We have exciting news about how to participate in the Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) using eBird! Whether you’re a long-time contributor to the CWC, use CWC protocols in eBird, or are just getting started with waterbird surveys in the Caribbean, there’s now a better and easier way to ensure your data is added to this incredible long-term program!
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has launched a powerful new feature, eBird Projects, that makes it easier than ever to take part in targeted data collection efforts like the CWC. If you’ve contributed to our amazing 16-year citizen science database using the CWC protocols in eBird in the past, the process has now changed slightly in eBird.
You no longer need to search the dropdown menu for CWC protocols in the “Other” options. Now, simply join the CWC project in eBird and select “Caribbean Waterbird Census” from your projects when starting a new checklist. This ensures your counts are properly tagged and included in the official CWC database. Read on for step-by-step instructions for both the eBird app and website. You can also learn more about eBird Projects here.
How to join the CWC Project
Great news—if you’ve ever submitted a checklist using a CWC protocol—you’ve likely been automatically added to the project! Check out the CWC project pages here to confirm you’ve joined, explore CWC stats, see the latest checklists, and meet our “Top CWC eBirders.” If for some reason you’ve not been joined, just go to the ‘about’ section on the project page, scroll down, and click “Join Project.”
New to CWC? No problem! Just visit the CWC Project Page and click“Learn how to join.” Review the info about the project, scroll to the end and then click “Join Project.” If you are not logged into eBird you will be prompted to “Login to Join Project.”
Anyone can join—we welcome new contributors!
Survey team in Cuba searching for Piping Plovers during CWC2023. (Photo by Daniela Ventura)
Never too young to start CWC! Counting waterbirds with the EAG at McKinnon’s Salt Pond, Antigua. (Photo by Sherrel Charles)
Make sure your checklists count as CWC!
Once you’ve joined the CWC project, it’s easy to add your CWC lists to our database on the eBird app or on the website. Here’s how:
CWC in the eBird Mobile App
IMPORTANT: Projects are only supported in version 3.1.3 or later of the eBird app. If you’ve joined a Project but are not seeing it on eBird Mobile, go to Settings>Check for updates in the app—you may need to update in the Google Play Store (android) or App Store (iPhone). Project options will not appear immediately after the update, you will need to wait for a few minutes before you see this.
Once updated:
Launch the app.
Tap “Choose projects” above the “Start checklist”’ button.
Select the CWC project, and, if you like, ask the app to remember this choice for future submissions. If you do this CWC will appear automatically above the “Start checklist” button next time you use App.
Tap “Continue” and do your count (it’s that simple!)
Next time you do a count at a Caribbean wetland, select “Caribbean Waterbird Census” above the “Start checklist” button.
CWC on the eBird Website:
Go to the Submit page.
Use the “Choose a Project” dropdown to check the box next to “Caribbean Waterbird Census.”
Then follow the steps below to add your list details as normal.
For your CWC lists, be sure to:
Do a complete checklist of all birds you were able to identify by sight or sound (to the best of your ability). Check out why this is important and best practices for ebird here.
Select the appropriate protocol (Traveling or Stationary) before submitting.
Now that you’ve joined the project, you can easily identify which of your eBird checklists are part of the CWC! Just view your checklists in eBird—those included in any eBird project will display a small green circular icon in the upper right corner.
Click on the list to see details, including which project it is associated with.
What happened to the CWC Area Search Protocol?
The CWC Area Search protocol was previously available for counts where it was possible to move through the habitat on a predetermined route to count all the birds in the area. Now that eBird allows you to enter the survey area size manually as part of a Traveling Count, this separate protocol is no longer needed. If you previously used Area Search, we recommend switching to the CWC Traveling Count—especially for sites with trails, boardwalks, or navigable waterways. Just be sure to enter the Surveyed Area (in hectares or acres) in your checklists!
Black-crowned Night Heron with nesting material. (Photo by Diana Robinson)
A Willet feeding. (Photo by Jesse Gordon)
Female Blue-winged Teal in flight (Ray Robles)
Where in the Caribbean does the CWC take place?
The CWC Project Region*includes:
Bermuda, The Bahamas, Greater and Lesser Antilles
Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Trinidad and Tobago
Providencia, San Andrés, Swan islands
offshore islands and cays of Venezuela.
*Only checklists from within our region can be added to the CWC Project in eBird.
What habitats should be covered by CWC counts?
Any accessible wetland in the CWC region can be surveyed using CWC protocols, including:
Mangroves, salt ponds, freshwater swamps, marshes, lagoons
Carla Montalvo and Alexia Morales look for waterbirds at Natural Reserve Punta Cucharas, Puerto Rico. (Photo by De Pajareo Puerto Rico)
Flooded ricefields, like these ones in Trinidad, can be great places to look for waterbirds
Salt being produced at Belmont. (Photo by Radio Grenadines)
Hiding in the mangrove, Bahamas. (Photo by Martha Cartwright)
Zapata Swamp, Cuba. (Photo by Margaret Kinnaird)
Need help?
For general help with eBirds projects (joining/ leaving projects, editing checklists, etc.), visit the help page on eBird.
If you have questions specifically about joining the CWC project, using the CWC project pages, or the CWC program at large, reach out to our Waterbird Program Manager.
Why your participation matters
The Caribbean Waterbird Census is a long-term region-wide initiative to track birds using Caribbean wetlands, identify the threats they face, and raise awareness. Your data plays a critical role in shaping conservation actions and priorities across the Caribbean.
The CWC has compiled thousands of checklists—thanks to YOU! Visit our CWC eBird Project Page to explore the impressive stats and see the top contributors.
While the annual regional count takes place from January 14 to February 3—providing a valuable winter snapshot—CWC counts areimportant year-round, especially during fall and spring migration. Whether you’re monitoring resident or migratory species, every count matters.
If you’ve never done a CWC count before, now is the perfect time to start. Just remember to select the CWC Project in eBird every time you do a count at a Caribbean wetland.
Each year, thousands of migratory birds embark on epic journeys south—some fly non-stop to Central and South America, while others stopover or even spend the winter along the Caribbean’s sunny coastlines, wetlands, and forests. Throughout fall 2024, we celebrated these incredible travelers for World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD), and explored the surprising link between their survival and the health of insect populations. Read on to discover the creative ways Caribbean conservation organizations joined the celebration and why protecting insects is vital for the survival of migratory birds!
Worm-eating Warbler with a caterpillar in its beak. (Photo by Bryan Calk ML54410741)
Welcoming Our Winged Travelers
WMBD in the Caribbean officially took place on October 12th, 2024, but migratory birds don’t all move at once. Some begin their journey south as early as August, leaving their nesting sites in Canada and the U.S. for wintering grounds in the Caribbean, Central, and South America. Every year, we eagerly await their arrival as they flock to our shores, wetlands, forests—and even our backyards! Across the Caribbean, celebrations often begin in September and extend through December.
This year’s theme, Protect Insects, Protect Birds, was especially timely, highlighting the urgent need to address the global decline in insect populations. In Spanish: Proteger a los insectos, proteger a las aves, and in French: Protégeons les insectes, protégeons les oiseaux.
Insects are an important protein source for growing birds too. A female Common Yellowthroat feeds its offspring. (Photo by Dawn Gunderson ML621947269)
Unfortunately, insects face numerous threats, including habitat loss, pesticides, climate change, and bright artificial lights at night. For instance, artificial lighting disrupts fireflies’ mating behavior and caterpillars’ feeding patterns, while swarming around outdoor lights leaves insects exhausted and vulnerable to predators. This is bad news for migratory birds—without enough insects to fuel their journeys, birds can struggle to migrate, reproduce, and survive.
One of the WMBD 2024 Insect Ambassadors– a Vivid Dancer (blue morph)– on a pitcher plant. (Photo by Judy Gallagher)
Simple Actions, Big Impact
The decline in insect populations is a significant threat to bird health, but the good news is we can all take simple steps to make a difference. Actions like planting native flowers, trees, and shrubs; supporting organic farming; preserving natural habitats; and leaving fallen leaves for insects can create healthier ecosystems for both bugs and birds.
Tree-planting Grupo Acción Ecológica for a past WMBD celebration in the Dominican Republic.
