaria Babeque. (Photo by Monika Gomez).
Flyer advertising a birding walk in the National Botanic Gardens, Dominican Republic. (Photo by GAE)
WMBD activities with Doulos school, Jarabocoa, Dominican Republic. (Photo by Maria Paulino/ GAE).
Learning all about bird banding on WMBD, Dominican Republic. (Photo by Maria Paulino/ GAE).
Celebrating migratory birds with students from the ABC school, Dominican Republic. (Photo by Maria Paulino/ GAE)
Holding a workshop about migratory birds, Dominican Republic. (Photo by Maria Paulino/ GAE)
Celebrating global big day with students from the ABC school, Dominican Republic. (Photo by Maria Paulino/ GAE)
Celebrating migratory birds with local communities in the Dominican Republic. (Photo Maria Paulino/ GAE).
Looking for birds on WMBD in the Dominican Republic. (Photo by Maria Paulino/ GAE)
Bird watching walk to celebrate WMBD in the Dominican Republic. (Photo by Maria Paulino/ GAE)
Birding with the local communities for WMBD, Dominican Republic. (Photo by Maria Paulino/ GAE)
Watching in the Botanic Gardens for WMBD, Dominican Republic. (Photo by Maria Paulino/GAE)
A Bird watching walk in the Botanic Gardens for WMBD, Dominican Republic. (Photo by Maria Paulino/GAE)
A bird costume party celebrating WMBD on Cuba. (Photo by Ines Lourdes Fernandez)
Celebrating WMBD on Cuba with a bird-themed costume party . (Photo by Ines Lourdes Fernandez)
Dayami Ravelo Romanguera’s Yellow Warber was the runner up in the WMBD costume competition. (Photo by Ines Lourdes Fernandez)
Celebrating migratory birds with bird-themed cakes at the costume party, Cuba. (Photo by Ines Lourdes Fernandez)
School kids on a bird watching outing at a Salina in Bonaire. (Photo by Monique Grol/ STINAPA)
STINAPA flyer all about migratory birds.
Looking for birds on a watching outing at a Salina in Bonaire. (Photo by Monique Grol/ STINAPA)
We used the same theme, “Sing, Fly, Soar—Like a Bird,” for our Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) in spring 2021. Check out the highlights from CEBF 2021 here. And here are the fabulous webinars we held, including talks by David Sibley on bird flight, Marta Curti on the Ridgway’s Hawk, and many more.
Our conference theme refers to our optimism that we can revitalize our science and community. Our meeting location, Puerto Rico, is a symbol of perseverance and revival. We gather together to support and reconnect after our shared struggles during the global pandemic and to forge a path towards recovery.
We will be flying together! For the first time, the American Ornithological Society (AOS) and BirdsCaribbean will host a joint conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from 27 June to 2 July, 2022, partnering with local hosts Para la Naturaleza and Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña. Held under the theme, “On the Wings of Recovery: Resilience and Action,” the conference will mark the 140th Annual Meeting of the AOS and the 23rd International Conference of BirdsCaribbean.
The conference will bring together ornithologists, wildlife professionals, educators, community leaders, students, and others to share information and learn about the latest research and innovative initiatives to conserve birds and their habitats. There will be exciting keynote and plenary speakers, symposia, workshops, roundtable discussions, contributed papers, and posters. In addition, we will have a variety of exhibitors from the commercial, non-profit, and government sectors. We will also host a series of daily, fun networking events for you to make new connections and reconnect with colleagues. Finally, numerous field trips will be offered to give you a chance to explore and bird in fabulous Puerto Rico. We are looking forward to meeting in person!*
Latest News and Updates
Registration is now open: You can register for the conference at this link!
The call for abstracts for oral presentations and posters has closed.
Workshops and Training Opportunities: See the list of full list of exciting and invaluable learning opportunities here. Most workshops will be held on Monday, 27 June, the day before the conference paper sessions begin, however, two workshops will be held during the conference, and one on Saturday, July 2nd, after the conference ends on July 1st.
Symposia: Check this link to see the symposia that have been accepted for the conference – there are 4 symposia that are focussed on the Caribbean and many others that will be of interest to all. If you’ve been invited to give a talk in a symposia, be sure to submit your abstract by the March 8th deadline.
Travel Support: Thanks to generous donors and sponsors, some funding will be available to assist students, post-docs, early career professionals, and Caribbean nationals with travel costs to the conference. There is also a category in support of D&I (Diversity and Inclusion) participation and participation by Puerto Ricans. Click here to learn about the Travel Awards and submit an application!Note that although you don’t have to give a paper or poster at the conference to apply for travel support, those persons who are giving a paper or poster or contributing in some way to the conference program will be strongly favored for award selection.
Round-tables: Check out the interesting Round-tables on the conference schedule here.
Silent Auction: This event is a tradition at our BirdsCaribbean conferences. Learn more about it at this link! Please bring at least one awesome item to donate to the auction and bring some money to shop. It’s all for a great cause – supporting travel of Caribbean nationals and students to attend our conference!!!
All of BirdsCaribbean’s Working Groups (Endangered and Threatened Species, Seabirds, Waterbirds, West Indian Duck and Wetlands, Diablotin/ Black-capped Petrel, Monitoring, Bird Education, Checklist, Media, Caribbean Parrots, etc.) will be meeting at the conference – we need everyone there to share your work and plan activities!!! Travel Visa Application Letter of Invitation – If you are a resident of a country outside of the United States and need a letter of invitation to the AOS & BC 2022 conference for a travel visa application, please fill out the form on this page. Please allow up to five business days for your request to be processed. Mark your calendars and plan to join us on the beautiful tropical island of Puerto Rico, one of the four islands of the Greater Antilles, in a region which is one of the top five hotspots of endemism in plant and vertebrate species globally. Puerto Rico is home to 370 bird species, with 17 out of the 171 endemic species of the region. Its intriguing landscapes – from mangrove wetlands to beaches to rainforests – are there to be enjoyed.
Field Trips: Conference partners and local hosts, Para la Naturaleza (PLN) and the Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña, Inc. (SOPI), have organized field trips across the island. Field trips are available before, during and after the conference. Learn more here. Note that registration for field trips is separate from conference registration.
Conference logo celebrates theme: “On the Wings of Recovery: Resilience and Action”
Now let us take a closer look at the conference logo. Designed by the super-talented young artist and biologist Josmar Esteban Marquez, the logo reflects the theme, depicting six of Puerto Rico’s 17 endemic species or subspecies and one regional endemic. These include the Puerto Rican Parrot (Iguaca) which has made a remarkable recovery since 1975, when only a handful remained in the wild. There are now over 500, thanks to captive breeding and the release of individuals into their forest habitat, with more than half now reproducing in the wild. What an example of resiliency!
Here are the species so beautifully depicted in our logo, from left to right:
The Elfin-woods Warbler (Setophaga angelae) is a dainty, mostly black and white warbler, endemic to a few forested areas on the island such as the El Yunque. It was first discovered by ornithologists in 1969! Its call is not as musical as you might expect, but territorial pairs do sing duets while defending territory – and they apparently mate for life.
The Puerto Rican Nightjar (Antrostomus noctitherus) is an Endangered endemic species. The males sing throughout the year and during the breeding season they incubate young on the ground in the daytime. They are more abundant in the upland forest in and around the Guánica Biosphere Reserve, where they feed on insects under the canopy during the night.
The Yellow-shouldered Blackbird, (Agelaius xanthomus), locally named “Mariquita,” is another Endangered endemic species mainly to be found in the mangrove zone of southwestern Puerto Rico and on Mona Island. It has suffered greatly from brood parasitism by the invasive Shiny Cowbird, which lays its eggs in the Blackbird’s nests. The blackbird has many displays and vocalizations and usually walks on the ground.
The elegant West Indian Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna arborea) is endemic to the Caribbean region and one of the rarest ducks in the Americas – despite being down-listed to Vulnerable status in 2019 by BirdLife International. It can be found in freshwater and saline wetlands, including coastal mangroves, lagoons, and tidal flats, and forages for berries, seeds and grain, mostly at night.
The Critically Endangered Puerto Rican Parrot (Amazona vittata) is a beautiful endemic species threatened by predation, the caged bird trade, and natural disasters such as hurricanes; but is benefiting greatly from the ongoing recovery program. It is almost entirely green, with blue-edged wings and a bright red frontal band.
An endemic species, the Puerto Rican Tody (Todus mexicanus) is called San Pedrito, Medio peso, and Papagayo locally. This bright gem of a bird lives in wooded areas from the coast to mountainous areas and often makes itself heard. It nests in burrows in earth banks.
The Puerto Rican Sharp-shinned Hawk, (Accipiter striatus venator), an endemic subspecies, is a rare sight, best spotted in the Toro Negro and Maricao forests. A solitary, rather secretive hawk with a small head and large eyes, it usually launches surprise attacks on its prey from the air, but will also pursue prey on the ground.
As we have already noted, habitat destruction for urban developments and agriculture has been a contributing factor to the declining numbers of these species, as well as predation by invasive species. In recent years, the increased frequency and severity of tropical storms (such as Hurricanes Irma and María in 2017) and other impacts of climate change have also created problems for humans and wildlife in general. Puerto Rico’s endemics and other bird species face many challenges.
At our joint conference in San Juan, we will discuss actions to be taken to boost the resilience of these and other birds, and to give them “wings of recovery!” We look forward to having you join us, as we strategize for a better tomorrow – not only for the island’s wonderful birds, but for those across the Americas!
*NOTE: We are closely monitoring current pandemic conditions and will follow guidance and ordinances provided by local health authorities regarding travel, masking, and social-distancing requirements during the conference. All attendees of AOS & BC 2022 will be required to be fully vaccinated, as defined by U.S. Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) guidelines. Conference hashtag: #AOS_BC_22 https://youtu.be/5YsUEviRYiw
BirdsCaribbean is excited to invite applications to participate in a 5-day training workshop focused on bird banding, an important tool for research and monitoring! Through a blend of classroom and field-based activities, participants will learn about the basics of bird banding, from setting up a mist net to examining molt patterns.
We’ll also discuss and demonstrate some of the benefits of joining our new Caribbean Bird Banding Network. In partnership with the Bahamas National Trust, the workshop will take place at The Retreat Garden in Nassau, The Bahamas from March 8-12, 2022.
Why do we need to band birds?
Bird surveys, like those we will cover in our upcoming Landbird Monitoring Training Workshop, provide valuable information about bird communities. Bird banding is another tool that can give us deeper insight into how our birds are doing. By individually marking and assessing birds in the hand, we can collect data that can tell us about their demography and health, including: looking at fat scores and weights to assess the body condition of birds in different habitats and at different times of the year; aging birds using plumage to investigate demographic patterns; using recapture records to learn about survivorship and longevity; using the presence of breeding characteristics to understand phenology. Over the long-term, banding can also help us understand patterns and trends of bird populations.
Launching the Caribbean Bird Banding (CBB) Network
As part of BirdsCaribbean’s new Landbird Monitoring Project, we are excited to work with our partners to initiate the Caribbean Bird Banding (CBB) Network, which aims to grow and unify bird banding activities in the Caribbean. In addition to training opportunities, the CBB Network will provide:
Caribbean Bird Bands. We are creating our own bird bands to distribute to qualified banders throughout the Caribbean. Our system will be similar to the USGS system, which no longer distributes bands outside of the U.S. The bands will be stamped with contact information so that anyone who finds a band can report it and find out where it came from!
Bird Banding Database. We want to make it easy for banding data to be collected consistently across the islands, and compiled to find recaptured birds. To do so, we are developing a user-friendly bird banding database that can be used by CBB banders.
Connection. We also want to facilitate communication and collaboration among bird banders throughout the Caribbean. We will work with members of the CBB to set up chats (e.g., WhatsApp) where banders can share information and ask questions, whether it be about molt patterns for resident species or sex and age of a rare migratory bird captured We will also include our banding partners on the CBB website (coming soon!) so that those looking to collaborate or volunteer with banders in the Caribbean can easily find this information.
About the workshop
This workshop is designed for Caribbean wildlife professionals and volunteers who are interested in gaining more experience with bird banding. The workshop also officially launches our Caribbean Bird Banding (CBB) Network! This workshop will focus on banding landbirds, although we hope to provide banding training opportunities for other bird groups in the future.
The purpose of the workshop is to:
Provide participants with a basic understanding of bird banding techniques and best practices.
Discuss what it takes to set-up and run a bird banding station.
Prepare participants for additional bird banding training and potential North American Banding Council (NABC) certifications.
Share information about the resources that will be available through the CBB Network.
Our banding trainer, Holly Garrod, banding a Tody in the Dominican Republic for her M.S. thesis research.
Several NABC-certified trainers will share their knowledge in the classroom, at the mist net, and at the banding table, covering topics like:
Proper set-up and placement of a mist-net
Extracting birds from mist-nets using the body-grasp technique
Starting a banding station
Bird first-aid and safety
Bird banding ethics and basics
Using bird banding for education and public demonstrations
Aging birds using both WRP and Howell-Pyle terminology
Molt patterns
Bird banding is a complex skill to learn. This workshop is intended to be a starting point, and participants should not expect to leave the workshop with the necessary qualifications to band birds independently. To become fully immersed and practice what was learned at the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to be considered for a bird banding internship at one of several bird observatories in the U.S. and Canada. Following this, we are aiming for interns to continue working with a trainer in the Caribbean, providing the opportunity to band Caribbean species and include additional local professionals and volunteers in bird banding activities.
In an effort to decrease the amount of time spent in the classroom, some workshop sessions will be held virtually prior to the in-person workshop. These virtual sessions will also be made available to a wider audience. Stay tuned for more information!
Funding and logistics
We are aiming to include approximately 12 participants in this workshop. BirdsCaribbean has limited funding to cover the cost of travel, meals, accommodation, and workshop materials. Participants who are able to contribute all or part of their costs can help us enhance the workshop content and allow us to include additional participants/trainers. Participants should plan to arrive in The Bahamas on March 7 and depart on March 13.
COVID-19 Policy: BirdsCaribbean is committed to the safety of all workshop participants, trainers, and local communities. Proof of full vaccination will be required to participate in this workshop. Additional guidelines (e.g., negative tests, masks) will be provided to participants prior to the start of the workshop based on the most updated information.