Caribbean Communities in Action
Communities across the Caribbean came together to raise awareness about the critical role insects play in the survival of migratory birds and to inspire actions that make their environments more insect-friendly. Here are some highlights from this year’s WMBD events held in The Bahamas, Jamaica, US Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Antigua and Barbuda.
The Bahamas
To celebrate WMBD, several educational events were held on Grand Bahama Island throughout October and November, engaging students in hands-on learning about birds, their migratory patterns, and the importance of protecting insects to protect birds.
Deana Williamson, a Social Studies teacher at Eight Mile Rock High School, led her students in exploring the connection between insects and birds. Students participated in an interactive activity, matching migratory birds with the insects they typically feed on, while discussing the variety of insects found on the island.
The celebration continued with EARTHCARE’s Bird Educator, Bridget Davis, and members, Jill Cooper and Gail Woon, visiting Bishop Michael Eldon School. Students learned about migratory bird species in The Bahamas and practiced birdwatching techniques using binoculars. Fun prizes like bird-themed bracelets and masks boosted engagement.
Later, Davis and Woon joined Mrs. Rochelle Manchester’s class at Martin Town Primary School for a birdwatching excursion. The students identified 13 bird species, including two rare American Oystercatchers spotted along the shoreline! Reflecting on the experience, Mrs Manchester shared, “The lesson has been the catalyst for a few of them doing their own research on migratory birds. It has truly sparked an interest for the students. I’d love to teach this again next year.”
Two striking American-Oystercatchers, seen by the Martin Town Primary School students in The Bahamas. (Photo by EARTHCARE Bahamas)
Primary School students of the Bishop Michael Eldon School learning how to use binoculars for the first time. (Photo by EARTHCARE Bahamas)
Gail Woon handing out fun bird-themed WMBD materials to students. (Photo by EARTHCARE Bahamas)
Jamaica
BirdLife Jamaica marked WMBD with a muddy but exciting birdwatching event at the Old Harbour Mud Flats in St. Catherine—the third in a series focused on raising public awareness of shorebirds in Jamaica. The first two events were webinars on identifying shorebirds and where to find them, aptly titled ‘Shorebirds: The Beach Bums of the Bird World’ and ‘Birds of the Beach: A Beginner’s Guide to Shore Birding’, respectively.
Twenty enthusiastic birders braved the heat and muddy terrain to put their new shorebird ID skills to the test! The group recorded an impressive 37 species, with the Killdeer and Reddish Egret stealing the spotlight. The real surprise came with the sighting of a lone Black Swift—an uncommon find, as it prefers montane forested habitats, and a lifer for many of the newer birders!
Looking for shorebirds at Old Harbour mudflats, Jamaica. (Photo by BirdLife Jamaica)
Reddish Egret, dark morph. (Photo by Alan D Wilson)
When in doubt always consult field guides, Old Harbour, Jamaica. (Photo by BirdLife Jamaica)
Black Swift. (Photo by Frank Lin ML459370211)
US Virgin Islands
On WMBD, the St. Croix Sea Turtle Project and Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge team led a 2-hour, 2-mile birdwatching hike at the refuge, spotting long-distance migrants like Ruddy Turnstones and small wading birds like Wilson’s Plovers. Ellie Sherman, Education and Outreach Officer for the Sea Turtle Project, shared that the small but enthusiastic group enjoyed exploring Sandy Point’s rich ecology and spotting birds in the refuge’s bird blind and along the beach. Fun fact: Sandy Point is where the rare White Tern was spotted in August 2024!
The team after a fun two hour birdwatching tour at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, St. Croix.
The Ruddy Turnstone travels amazing distances each year. (Photo by Anthony Levesque)
The White Tern following Jennifer along the southwest shore of St Croix at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge (Photo by Jennifer Valuilis)
Wilson’s Plover. (Photo by Andy Morffew)
Dominican Republic
Maria Paulino and her team from Grupo Acción Ecológica (GAE) celebrated WMBD with classroom lessons and outdoor activities. Preschoolers were excited to learn about the migratory birds that travel thousands of miles every year to spend the winter in the Dominican Republic. Bursting with new inspiration, students then got creative, making bird masks and coloring migratory birds from the Migratory Birds of the West Indies book (free download available!).
Preschoolers coloring migratory birds from the Migratory Birds of the West Indies coloring book. (Photo by Grupo Acción Ecológica)
Students birdwatching with Maria Paulino. (Photo by Grupo Acción Ecológica)
Older students ventured outdoors for an introduction to bird banding. Maria took them through the process of setting up mist nets, collecting data on bird size and weight, and explaining how this information adds to our growing knowledge of what birds require to thrive. The highlight? Using binoculars and field guides to identify local birds!
Students look on as Maria explains how a mist net works to safely trap birds. (Photo by Grupo Acción Ecológica)
Two students learn about the importance insects to healthy bird populations using the WMBD poster. (Photo by Grupo Acción Ecológica)
A winter migrant–an Ovenbird, on the hunt for insects. (Photo by Hemant Kishan)
Students identifying and recording birds seen with Maria. (Photo by Grupo Acción Ecológica)
Puerto Rico
The team at Centro Ambiental Santa Ana (CASA) embarked on an exciting adventure into Puerto Rico’s urban forest, joining students from the Universidad Interamericana – Recinto Metro for a hands-on research project: Exploring the Winged Diversity of Puerto Rico in an Urban Forest. This ongoing research aims to monitor both resident and migratory bird species through monthly counts, along with other activities in the vibrant Santa Ana Forest, located in the Julio Enrique Monagas National Park in Bayamón.
On WMBD, college students with no prior birding experience, but a strong passion for wildlife, kicked off their training to join the research team as bird monitors. After an introduction to the essentials of birdwatching led by Dayamiris Candelario, the group headed to the forest to hone their newly acquired skills . Among the species spotted, a thrilling moment came when they identified their first migratory bird—a male Northern Parula sporting the iconic chestnut “collar”.
Male Northern Parula. (Photo by Steve Buckingham)
The students continued their journey into the world of birding with training and fieldwork, beginning their official bird monitoring on October 24th and 26th. Their hard work paid off as they identified several fascinating species, including the Blackpoll Warbler and Black-and-white Warbler. They were delighted to spot more Northern Parulas foraging in the trees, perhaps hunting for their next bug meal.
A male Blackpoll Warbler in fall migration and winter plumage. Males in breeding plumage in spring look very different—they have a black cap and white cheek patch. (Photo by Anthony Levesque)
Male Black-and-White Warbler on Tree (Photo by Hemant Kishan)
“The project is just getting started, and with each field session, these budding birders are gaining valuable skills and contributing to the growing understanding of Puerto Rico’s dynamic bird population. We are incredibly grateful for the support and materials provided by Environment for the Americas and Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales (Department of Natural and Environmental Resources),” says Dayamiris.
Dayamiris Candelario and her group of budding researchers.
Antigua and Barbuda
The Environmental Awareness Group (EAG), led field trips to explore wetlands and welcome migratory birds settling in for the winter. EAG staff journeyed to Darkwood Mangrove with students from Jennings Secondary and St. Mary’s Secondary, Parham Mangrove with Sir Novelle Richards Academy and Pares Secondary, and McKinnon’s Salt Pond with Antigua Girls’ High School and Antigua Grammar School.
The thrill of spotting birds in the wild was heightened as participants learned to use binoculars for the first time, with the stunning wetland setting providing the perfect backdrop. A fun game of Bird Spy Bingo added a competitive edge as attendees raced to identify as many species as possible.
St. Mary’s Secondary School students receive their binoculars before heading into Darkwood Mangrove to spot migratory birds. (Photo by Sherrel Charles/EAG)
Jennings Secondary School students with Bird Spy Bingo card. (Photo by Sherrel Charles/EAG)
Shanna Challenger teaches the group how to use binoculars.(Photo by Andrew Bowen/EAG)
EAG also brought bird-themed lessons to the classrooms at Antigua State College and St. Nicholas Primary School, sparking curiosity about migratory birds and their conservation. Students learned how actions like using organic pesticides and reducing waste can help protect birds and their habitats for future generations.