Applications
If you are interested in participating in this workshop, please fill out this form by 5 PM EST on January 13th, 2022. (note: this workshop opportunity was posted on our BirdsCaribbean listserve in December; if you are not on this groups.io listserve, please consider signing up to receive announcements about workshops and other opportunities and bird news. Thanks!)
Participants and facilitators enjoying a birding walk at The Retreat, Bahamas National Trust, Nassau, Bahamas.
The Retreat Garden is a national park located in Nassau, The Bahamas. The 11-acre botanical garden was the previous headquarters for the Bahamas National Trust, showcasing a mix of rare native and exotic plants. Resident and migratory birds are drawn to this oasis, making it the most popular birding spot on the island. In particular, participants can expect to see many migratory warbler species (hopefully, in the hand!), such as the Prairie Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, and Worm-eating Warbler.
If you have any questions, please send an email to:
A smiling young man walks through a field, carrying a dozen home-made cages on his back and in his hands, each packed with birds from the wild. A hot urban rooftop is crowded with some fifty cages filled with birds for sale. A child holds up a tiny cage holding a new pet, an Indigo Bunting trapped as it was migrating south. A Facebook page with thousands of subscribers advertises the sale of 39 freshly caught Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. These are some of the images of wild bird trafficking on the island of Cuba.
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Young man walking in field carrying many cages, full of wild-trapped birds.
Many bird cages on a hot rooftop, holding birds trapped from the wild.
A young boy holding a Juvenile Painted bunting in a small cage
A Facebook page with thousands of subscribers announces the sale of 39 recently caught Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. Community birding groups are vigilant and report illegal trapping activities on social media to the authorities.
BirdsCaribbean is deeply concerned over the illegal capture and trafficking of wild birds in Cuba, which has greatly increased over the last two years. We are appealing to the Cuban Government to do much more to protect their resident and migratory wildlife, a vital piece of their natural heritage and national pride. The international conservation community can help with this vital work; sharing methods to stop illegal trapping that have been been successful in other parts of the world.
Catching and keeping wild birds in cages is a common and widespread tradition in Cuba that dates back to the colonial days of Spanish rule. The birds, including migrants, residents, and endemics, were kept as pets in families and communities. In recent years, however, with the advent of social media in Cuba and especially as economic conditions deteriorated due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the strengthening of the US blockade of Cuba (causing the worst economic and humanitarian crisis in recent history), the trapping of wild birds has increased dramatically. Trapping and selling birds offers an opportunity for residents to substantially boost their income, including among younger Cuban citizens.
A trapped Painted Bunting (male) in the hand and in a cage. The Painted Bunting, one of the most popular birds for trappers in Cuba, is on the US Fish and Wildlife Service Birds of Conservation Concern List 2021. This means that the species is seriously declining and could become Endangered if conservation actions are not taken soon.
With the rise in social media, the selling of wild birds has expanded dramatically online (via Facebook and WhatsApp), with trappers able to market their birds to a much larger audience. It has also taken a more sinister turn, becoming a part of the deadly but highly profitable global wildlife trade. In other words, Cuba’s trade in trapped birds has gone international. There is great demand for the birds among the Cuban-American community in Florida, and several shipments from Cuba have been seized at the airports in Miami and Cuba. In Miami, high figures (e.g. $500) are paid for a Cuban Bullfinch (Negrito) or a Cuban Grassquit (Tomeguín del Pinar).
According to a May 2021 report published by TRAFFIC, a non-governmental organization that works globally on wild animal and plant trade, the most commonly trafficked animals in Latin America and the Caribbean by air during the last decade were birds – linking no less than 53 countries globally. International bird smugglers not only ply their trade via air. In many cases there are links with organized crime networks that arrange different routes and methods of transportation to avoid law enforcement agencies. Tracking seizures where wildlife was hidden on the trafficker’s body or in their personal effects, at least 77% were live animals. Birds made up 92% of seizures in this category – approximately one third of them songbirds.
Shocking numbers of trapped birds revealed by social media
Moreover, this escalation of the illegal trade comes at a time when the clear and present danger presented by climate change and resulting extreme weather events, as well as habitat loss and other factors, is impacting Caribbean birds’ very survival. The November issue of The Cuban Birder included a list of 36 Facebook groups that are openly selling wild birds – each group composed of from a few hundred up to 49,000 members. Reviewing these Facebook pages shows alarming facts – the birds on sale are often kept in poor and inhumane conditions and the incidents of bird captures very likely adds up to tens of thousands of birds caught each season.
BirdsCaribbean monitored one of these Facebook groups (with 46,000 members) for the month of October 2021, recording the daily catches posted by bird trappers. Our data shows that among the posts uploaded by 356 members, the following birds were trapped: 2,041 Indigo Buntings, 785 Painted Buntings, 235 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and many others – totaling 3,270 birds from 28 different species. This data is from just one month and for one of 36 Facebook groups, and it includes only catches that are posted online. Although we think this is the largest Facebook group, there are 35 other groups across different regions of Cuba.
Undoubtedly, the number of birds trapped annually can be estimated in the tens of thousands – and that is most likely a conservative estimate. Moreover, transactions are also made via WhatsApp groups, which are not easy to track. It should be noted that Facebook groups can be reported for their illegal activities.
“Monitoring a single Facebook group for one month, our data shows that a total of 3,270 birds of 28 different species were trapped.”
A tragically long list of captured species
A line of cages containing Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. These are USFWS Birds of Conservation Concern, meaning populations are declining and the species could become Endangered if conservation actions are not taken.
Ironically, the trappers refer to themselves as “bird watchers” and they are unaware that these migratory birds are also Cuban; they boast of being able to capture them because they are not Cuban. Some of these birds spend more time in Cuba than on the mainland and play an important role in the ecological balance of the island. Other species use Cuba as an important stopover site to rest and refuel during their long migrations to countries in Central and South America. This makes the Cuban archipelago a critical area for the conservation of species, since the survival of each of these birds depends on it.
Trappers prefer the male birds, resulting in an imbalance in the sexes of remaining breeding populations. Birds are caught primarily in mist nets, cages, and lyres. The latter is a stick/ perch smeared with a sticky glue-like Ficus tree resin; when the bird lands it becomes trapped on the resin. Of the birds that are captured, migratory birds are often targeted. Note that migratory bird species make up approximately 70% of Cuba’s total bird population and spend at least half of each year on the island.
Endemic and resident birds are also being trapped; these are iconic species for the island, and an invaluable part of Cuba’s magnificent landscapes and natural heritage. Here is a list of the dozens of species that fall victim to trappers and hunters on the island. We also provide this list in a spreadsheet with more detailed information on the status of each species (residence, abundance, and breeding status in the West Indies from The Checklist of the Birds of the West Indies; conservation status according to the US Fish & Wildlife Service “Birds of Conservation Concern List 2021,” and conservation status according to the IUCN Red List). Data are from the 3 websites that are linked here.
Here is a list of the dozens of species that fall victim to trappers or hunters on the island. Only 3 species are legal to hunt; Blue-winged Teal, Mourning Dove and Wilson’s Snipe. Many birds, like ducks and pigeons, are hunted and trapped illegally (e.g., with big nets) to sell for their meat. Raptors are sometimes killed because they prey on free-roaming chickens, a common issue in many countries.
Among the most popular for the bird trade are migratory songbirds like the Indigo Bunting, a beautiful little bird with a melodious song; the brilliantly colored Painted Bunting, and the Rose-breasted Grosbeak. The Cuban Bullfinch, an endemic species that also sings sweetly is among those most in demand and frequently captured. Other popular captured species include the Blue Grosbeak, Baltimore Oriole, Summer Tanager, Scarlet Tanager, Summer Tanager, Cape May Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Cuban Grassquit, Yellow-faced Grassquit, and Northern Mockingbird. The colorful Cuban Parrot and the Cuban Parakeet are also popular caged birds. The list is heartbreakingly long.
Many of these birds have been declining and some of the trapped migrants are on the US Fish and Wildlife Birds of Conservation Concern List 2021 (BCC 2021). The BCC 2021 designates species that are the highest conservation priority, i.e., species that are likely to become candidates for listing under the Endangered Species Act if conservation action is not taken quickly.
In the autumn months, many casualties fall due to cruel methods
Criminal trappers use the autumn migration months (September, October, and November), with peak activity in mid-October when large flocks of Nearctic migratory birds arrive on Cuba’s coasts, tired and hungry. Some of these birds will be winter residents while others are passing through Cuba and refueling before heading further south. Unfortunately, they all create an opportunity for these trappers to catch thousands of them each season. The trappers hide in area where the birds come to rest in the early hours of the morning loaded with cages, lures, lyres, and mist nets (which they are able to purchase online). Trapping continues throughout winter and increases again in the spring, to trap migrants returning north for the breeding season.
During trapping birds can get badly injured, this songbird (left) has died, on the right is a trapped Smoot-billed Ani in the hand. Our Cuban colleagues have noticed that many of the bird species that are trapped are declining; even the trappers say there are not as many birds as in the past, although individuals can still catch dozens or more during fallouts.
While the trapping itself removes many live birds from the wild, there is also a considerable fatality rate that occurs during the process. For example, when a strong glue is used and spread along a branch (i.e., lyre trap), many entrapped birds break or lose a leg or feathers in their struggle to escape and are left to die. Those that survive being trapped are still vulnerable to other risks. Testosterone is injected into birds to make them molt and sing for Singing Competitions, which can be lethal. Other inhumane practices have also been documented, including gouging out the eyes of birds to stress them into singing more.
Unfortunately, the sacred rituals of the Afro-Cuban religion, Santería, has added to the problem. In 2018 one authority posted a video showing 175 dead birds, which included 37 species, at least 7 of which were endemic (19 dead Cuban Trogons), confiscated from someone selling the birds to be used in Santería ceremonies.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez has himself stated on his twitter feed that eradicating wildlife trafficking is among his environmental goals. Indeed, pursuing this goal will also help to enhance the reputation of the island as a country that seeks to conserve its amazing natural heritage, as it already does with its many National Parks and Protected Areas.
And not all is bad. There are some new domestic laws to be praised, including the recently passed Animal Welfare Decree-Law. In addition, fines have been increased for wildlife trafficking. Along with several other pieces of legislation in earlier years, this should provide a good regulatory framework for the protection of birds and other animals and is certainly a step in the right direction. The local government in Old Havana also banned caged birds in private businesses in September 2019.
However, as is evident from the photos and posts on dozens of social media groups, the laws that protect wild birds are not being enforced nearly enough. Trapping activities are rampant. Trappers and buyers are openly doing business with little or no fear of being caught, or facing meaningful consequences or penalties (e.g, arrest and prosecution). As a contracting party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) since 1990, it is also important for the Cuban Government to show their law enforcement agencies are enforcing international laws protecting birds from trafficking.
The potential of eco-tourism as an alternative
Enjoying a great view of waterbirds at Las Salinas, Zapata Swamp, BirdsCaribbean Cuba Bird Tour, part of our Caribbean Birding Trail Program (photo by Garry Donaldson)
In a positive move, Cuba opened its doors to tourism again on 15 November 2021 and now has a vaccination rate among its population of >84% (as of December 15th). Ongoing and amplified efforts to raise environmental awareness should be extended to visitors arriving to Cuba. Cuba has so much to be proud of in terms of its remarkable biodiversity and variety of natural habitats. Thus, various forms of community-based tourism including bird and nature tours could be expanded as alternative livelihoods, catering to an increasingly environmentally conscious tourism market that is willing to pay for the unique Cuban nature and culture experience. The sight of traffickers swarming the streets with cages of wild birds and caged birds in many homes and businesses has tarnished the image of Cuba in the eyes of international visitors, and will continue to do harm to that image.
Efforts to combat the problem must continue
Education campaign T-Shirts with artwork by Arnaldo Toledo. Thanks to Optics for the Tropics and others for assisting with this initiative and our Cuban colleagues for their dedicated efforts.
We would like to recognize, with gratitude, that a group of dedicated Cuban ornithologists and conservationists have been working diligently on the caged bird issue for many years. The need for an intensive environmental education campaign, not only in schools but also in communities and national media has long been recognized.
More recently, at the BirdsCaribbean 2017 conference in Cuba, a workshop was held on the issue. Strategies and actions to address the problems were discussed and a Caged Bird Working Group was formed.
Since then, some positive actions have been taken. Special artwork by a Cuban artist was commissioned to support an education campaign that included the production of hundreds of t-shirts for children and community members. A brochure and series of attractive posters conveying the message that trapping of wild birds is illegal were printed and distributed and a documentary Aves de Cuba that included information on the caged bird threat was shared on Cuban television. Cuban conservationists have written letters and made phone calls to the authorities reporting trapping activities, and customs officers have been trained and supplied with an identification guide Aves Silvestres más capturadas ilegalmente en Cuba: Guía de identificación. Cuban citizens have also been speaking out against the trapping on social media, helping to promote discussion and raise awareness.
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In addition, our Cuban colleagues also participate in BirdsCaribbean’s Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival and World Migratory Bird Day celebrations every year, carrying out their own Festival de las Aves Endemicas del Caribe en Cuba. They also participate in Global Big Day birding and have produced videos for national television and social media, all to promote a culture of bird conservation and encourage citizen science bird monitoring through eBird. All this work, whether by individuals or the group, must continue and education in schools and public awareness efforts must be expanded.
So, why is this not enough?
Trapping of wild birds has become so widespread, with the sale of wild birds taking place openly, that the outreach efforts by our Cuban colleagues are simply not enough to stop or even slow the problem. The shocking implications of our survey of Facebook showing rampant bird captures and sales underlines the urgent need for more concerted efforts to enforce the laws, and to prevent the trappers from continuing (and expanding) their activities without any consequences. For example, local police could be charged with stopping trappers (a common site in Cuba), releasing the birds they’ve caught, destroying their cages, and imposing the fine. (Click on images to enlarge and scroll through gallery)
Two young men on motorbike with lots of cages
A large number of Painted Buntings held in a cage. This species is on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2021 List of Birds of Conservation Concern.
Boys with a juvenile painted bunting in a small box. More and more children are involved in catching birds.
Our colleagues’s efforts to educate about the issue must also be greatly expanded, through environmental education in schools, and through campaigns and public awareness programs in communities, and on radio and television. These will help citizens recognize that birds are essential for myriad ecosystem services that are critical for the health of communities and their quality of life. Cubans of all ages can become better connected with the value of their native wildlife through activities such as planting bird-friendly yards, offering communities and schools connectivity with local birdwatching trips, and making bird feeders to enjoy birds while keeping them wild.