Joshel Wilson presenting to students of Antigua State College. (Photo by Auriel Horseford Hunte/EAG)
WMBD presentation to St Nicholas Primary school students. (Photo by Sherrel Charles/EAG)
Bird stickers for everyone! (Photo by Sherrel Charles/EAG)
WMBD 2024’s Outstanding Educators
We applaud the tremendous efforts of all educators who plan and execute educational and fun activities to ensure an unforgettable WMBD and inspire a love for birds and birdwatching. For WMBD 2024, Environment for the Americas recognized the dedication of the following Caribbean educators: Justin Saunders (BirdLife Jamaica), Osmani Borrego Fernandez (Guanahacabibes National Park, Cuba), Jorge Brocca (SOH Conservacion, Dominican Republic), Achsah Mitchell (St. Eustatius National Park) and Devon Carter (Anguilla National Trust). We are also deeply grateful for the ambassadors, who selflessly deliver WMBD educational materials called ‘Happy Kits’ to Caribbean coordinators.
Environment for the Americas and BirdsCaribbean extend our greatest thanks to all of you and we look forward to seeing what you have planned for WMBD 2025!
Interested in supporting bird festivals across the Caribbean? Your contribution will help expand these invaluable efforts and inspire future generations of bird enthusiasts. Show your support here!
Birds Continue to Connect our world
BirdsCaribbean celebrated WMBD by showcasing new migratory birds in our virtual campaign– Birds Connect Our World. Each bird profile was accompanied by a beautifully drawn image by Arnaldo Toledo, along with stunning high-quality photos, engaging videos, online puzzles tailored for different levels (between six and 1,024 pieces), and bird calls. Fun, free and engaging activities were also provided for both kids and adults, including downloadable coloring pages, experiments, up-cycle crafts, and more.
Migratory Birds in Focus
We’re excited to announce the winning photo for the Caribbean region – Youth category in the 2024 World Migratory Bird Day Photo Contest! Captured by Mattéo Antoine, this striking image of a Semipalmated Sandpiper feeding on Ephydra flies at Pointe des Châteaux, Saint-François, Guadeloupe highlights the critical importance of healthy insect populations for migratory birds, especially those traveling thousands of miles nonstop.
Looking Ahead to 2025: Shared Spaces
The theme for WMBD 2025, Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities, will focus on the importance of building urban environments that support both people and wildlife. As cities continue to grow, it’s crucial that we create spaces where birds can thrive—whether through green rooftops, bird-friendly architecture, or protected green areas. By incorporating bird-friendly practices into our daily lives and communities, we can help ensure that migratory birds have safe spaces to rest, feed, and thrive as they journey across the islands.
WMBD 2025 campaign poster, beautifully crafted by artist Annamaria Savrino, showcases the interconnectedness of humans and migratory birds.
If you are interested in celebrating WMBD in your country, or if you can deliver materials to a Caribbean country, we encourage you to visit the WMBD website for more information; or contact the Caribbean Regional Coordinator, Laura Baboolal, at lbaboolal@environmentamericas.org.
For birdwatchers in Cuba, October isn’t just a month; it’s a celebration of nature, science, and the unbeatable spirit of the birdwatching community. Despite the blackouts and shortages of essential items that come with life on the largest island in the Caribbean, birders across the country united for two magnificent birding extravaganzas—October Big Day and Garrido Biggest Week.
In 2023, Cuban conservationists Yaro Rodríguez and Nils Navarro received a Betty Petersen Conservation Fund grant to expand Cuba’s emerging birdwatching movement. The goal was to improve the understanding of Cuba’s birdlife through citizen science.
Their project provided community leaders with binoculars and training to identify and monitor local bird populations and report data through eBird Caribbean. These trained leaders then establish birdwatching clubs in their communities, raising awareness across Cuba about the importance of protecting birds and their habitats. Yaro and Nils’ project continues to grow, with birdwatching clubs across the country now actively engaging in ongoing bird monitoring and conservation efforts.
Yaro Rodríguez.
Nils Navarro.
In addition to several locally initiated birding celebrations throughout the year, birders across the island also participate in two major global citizen science programs: Global Big Day in May and October Big Day in October. Team Cuba is proudly known as the Gundlach Team, in honor of the German-Cuban naturalist and taxonomist Johannes Christoph Gundlach. Yaro details the how the Cuban birding community came together in October to celebrate and protect Cuba’s incredible birdlife.
Gundlach’s Hawk (Photo by Michael J. Good)
Passion and perseverance in Cuba’s birdwatching community
October saw the Gundlach Team remaining steadfast in their exemplary efforts. From dawn onward, birdwatchers from across Cuba ventured into the field, ready to discover and record the country’s rich avian diversity. Notable participants included Yanosky, Manuel Aroche, Ricardo Concepción, Nicolás Díaz, and Marleny Roque, who started their day at first light!
The national bird of Cuba – the Cuban Trogon. (Photo by Rafy Rodriguez)
What makes these events special is not only the number of birds recorded—but the personal stories behind each effort. For some, it was a day of surprises as they encountered new “lifers” to add to their personal lists, while for others, it was an opportunity to improve their standing in the Cuba Big Year 2024. Every list submitted to eBird helped to build a more comprehensive picture of the biodiversity on our island.
Omar Labrada, from Las Tunas, birdwatched with his daughters during October Big Day.
Yusneyda Alarcon and Manuel Lopez from Gramma crossing a mangrove channel during October Big Day.
The community’s dedication was particularly inspiring. Birdwatchers like Edwin Ruiz and Maite Cordoví, despite facing personal challenges, joined in from their windows, showing that a love for birds knows no bounds. Others, like Homar Labrada and his son Marcos, used the occasion to spend the day together, passing down a respect and fascination for birds to the next generation.
Against the odds: The Cuban reality
Birdwatching in Cuba presents unique challenges. One of the biggest challenge our birdwatching community faces is transportation, both to easily accessible areas and to new regions we want to explore. Compounded by fuel shortages, this significantly limits our ability to travel, making each trip a major logistical challenge. On top of that, we deal with frequent power outages and the ongoing stress of meeting our families’ basic needs. Despite these daily struggles and economic difficulties affecting everything from transportation to food, our birdwatching community remains determined, active, and enthusiastic.
Viñales Valley, Cuba.
Every activity we promote and every event in which birdwatchers participate is a meaningful achievement, reflecting the love and commitment we have for Cuban birds and future generations.
October Big Day in Cuba: An unmatched success
On October 12, 63 eBirders, across 15 provinces, with the exception of the Isle of Youth, recorded 186 bird species within just 24 hours. This resulted in 140 eBird checklists, enriched with 96 photos and 31 song recordings. These data not only strengthen the global knowledge base on birds but also underscore Cuba’s commitment to conservation and citizen science.
Among notable individual achievements, Manuel López Salcedo from Las Tunas led the count with 96 species observed across 11 lists. On the women’s side, Yuzaima Ortiz from Ciego de Ávila secured the title of top female lister with a total of 87 species observed.
Members of the formidable Gundlach Team.
This local success was part of a larger global achievement. Over 750,000 birdwatchers from 201 countries participated in this historic day of citizen science, documenting over 7,800 species in just 24 hours. This global initiative highlights the importance of birdwatching as a conservation tool. Each checklist, photo, and recording contributes essential data for science and biodiversity protection.
Garrido Biggest Week: A tribute to a legend
Despite the devastation caused by Hurricane Oscar and ongoing power outages, the Cuban birdwatching community honored Orlando H. Garrido, the country’s most influential ornithologist, who passed away in June 2024. In a fitting tribute to Cuba’s jewel of Caribbean ornithology, the first edition of Garrido’s Biggest Week was held from October 21 to 27. Created to honor Garrido’s legacy and encourage birdwatching during the autumn migration, the event coincided with the dates when Garrido himself would go into the field to record new species.
Orlando Garrido was a tireless explorer of the Cuban archipelago. Garrido has to his credit the discovery of four mammalian taxa and the description of: 58 insects, 21 birds, 37 reptiles. 78 new records among birds, reptiles, and fish, and 23 taxa have been dedicated to him, and in total he has 298 publications. (Photo by Susan Jacobson)
Orlando Garrido regales our group with stories of his Cuban adventures as a biologist and tennis pro! BirdsCaribean Cuba Bird Tour (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Orlando Garrido, Nils Navarro and Herb Raffaele at the 21st International Conference of BirdsCaribbean, in Topes de Collantes, Cuba, July, 2017. Orlando was awarded a BirdsCaribbean Lifetime Achievement Award.
Birdwatchers from all provinces participated enthusiastically, recording 183 species and capturing a total of 76 photographs. José Alberto Pérez Echavarría was the winner in this friendly competition, observing 108 species throughout the event.