We need to invest in training for alternative livelihoods and activities that provide incentives for protecting wildlife instead of destroying it, such as more community-based tourism that includes bird and nature guides, and bird monitoring and banding programs. The support of the international conservation community and fundraising agencies are urgently needed for all this work.
Let’s protect and enjoy our birds…more free, more beautiful! #MásLibresMásBellas
Artwork by Arnaldo Toledo
While some people like to admire birds in cages, these birds are so much more beautiful when seen wild and free, flying through the forest and in our parks and gardens. Greater efforts are needed to protect them by enforcing the laws that are in place. We do not want these wonderful bird species to reach the “point of no return.” We are urgently appealing to the Cuban Government to express its national pride in its biodiversity by doing more to enforce its environmental laws.
We ask the international conservation community to help Cuba in its efforts to put a stop to bird trapping and trafficking. Efforts to raise the level of education and awareness of Cuba’s beautiful and unique bird species – many of which are seriously declining in numbers – must also continue.
BirdsCaribbean supports ongoing conservation, education and alternative livelihood training efforts in Cuba, and would like to continue doing so. Among other initiatives, there is a plan to establish birding clubs in each province. We also aim to provide more binoculars and educational materials to our partners, to assist them in reaching more communities and youth, and to gather more data on the extent and impacts of trapping. If you would like to help us in this work, please donate here.Cuba’s amazing endemic birds and our shared migrants will be grateful!
click on images to enlarge and scroll through the gallery and see videos below
Painted Bunting (male) in a tiny cage.
Fourteen cages containing trapped wild birds.
Three young bird trappers holding Painted Buntings- two males and one female
A caged Painted Bunting
Northern Parula (male), a migratory warbler in the hand of a trapper.
Trapped Rose-breasted Grosbeaks kept in captivity. This species is on the USFWS Birds of Conservation Concern List 2021.
A Painted Bunting being held in a plastic bag, December 2021
Educational brochure – page 2
Father and son with a juvenile Indigo Bunting
Homemade bird cages, almost finished, shown on Facebook.
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks for sale
Trapped Painted Buntings being kept in a cage, Spring 2021
Two young men on a motorbike carrying mang cages with birds in
Summer Tanager (female) illegally captured in Cuba.
A Western Spindalis, a Caribbean endemic, in the hand.
Young boy holding a juvenile male Painted Bunting
Five male Summer Tanagers illegally captured in Cuba.
A young Gundlach’s Hawk, endemic to Cuba and Endangered. This bird was captured by someone who illegally cut down the tree and destroyed the nest. The hawk chick was sold to someone else and is being kept in terrible conditions.
Cuban Bullfinches for sale.
The Yellow-throated Warbler is a popular bird for hunters, watch the video of more than 130 specimens in a cage.
Cape May Warbler (male) in the hand of a trapper. This species is on the USFWS Birds of Conservation Concern List 2021.
Male Painted Buntings and Indigo Bunting being kept in a cage
A Prothonotary Warbler, trapped and held in captivity. This species is on the USFWS 2021 List of Birds of Conservation Concern.
Indigo Buntings, Cuban-Grassquits, Cuban-Bullfinches for sale to a private buyer.
American Kestrel in a small cage.
Images of a hormone product that trappers inject into birds to make them sing. Hunters sell it on Facebook to other hunters.
There are over 50 Painted Buntings in this cage in Cuba in January.
Trapper holding two Black-throated Blue Warblers
A Cuban Grassquit whose feathers have been plucked to apply a chemical product and make it fight.
Line of small cages holding Rose-breasted Grosbeaks
Young boy carrying many bird cages on his back
A tweet about some bird hunters who were captured, showing the cages that were destroyed by law enforcement officers.
Cuban Parrot chicks, stolen from a nest in the wild, to be sold on the black market. This species is classified as Near Threatened.
Many birds in cages for sale in Miami, FL.
Painted Buntings for sale in Miami, Florida.
American Redstart (male) in the hand of a trapper.
Young trapper holding three juvenile Painted Buntings
Educational brochure – page 1
The sign reads: “It is not an empty cage, it is a free bird!!”
Cape May Warbler (female or immature). This species is on the USFWS 2021 List of Birds of Conservation Concern.
Young trappers with Painted Buntings in cages
Group of nine men with their birds in cages
This person is advertising cages, birds and bird food for sale. His property is a business with all the tools needed to manufacture cages in good quantities. He shows the process of making the cages.
“The complete collection of birds of prey that I have at the moment …1 Gundlach’s hawk, 2 Bare-legged owls, 2-3 Red-tailed hawks…”
An Ovenbird, a migratory warbler, in the hand.
A post on Facebook advertising birds for sale
Two immature Painted Buntings in a cage and a young trapper holding a bird
Painted Buntings crammed into a tiny home-made cage
Mist-net purchased online by trapper, shown on his Facebook – these nylon mist-nets are harmful to small songbirds.
There are over 50 Painted Buntings in this cage in Cuba in January.
Caption: “It died when I took it in my hand taking it out of the aviary to throw it into a cage until it got wet and everything but nothing, what could have happened? Greetings and thank you.”
A male Painted Bunting, suffering from some disease, in captivity.
A man walks down a dirt road carrying several cages with birds
The Cuban president shares a tweet about bird trapping
Ovenbird, a migratory warbler, in the hands of a trapper.
Young man with lots of cages
Posting birds for sale on Facebook, February 2020.
BirdsCaribbean is excited to invite applications to participate in a 5-day training workshop focused on the monitoring and conservation of landbirds in the Caribbean. Through a blend of classroom and field-based activities, this comprehensive workshop will cover landbird identification, monitoring techniques, eBird data entry, basic data analysis, and more. The workshop will take place at Rancho Baiguate in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic from February 16-20, 2022.
This training workshop is part of BirdsCaribbean’s new project that aims to build capacity to monitor and conserve landbirds in the Caribbean. The long-term goal of this project is to enhance full life cycle conservation of Caribbean landbirds. Working with our many partners, we will build regional networks to increase awareness and appreciation of our landbirds and enable on-the ground conservation actions, including protecting, managing, and restoring important habitats.
We know that this dream can become a reality. We have seen the impact of bird monitoring initiatives like the Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC), which has provided novel information and helped designate and protect sites that are crucial to the survival of bird populations.
About the workshop
This “train the trainer” workshop is designed for Caribbean wildlife professionals and volunteers who are interested in expanding or establishing a landbird monitoring program.
The purpose of the workshop is to:
Share information on landbirds in the Caribbean and the threats that they face
Provide participants with the knowledge and skills to train a monitoring team and institute a sustainable, local landbird monitoring program.
Inspire and facilitate landbird monitoring and conservation efforts, including raising public awareness, alleviating threats, and managing and restoring habitats
Build a regional network of people involved in standardized monitoring and conservation of our shared landbirds
Workshop participants will learn about the Programa de América Latina para las Aves Silvestres (PROALAS) Manual bird survey protocols. Developed in Latin America to target tropical habitats, this manual includes detailed guidance on designing and implementing multi-level survey methods. The manual also incorporates the use of eBird as a user-friendly data entry and storage platform, and outlines occupancy-based analysis of monitoring data.
During daily field trips, we will practice landbird identification and survey techniques. After the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to apply for a small grant (~1k to $10k) to implement or amplify their own landbird monitoring and conservation projects.
The Cape May Warbler a declining landbird that winters in the Caribbean. (Photo by Hemant Kishan)
Dominican field crew surveying Louisiana Waterthrush. (Photo by Steve Latta)
Broad-billed Tody perched in a tree. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Topics to be covered in the 5-day workshop include:
Overview of the PROALAS Manual survey protocols
Guidance on how to design and implement a monitoring program
Field training to identify and count landbirds
Threats to landbirds and their habitats, and strategies to conserve and manage them
Case studies for successful landbird monitoring and conservation
Data entry and use of e-bird as a data storage platform
Basic analysis of monitoring data
In an effort to decrease the amount of time spent in the classroom, some workshop sessions will be held virtually prior to the in-person workshop. These virtual sessions will also be made available to a wider audience. Stay tuned for more information!
Funding and logistics
We are aiming to include approximately 24 participants in this workshop. BirdsCaribbean has limited funding to cover the cost of travel, meals, accommodation, and workshop materials. Participants who are able to contribute all or part of their costs can help us enhance the workshop content and allow us to include additional participants/trainers. Participants should plan to arrive in the Dominican Republic on February 15th and depart on February 21st.
COVID-19 Policy: BirdsCaribbean is committed to the safety of all workshop participants, trainers, and local communities. Proof of full vaccination will be required to participate in this workshop. Additional guidelines (e.g., negative tests, masks) will be provided to participants prior to the start of the workshop based on the most updated information.
If you are interested in participating in this workshop, please fill out this form by 5 PM EST on December 10, 2021.
Rancho Baiguate is an eco-lodge in the Jarabacoa valley of the Cordillera Central of the Dominican Republic. At 500m elevation, Jarabacoa is known as the “city of eternal spring,” with warm sunny days and cool refreshing evenings. Rancho Baiguate is located on the Rio Baiguate, where participants can walk through restored riparian tropical forest and mixed edge habitat within sustainable agriculture. Birds abound in these varied habitats, and participants will easily see many of Hispaniola’s charismatic endemic bird species, including the two beloved todies (Broad-billed Tody and Narrow-billed Tody) and the national bird, the Palmchat. The town of Jarabacoa is an easy 5 minute drive from the lodge, and participants can visit any of the three stunning waterfalls nearby. Field trips may include visits to nearby reserves such as Ebano Verde. After the workshop, participants are welcome to extend their stay and try any of Rancho Baiguate’s adventurous activities including white water rafting, canyoning, or horse back riding. Come learn more about landbird monitoring with some of the Dominican Republic’s finest birds!
We are very excited to announce we have a new full-time staff member joining us at BirdsCaribbean!
Meet Tahira Carter who is joining BirdsCaribbean as our new Communications Manager
We would like you to meet our new Communications Manager: Tahira Carter! Tahira is a national of Grenada. She is an award-winning bilingual communications professional with over seven years’ experience in the media industry.
As our Communications Manager, Tahira will oversee BirdsCaribbean’s communications, marketing, and public relations efforts to raise awareness and support for BirdsCaribbean’s mission, projects and programs. Commented Executive Director, Lisa Sorenson, “Tahira has outstanding experience as a public relations specialist and marketing strategist and she has many related skills to support our work. We are thrilled to have her join our staff.”
Tahira holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Science from Cameron University and a Master of Arts in Diplomacy and International Relations from the Diplomatic School of Spain.
Passionate about the development of the Caribbean region, Tahira’s professional portfolio includes work experience in both the public and private sectors, using her expertise in the areas of strategic communications and public relations to effect change at a policy and grassroots level.
Most recently, Tahira held the posts of Senior Communications Specialist and Acting Head of Communications at the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission, based in Saint Lucia, where she was an integral partner to government and regional agencies over the past five years.
Tahira is excited to be returning to her home country of Grenada as she begins work with BirdsCaribbean (officially starting December 1st). Environmental sustainability has been at the forefront of Tahira’s interests, and much of her work at OECS. She is very excited to fully dive into this with BirdsCaribbean.
Tahira is also looking forward to learning more about birds, bird conservation, our partners, and the work we’ve been doing within the Caribbean. She commented that she is, “very excited to work with us and meet as many of us as possible in the weeks and months ahead!”
In her spare time, Tahira enjoys exploring her island home, hiking, bird watching, and scuba diving. She also donates her time and expertise by providing volunteer support to environmental conservation initiatives.
Let’s give a warm Caribbean welcome to Tahira! Welcome to the flock!!
Our new video, “Caribbean Shorebirds Under Fire,” is the fourth in our series on the plight of our shorebirds, which are facing a drastic decline in numbers. This video highlights the need for well-regulated, sustainable hunting on several Caribbean islands where it is a traditional way of life. It can be disturbing, but we are looking for the way forward. We owe it to our beautiful shorebirds. We hope you will watch, share, and help us find solutions. Content Warning: Birds that have been shot.
Hunting has a strong tradition in the Caribbean, with shorebird hunting being especially prevalent on the islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Barbados.
Map of the west Indies with Guadeloupe, Martinique and Barbados highlighted. These islands are important stopover and wintering sites for hundreds of thousands of migratory shorebirds, but many are killed by hunters during migration and winter. (map by Aly Ollivierre)
For example, the history of shorebirds harvest on Barbados dates back to the to the mid-seventeenth century, in the early colonial period when Barbados was settled. As shorebirds visit the region on their fall migration and during winter, they use Caribbean wetlands to rest and refuel, take refuge from adverse weather, and as a winter home.
Some hunters – for example in Barbados – provide such habitats, managing small wetlands (“shooting swamps”) to attract shorebirds. The habitat is vitally important for tired and hungry migrant shorebirds but its use comes at a cost to the birds, as many then become the targets of sport hunting. On the islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, however, wetlands are more abundant and the opportunities for hunting shorebirds are much broader. Targeted species include Lesser Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Greater Yellowlegs, Whimbrel, and American Golden-Plover. We know that these and other shorebird populations in the Atlantic Flyway and the entire planet have drastically declined in numbers (50-90%) over the past 3 decades.
The Sad Story of Machi and Goshen
Whimbrels using a wetland on Guadeloupe. (Photo by Anthony Levesque)
Machi and Goshen were two Whimbrels fitted with satellite tracking tags by scientists at the Center for Conservation Biology. We learned that these two sturdy birds took detours around the violent tropical storms of 2011 and made their way further south through the eastern Caribbean. Machi, in particular, had taken some extraordinary trips in his lifetime, clocking many thousands of miles since he was first tagged in 2009.
But in 2011 – just ten years ago now – a sad fate awaited them. News broke that Machi had been shot by hunters at a swamp in Guadeloupe. The news of Goshen’s death, in the same area, swiftly followed. They had weathered the storms, only to end their lives at the barrel of a gun.