This week featured some serendipitous sightings, among them was the first record in Cuba of a Lawrence’s Warbler, an important discovery for the island’s avifauna!
An adult male Lawrence’s Warbler. (Photo by Jeff Hapeman ML604876071)
Additionally, the first documented case of xanthochroism in a member of the Todidae family, the Cuban Tody, was observed—this rare phenomenon gives affected birds an unusual yellow coloration. Both discoveries will be part of an upcoming article, expanding on these unique observations in the region.
The Garrido Biggest Week will become an annual tradition. The community also organizes other thematic weeks to honor prominent figures in Cuban ornithology, such as Charles Ramsden Week in December, José H. Bauzá Week in April, and Juan Gundlach Week in August.
These activities are essential for keeping the birdwatching community active year-round, beyond major events like October Big Day and Global Big Day, while also enriching eBird during periods of lower tourist activity in the country. Through these efforts, the Cuban birdwatching community continues to advance the exploration and conservation of the island’s biodiversity, even in the face of adversity.
The power of citizen science
October Big Day and Garrido Biggest Week are also reminders of the value of our birds and the challenges they face. Cuban birdlife, like that around the world, faces constant pressures from habitat loss, climate change, and human activity. In addition, illegal trapping is a huge threat to endemic, resident and migratory birds in Cuba. Through citizen science and unwavering commitment, each Cuban birdwatcher has the opportunity to contribute to conservation and make a difference.
Cuban Parakeets in flight (Photo by Garry Donaldson)
Cuban voices from the field
To conclude, here are some stories that capture the passion and challenges of these unforgettable days:
“When I arrived, the battery pack I’d prepared for my camera failed, so I used my binoculars to do digiscoping and identify birds in tricky situations. Later, in the forest, as we returned to the reservoir embankment, Wency played a mix of bird calls, and we saw several warbler species. Surprise! Among them was a Worm-eating Warbler, a lifer for me. The excitement was indescribable; everyone pointed their cameras and managed to capture the moment.” – Freddy Ricardo, Holguín Birdwatching Club
“I had a lifer: White-eyed Vireo, though without a photo. But I managed to photograph an Osprey for the first time—81 shots as I got closer with digiscoping! I was thrilled to capture this species.” – Manuel Aroche, Granma Birdwatching Club
“A friend and I shared a lifer, a Philadelphia Vireo! The second record of this species in Ciego de Ávila, and during the week we honor Garrido! It couldn’t be better.” – Nicolás Díaz, Ciego de Ávila Birdwatching Club
“I want to dedicate my participation in the October Global Big Day to my dad, who recently passed away. I owe him my love and respect for nature.” – Ricardo Sánchez, Artemisa Birdwatching Club
These anecdotes reflect the dedication and love for birds that motivate our community to keep moving forward. In every field outing, every photo, and every checklist submitted, there lies a collective commitment to preserving Cuba’s rich biodiversity for future generations.
Special Thanks
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Betty Petersen Conservation Fund, managed by BirdsCaribbean, for their generous support, and to the team at BirdsCaribbean, especially Lisa Sorenson and Adrianne Tossas, for their unwavering dedication to the birdwatching community in Cuba.
Yaroddys Rodríguez, known as Yaro, is a self-taught ornithologist dedicated to the study and conservation of Cuban birds. Mentored by experts like Orlando H. Garrido and James Wiley, he began publishing scientific articles at a young age. Yaro founded the Cuban Birdwatchers Facebook group, now with over 30,000 members, and promotes the use of eBird for citizen science. He is also a member of the Cuban Zoological Society, BirdsCaribbean, and the Ariguanabo Foundation.
Los Observadores de Aves Cubanos Vuelan alto en Octubre: Aves, Ciencia y el Espíritu de Comunidad
Para los observadores de aves en Cuba, octubre no es solo un mes, es una celebración de la naturaleza, la ciencia y el inquebrantable espíritu de la comunidad de observación de aves. A pesar de los apagones y la escasez de productos esenciales que acompañan la vida en la isla más grande del Caribe, los observadores de aves de todo el país se unieron para dos magníficas extravagancias ornitológicas: el Gran Día de Aves de Octubre y la Semana Más Grande de Garrido.
En 2023, los conservacionistas cubanos Yaro Rodríguez y Nils Navarro recibieron una beca del Fondo de Conservación Betty Petersen para expandir el emergente movimiento de observación de aves en Cuba. El objetivo era mejorar la comprensión de la fauna aviar cubana a través de la ciencia ciudadana.
Su proyecto proporcionó binoculares y capacitación a los líderes comunitarios para identificar y monitorear las poblaciones locales de aves, reportando los datos a través de eBird Caribe. Estos líderes capacitados establecieron clubes de observación de aves en sus comunidades, generando conciencia en toda Cuba sobre la importancia de proteger a las aves y sus hábitats. El proyecto de Yaro y Nils sigue creciendo, con clubes de observadores de aves en todo el país que participan activamente en esfuerzos de monitoreo y conservación de aves.
Yaro Rodríguez.
Nils Navarro.
Además de varias celebraciones locales de observación de aves a lo largo del año, los observadores de aves de la isla también se reúnen para participar en dos grandes programas globales de ciencia ciudadana: Global Big Day en mayo y Gran Día de Aves de Octubre en octubre. El equipo de Cuba es conocido con orgullo como el Equipo Gundlach, en honor al naturalista y taxónomo germano-cubano Johannes Christoph Gundlach. Yaro detalla cómo la comunidad de observadores de aves cubanos se unió en octubre para celebrar y proteger la increíble fauna aviar de Cuba.
Gundlach’s Hawk (Foto de Michael J. Good)
Pasión y perseverancia en la comunidad de observadores de aves de Cuba
En octubre, el Equipo Gundlach se mantuvo firme en sus esfuerzos ejemplares. Desde el amanecer, los observadores de aves de toda Cuba se aventuraron al campo, listos para descubrir y registrar la rica diversidad aviar del país. Entre los participantes más destacados se encontraban Yanosky, Manuel Aroche, Ricardo Concepción, Nicolás Díaz y Marleny Roque, ¡quienes comenzaron su jornada al primer rayo de luz!
El ave nacional de Cuba conocida localmente como ‘tocororo.’ (Foto de Rafy Rodriguez)
Lo que hace especiales estos eventos no es solo la cantidad de aves registradas, sino las historias personales detrás de cada esfuerzo. Para algunos, fue un día lleno de sorpresas al encontrar nuevas especies “lifers” para agregar a sus listas personales, mientras que para otros, fue una oportunidad para mejorar su posición en el Cuba Big Year 2024. Cada lista enviada a eBird ayudó a construir una imagen más completa de la biodiversidad en nuestra isla.
Omar Labrada de Las Tunas observando aves con sus hijas.
Yusneyda Alarcón y Manuel López, de Gramma, cruzando un canal de manglares durante el Big Day de octubre.
La dedicación de la comunidad fue particularmente inspiradora. Observadores de aves como Edwin Ruiz y Maite Cordoví, a pesar de enfrentar desafíos personales, se unieron desde sus ventanas, demostrando que el amor por las aves no tiene límites. Otros, como Homar Labrada y su hijo Marcos, aprovecharon la ocasión para pasar el día juntos, transmitiendo el respeto y la fascinación por las aves a la próxima generación.
Contra viento y marea: La realidad cubana
La observación de aves en Cuba presenta desafíos únicos, centrados principalmente en el transporte. El mayor reto que enfrenta nuestra comunidad de observadores de aves es el transporte, tanto hacia áreas de fácil acceso como hacia nuevas regiones que queremos explorar. Aumentado por la escasez de combustible, esto limita significativamente nuestra capacidad para viajar, haciendo de cada viaje un gran desafío logístico. Además, lidiamos con frecuentes apagones y el estrés constante de satisfacer las necesidades básicas de nuestras familias. A pesar de estas luchas diarias y dificultades económicas que afectan desde el transporte hasta la comida, nuestra comunidad de observadores de aves sigue siendo determinada, activa y entusiasta.
Viñales Valley, Cuba.
Cada actividad que promovemos y cada evento en el que los observadores de aves participan es un logro significativo, reflejando el amor y compromiso que tenemos por las aves cubanas y las generaciones futuras.