A Flood of Letters, and a Change in Guadeloupe
A Hudsonian Godwit as part of a hunters bag on Guadeloupe. (Photo by Anthony Levesque)
At the time, hunting in Guadeloupe and nearby Martinique had few or no regulations on which species could be shot, how many could be shot, or the number of days hunting was allowed. With the spotlight on the issue of shorebird hunting, BirdsCaribbean (then the SCSCB – Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds) and partners organized a letter writing campaign. Letters went out in the hundreds – to decision makers in the environmental departments of the French Government, as well as to other key institutions and international organizations. Please, make the harvest of shorebirds more sustainable, the letters urged.
After this campaign, some positive progress was made to Guadeloupe’s hunting regulations. In 2012 and 2013 Red Knot and Solitary Sandpipers were removed from the list of shorebirds that could be hunted. Daily bag limits (20 shorebirds per hunter per day) were introduced and regulations set specific days when hunting was not permitted, giving shorebirds some respite.
On Martinique Red Knots were also removed from the hunting list. However, no bag limits or ‘days off’ were set. It was also clear that on both islands, many declining and threatened shorebird species were still being shot by hunters in numbers that might not be sustainable.
We Must Celebrate the Successes!
So…let’s look at the positives.
Each year in Guadeloupe and Martinique hunting regulations are set by decree (separately for each island). In 2021, besides previous restrictions, shooting of Whimbrels on Guadeloupe was not permitted and the hunting of Hudsonian Godwits was set at two per day. On Martinique shorebird hunting was still allowed for 206 days of the year, with no ‘days off’ from hunting. Although some bag limits were set on Martinique, most were deemed by conservationists to be too high to be sustainable.
A Shooting Swamp on Martinique. (Photo by Yves Aubry)
In the fall of 2021, an alliance of nature protection groups* came together to oppose the 2021-22 decrees in both Guadeloupe and Martinique. They requested the suspension of hunting of the Hudsonian Godwit on Guadeloupe—a species of conservation concern and rare on Guadeloupe. On Martinique, they requested the suspension of hunting of 10 shorebirds and four songbirds, all with poor conservation status on the island. Many BirdsCaribbean members and partners sent in emails (over 1,000) opposing the hunting decree.
Ruling on these requests, a judge banned the hunting of five shorebirds on Martinique (Whimbrel, Hudsonian Godwit, Short-billed Dowitcher, American Golden Plover, and Black-bellied Plover). Martinique also set a bag limit of 20 Lesser Yellowlegs per day per hunter in 2020/21, the first time a restriction has been put in place for this species! On Guadeloupe the hunting of Hudsonian Godwits was also stopped.
It was not an easy task, but the efforts and passion of non-governmental organizations, their members and supporters deserves a huge pat on the back. This was a “win” for shorebirds!
Some Positive Changes to Hunting in Barbados
Hunting decoys, used to attract shorebirds, at a swamp in Barbados. (Photo by John Webster)
Barbados is a small, low-lying island on the far eastern edge of the Lesser Antilles. Because of its rather far-flung position, many shorebirds land on the island to avoid severe storms. Hunting in the early years when birds were abundant provided an opportunistic harvest of shorebirds for food and sport. Over time, opportunistic harvest transitioned to managing land to make it more attractive to shorebirds.
With few remaining natural wetlands, the shooting swamps developed by hunters on the island provide excellent habitats for shorebirds and many non-target waterbird species, both resident and migrants. They will likely rely on these managed wetlands even more in the future as severe storms and drought increase with climate change.
The good news is that shorebird hunting in Barbados has been in decline since the 1990s. A number of shooting swamps have closed, with only five active today. By the late 2000s harvesting had declined from roughly 20– 30,000 to approximately 10,000 annually. Why is this? Well, this is partly because younger people have lost interest in hunting and the cost of hunting is rising. Also, the Barbados Wildfowlers Association, representing a number of shooting swamp owners, decided to self-regulate. The Association recommended voluntary measures to reduce daily and total harvest using suggested daily and seasonal bag limits.
Refuge from the Storm for Shorebirds on Barbados?
On a small island, land and water are precious commodities. Abandoned swamps get used for other purposes, such as agriculture, reducing wetland habitats for birds. So, to maintain such habitats, shorebird refuges came into being. In 2008, the first shorebird refuge was created: Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge as a haven for shorebirds. The greater awareness and appreciation of the value of these wetlands by some members of the hunting community has also contributed to preserving some non-active shooting swamps for shorebirds. They may not be large, but they are some of the best places to observe a wonderful diversity of shorebirds and waterbirds on the island.
Woodbourne Shorebirds Refuge, Barbados. (Photo by John Webster)
Secondly, we believe that we can make a difference if conservationists and hunters work together to build a well-managed, sustainable hunting program. Historically, hunters have played an important role in conservation; for example, the nonprofit Ducks Unlimited has worked with landowners and federal and state agencies to conserve, restore, and manage millions of hectares of wetland habitats for ducks, other wildlife, and people. The dialogue among all stakeholders must continue. We all know that regulations and monitoring are essential, going forward, or the steady decline in shorebirds, most of which are migratory, will continue with disastrous results. So, enforcement of the laws that already exist, and development of future ones, is vital.
It is all doable!
Barbados Needs More Wetlands – Hunters Could Play a Role
As we have noted, Barbados does not have large natural wetlands. What they do have needs to be protected and maintained. Just as in Canada and the United States today, hunters can, and often do, play a vital role in conserving habitat. Now, will hunting become less popular as a pastime in Barbados? If so, the shooting swamps hunters created could become shorebird refuges. If a network of such wetland refuges, including former shooting swamps, could be gradually developed, how marvelous that would be for the shorebirds, for other wildlife – and for the people of Barbados. They could even be the basis for an expansion of eco-tourism, including birding trails for locals and visitors to enjoy.
Let’s Work Together
On Guadeloupe and Martinique, much work needs to be done to bring a sense of balance to the situation. Working together, conservation groups, the island governments and the hunting community can foster a less confrontational state of affairs. The work must continue, because we are all aware that this year’s ruling does not guarantee the same restrictions will apply to the 2022/23 shorebird hunting regulations.
A mixed flock of shorebirds, including Willets and Short-billed Dowitchers, enjoying a Caribbean wetland. (Photo by Ernesto Reyes)
Our shorebirds are under pressure like never before, and we must stop their precipitous decline. Shorebird hunting can be sustainable, with shorebirds thriving for everyone to enjoy. Please take a look at our latest video on shorebird hunting. We welcome your comments, suggestions and support, as we seek solutions. Please share and “like” our shorebird posts on social media.
We promise we will stay focused on this important issue for our precious shorebirds and will update you on any new developments as we go along.
It’s for the shorebirds of the Caribbean!
We thank Environment and Climate Change Canada, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Atlantic Flyways Shorebird Initiative, US Forest Service International Programs, film maker Esther Figueroa, talented photographers and videographers, and our partners, members, and donors for your generous support to create this video (fourth in a series!) and carry out Caribbean shorebird and waterbird conservation initiatives.
* Organizations asking for changes to hunting rules: AMAZONA, Association pour la Protection des Animaux Sauvages, Association pour l’Étude et la protection des Vertébrés et végétaux des petites Antilles, L’Association Francophone des Soigneurs Animaliers, Le Carouge, and Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux
To learn more about Caribbean shorebirds and our work to conserve them, check out the following articles and links therein:
Cuban birders ready for October Big Day. (Photo by Maikel Canizares-Morera)
October Big Day is a chance for people around the world a get out and count, enjoy, and celebrate birds! In this 24-hour period enthusiastic participants add their bird-sightings to eBird contributing to our knowledge of birds and our ability to help conserve them. Find out how October Big Day 2021 went and how people in the Caribbean contributed to this amazing citizen science project!
October Big Day is always special, happening during the peak of Fall migration, it is an exciting time to be out looking for birds! This year, October 9, 2021 broke records globally. Much larger numbers of birders across the Planet turned out – in total, 33,658 participants spotted 7,293 species, according to ebird.org. In the global rankings, Colombians came in first, spotting a stunning 1,347 species. There was hot competition in South and Central America, with Peru, Ecuador, Brazil and Bolivia racing to catch up. Argentina, Costa Rica, and Mexico were also among the “Bird Species Top Ten.”
How did the Caribbean do?
In total, Caribbean ebirders reported 353 species and submitted 1,093 checklists. This was an improvement from 2020, when fewer checklists (866) and slightly fewer species (344) were reported. This was likely due to restrictions related to the COVID pandemic in 2020, which have since been eased somewhat on some islands.
We always want to know who beat the competition! Well, in terms of participation Puerto Rico topped the list, with 364 checklists containing 161 species (94 species were recorded in the Cabo Rojo area). Bahamas came in second place with 131 species coming up on 192 checklists. The Cayman Islands came third, just ahead of Cuba (although the Caymans saw fewer species, the number of checklists was an impressive 114).
Caribbean regions on October Big Day ranked by number of checklists
Caribbean regions on October Big Day ranked by number of species seen
Cuban birders spotted an amazing 189 species on the day and rolled in at #52 in the overall global ranking, followed by Puerto Rico at #61. Trinidad and Tobago registered 136 species; Dominican Republic and Caribbean Netherlands did well with 129 and 78 species recorded, respectively.
Who was the top Caribbean eBirder? Well, Cuba’s Rodolfo Castro Alvarez spotted 148 species, while Julio Salgado and Eric Torres-Rivera, two birders from Puerto Rico were extremely busy. Congratulations to all and good work Caribbean eBirders!
What about the birds?
Now, a postscript on the birds. Which species do you think had the highest count? Well, our top Caribbean eBirder in Cuba logged three species of waterbird in the thousands in Pinar del Rio: the Blue-winged Teal, Double-crested Cormorant, and Short-billed Dowitcher. In New Providence, the Bahamas, 400 White-cheeked Pintail were spotted; and in North Side, Cayman Islands, over 300 Snowy Egrets were counted.
Barbados Bullfinch, one of the Caribbean Island endemics spotted. (Photo by Julian Moore)
Red-breasted Merganser, Cuba. One of the less common species spotted during October Big Day (Photo by Maikel Canizares-Morera)
Some migratory visitors. Hudsonian Godwits at Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge, Barbados. (Photo by Julian Moore)
As would be expected at this time of year migratory shorebirds and warblers featured in many of the eBird lists from the Caribbean. Many of the ‘usual suspects’ were present, such as Semipalmated Sandpipers, Hudsonian Godwits and Yellow Warblers. A few far less common visitors were spotted, such as the Red-breasted Merganser seen at Pinar del Rio in Cuba. On the Cayman Islands, Cayman Birding was 1 of 201 teams that celebrated October Big Day by participating in the Global Bird Weekend with global birding. Their 7 members, who were spread across all three islands, recorded at total of 79 species and submitted 27 checklists! Overall Caribbean Big Day birders spotted a fantastic mixture of migratory birds, residents and of course some of their island endemics! With many birders sharing their birds and birding trips on social media.
October Big Day is a milestone in the year, when migratory birds spread out across the region. The date “sticks a pin” in the calendar. We look forward to another record-breaking year in 2022 – for the Caribbean!
Thank you to all the birders across the Caribbean who took part this year whether exploring across their islands or doing some ‘back-yard’ birding you all contributed to the amazing success of October Big Day 2021! Enjoy some more of the photos and social media posts shared from across the Caribbean during October Big Day below.
Flock of flamingoes at Margarita Island, Venezuela. (Photo by Josmar Marquez)
Children celebrating World Migratory Bird Day on October Big Day Venezuela (Photo by Josmar Marquez)
Children bird watching Margarita Island, Venezuela. (Photo by Josmar Marquez)
Black-necked Stilts Anguilla. (Photo by Anguilla National Trust)
Birding by the roadside, Anguilla. (Photo by Anguilla National Trust)
Birders in action, Anguilla. (Photo by Anguilla National Trust)
Bird banding workshop being held in Venezuela. (Photo by Josmar Marquez)
Bird banding workshop being held in Venezuela. (Photo by Josmar Marquez)
Western Spindalis, spotted in Cuba during October Big Day. (Photo by Maikel Canizares)
Ruddy Turnstones, Barbados. (Photo by Julian Moore)
Red-breasted Merganser, Cuba. (Photo by Maikel Canizares-Morera)
Puerto Rican birders. (Photo by Adrianne Tossas)
Prairie Warbler, Cuba (Photo by Jorge-Uria)
Early Moring Birding at NorthSound Golf Club, Cayman Islands (Photo by Cayman Birding)
Early Moring Birding at NorthSound Golf Club, Cayman Islands (Photo by Cayman Birding)
Northern Parula, Cuba. (Photo by Jorge Uria)
Maybel Rodriguez-and Daniela Ventura at del Puerto Crocodile Lagoon Peninsula de-Guanahacabibes, Cuba
Juvenile Laughing Gull, Barbados. (Photo by Julian Moore)
Cuban birders in action. (Photo by Maikel Canizares-Morera)
Cayman Parrots. (Photo by Cayman Birding)
American Avocet, Cuba. (photo by Maikel Canizares-Morera)
All set for October Big Day in Cuba. (Photo by Maybel Maria Rogriguez-Perez)
Adrianne Tossas birding at Hacienda La Esperanza, Puerto Rico
There is no doubt that birding is all about community. We enjoy spending time together, binoculars in hand, sharing sightings and experiences, enjoying birds and nature.
But then, are we leaving some people out?
Birdability is a new non-profit organization founded by Virginia Rose, who fell off a horse at the age of 14 and has been in a wheelchair since then. She began birding 17 years ago and wanted to share her passion and joy with others with disability challenges. Inspired by movements such as #BlackBirdersWeek, Virginia founded Birdability in 2020. Its vision is that birding is for everyone – including those with disabilities and other health concerns.
The first Birdability Week (October 18 to 24, 2020) introduced the organization as not only a celebration of birders with disabilities, but as a sharing of information and resources to encourage the birding community to be more inclusive and diverse. It is supported by National Audubon in the U.S. and many other organizations and businesses.
Birdability focuses on people with mobility challenges, blindness or low vision, chronic illness, intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental illness, and those who are neurodivergent, deaf or hard of hearing, or who have other health concerns.
“At BirdsCaribbean, we welcome this ground-breaking and inspiring initiative,” says Executive Director Lisa Sorenson. “Diversity is very important to us – it enhances the birding experience for everyone. We encourage our partners across the Caribbean to reach out to different communities who may sometimes feel left out, including those with disabilities and other challenges.”
“I recall that a number of years ago, SOPI (Sociedad Ornitólogica Puertorriqueña) held a birding program for blind youth, allowing them to “see” different birds through exploring and handling carved wooden birds,” commented Lisa further. “I remember thinking what a great initiative this is, and that we need to do more of this kind of outreach.”
In her introductory talk on October 7, Birdability founder Virginia Rose shared her experiences of birding in a wheelchair, encouraging those with mobility concerns to go out and get into nature. The discussion included some important issues to be explored in more depth during Birdability Week, such as access considerations for birding locations such as making sure that trails are accessible and safe for those in wheelchairs and interpretive signs are a good height for everyone. They will also talk about adaptive birding equipment; and tips for inclusive communication and language use. You can find the full recording here.
So, if you are wondering how to get started, and to learn more about the practical aspects of “birdability,” there will be an opportunity to chat with birders and potential future birders with disabilities and other health concerns at a free webinar on Tuesday, October 19 at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The theme is “Empowering exploration: Birding with an access challenge.” This will be followed by a series of useful, instructive webinars throughout Birdability Week, ending with a guided workshop on “Slow Birding” on Sunday, October 24. You can sign up for all these fun and interesting sessions here.
Birdability Week offers the opportunity for birding groups, non-governmental organizations, and groups of family and friends to host an accessible bird outing. Lisa Sorenson comments: “With a little thought and planning, and using the great resources that Birdability offers, we can create innovative and enjoyable activities that will include more of our citizens. Let’s do it!”
Laura McDuffie, a wildlife biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Management Program, has been tracking the movements of Lesser Yellowlegs on their migration. Find out more about Laura’s work, the amazing journeys that Lesser Yellowlegs make each year and the threats they face along the way! Scroll down to see Laura’s webinar on the Lesser Yellowlegs with much more information on her research. Also check out our NEW short video on Lesser Yellowlegs and hunting in the Caribbean (below and on our YouTube).
Typically, when people think of shorebirds, they envision gangly, long-billed birds probing for invertebrates along sandy or rocky coastlines. But this is not where you are likely to find our study species, the Lesser Yellowlegs! This medium-sized shorebird breeds in the boreal forests of Alaska and Canada. They can be found in a diversity of wetland habitats during migration and overwintering in the Caribbean and Central and South America. This includes salt, brackish, and freshwater ponds and swamps, mud flats, mangroves, and other water edges. They are particularly fond of freshwater swamps and may also be found in large numbers on flooded agricultural fields (especially rice fields) if available, as in Suriname, Cuba, and Trinidad.
Shorebirds in Trouble
Over the past five decades, shorebirds have declined at an unprecedented rate. Factors causing this decline include habitat destruction and alteration, agrochemical applications, climate change, and for some shorebirds, including the Lesser Yellowlegs, unsustainable harvest at several non-breeding locations. Harvest occurs as sports hunting in the Caribbean, as well as hunting and trapping for sale as food, as a source of income in other parts of the flyway. Lesser Yellowlegs populations have declined by an alarming 63 ̶70% since the 1970s!
Keeping Track of Lesser Yellowlegs
Tagged Lesser Yellowlegs. (Photo By Laura McDuffie)
In May 2016, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Management Program began deploying tracking devices (light-level geolocators) on breeding Lesser Yellowlegs in Anchorage, Alaska. Our goal was to determine where the species occurs during the non-breeding season. In 2017, birds returned to the breeding sites. To our dismay, however, they were incredibly difficult to recapture so that we could retrieve the tags and the data. This serious predicament ultimately made us have a “rethink” about our objectives for the Program. As a result, we expanded the range of our study to include collaborations with Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska; Yellowknife, Northwest Territories; Ft. McMurray, Alberta; Churchill, Manitoba; James Bay, Ontario, and Mingan Archipelago, Quebec.
During the summers of 2018-2021, partners at Alaska Department of Fish and Game (Katherine Christie), USFWS (Christopher Harwood), Environment and Climate Change Canada (Jennie Rausch, Christian Friis, and Yves Aubrey), and Trent University (Erica Nol) deployed Lotek wireless GPS pinpoint tags on breeding adults. These tags record data via satellite so recaptures are not required! The GPS tags are accurate to ~10m, which has allowed us to examine the occurrence of Lesser Yellowlegs in countries where shorebirds are harvested. Since 2018, we have successfully deployed 115 GPS tags on Lesser Yellowlegs!
Amazing Journeys Revealed
Each bird we tag and release has their movements tracked, which mean we can identify the different countries they visit and specific sites they use during migration and overwintering. This information can help us to identify the potential bottlenecks and threats that birds experience each year.
Map showing JP’s Migration.
Here is just one amazing journey made by “JP” who was tagged in Anchorage, Alaska in 2018. The tag revealed that he travelled at least 10,576 km on his southward migration, taking in Alberta and Manitoba, Canada, and Devils Lake, North Dakota, on his way through North America. JP then spent a whole month on Barbuda! This highlights how important the Caribbean can be as a rest and refueling spot for some shorebirds. Finally, JP made it to Middenstandspolder, in Suriname, where his tag went offline in February 2019.
We don’t know why JP’s tag stopped transmitting. It was not uncommon in our study to have incomplete tracklines. For these birds, the battery of the tag may have failed, or the harness could have fallen off and left the tag lying covered in mud, unable to recharge and transmit. However, we do know that some birds don’t survive the long journey.
Thanks to strong collaborations with biologists working in the Caribbean, we were able to receive some shorebird harvest reports. In fall 2020, we learned that two of our tagged birds “O2A” and “A65” were shot by hunters in Guadeloupe and Martinique, respectively. This shows that hunting isn’t only a “predicted threat” to the birds we studied, but also a real and observed threat.
Migration map of Lesser Yellowlegs “A65” wearing a GPS tracking tag. A65 was harvested in fall 2020 in Martinique, French West Indies.
Lesser Yellowlegs with GPS tag “A65” was harvested in Martinique by a hunter on its southbound migration. We are thankful to hunters for reporting tagged birds to us!
Migration map of Lesser Yellowlegs “O2A” wearing a GPS tracking tag. O2A was harvested in fall 2020 in Guadeloupe, French West Indies.
find out more about Lesser Yellowlegs and hunting in the Caribbean in this short video
Globally, Lesser Yellowlegs are in steep decline, with likely only 400,000 individuals remaining. Our research on the species has helped identify several potential threats, but we still need to learn more about the hazards these birds face. So, we must rely on assistance from local biologists, managers, hunters, and the public in the Caribbean and beyond.
The proper management of a species ensures that it will be around for future generations to enjoy and utilize. Awareness and education about the species decline and an understanding of the threats it faces can go a long way! When the general public is aware of an issue, they are more likely to take actions. These might include helping to monitor birds, conserving local wetlands, or ensuring that hunting laws protect vulnerable species. They may even participate in scientific efforts, such as submitting shorebird harvest records to managers. Awareness, information gathering and partnerships are critical components in helping us to protect these unique shorebirds.
Laura McDuffie, in the field, with Lesser Yellowlegs chicks. (Photo by Zak Pohlen)
Laura McDuffie has been studying the breeding and migration ecology of Alaska’s shorebirds and landbirds since 2014. In spring 2021, Laura completed her master’s degree in biological sciences at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Laura’s thesis is entitled “Migration ecology and harvest exposure risk of Lesser Yellowlegs.”
This study would not have been possible without the tremendous efforts of our collaborators. Our gratitude goes out to the following people: Brad Andres, Yves Aubry, Erin Bayne, Christophe Buidin, Katherine Christie, Ken Foster, Christian Friis, Autumn-Lynn Harrison, Christopher Harwood, James Johnson, Kevin Kardynal, Benoit Laliberte, Peter Marra, Erica Nol, Jennie Rausch, Yann Rochepault, Sarah Sonsthagen, Audrey Taylor, Lee Tibbitts, Ross Wood, Jay Wright, and all the field technicians that helped with banding. Kristy Rouse, Cassandra Schoofs, and Brent Koenen with Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson’s 673rd CES/CEIS supported the project from the beginning and were instrumental in the DoD’s recognition of lesser yellowlegs as a Species of Special Concern. Funding sources include the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Bird Studies Canada; Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Smithsonian Institution; the 673rd CES/CEIS, U.S. Department of the Air Force; and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Learn more details about Laura’s fascinating research on lesser yellowlegs’ migration by watching this webinar, recorded for world migratory bird day, OCtober, 2021.
Save the date for a workshop where we celebrate our successes and plan our future work together!
We all love seabirds: the soaring Magnificent Frigatebirds, the Boobies’ expert diving, the entrancing Tropicbirds. But…what is a Seabird Fest?
Well, it is a half-day workshop, hosted by the BirdsCaribbean Seabird Working Group (SWG) planned for Thursday, December 2, 2021, 12 to 3 pm EST. During this event we want to hear from you with brief updates from the islands on how the seabirds are doing. The SWG will learn more – and share more – on what is taking place across the Caribbean in terms of seabird monitoring and conservation. Be sure to REGISTER HERE!
The purpose of the Seabird Fest is more than information gathering and sharing, however, although that is important. The SWG plans to discuss ways forward for a Caribbean Seabird Census (CSC) programme, modeled on the successful Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC). We hope to introduce the CSC in 2023!
Caribbean Seabirds
The Caribbean is home to over twenty species of seabirds, with many more visiting the region’s marine environment on a yearly basis. Understanding where seabirds breed, and in what numbers, is essential for determining the pressures that they may face. This, in turn, helps managers minimise threats to their populations. However, monitoring seabird populations within our suite of remote and inaccessible islands in the Caribbean is no easy task!
Although great strides have been made in recent years with monitoring populations on some islands (e.g., the Grenadines, Antigua’s offshore cays, Cayman Islands etc.), many islands have not been routinely surveyed, and population estimates that do exist are outdated. Furthermore, formal regional overviews of seabird population information are a decade old (see Seabird Resources). Considering the range of factors with potential to cause change in the marine and coastal environments around our shores, such as large-scale events like Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, there is an urgent need to monitor seabirds.
The initial goal will be to update our knowledge on the status of and threats to seabird populations in the Caribbean. If repeated regularly, seabird surveys will go on to help conservation scientists and managers understand how seabird populations are changing over time in our region, supporting efforts to protect them. By forming partnerships among interested groups and individuals that monitor seabirds, we can better tackle the logistical challenges of surveying hundreds of islands and cays. For this, we need to get as many interested organisations, communities and individuals involved in the effort as possible!
Why count seabirds?
Project Assistant Quincy Augustine and Wildlife Biologist Wayne Smart lead a team of Grenadian biologists conducting seabird surveys at Diamond Rock (Photo by Q. Augustine)
Understanding seabird populations and monitoring changes in the size and health of populations is extremely important for conserving them. On land, many breeding sites are under threat from coastal development, introduced predators, disturbance, and egging. At sea, seabirds contend with threats from fishing activities, pollution, climate change, and offshore development.
Monitoring colonies and understanding population trends is therefore more important than ever. While some Caribbean islands already have active seabird monitoring programmes in place, others are home to large populations of seabirds that are not currently monitored. As such, our Seabird Working Group is working hard to try and secure funding for this programme, which will allow for training, data collection, and community engagement, particularly on islands where there are gaps in capacity for these activities.
Be sure to register for the Seabird Fest here, and keep an eye on our Seabird Working Group webpages, listserv and facebook group in the coming months for updates on Seabird Fest! Our SWG co-chairs are also looking for help to plan the event, as well as other ongoing SWG tasks, so please get in touch with us if you are interested!
Learn more about Seabird activities in the Caribbean below!
They have their flyways, and they bring their songs. Our migratory birds are on the move again, and on October 9, World Migratory Bird Day, they will be “officially” welcomed and celebrated in style in the Caribbean.
For our region, World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is on October 9th, 2021 (but we encourage everyone to celebrate anytime during fall migration that works best for you). By this date, gardens, parks, forests, mountains, and seashores are filled with feathered newcomers, who have traveled thousands of miles and are either passing through or settling down for the milder winter months in the Caribbean.
The WMBD 2021 theme is “Sing, Fly, Soar—Like a Bird!” Activities organized by Environment for the Americas (EFTA), BirdsCaribbean, and our partners throughout the region will tap into this lively concept and, focus on some of the eleven featured species selected this year. Some of these, such as the Turkey Vulture, Royal Tern, Yellow Warbler, and Belted Kingfisher, are either resident or fairly common migrant species in the region. Others, such as the Green-winged Teal, Wood Thrush, Upland Sandpiper, and Ruby-throated Hummingbird, are rare. The Sandhill Crane is an uncommon resident in Cuba.
This year, EFTA will be hosting a live online event, or series of events from October 7 to 9, entitled “World Migratory Bird Day Live.” Friday, October 8 will be a special day reserved for youth and schools. Caribbean educators are valuable partners, helping to convey the messages of conservation and protection of birds and habitats. The creative arts – including a “sing like a bird” competition, videos, and art demonstrations, will play a role this year, besides informational speakers and workshops.
A featured WMBD webinar this year will be on the Lesser Yellowlegs, a shorebird that is undergoing an alarming decline. The webinar, hosted by BirdsCaribbean, will be presented by US Fish and Wildlife Service biologist, Laura McDuffie. Laura has been tracking these birds on their long migrations and has some fascinating and enlightening results to share with us. The webinar will take place on Friday, October 8 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Here is the link to register: https://bit.ly/LesserYellowlegs
Most of all, WMBD promises to have a strong element of fun. EFTA is hosting a bird costume party and competition for children up to 12 years old, with the focus on one of the featured eleven species. Costumes should use only recyclable or reusable material – new materials should not be used. The deadline for submission of costume entries is Friday, October 1. Prizes will be awarded on October 9th.
There is also a Bird Song Contest!Submit your song inspired by birds anytime between now and October 8th for a chance to win a cash prize! Winners will be announced on October 9th – See details in the Flyer below.
If you are interested in celebrating WMBD in your country, we encourage you to visit the WMBD website for more information or contact the Caribbean Regional Coordinator, Laura Baboolal, at lbaboolal@environmentamericas.org. If you have an event planned, you can register it and put the Caribbean on the global events map.
WMBD 2021 digital materials from EFTA are available in English and Spanish, at this link.
Information on migratory birds in the Caribbean, including colouring pages, activity sheets , photos, videos, and puzzles are available from BirdsCaribbean at this link.