Gran Día de Aves de Octubre en Cuba: Un éxito inigualable
El 12 de octubre, 63 eBirders de 15 provincias, con excepción de la Isla de la Juventud, registraron 186 especies de aves en tan solo 24 horas. Esto resultó en 140 listas de eBird, enriquecidas con 96 fotos y 31 grabaciones de cantos. Estos datos no solo fortalecen la base de conocimiento global sobre las aves, sino que también subrayan el compromiso de Cuba con la conservación y la ciencia ciudadana.
Miembros del formidable Equipo Gundlach.
Entre los logros individuales más destacados, Manuel López Salcedo de Las Tunas lideró el conteo con 96 especies observadas en 11 listas. Por parte de las mujeres, Yuzaima Ortiz de Ciego de Ávila se coronó como la mejor observadora femenina con un total de 87 especies observadas.
Este éxito local fue parte de un logro global mayor. Más de 750,000 observadores de aves de 201 países participaron en este histórico día de ciencia ciudadana, documentando más de 7,800 especies en solo 24 horas. Esta iniciativa global resalta la importancia de la observación de aves como una herramienta de conservación. Cada lista, foto y grabación contribuye con datos esenciales para la ciencia y la protección de la biodiversidad.
Semana Más Grande de Garrido: Un tributo a una leyenda
A pesar de la devastación causada por el huracán Oscar y los continuos apagones, la comunidad de observadores de aves de Cuba rindió homenaje a Orlando H. Garrido, el ornitólogo más influyente del país, quien falleció en junio de 2024. En un merecido tributo a la joya de la ornitología caribeña de Cuba, se celebró la primera edición de la Semana Más Grande de Garrido del 21 al 27 de octubre. Creada para honrar el legado de Garrido y fomentar la observación de aves durante la migración de otoño, el evento coincidió con las fechas en las que Garrido mismo salía al campo a reportar nuevas especies.
Orlando Garrido fue un incansable explorador del archipiélago cubano. Garrido tiene en su haber el descubrimiento de cuatro taxones de mamíferos y la descripción de: 58 insectos, 21 aves, 37 reptiles. Se le han dedicado 78 nuevos registros entre aves, reptiles y peces, y 23 taxones, y en total tiene 298 publicaciones. (Foto de Susan Jacobson)
Orlando Garrido deleita a nuestro grupo con historias de sus aventuras cubanas como biólogo y tenista profesional. BirdsCaribean Cuba Bird Tour (Foto de Lisa Sorenson)
Orlando Garrido, Nils Navarro y Herb Raffaele en la 21 Conferencia Internacional de BirdsCaribbean, en Topes de Collantes, Cuba, julio, 2017. Orlando recibió el premio BirdsCaribbean Lifetime Achievement Award.
Los observadores de aves de todas las provincias participaron con entusiasmo, registrando 183 especies y capturando un total de 76 fotografías. José Alberto Pérez Echavarría fue el ganador de esta competencia amistosa, observando 108 especies a lo largo del evento.
Esta semana presentó algunas observaciones afortunadas, entre ellas el primer registro en Cuba de un Bijirita de Lawrence, ¡un descubrimiento importante para la avifauna de la isla!
Un macho adulto de Bijirita de Lawrence. (Foto de Jeff Hapeman ML604876071)
Además, se observó el primer caso documentado de xantocromismo en un miembro de la familia Todidae, el Cuban Tody (Cartacuba o Pedorrera), un fenómeno raro que da a los aves afectadas una coloración amarilla inusual. Ambos descubrimientos formarán parte de un artículo próximo, ampliando estas observaciones únicas en la región.
La Semana Más Grande de Garrido se convertirá en una tradición anual. La comunidad también organiza otras semanas temáticas para honrar figuras prominentes de la ornitología cubana, como la Semana Charles Ramsden en diciembre, la Semana José H. Bauzá en abril y la Semana Juan Gundlach en agosto.
Estas actividades son esenciales para mantener activa a la comunidad de observadores de aves durante todo el año, más allá de grandes eventos como el Gran Día de Aves de Octubre y el Global Big Day, mientras enriquecen a eBird durante períodos de menor actividad turística en el país. A través de estos esfuerzos, la comunidad de observadores de aves de Cuba sigue avanzando en la exploración y conservación de la biodiversidad de la isla, incluso ante la adversidad.
El poder de la ciencia ciudadana
El Gran Día de Aves de Octubre y la Semana Más Grande de Garrido también son recordatorios del valor de nuestras aves y los desafíos que enfrentan. La fauna aviar cubana, al igual que la del resto del mundo, enfrenta presiones constantes por la pérdida de hábitats, el cambio climático y la actividad humana. Además, la captura ilegal es una gran amenaza para las aves endémicas, residentes y migratorias en Cuba. A través de la ciencia ciudadana y un compromiso inquebrantable, cada observador de aves cubano tiene la oportunidad de contribuir a la conservación y marcar la diferencia.
Catey en vuelo. (Foto de Garry Donaldson)
Voces cubanas desde el campo
Para concluir, aquí hay algunas historias que capturan la pasión y los desafíos de estos días inolvidables:
“Cuando llegué, el pack de baterías que había preparado para mi cámara falló, así que usé mis binoculares para hacer digiscoping e identificar aves en situaciones difíciles. Más tarde, en el bosque, mientras regresábamos al dique del embalse, Wency puso una mezcla de cantos de aves y vimos varias especies de warblers. ¡Sorpresa! Entre ellas estaba un Worm-eating Warbler (Bijirita gusanera), un lifer para mí. ¡La emoción fue indescriptible! Todos apuntaron sus cámaras y lograron capturar el momento.” – Freddy Ricardo, Club de Observación de Aves Holguín
“Tuve un lifer: Vireo de ojos blancos, aunque sin foto. Pero logré fotografiar un Águila pescadora por primera vez—¡81 fotos mientras me acercaba con digiscoping! Estaba emocionado de capturar esta especie.” – Manuel Aroche, Club de Observación de Aves Granma
“Un amigo y yo compartimos un lifer, ¡un Vireo de Filadelfia! ¡El segundo registro de esta especie en Ciego de Ávila, y durante la semana que honramos a Garrido! ¡No podría ser mejor!” – Nicolás Díaz, Club de Observación de Aves Ciego de Ávila
“Quiero dedicar mi participación en el Global Big Day de Octubre a mi papá, quien falleció recientemente. Le debo mi amor y respeto por la naturaleza.” – Ricardo Sánchez, Club de Observación de Aves Artemisa
Estas anécdotas reflejan la dedicación y el amor por las aves que motiva a nuestra comunidad a seguir adelante. En cada salida al campo, cada foto y cada lista enviada, hay un compromiso colectivo para preservar la rica biodiversidad de Cuba para las futuras generaciones.
Agradecimientos especiales
Queremos extender nuestro más sincero agradecimiento al Fondo de Conservación Betty Petersen, gestionado por BirdsCaribbean, por su generoso apoyo, y al equipo de BirdsCaribbean, especialmente a Lisa Sorenson y Adrianne Tossas, por su dedicación incansable a la comunidad de observadores de aves en Cuba.
Yaroddys Rodríguez, conocido como Yaro, es un ornitólogo autodidacta dedicado al estudio y conservación de las aves cubanas. Mentoreado por expertos como Orlando H. Garrido y James Wiley, comenzó a publicar artículos científicos desde joven. Yaro fundó el grupo de Observadores de Aves de Cuba en Facebook, ahora con más de 30,000 miembros, y promueve el uso de eBird para la ciencia ciudadana. También es miembro de la Sociedad Zoológica de Cuba, BirdsCaribbean y la Fundación Ariguanabo.
What a year it’s been! 2024 was a whirlwind of excitement, challenges, and growth, and we’re thrilled to share some of the highlights with you. From record-breaking events to building new partnerships, we’ve had quite the ride—and we couldn’t have done it without the support of our amazing community. Here’s a round-up of our most unforgettable moments from the year. Thank you to all our volunteers, members, donors, and everyone who believes in the future of Caribbean birds!
Fantastic fifteen for the Caribbean Waterbird Census
2024 started with us celebrating an amazing 15 years of the Caribbean Waterbird Census. From January 14th to February 3rd, over 200 birders across 14 islands helped us document over 300 CWC checklists! Highlights from this year’s count included a Baird’s Sandpiper spotted in Guadeloupe—a very rare Caribbean visitor!
A volunteer uses a Shorebird ID card at a Caribbean Waterbird Census count. (Photo by Dayamiris Candelario OPAS)
A group of Lesser Scaups at East End Pond. (Photo by Jacqueline A Cestero)
Carrying out CWC surveys on St. Eustatius. (Photo by Jethro van’t Hul)
Sanderling – X19 stopped on another winter visit to Jamaica. (Photo by Damany Calder)
Baird’s Sandpiper (Photo by Caio Osoegawa ML628469580)
Big Day got even BIGGER!
On Global Big Day, May 11, birders around the world got out and about to join in the fun. In the West Indies, we shattered our records for both participation and bird sightings! Big Day birders in the region saw 551 West Indian species, thanks to the amazing efforts of 710 eBird observers—up from 511 last year! But wait there’s more: there were more species sighted (1,354 total, 208 more than last year) and a huge leap in the number of checklists submitted—2,755 total, nearly 1,000 more than last year—phenomenal!! We’re proud of this fantastic win for citizen science in the West Indies!
Dominica’s Imperial Seekers seeking out the magnificent Imperial Parrot for GBD 2024. (Photo by Garry Auguiste)
Members of Wadadli Warblers in Antigua got in on the early birding action for GBD 2024. Photo by Shanna Challenger
A subgroup of the Gundlach Team in Cuba ready to dominate the competition on the morning of GBD 2024.
Big Day wasn’t just about ticking off the birds though, our fun ‘Teams competition’ and annual fundraising efforts were back—this time to enable Caribbean conservationists to come together and strategize to protect our birdlife. We raised over $25,000, an amazing effort that helped bring many deserving Caribbean nationals to our 24th International Conference in the DR! Speaking of which…
We made BirdsCaribbean history in the Dominican Republic!
A record-breaking 338 delegates from 32 countries and islands flocked to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, making our 24th International Conference our largest gathering ever! Conservationists from all walks of life came together, united by a shared mission: protecting the incredible birds that define our region. Centred on the theme: “From Mangroves to Mountains: Safeguarding our Avian Treasures,” the conference featured expert-led presentations, roundtable discussions, training sessions, networking opportunities, fundraising initiatives, and birding trips to observe Hispaniola’s diverse bird species, including its unique endemics. From mangrove conservation to Hispaniola’s endemics to habitat restoration—the conference was a hub of knowledge sharing, networking, collaboration, and inspiration.
Anne-Isabelle Bonifassi, Executive Director of Haiti National Trust, speaks about ecosystem restoration in Haiti, during the Hispaniola Day symposium.
Problem tree being analysed and turned into a results tree by participants.
First time BC Conference attendee Soraya proudly stands next to her poster.
Delegates birding at Ebano Verde.
Palmchat. (Photo by Dax Roman)
Traditional Dominican dancers at the opening reception.
In collaboration with researchers from Virginia Tech, BirdsCaribbean learned more about one of these threats—human disturbance. Early in 2024 we published a report based on a survey of those who do CWC counts, which showed that they perceive human disturbance to be the most significant threat to shorebirds in our region. The report highlighted the need for more social and biological research on human disturbance, and how to tackle this threat.
As we get ready for the 2025 CWC regional count we hope Caribbean birders head for the coast to observe and record shorebird sightings! If you would like to support shorebirds and their threatened habitats, please click here.
Birds and bugs: A perfect pairing for conservation!
Are you Team Insects or Team Birds — or both?! (Photo by TTBO)
Male Puerto Rican Mango. (Photo by Rafy Rodrguez)
Posters about insect types and functions, created by STENAPA staff. (Photo by STENAPA)
Youth enjoying bird games offered by the University of Havana Bird Ecology Group. (Photo by University of Havana Bird Ecology Group)
Completed birdhouses. (Photo by BarbudanGO)
Group birdwatching at Hope Botanical Gardens. (Photo by BirdLife Jamaica)
Six more reasons to celebrate Caribbean endemic birds
This year, we welcomed six newly-recognized Caribbean endemics, bringing the total to an impressive 185! Meet the latest members of our avian family: Grenada Wren, St. Vincent Wren, St. Lucia Wren, Kalinago Wren, Martinique Thrasher, and the St. Lucia Thrasher. More birds to celebrate, more species to protect!
The St Vincent Wren has a notably long wing chord. (Photo by David Hollie ML600921241)
The St Lucia Thrasher has dark brown plumage overall and white underparts. (Photo by Blake Matheson ML214222511)
New resources to keep you informed and inspired
We’ve been busy behind the scenes, launching new resources to keep you in the loop on all things bird conservation. Our first-ever Endemic and Threatened Species Working Group (ETSWG) newsletter debuted this month, packed with the latest research and happenings in the field. Click here for an insightful and enjoyable read! For the latest news and research about our birds farther from shore, dive into our Seabird Working Group newsletter. Both are available in English, Spanish, and French. As always, we welcome your feedback.
And by the way, have you checked out the latest edition (#37) of the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology? It includes research articles and notes, as well as conservation reports, book reviews, perspectives, and opinions. Even more exciting? Volume #37 is a JCO Special Issue!—featuring the contributions from the 24th International BirdsCaribbean Conference! Check out this amazing compendium to rediscover all the fantastic insights shared at the conference!
This year’s edition of “Birds Connect our World” featured stunning coloring pages by masterful Cuban illustrator Arnaldo Toledo.
Always released in English, Spanish, and French, the annual Seabird Working Group is the perfect resource to stay up-to-date on the latest in Caribbean seabird conservation.
From Mangroves to Mountains – Explore JCO Special Issue Vol. 37!
It’s a first edition! Dive right into the newly launched Endemic and Threatened Species WG Newsletter – in English, Spanish, or French, of course!
Training champions for birds and conservation
In October, BirdsCaribbean collaborated with a local NGO, WIRRED (Walkers Institute for Regenerative Research and Design) to conduct a week-long Caribbean Birding Trail Guide Training Workshop on the island of Barbados. Home to the endemic Barbados Bullfinch, the island’s wetlands and coastline harbour critical stopover sites and wintering habitat for migratory species. The training covered not only bird identification and guiding techniques, but also how to tell stories and make connections to the island’s rich cultural, historical, and ecological heritage through the art of environmental interpretation. Congratulations to the 21 newly trained bird guides and conservation champions from Barbados, Antigua, Sint Eustatius, and Cuba!
BirdsCaribbean is pleased to present our Caribbean Birding Trail 2024 cohort! (Photo by WIRRED)
In the US Virgin Islands, 22 educators from three islands learned to engage students with nature and science through birds! Two BirdSleuth Caribbean workshops were held in June, in partnership with SEA (St Croix Environmental Association), the USVI Dept of Environment and Natural Resources, and Horsley Witten Sustainable Environmental Solutions. Over two days, each group explored the BirdSleuth Caribbean curriculum and discovered how to bring birds into the classroom. Birds are excellent for teaching scientific skills as well as gaining appreciation of the islands’ wonderful bird life.
Our Caribbean Landbird Monitoring Program continues to build regional conservation capacity!
This year our 3rd annual bird banding workshop (as part of the Caribbean Landbird Monitoring Program) migrated down to the Lesser Antilles in St. George, Grenada. From March 7 – 11 participants learned all about songbird banding at scenic locations like the Blue Horizons Resort (featuring views of the white sand Grand Anse Beach) and in the dry forests of Mount Hartman National Park (featuring views of the critically endangered Grenada Dove). With collaboration from Klamath Bird Observatory, participants received training from internationally recognized and North American Banding Council (NABC) certified trainers on all the banding basics from how to properly handle birds, how to extract birds from mist nets, and an introduction to the topic on every bander’s mind, molt. We welcomed 18 participants from 9 different islands and at the end celebrated the certification of two more Caribbean NABC trainers: Daniela Ventura of Cuba, and Zoya Buckmire of Grenada. Congratulations!!