Last, but not least, don’t forget to share your WMBD events and experiences on social media with EFTA and BirdsCaribbean. You can find us on all major platforms. If pandemic restrictions allow on your island, go out and enjoy the birds. Most of all, have fun!
BirdsCaribbean will be holding our General Business Meeting on Thursday October 28th, from 3 to 5 PM EDT – all are welcome! Register here.
Please join us for the latest exciting news and updates from BirdsCaribbean Projects and Working Groups. Members and all others are welcome and encouraged to attend. Our General Business Meeting will provide an opportunity to meet the current BirdsCaribbean Board and dive deeper into our organization’s activities. Our Working Groups, including Seabirds, Bird Monitoring , Endemic and Threatened Species, Media , Black-capped Petrel, Waterbirds, Bird Education, and Invasive Species, have been working tirelessly to protect Caribbean birds and the habitats they depend upon. They will provide exciting updates on what they’ve accomplished during the last two years.
We will also be talking about the progress of current projects in advancing conservation of Caribbean birds and habitats , as well as some exciting new developments on the horizon, including our joint conference in summer 2022 with the American Ornithological Society and Para La Naturaleza in Puerto Rico (June 27-July 2nd, 2021).
You’ll also get the chance to hear about what our partners have been working on and ways to collaborate to protect and celebrate Caribbean birds, their habitats, and the communities that live alongside them. All are welcome to attend so bring a friend or two. Come gain a deeper understanding of how BirdsCaribbean stays a well-oiled machine – and how you can be a part of our important work!
Birders around the world are polishing up their binoculars and scopes as they prepare for one of their busiest weekends of the year. This 24-hour opportunity called October Big Day – Saturday, October 9, 2021 – has been extended for the second time into a Global Bird Weekend (October 8, 9 and 10). The goal is to watch, record, and celebrate birds, whether it is in your backyard, neighborhood park, seashore or woodland. October Big Day coincides with World Migratory Bird Day (October 9). It is hoped that this concerted effort will bring in a record number of bird sightings from citizen scientists around the world, contributing to bird knowledge and a deeper understanding of conservation.
Where are the birds, and what are they doing?
The data collected will be used by birders and scientists to better understand and protect birds. This is also an opportunity for the individual birdwatcher to contemplate birds, their behavior, and the places where they may be found. For example, are there birds you are only likely to see in the late morning or early afternoon? And if so, are they at specific locations? Tanagers and bullfinches are often very active during the morning hours. As the day heats up, you may see raptors soaring above. Seagulls and shorebirds can be observed at almost any time of day. Migratory warblers generally show up in early morning or evening hours, feeding and bathing in suburban gardens and parks.
Make your birding count—submit & share your data!
Participating is easy with the essential tool, eBird, where you should record all the birds you see (and even hear) on Saturday 9th October via the eBird website or mobile app. If you’re in the Caribbean, be sure to use eBird Caribbean (and choose the eBird Caribbean portal in your eBird app settings on mobile). If you do not already have one, it’s easy to sign up for a free eBird account and here’s a quick guide on how to use eBird. Eager birders should spot as many birds as they can from midnight to midnight in their local time zone on October 9th. Or bird anytime during the weekend of Oct. 8-10 for the Global Bird Weekend. The handy mobile app allows you to keep and submit lists while you’re still out birding, perhaps exploring nearby Hotspots. It will even track how far you have walked while watching birds. Remember to submit eBird checklists before October 13, 2021 to be included in the initial results announcement!
In the past year, many Caribbean islands have restricted movements and gatherings in public spaces, due to the pandemic. Since many of these are still in place and vary from country to country, please keep local regulations in mind and observe all protocols. Remember, too, that there is always the option of birding at home.
Share your sightings with us, and join BirdsCaribbean!
We look forward to seeing your stories and photos on social media. You can find us on Facebook and on Twitter and Instagram @birdscaribbean. Be sure to tag us! If you’re not on social media, consider joining our discussion group where you’ll be able to share your October Big Day experience with over 850 members.
May we remind you that BirdsCaribbean membership has so many benefits; for a reasonable membership fee you are entitled to a FREE subscription to Birds of the World ($49 value) – the most comprehensive online resource on birds. Additionally, you may receive discounts on our products, workshops and conferences; meet and network with fellow birders, scientists, educators and conservationists across the region; and keep in touch with birding trends and news through our monthly newsletters (free sign-up here). Join us today and help us save our Caribbean birds and their important habitats!
See you on October Big Day 2021 – and let’s see some birds!
Bridled Quail-dove (Geotrygon mystacea) in the Quill (photo by Hannah Madden)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Outgoing Journal of Caribbean Ornithology (JCO) Managing Editor, Justin Proctor, shares the exciting news that Dr. Stefan Gleissberg is the new Managing Editor of JCO. Stefan is no stranger to JCO, as he’s been with the journal since 2019, first in the capacity of Assistant Production Editor, and then as Production Editor. His knowledge of our journal, dedication to its mission, and kinship with our staff makes him a great fit for leadership within the JCO family. Learn more about Stefan below!
In 2016, it was decided that the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology (JCO) could benefit from the creation of a new role: a Managing Editor. The behind-the-scenes of JCO looked very different then, with just a handful of amazing volunteers working overtime to keep everything afloat. And so when the Editor-in-Chief at the time, Dr. Jason Townsend, reached out to me to gauge my interest in the position, I was excited to accept the offer, join the team, and figure out how best to help.
I ended up making the decision to focus a lot of my effort over the following years on building up a bigger team. We simply needed more hands on deck to ensure a more timely and quality product, and to give JCO the personable touch that we wanted to have. I’m happy to say that those efforts have borne fruit: JCO has gone from an all-volunteer team of ~6 individuals to a team of 10 part-time paid staff and 17 volunteers. Now, thanks to all of these amazing staff and the quality work they produce, JCO has an extensive list of achievements and publications to be very proud of. From submission through to publication, this team has become a cohesive unit that goes above and beyond to support our authors, reviewers, and each other—each and every step of the way. The added capacity has also allowed us to build out other elements of JCO. This will ensure the journal has the foundation and adaptability to remain the #1 ornithological journal in the Caribbean far into the future. I’m feeling really good about the road ahead.
The time has come, however, for me to pass the Managing Editor position into new hands. As much as I’m going to have a hard time letting go of it, I think it’s a healthy move for the journal. What’s exciting is that the change-up will allow me more time to serve the journal’s needs through my Vice-President Executive Board position with BirdsCaribbean, albeit more from the background. We are at an unprecedented time in which the JCO has two representatives on the BC Board of Directors, including me and our Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Joseph M. Wunderle, Jr. This is a great opportunity to build even more positive momentum.
During our preliminary search for a new Managing Editor, we were pleasantly surprised when one of our own staff members expressed interest in the position. We were excited to first pursue that possibility before advertising the position more broadly. And so we did pursue it, and couldn’t be happier with how things turned out. On behalf of the BirdsCaribbean Board of Directors, Joe, and myself, I am excited to announce that Dr. Stefan Gleissberg will be stepping up into the role of Managing Editor. Stefan is no stranger to JCO, as he’s been with the journal since 2019—first in the capacity of Assistant Production Editor and then as Production Editor. His knowledge of our journal, dedication to its mission, and kinship with our staff makes him a great fit for leadership within the JCO family.
Stefan’s previous career as an international researcher in the plant sciences afforded him intimate familiarity with the world of scientific publishing. He has served both as author of peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, and as peer reviewer of manuscripts for academic journals and book publishers. A life-long birder, Stefan decided to re-engage in bird conservation and the birding community after retiring from his career in plant biology. In 2014, Stefan founded the Athens Area Birders in Ohio, a local community engaged in nature education and birding, and joined the Board of Directors of the Athens Conservancy, a land trust. He currently serves as Vice-President of the Ohio Ornithological Society, as steering committee member of the Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative, and as a statewide eBird data reviewer for Ohio, among other roles. From 2015 to 2020, Stefan served as the editor of The Cerulean, a print/online newsletter-magazine of the Ohio Ornithological Society. For this member-centered publication, he oversaw all aspects from acquisition, editing, layout, photo-editing, and production. He also contributed editorials and articles. And his more recent work with JCO has immersed Stefan into the world of Caribbean birds, a place where I know he’s excited about spending a lot more time.
Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support of the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology. It’s a one-of-a-kind journal that we are fortunate to call our own. To Stefan, I wish you great success in your new position as Managing Editor. It’s a lot of fun, no doubt about it. And while I can’t promise it will be all rainbows and butterflies, I can promise a lot of palm crows and raucous cries!
All the best,
—Justin Proctor
Editor’s note: We thank Justin Proctor for his incredible service and hard work to build the JCO team and make journal the successful peer-reviewed publication that it is today, and we extend a warm welcome to Stefan.
p.s. The Journal of Caribbean Ornithology is in need of financial support! If you are able to make a one-time donation or become a monthly sustainer, know that your gift would be helping to building capacity for science and conservation of Caribbean birds, a core part of our vital mission.
On World Shorebirds Day, Benoit Laliberté, a Shorebird Biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Service, tells us about the connections between the shorebirds that breed in Canada and the Caribbean and shares his thoughts on the main conservation issues for shorebirds in the Caribbean.
Shorebirds are fascinating. Given their size, it can be hard to even try to imagine the incredible journeys they accomplish every year on migration. For example, Red Knots can fly more than 30,000 km annually! It is amazing that these birds weigh only 180g but can fly from the Canadian tundra to the tip of Tierra del Fuego, and back, within 10 months. Because these birds travel to (and stop over in) so many different countries, their conservation requires us to take a multi-national approach.
Enjoy our short video, created in honor of World Shorebirds Day 2021!
Conservation Across Borders
How do we address this cross-border challenge? To do this, the shorebird conservation community has developed flyway conservation initiatives. Flyways are major routes, like ‘migration highways,’ that shorebirds use to travel from breeding to wintering areas and back. Here in the Americas they are: the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Mid-continental Flyways. The Caribbean islands are located in the Atlantic Flyway
Migration routes of shorebirds on the Atlantic Flyway; many other migratory birds follow these same routes. (map courtesy of the Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative)
The Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative (AFSI) aims to conserve and protect the 30 or so species of shorebirds that use this route. These birds range from the small Plovers and Sandpipers to the large Whimbrels and Godwits. Unfortunately, the ongoing, ceaseless deterioration of our planet has led to large declines in shorebird populations. Across all shorebird species that occur in Canada – most of which also travel to the Caribbean – this decrease in numbers is estimated at -40% since 1970. However, the drop is much steeper for some species, like the Red Knot (-70% since 2000) or the Lesser Yellowlegs (-65% since 1970). In fact, many shorebirds are at the top of the list of ‘species of conservation concern’ worldwide.
Why are Shorebirds in Trouble?
Lesser Yellowlegs are a common migratory shorebird in the Caribbean; they are also one of the most hunted shorebirds in the Atlantic Flyway. (photo by Hemant Kishan)
The main threats to shorebirds in the Atlantic Flyway are hunting, predators, human disturbance, habitat loss and change, and climate change. Most of these occur in the Caribbean, but the threats of hunting, habitat loss, and climate change are the most relevant for the region.
We know that shorebirds are hunted on Barbados, Martinique and Guadeloupe. If we are able to address the threat of hunting, we in the conservation community can make rapid gains. This does not mean that hunting should be banned. In Canada and the United States, we have more than 100 years of experience working with hunters to develop sustainable hunting policies and working with the hunting community to conserve and restore bird habitats. We need to focus on raising awareness about this threat, measuring its impacts, and developing sustainable hunting policies that will allow birds to thrive and hunters to pursue their hobby – now, and in the future.
Habitat loss is more difficult for us to tackle. Shorebirds use a variety of habitats, whether it is beaches, intertidal sandflats and mudflats, mangroves, or salt, brackish, and freshwater ponds. This means that multiple types of developments and changes, for example those that alter the wetland’s hydrology, can threaten the shorebirds’ homes. Secondly, changes to habitat can ‘creep’ in slowly, with both human developments and the impacts of climate change gradually changing the places where shorebirds live – or removing those places altogether. Damaged habitats can take a long time to recover, so it is imperative to ensure that those that are still relatively intact are conserved for future generations.
What Can We Do the Help Shorebirds?
Red Knot in August molting from breeding plumage to plain winter plumage which is all gray. Red Knots have declined markedly in the last 25 years. Some Red Knots winter in the Caribbean; many use the islands as a refueling stop on their long journeys to South America. (photo by Hemant Kishan)
We need to make sure that key places for shorebirds are identified. To do this we need to carry out surveys such as the Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC). Information from these surveys can help identify and increase protection for vital shorebird habitats. Local communities have a key role to play. Anyone can carry out CWC surveys! BirdsCaribbean has provided training for people across the region on Shorebird ID and how to carry out surveys, both online and in person.
Shorebirds need safe habitats with clean water and abundant invertebrate food, when they stop during migration. As climate change increases the frequency and severity of hurricanes, it is possible that the Caribbean will play a bigger role for migrating shorebirds. Shorebirds are migrating through the region during the peak hurricane season. The wetland habitats on Caribbean islands should serve as refuge for these birds. This means local initiatives to restore and clean-up habitats can help shorebirds. Recent projects to restore mangroves in Puerto Rico and increase awareness of shorebirds in Montserrat, through community initiatives like beach clean-ups, will help both shorebirds and people!
Curbing the decline of shorebird populations needs global cooperation. It might seem like an overwhelming task, but every little step helps. To ensure future generations are in a good position to continue the work we start today, we need to spread the word. As a child, I was fortunate to get involved in activities that got me interested in nature and birds, and this inspired me to pursue a career in conserving biodiversity. Outreach and education programs, such as BirdsCaribbean’s BirdSleuth Caribbean, Wondrous West Indian Wetlands, World Migratory Bird Day, and the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival help to raise awareness and build a sense of responsibility in our communities. They do have long-term positive impacts, especially among our younger citizens.
As a final remark, I hope that as you read this post you have learned a little bit more about shorebird conservation and are reminded that small actions can make a difference. Learning is knowing. Knowing is loving. And loving is caring.
Ajhermae White helps students of the Grade 5 class of Look Out Primary School with shorebird ID during their field trip at Marguerita Bay. (Photo by Stephen Mendes)
Please enjoy and share our video!
Many thanks to Environment and Climate Change Canada, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Atlantic Flyways Shorebird Initiative, US Forest Service International Programs, film maker Esther Figueroa, talented photographers and videographers, and our partners, members, and donors for your generous support to create this video (second in a series!) and carry out Caribbean shorebird and waterbird conservation initiatives.
We hope that you will be able to visit many areas across your island and invite local birders and/or birding groups to get involved. Note that shorebirds are a type of waterbird; any tallies you do, whether it is at wetlands, mangroves, mud flats, coastal areas or beaches, are also considered as Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) counts. To increase the value of your count to science, be sure to count ALL birds at your site, including seabirds, herons and egrets, land birds, and so on.
Complete instructions on how to do a Global Shorebird Count/ Caribbean Waterbird Census count are available here and here; Shorebird ID resources are available here. Before you head out, it might well be helpful to watch our webinars on Waterbird ID and Shorebird ID to bone up on your ID skills!
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.
“The first bird of the season fell” – August 2021 Facebook post by a bird trapper in Cuba showing a migratory warbler, the Northern Parula.The caption reads “Ready for the hunt.” Painted Buntings in cages for sale – August 2021 Facebook post by a bird trapper in Cuba.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, shared on social media.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!
September is right around the corner and migratory shorebirds are making their way south. Please join us this World Shorebirds Day to learn more about these fascinating birds and what you can do to help protect them. Take part in this year’s Global Shorebird Count and check out our cool resources for honing your ID skills and count techniques. We also have free, fun activities for kids and the whole family – read on!
Global Shorebird Count 2021
This year’s Global Shorebird Count will take place from September 1 to 7, 2021. All across the Caribbean and beyond, intrepid birders will be compiling checklists from island to island and recording them on eBird Caribbean. BirdsCaribbean urges you to participate! Our migratory shorebirds are more vulnerable than ever, threatened by human activities such as destruction of their habitats, pollution, disturbance, and climate change. In some countries they are hunted. Altogether this has led to severe declines in populations of shorebirds around the world.
Where are these fascinating birds to be found? While you will find them on shores and beaches, some shorebirds use habitats further inland, including freshwater and brackish marshes and ponds. Shorebirds are also fond of salt ponds, mud flats, mangrove areas, and tidal flats. Check out the new video we created in honor of this year’s World Shorebirds Day!
Make Your Shorebirds Count—Submit & Share Your Data!
A Piping Plover – the first seen in Jamaica! (Photo by Ann Sutton).
We encourage you to register to participate in the count and be sure share your eBird Caribbean checklist(s) with worldshorebirdsday – the eBird username of World Shorebirds Day. You can find guidelines for sharing checklists here.
eBird Caribbean is a critical tool for tracking and understanding bird migration and population changes – never more so than for our shorebirds. If you do not have an account, it is easy to register – here’s a quick guide to enter eBird data online. There is even a free eBird Essentials course to get you fully oriented. Download the free mobile app for recording your data in the field.
Note that shorebirds are a type of waterbird and any counts you do at wetlands, mangroves, mud flats, coastal areas or beaches at any time of year count as Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) counts. When you do your counts Please choose one of the CWC protocols in the eBird app or when you submit or edit your data online. When you are using the app make sure that you are using the eBird Caribbean Portal. To check or change the portal you are using go into your settings on the app and look for “Portal”. To increase the value of your count to science, be sure to count ALL birds at your site, including seabirds, herons and egrets, land birds, etc.
What if you spot a bird with a band on its leg?
While counting shorebirds you may see birds; especially Piping Plovers, Red Knots, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Semipalmated Plovers, Ruddy Turnstones, and Sanderlings, with colourful bands around their legs. Do your best to record the band colors and any numbers or letters – see guidance in the handy graphic. Binoculars or zoom photography may allow you to clearly see the band colors and the numbers engraved onto the band. Scientists use this information to track bird populations and migrations.
Handout from the US Fish and Wildlife Service that provides information about Piping Plover banding locations and how to read the flags.
Global Shorebird Count 101
After years of participating in the Global Shorebird Count we have created a list of some best practice tips to help make your count go as smoothly as possible. You may download and share this infographic with your fellow birders.
If you do not already have a favorite place to look at shorebirds, before doing your Global Shorebird Counts, you might need to choose your birding spot. Shorebirds can show up in many different types of wetlands from mangroves, to mudflats, saltponds, marshes, and beaches! If you are unsure where to find shorebirds near you why not take a look for ‘hotspots’ at your local wetlands on eBird. Just click on ‘Explore’ on the eBird Caribbean website, and find ‘Explore Hotspots’. You can open hotspots in a map and then click on a hotspot to see what type of birds have been seen there recently. When you visit your shorebird spot be sure to find a good place to count birds from – you need to have a clear view of the birds, but not be so close you disturb them!
Shorebirds can be challenging to identify, and some species are especially difficult to tell apart. If you have binoculars, a spotting scope or a camera with a good zoom lens don’t forget to take them along. These will help you get a closer look to pick out the ID features, without disturbing the birds. Of course, don’t forget to take you favorite bird ID guide with you when you do your shorebird counts. You might want to print out one of our handy Shorebird ID cards! In fact, you could even do a bit of ‘shorebird studying’ before you go using our useful reference guides and our CWC and Shorebird ID webinars. You can find all these free resources here.
Fun activities to engage kids in exploring wetlands and beaches
These activities were not designed to teach a child how to name and identify shorebirds but rather to give them space to explore and feel connected to their natural environment. Parents and guardians, you will not need to worry about your own knowledge of birds or plants. All you need to do is accompany and participate with your child in these activities.
Beach Scavenger Hunt. This activity is suitable for children ages 4 to 7 years old. They are asked to find plants and animals at the beach.
Beach Bird Bingo. This activity is suitable for children ages 8 to 12 years old. They are asked to find items on the list four in a row, horizontally, vertically or diagonally. They do not need to touch or collect any of the items on the list.
Talk about this with your children before beginning any of the activities. They should not touch or collect items on the lists. When observing birds they should speak softly. They do not need to get close to the birds but if they need to, ask them to do so slowly and quietly. You can check off the items (with a pencil or pen), as they are located. When everyone has had a chance to look for the items listed, come back together to chat about what they were able to find or see. For example, why is the bird’s beak long and straight?
World Shorebirds Day 2021 postcard. This activity is suitable for any age. Print and colour the postcard – sides 1 and 2. Then share it with a friend or family member.
Don’t forget to reward your junior birders with a scoop of their favourite ice cream!
They may also enjoy this Snowy Plover colouring book. You can print the colouring book and carry to the beach, just remember to pack the colouring pencils or crayons.
Get Social for Shorebirds
Celebrating World Wetlands day on Jamaica (Photo by Paula-Anne Porter)
This activity is suitable for anyone 12 years and older. Take photos at your local wetland, beach, mud flat, salt pond, or swamp, and share them on social media; Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and tag us @birdscaribbean and use the hashtag #worldshorebirdsday2021. The categories are:
Caribbean Shorebirds: snap a pic of a shorebird you saw at your local beach, mud flat, pond or swamp. Please also use the hashtag: #Caribshorebirds
Share the Shore: show us how you are helping shorebirds. For tips on how you can help shorebirds when you visit the beach, check out this blog. Please also use the hashtag: #sharetheshore
My Local Wetland: share a beautiful landscape or seascape photo of your local wetland or if you’re not camera shy, take a selfie in the habitat. Please also use the hashtag: #mylocalwetland and #HumansofBirdsCaribbean
Use a phone or any other camera that is available, but you must tag @birdscaribbean and use the hashtags provided. We look forward to seeing and sharing your amazing photos and reading your stories.
World Shorebirds Day, on Monday, September 6, is just around the bend. In honor of this annual global event, BirdsCaribbean created a new video to celebrate Caribbean shorebirds. From plump plovers to wave-catching Sanderlings to stately Stilt Sandpipers, shorebirds are delightful birds to get to know and love. Enjoy our short video and learn more about how you can help to conserve these treasures of our beaches and wetlands.
It is prime time to learn about and celebrate the diversity of shorebirds in the Caribbean. During late summer and early fall, our resident shorebirds, like the Killdeer and Wilson’s Plover, are joined by long-distance migrants, such as the Lesser Yellowlegs, Willet, Spotted Sandpiper, and many more. These migratory birds have just completed their breeding seasons, hopefully with much success, in the northern U.S. and Canada. Now, many are passing through the Caribbean, stopping to rest and feed as they travel to wintering areas further south. Other bird arrivals may stay with us for the entire winter.
Shorebirds are a diverse group of wading birds that live close to water—you can find them on our beaches, mangroves, marshes, salt ponds, and mudflats. Many can be easily identified by their long legs or unique bills, which are especially adapted to their diet and habitat. For example, the long, thin, probing bill of the Black-necked Stilt is ideal for plucking worms and crabs from sticky mud; while the Ruddy Turnstone, with his short, stubby bill, is adept at flipping over stones and shells to find tasty insects on the beach.
Hover over each image to see the caption; click on each photo to see it larger and to view images as a gallery
A Ruddy Turnstone in winter plumage. This shorebird is easy to identify from its short bright orange legs and stout ‘triangular’ bill. (Photo By Charles Sharp).
The Killdeer is one of our Caribbean residents, and can be found here year-round. (Photo By Lorie Shaull).
The striking Black-necked Stilt has long legs for wading into deep water to find food. (Photo by Dan Pancamo).
Migratory shorebirds make amazing journeys of thousands of kilometres! Beforehand, they need to store enough energy in the form of fat reserves to migrate. These small birds will eat until they are about double their normal weight. You may think that flying at their top weight would slow shorebirds down, but they are the marathon-winners of flight. Incredibly, this group of birds does not do any soaring, they are physically flapping the entire way!
Sadly, shorebird numbers have declined by roughly forty percent over the last 50 years, due to a number of threats. An increase in developments and various types of pollution have resulted in their habitats being degraded or even lost altogether. Human disturbance, hunting, and climate change…All these factors threaten shorebirds. Please join us this World Shorebirds Day to learn more about these fascinating birds and what you can do to help protect them.
Join the Global Shorebird Count, September 1 to 7 – every shorebird counts!
One of the main activities of World Shorebirds Day is the Global Shorebird Count. We encourage bird enthusiasts in the region to go out and count shorebirds from the 1st to 7th September 2021.
Spot the difference! A leucistic Willet seen in Zapata Swamp, Cuba. (Photo By Ernesto Reyes).
Your counts will help us to understand which species (and how many) are stopping to rest and feed in the Caribbean. This allows us to assess the health of populations and to determine whether they are increasing, decreasing, or stable. The data you collect will also help scientists to coordinate follow-up research and conservation actions, such as protecting important sites – or even taking immediate action to reduce threats to shorebirds and their environments, if necessary.
So, grab your binoculars, hat, waterboots, and field guide and head to your favorite muddy, sandy, or watery birding spot! Yes, it might get messy. You never know what new birds you might see, and there have been some remarkable discoveries over the years. Since the beginning of the Global Shorebird Count and the Caribbean Waterbird Census, new species have been recorded in the Caribbean. For example, in 2016 Ann Sutton spotted the first Piping Plover ever seen in Jamaica on Pedro Pond, and in 2018 a BirdsCaribbean birding tour in Cuba came across a leucistic (white) Willet in the Zapata Swamp. In addition, we have also greatly expanded our knowledge and conservation of the habitats and sites that shorebirds use across the region, thanks to our many citizen science shorebirders.
We hope that you will be able to visit many areas across your island and invite local birders and/or birding groups to get involved. Note that shorebirds are a type of waterbird; any tallies you do, whether it is at wetlands, mangroves, mud flats, coastal areas or beaches, are also considered as Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) counts. To increase the value of your count to science, be sure to count ALL birds at your site, including seabirds, herons and egrets, land birds, and so on.
Complete instructions on how to do a Global Shorebird Count/ Caribbean Waterbird Census count are available here and here; Shorebird ID resources are available here. Before you head out, it might well be helpful to watch our webinars on Waterbird ID and Shorebird ID to bone up on your ID skills!
Be sure to follow your country’s COVID-19 safety guidelines, have fun and definitely tag us, @birdscaribbean, in your photos on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. We look forward to seeing your amazing photos and reading your stories!
Please enjoy and share our video!
Many thanks to Environment and Climate Change Canada, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Atlantic Flyways Shorebird Initiative, US Forest Service International Programs, film maker Esther Figueroa, talented photographers and videographers, and our partners, members, and donors for your generous support to create this video (first in a series!) and carry out Caribbean shorebird and waterbird conservation initiatives.
BirdsCaribbean extends heartfelt congratulations to our dedicated partners from the Bird Ecology Group (BEG) in Cuba, led by Dr. Martin Acosta Cruz. The group has received the American Ornithological Society’s (AOS) Ralph W. Schreiber Conservation Award. We applaud BEG members: Lourdes M. Mugica Valdés, Alieny González Alfonso, Ianela García Lau, Alejandro Rodriguez Ochoa, Daniela Ventura del Puerto, and Elio A. Fontes Otero; and former BEG members Orlando Torres Fundora, Dennis Denis Ávila, Ariam Jiménez Reyes Antonio, Rodríguez Suarez, and Jose L. Ponce de León García. Hats off to you all, we are so proud!
Part of the current Bird Ecology Group at the University of Havana, Cuba. Left to right: Elio Fontes, Ianela Garcia, Martín Acosta, Alieny González Alfonso, Lourdes Mugica, Daniela Ventura y Alejandro Rodriguez
Who was Dr. Schreiber?
The annual AOS award, named for Dr. Ralph Schreiber, honors extraordinary conservation-related scientific contributions by an individual or small team. Dr. Schreiber was an ornithologist and curator of birds and mammals at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. He is well known for his studies of Pacific seabirds, including the Brown Pelican, and the effects of El Niño on bird and mammal populations. The El Niño phenomenon occurs when the surface of the tropical Pacific Ocean becomes unusually warm, especially at the equator and along the coasts of South and Central America, disrupting the availability of fish populations that these birds feed on.
All about the Bird Ecology Group (BEG)
Drs. Martin Acosta and Lourdes Mugica in the field in Cuba.
Since 1978, the BEG has dedicated its research work to Cuban bird ecology. Motivated by their unwavering fascination for birds, its members have worked hard, overcoming many financial and logistic al obstacles. The BEG has combined university teaching with research, capacity building, and environmental education, to contribute significantly to the knowledge and conservation of Cuban birds.