Daniela Ventura instructing participants during the CBB workshop in Grenada. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
We returned to the scenic mountains of Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic for our third annual Landbird monitoring Workshop from 22-26 February, 2024. This year we were ecstatic to welcome 25 participants from 14 different islands. Participants learned the ins and outs of how to set up PROALAS landbird monitoring on their islands, how to enter data using eBird, and how to train people on basic bird identification, featuring some endemic birds of Hispaniola! No workshop would be complete without excursions into the field to practice these monitoring techniques, and participants got to wander the rolling hills around Jarabacoa, finishing with a field trip to the Scientific Reserve, Ebano Verde for chances at finding a Hispaniolan Trogon! Thanks to our Caribbean Landbird Monitoring Small Grant initiative, participants are already making an impact! Six new monitoring programs have launched in The Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Grenada, and Cuba, putting skills into action to protect Caribbean birds.
Weathering the Storm: Resilience in the Face of Climate Change
2024’s hurricane season started early, impacting several of our islands to varying degrees. Climate change fueled extreme weather is no doubt becoming the “order of the day.” Hurricane Beryl (the earliest hurricane ever to reach Category 5 intensity) arrived in early July, and wreaked havoc on Union Island, destroying the 13 year-long Ashton Lagoon project, where the office of Sustainable Grenadines (SusGren) is located. Fortunately there were no casualties, but the entire island was devastated. Now, SusGren’s Executive Director Orisha Joseph is determined to “build back better and stronger.” If you would like to contribute to the restoration of Ashton Lagoon, click here. Beryl also devastated the small sister islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, near Grenada, and went on to cause destruction and flooding in parts of Jamaica.
The charming SusGren office before it was destroyed by Hurricane Beryl. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc.)
Sustainable Grenadines office was completely destroyed when Hurricane Beryl passed through Union Island on July 1, 2024. (Photo by Orisha Joseph)
Ashton Lagoon mangrove littered with littered with chairs, desks, filing cabinets, papers. (Photo by Orisha Joseph)
We recognized and celebrated our committed conservation community!
The BirdsCaribbean Awards were celebrated with rousing applause on the final night of our conference in the Dominican Republic.
Winners of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award were Christopher Rimmer, Emeritus Executive Director of Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE)—the “Bicknell’s Thrush man”; and Dr. Steven C. Latta, Director of Conservation and Field Research at the National Aviary of the Dominican Republic.
Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Christopher Rimmer with BirdsCaribbean Executive Director Lisa Sorenson, BirdsCaribbean President Adrianne Tossas and Andrea Thomen.
Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Dr Steve Latta with BirdsCaribbean Executive Director Lisa Sorenson, BirdsCaribbean President Adrianne Tossas and Andrea Thomen.
President Dr. Adrianne Tossas handed out the coveted President’s Awards to four exemplary organisations on the island of Hispaniola: The Peregrine Fund Dominican Republic, Grupo Jaragua, Grupo Acción Ecológica and Action pour la Sauvegarde de l’Écologie en Haïti. Meet our full roster of awardees here! Congratulations to all—you inspire us to keep pushing harder everyday!
We proudly supported 12 projects through the David S. Lee Fund for Caribbean Birds and the James A. Kushlan Research and Conservation Fund. These projects advanced avian research and conservation in seven Caribbean countries: Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Mexico (offshore islands), St. Eustatius, and The Bahamas. Projects ranged from establishing bird diversity data in The Bahamas, to evaluating education campaigns for the Endangered Jamaican Blackbird, studying the role of urban parks for birds in Cuba, tracking Puerto Rican Orioles, and enhancing Red-billed Tropic Bird conservation in St. Eustatius. We are thrilled to support the dedicated researchers and conservationists in our BirdsCaribbean community.
Without a doubt, we are #StrongerTogether
Giving Tuesday was a huge success, exceeding our $15,000 target! With the theme “Stronger Together: Empowering People, Saving Birds” we are continuing our fundraising efforts with a new target of $60,000! Our team members have raised just over $51,000 so far—we’ve got 18% to go and it’s not too late to help us reach our goal! View our fundraising page here—where a generous match from the BirdsCaribbean board means that any help you give is doubled to continue our work with the people and birds of the Caribbean!
Farewell to some true bird conservation legends
This year we said sad farewells to beloved champions of Caribbean birds. They will be missed…
Wayne Burke at Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge. (Photo by Yves Aubrey)
Wayne “Doc” Burke of Barbados who passed away on November 19, tackled the issue of hunting shorebirds, establishing the Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge, a former shooting swamp that became a haven for shorebirds. His pioneering efforts spurred a change in attitudes and practices among Barbadian hunters, and led to the establishment of more shorebird refuges. Read more here.
John Fletcher walking along the beach during a visit to Yallahs Salt Ponds, a place where he was always very happy. (Photo by Emma Lewis)
London-born John Fletcher, who died at the age of 95 in Kingston and adopted Jamaica as his home at a young age, became a successful businessman, a coffee producer—and most of all an avid birder and a President of BirdLife Jamaica. He was a revered and loved “guru” for bird watchers of all ages, conducting countless bird tours across the island. Read more here.
Simón Guerrero was a founding member of the Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds. An engaging teacher and speaker with a great sense of humor, he influenced many to become fans and defenders of nature over several decades.
We remember an extraordinary environmental educator, Simón Guerrero, who passed away earlier this year. His research on urban ecology focused on making cities more habitable for wildlife, including birds. Simón had a remarkable ability to bring the wonder of birds into classrooms, captivating both students and teachers. A passionate advocate for inclusivity, he founded a birding group for blind Dominicans and emphasized the importance of ensuring that birds “know” our actions are in their favor.
Orlando Garrido was a tireless explorer of the Cuban archipelago. Garrido has to his credit the discovery of four mammalian taxa and the description of: 58 insects, 21 birds, 37 reptiles. 78 new records among birds, reptiles, and fish, and 23 taxa have been dedicated to him, and in total he has 298 publications. (Photo by Susan Jacobson)
We also said goodbye to a giant in Cuban ornithology on June 24, Orlando Garrido—an exceptional scientist, naturalist, colleague, teacher, mentor, and friend to so many. Orlando was dedicated to his work until the very end, discussing ornithology and measuring birds for another publication the evening before his passing! We are grateful to have celebrated Orlando’s numerous accomplishments with a Lifetime Achievement Award at our International Conference in Cuba in 2017 and a wonderful article with many photos on the occasion of his 90th birthday.
Looking ahead: Big things are coming in 2025!
With our focus remaining on our threatened shorebirds, we are looking forward to the 16th annual Caribbean Waterbird Census regional count (January 14 to February 3, 2025), which includes the global World Wetlands Day (February 2, 2025). With a long-term database of over 27,000 CWC lists, your participation will add to a valuable resource for bird conservation across the region. Don’t forget that we have a wealth of handy bird ID materials on our YouTube channel to help you in your quest—and you can conduct waterbird censuses at any time of the year, of course.
Speaking of shorebirds, in 2025 we will be working to have Monte Cristi in the Dominican Republic designated as a key site in the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. Some 20,000 birds stop off at Monte Cristi annually during their migration.
Building our banding network will also be a 2025 priority, as we seek to equip conservationists with those important skills. Applications for our upcoming workshop in the DR are now closed but keep an eye out for future opportunities!
Aerial view of the Motus station installed at Walkers Reserve Barbados. (Photo by Shae Warren)
More Motus! We hope to install more Motus stations across the region, to track our precious migratory species.
We’re off to the bird haven that is the beautiful island of Cuba for what promises to be two amazing bird tours! (January 23 – 31 and March 19 – 30, 2025). Both tours are fully booked, but you can still browse the itineraries and join the waiting list for 2026 by clicking here.
Thank You for an Incredible Year!
2024 was a year to remember, and it was made possible by you—our dedicated members, partners, and supporters.
Stay up to date with us in 2025 with the latest news from the field, BirdsCaribbean programs and events, and opportunities to get involved—free to your inbox, by signing up for our monthly newsletter. Cheers to a fantastic 2025!
Georgie Thornton (right) and Kierra Clarke (left) from WIRRED. (Photo Lisa Sorenson)
Sun, sand, sea and….birds? Yes that’s right, birds! While Barbados is celebrated for its immaculate beaches, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes, this Caribbean gem is also a haven for migratory birds and a great place for birdwatchers. From charismatic shorebirds to colorful warblers, Barbados offers a veritable treasure trove of avian wonder for those who know where to look. In October 2024, BirdsCaribbean teamed up with local NGO WIRRED to shine a spotlight on this hidden birding paradise by hosting a transformative week-long Caribbean Birding Trail Guide Training workshop. Together, we aim to change perceptions and unlock the island’s incredible birdlife for visitors and locals alike!