The group’s research has led to the publication of 128 peer-reviewed papers and 18 books. The most recently published book, Ecología de las aves acuáticas en las arroceras de Cuba (Ecology of Waterbirds in the Rice Fields in Cuba), describes research on the birds that are connected with the second most important agricultural crop in the country, and the importance of the rice paddies for their conservation.
The BEG has proposed two new protected areas in two important coastal wetlands: those south of Los Palacios, and the Delta del Agabama. It has supported the proposal for five Cuban Important Bird Areas (IBAs): CU003 Humedal Sur de Pinar del Río; CU006 Ciénaga de Zapata; CU009 Humedal Sur de Sancti Spiritus; CU014 Río Máximo-Cayo Guajaba, and CU020 Delta del Cauto. The group also recommended the inclusion of the West Indian Whistling-Duck and the Masked Duck in the Red Book of Threatened Species of Cuba and the Birdlife Red Data Bird List. BEG members are engaged in the study of waterbird species; the structure of bird communities in coastal ecosystems; the ecology of birds using rice paddies and shrimp farms; and birds using Havana city ecosystems (mangroves, parks, and botanical gardens).
The BEG: Busy with Piping Plovers
Since 2016, the BEG has annually surveyed between 68 to 180 km of coastline to assess the conservation status of wintering Piping Plovers frequenting the Cuban archipelago. In this same year they reported the highest number of individuals for Cuba:104 plovers! Through many hours of dedicated band resighting (finding and reporting band numbers of plovers that have come to Cuba for the winter) they have also helped to identify the breeding origin of wintering Piping Plovers on Cuban coastlines. And while other islands continue to battle with hunting quotas and regulations, the BEG has successfully banned the hunting of two historical game species in Cuba: the endemic and threatened West Indian Whistling-Duck and White-Crowned Pigeon. The group has also carried out years of vital Caribbean Waterbird Census counts at Cuba’s many important wetlands to learn more about numbers and trends of resident and migratory waterbirds and shorebirds.
A group of Piping Plovers foraging in Cayo Paredon Grande, Cuba. (Photo by Martin Acosta)A banded Piping Plover sighted by the Bird Ecology Group at Guanabo Beach, Cuba, east of Havana City (photo by Karen-Aguilar)
BEG has received many awards and plaudits!
Both internationally and locally, the BEG has received significant commendations for its efforts to protect Cuban birds and expand our understanding of bird ecology. In the past 42 years the small team has accepted 48 prestigious awards. Internationally, the BEG received the Whitley Award for Birdlife Conservation in 2002 and the Continuation Award; and the Silver Award from BP Conservation Award in 2002. Dr. Martin Acosta Cruz and Lourdes M. Mugica Valdés have received Lifetime Achievement Awards in 2001 and 2017, respectively, from BirdsCaribbean. Ianela García Lau received the Founders Award from BirdsCaribbean for outstanding student research, while she and Alieny González Alfonso received the Educators Award for their leadership in organizing bird festivals and bird education projects in Cuba. Lourdes was honored with an Honorary Fellowship from AOS in 2020.
The Bird Ecology Group after receiving the National Environment Award from the Cuban government in 2008. From left to right: Antonio Rodriguez, Alieny Gonzalez, Martin Acosta, Lourdes Mugica, José Luis Ponce.
The local scientific community has also recognized their invaluable contributions. Two members have received the Carlos J. Finlay Order (the highest recognition given by the Cuban government for personal outstanding contributions to science). Martin and Lourdes have each received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Havana University President. The BEG remains the only research group to have won the National Environmental Award, given by the Cuban Government. They have also won five Academy Awards from the Cuban Academy of Sciences.
Nurturing the ornithologists and educators of the future
The BEG also places emphasis on training and supporting the future ornithologists of Cuba and beyond. So far, nine PhD theses, 14 Masters theses. and 46 undergraduate theses have been supervised by BEG ornithologists. Three more PhD theses and 2 Master theses are in progress.
In addition to providing quality tertiary education to students, the BEG extends its capacity building to staff from Cuban protected areas and other conservation institutions. Over 127 participants have benefited from these workshops. The group has also provided teacher-training workshops for primary and secondary school teachers – a total of 120 participants, in both urban and rural regions of the island. These workshops have enabled teachers to encourage student enquiry, feed their curiosity, and deepen their understanding of ornithological concepts.
Dr. Lourdes Mugica and the Bird Ecology Group share educational materials on birds with the local community and children, Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival.
The thriving Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival in Cuba
For the past 15 years, the BEG has been the Cuban organizers of the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival, a month-long festival to celebrate birds only found within the region. BEG members have worked to promote the value of and foster respect for Cuban birds and ecosystems among the public, using a mix of traditional (TV, radio, print) and new media (social media and apps). An astonishing 3,622 activities have taken place in the 15 Cuban provinces, with the participation of about 166,000 people, mainly children.
We are extremely proud to support and work alongside the Bird Ecology Group to study, conserve, and educate about Cuban birds and look forward to continuing our vibrant partnership. We wish the team many more years of success!
Alieny Gonzalez shows a young child how to use binoculars to see a bird for the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival in Cuba. (photo by Lourdes Mugica)Ianela Garcia (left) and Alieny González (right) during a shorebirds habitat use study in Rïo Máximo Fauna Refuge. (photo by Lourdes Mugica)
Male Hispaniolan Crossbill, one of our featured endemic birds during CEBF 2021. (Photo by Dax Roman)
Over 45 days, the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) 2021 explored the theme of Sing, Fly, Soar – Like A Bird! The festival celebrates the birds found only in the region, highlights the threats to their survival and demonstrates how we can protect them for generations to come. We extend a massive “thank you” to our donors, supporters, and partners for helping us put on another successful Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival!
With many of the 171 endemic birds living only on a single island and being elusive, the events celebrating these one-of-a-kind birds are also unique. In spite of COVID-19 restrictions continuing across parts of the region, our partners and supporters found different ways to carry on with the festivities on their respective islands.
“Birding Bundles” on your doorstep, and learning with a past president!
We recognize and applaud the CEBF organizers on each island, who adapted their events to make them educational, safe, and enjoyable for children and adults. The Environmental Awareness Group on Antigua supplied their participants with ‘The Birding Bundle’– a kit with all the essentials for birdwatching in their backyards. The Natural History Museum of Jamaica created videos of the island’s endemic birds and hosted a bird-themed ‘An Afternoon With a Scientist’ session for students with past BirdsCaribbean president Dr. Leo Douglas. In Venezuela, Ave Zona hosted an art contest focused on birds of the Venezuelan Caribbean (view the gallery here).
Hover over each image to see the caption; click on each photo to see it larger and to view images as a gallery
The EAG Birding Bundle
Screen shot from the “Afternoon with a Scientist” webinar
Art by Estefani Romero from the Ave Zona art event
Students in Cuba kept busy with birds
The CEBF event organizers in Cuba held workshops at schools to teach students about Cuba’s endemic birds through art and poetry competitions, games, and bird identification activities. Similar to The Birding Bundle, games and infographics were also delivered to homes for parents and children to learn about Cuban birds. Some participants also gathered for a beach clean-up titled “Cleaning for the Birds.” They expanded their outreach through the use of traditional media, specifically radio, to introduce the book “Endemic Birds of Cuba” and the annotated checklist of Cuban birds. Online activity was non-stop as well. Each day an infographic of a selected Cuban bird was shared and discussions with local researchers were held using the Telegram app.
CEBF games in Cuba, prepared by La Empresa Flora y Fauna Santiago.
Some even burst into song!
Grupo Acción Ecológica celebrating the start of CEBF
In the Dominican Republic, Grupo Jaragua asked members to record themselves singing like a bird, with sometimes hilarious results! The videos were then compiled and shared on Facebook. On the same island, Grupo Acción Ecológica started with a tree planting event. Afterwards, they took small groups of participants on short birdwatching trips to both urban and forested areas, and followed up with conversations on bird biology and habitat protection.
Endemic birds went virtual…
The St. Lucia Parrot, one of the “Endemic Birds of the Day” during CEBF 2021. A beautiful illustration by Josmar Marquez.
Because many islands were still restricted in terms of gatherings and movements, the CEBF team at BirdsCaribbean worked with well-known birders, researchers, photographers, writers, and artists from the region to present a diverse virtual festival program.
Each day we featured an endemic bird on our website and across the BirdsCaribbean socials. The list of endemic birds was carefully curated to include popular species like the St Lucia Parrot and Green-throated Carib, those with amazing bill adaptations like the Hispaniolan Crossbill and Lesser Antillean Flycatcher, revered species like the Gundlach’s Hawk, and clever birds like the Cuban Crow. You can find the complete list of birds here.
Each endemic bird profile was accompanied by a beautifully drawn image by Josmar Marquez of Ave Zona, stunning high quality photos and videos, online puzzles tailored for different levels (between six and 1,024 pieces), and bird calls. Fun and engaging activities were also provided for both kids and adults, including trivia quizzes (How Well Do You Know Caribbean Birds Pt. 1 and Pt. 2); outdoor games for the entire family; scavenger hunts, bug hunt and Operation Food Drop; crafts (Hummingbird Button Art and Jamaica Rainforest Collage); and cryptograms.
…and weekly webinars were a hit
The CEBF 2021 also boasted a fascinating series of weekly webinars on a range of topics with presenters from The Bahamas National Trust, Rainforest Connection, The Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Project, the University of the West Indies, Science and Perspective, and the University of Maryland. Every Thursday promptly at 4pm, BirdsCaribbean donors, members, and supporters from around the globe listened as our guest presenters shared enlightening information on birds, including recent advances in bird acoustic monitoring technology and its applications to bird conservation; the importance of community engagement in conservation; and how a Critically Endangered raptor in the Dominican Republic transformed the lives of the local team.
Scroll through to see some of the CEFB 2021 webinar topics
Ann Maddock offered a photographic narrative, encompassing behaviors and molting sequences of hummingbirds with a focus on species in the Bahamas, and explaining how to turn your yard into a hummingbird haven, using plant species that are easy to source and care for. The most anticipated was a webinar on bird flight – still the most admired “superpower” of birds. World-renowned author David Sibley used illustrations and information from his latest book “What It’s Like to be a Bird” to explain how nearly every aspect of a bird’s anatomy, physiology, and behavior has been shaped in some way by the requirements of flight. If you missed any of the webinars or just want to re-watch, be sure to head on over to our Youtube channel or check out our Facebook Page.
Zines, videos, social media…Oh my!
We received 33 amazing entries during the CEBF 2021 Bird Zine competition. All are now available for viewing in our BirdsCaribbean Zine Library.
This year we introduced a new activity, a Bird Zine Contest. We received zines from children, teenagers, artists, educators, tour guides, photographers, bloggers and biological illustrators from the Caribbean. The winning zines and all others are now stored in the virtual Caribbean Bird Zine Library. It is the first zine library in the region! We invite you to visit our Caribbean Bird Zine Library to explore and enjoy the amazing bird zines we received. We would love to see this collection of bird zines grow! Please contact info@birdscaribbean.org and Aliya.Hosein@birdscaribbean.org if you would like to contribute a zine – or two – to our library.
We also invited everyone to answer the question “’What does Sing, Fly, Soar – Like a Bird!’ mean to you?” We are still in the process of reviewing and editing the lovely video submissions, but we assure you they are truly inspirational, reflecting the diversity of language and culture in the region. These videos will be shared across our social media platforms. Stay tuned!
We may ask for your help…
This year’s CEBF is over – but don’t worry. We still have plenty of bird content for you to enjoy! Make sure you are following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and have joined the BirdsCaribbean mailing list, to ensure you are kept up to date with our latest news via our monthly newsletter.
The Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival will return next April 2022 – but we need help coming up with a theme. We would love to hear your ideas for next year’s theme, which should allow us to highlight a critical problem that affects birds throughout the region. Please email your theme and a brief explanation (1-3 sentences) of why it should be the 2022 CEBF theme to CEBF@birdscaribbean.org, info@birdscaribbean.org and Aliya.Hosein@birdscaribbean.org
Thank you to all of our partners and friends across the region for participating so enthusiastically and making this another memorable CEBF. Enjoy the gallery below!
Hover over each image to see the caption; click on each photo to see it larger and to view images as a gallery
Webinar about endemic birds of Puerto Rico. (Photo by DRNA Puerto Rico)
Tropical Screech Owl artwork from Victor Moreno. (Photo by Ave-Zona)
Students participate in CEBF activities in Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rican Lizard Cuckoo Food Drop Game, one of our BirdsCaribbean activities for CEBF.
Observing a parakeet nest on a birding walk for CEBF in the Dominica Republic. (Photo by Grupo Accion Ecologia)
Screen shot from Leo Douglas’ BirdLife Jamaica webinar.
Screen shot from Leo Douglas’ BirdLife Jamaica webinar
Screen shot from Leo Douglas’ BirdLife Jamaica webinar.
Hummingbird art by Izza Huerta. (Photo by Ave Zona)
Male Hispaniolan Crossbill, on of our featured birds during CEBF2021. (Photo by Dax Roman)
Green-throated Carib tweet from Martin Lambdon.
Facebook post about the Purple-throated Carib by Natalya Lawrence.
Facebook post celebrating endemic birds by DRNA Puerto Rico.
The cover of Dayami Rovelo’s Grand Prize winning Zine, in the under 16s category.
Beautiful illustration by Josmar Marquez, featuring one of our ‘Endemic Birds of the Day’
Cuban Grassquit Infographic by CEBF organizers in CUBA
Children speaking about the Hispaniolan Parakeet during CEBF in the Dominican Republic. (Photo by Grupo Accion Ecologia)
Children playing a bird ID game in Cuba (Photo by Zaimiurys Hernandez)
Children and parents play games prepared by La Empresa Flora y Fauna Santiago, Cuba.
Children flying their bird kites in Cuba (Photo by Kenia Mestril Cosme)
Children making bird kites in Cuba (Photo by Kenia Mestril Cosme)
Best nest contest rub by EAG. (Photo by Ms Derrick).
Cover of Arnaldo Toledo’s amazing Grand Prize winning bird Zine
We rounded off the BirdsCarbbean daily online activities with a two part endemic bird quiz