Although Barbados may not be known primarily as an ecotourism or bird watching hotspot, its wetlands and coastlines are critically important in supporting tens of thousands of migratory shorebirds each year—making them a goldmine for bird lovers! Barbados is also home to the Barbados Bullfinch, a unique and delightful species found nowhere else on earth. Positioned further east in the Atlantic than the rest of the Lesser Antilles, Barbados often welcomes unexpected feathered visitors, adding to its special charm! By cultivating a vibrant birding culture and tourism market, Barbados has the opportunity to raise awareness of the value wetlands and other habitats for birds, fostering sustainable livelihoods in local communities, and build momentum for long-term conservation efforts.
Participants practice identifying birds during the workshop. (Photo by WIRRED)
From October 21-25, participants dove into an immersive workshop designed to equip them with the essential skills for delivering exceptional birding experiences. The comprehensive curriculum covered bird identification, behaviour, ecology, habitat conservation, and environmental interpretation—the art of telling stories to connect visitors with the natural and cultural heritage of Barbados. Led by expert instructors from BirdsCaribbean, the training blended in-depth knowledge and hands-on field experiences, including visits to key birding sites around the island to hone bird identification and guiding techniques. Curious about the highlights? Keep reading as Georgie Thornton, Project Officer at WIRRED, and her colleagues share their insights!
The Wonderful Wetlands of Barbados
Georgie (left) takes part in a birding fieldtrip as part of the workshop. (Photo by Alex Sansom)
I have always been extremely proud of living in Barbados. We’ve got amazing people, gorgeous beaches, flamboyant gardens, and a generally positive atmosphere. But one thing that wasn’t on my ‘must see and do’ list for the island was birdwatching. After five incredible days immersed in the Caribbean Birding Trail Bird Guide Workshop, packed with thrilling tours to Barbados’s top birding spots, I’ve come to realize that no trip to Barbados is complete without exploring the island’s exceptional birdlife!
This tropical paradise serves as a vital stopover for countless migratory bird species, making it a haven for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike. Over the last 10 years, Walkers Reserve has been creating or rehabilitating habitats that have attracted a wonderfully diverse variety of birds. Since I joined the team, I have started to recognise just how important birds are to the ecosystems throughout Barbados, and have developed a healthy respect for these feathered friends.
In 2022, we hosted BirdsCaribbean’s Wondrous Wetlands Workshop where I was able to dip my toes into the world of birding. Ever since, I have been waiting with great anticipation for the CBT Bird Guiding Workshop held this October. I was looking forward to deepening my appreciation for our resident and migratory birds and to sharing the experience with the 20 other local and regional participants!
Walkers Reserve is sanctuary for migratory birds, from colourful hummingbirds to soaring raptors. It is a birder’s paradise. (Photo by WIRRED)
Which Bird Sparked Your Passion?
Venicio ‘Beny’ Wilson broke the ice on the first day by asking everyone to name their ‘trigger bird’—the bird that first drew them into birding or made them start noticing birds. While some participants shared the same bird, everyone had their own wonderful and unique story. One participant mentioned a falcon seen at just 9 years old, shown to them by their grandparents on the south coast boardwalk. Another was completely captivated by the Osprey, which ignited their birding passion. My bird is the Bananaquit. It has always been a constant presence in my garden, gorging itself on the sugary nectar of the banana and bird of paradise flowers.
Osprey with fish. (Photo by Bernie Duhamel)
Dr. Amelia Rouse, Research Consultant at WIRRED, shared her experience of those first days of the workshop:
“I’ll be honest, before the workshop I wasn’t that interested in birds. I liked the typical Osprey and falcon—the big birds of prey with sharp claws. But the workshop helped me see differently. Suddenly all of the birds roaming around had names, features, field marks, bills, calls, and curious behaviours. Some just chill in the pond, some birds hover over the pond, and some birds even twerk by the pond. Who knew…”
Hear the Bird Call and Spread Your Wings
It was the start of a fantastic week of bonding over birds. It was awesome to see everyone spread their wings as they started to understand how to differentiate similar ‘sandpiper’ species, and to tell the call of the Lesser Yellowlegs from that of the Greater as they fly overhead. As the mini quizzes got harder, everyone stepped up to the challenge and soon, an uninitiated person dropping into the conversation wouldn’t have had a clue what we were all talking about!
Interactive classroom sessions came to life with learning activities and field trips to important birding locations on the island. These included visits to Walkers Reserve, Woodbourne Shorebird Sanctuary, Cherry Tree Hill, Harrison’s Point, and King George V Park.
Spotted — this pair of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks and their brood of chicks thrilled participants and tested their ID skills! (Photo by Venecio Wilson)
Woodbourne was particularly special for me. Greeted by a stunning rainbow which brilliantly spanned the reaches of the swamp, we were shown around by Ian Alkins, Woodbourne’s dedicated caretaker. We spotted a fascinating variety of birds, including the Wilson’s Snipe, Solitary Sandpipers, and lots of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks—and their very cute babies! We were fascinated as a kingfisher hovered 60 ft in the air before careening down to grab a fish he’d been eyeing so far above.
Give Deeper Meaning to Your Story
In addition to Bird Identification, instructor Rick Morales introduced participants to the art of Interpretation*. Through this session, we learned how to tell stories that could foster meaningful and inclusive experiences for our guests, deepening their understanding, broaden their perspectives, and inspire engagement with Barbados’ natural and cultural heritage The workshop helped us to drastically improve our guiding and presentation skills, culminating in a presentation on something we were passionate about on the last day of the course.
Dr. Amelia Rouse presenting her topic of children can be inspired through cartoons to conserve nature. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Group watches as Amelia presents. (Photo by Alex Sansom)
Amelia highlights her experience below:
Georgie presents on the final day, about composing with worms. (Photo by Venicio Wilson)
“What I also found interesting about the workshop was how the different presenters engaged us with personal stories. One of the keys of the interpretation module was to add some of your own personality to your guiding and touring presentations. I kept this in mind when I prepared my final presentation at the end of the workshop and used personal stories about my childhood connection to nature and cartoons. The final message was that children can be inspired through cartoons to conserve nature. I’d like to thank the CBT, Birds Caribbean and WIRRED for organising a fun and engaging workshop.”
Other participants presented on native medicinal plants, archaeology, coral restoration, bees, tour guiding in Barbados and Antigua, worm compost, their native quail-doves, and even read moving poems they’d written about their experience throughout the week.
Now, for anyone who visits Barbados and specifically Walkers Reserve, I will always show off our splendid Bajan birds, ensuring they leave with an understanding of just how important these birds are to Barbados and a desire to experience them more. With 21 new birding champions on the island, we hope to foster the birding community here on island to ensure areas important to these birds are treasured.
Participants were thrilled with the experience!
Participants wholeheartedly described it as one of the most enriching experiences they’ve ever had. Amelia explained, “I joined the weeklong course to learn more about bird ID — but I learned so many more things! I learned about interpretive guiding, about the degradation of habitats for shorebirds, and I learned how to present better as a guide! I think it’s a really great course for anybody interested in birds and guiding.” Participant Chaka Audain agreed that the course delivered way more than he expected: “At first, when I started this course, I really thought it would just be specialized in increasing my knowledge about birds, but I realized that I was just scraping the surface of what the course offered. We dived into business strategy for tour guides, how to connect better with clients — and techniques to really relate to people! I gathered so much more than I originally thought I would in this workshop, and I’d recommend it — not just to bird enthusiasts, but anyone else in the tour guiding business, and anyone else dealing with tourists — it will help you multifold your ventures.”
BirdsCaribbean is pleased to present our Caribbean Birding Trail 2024 cohort! (Photo by WIRRED)
Next Steps—and a heartfelt Thank You to our Sponsors!
During the workshop, a “Birding in Barbados” WhatsApp group was formed where participants and more experienced birders in Barbados are sharing what birds they are seeing, finding out about the best birding spots on the island, and getting help with bird ID as needed. Some of the group have already been on birding field trips to continue practicing their bird identification skills—essential for becoming a knowledgeable guide. With all this enthusiasm and practice we have at least one participant, not previously a birder, who is already signed up to guide bird tours in Barbados!
The group out birding during the workshop (Photo by Alex Sansom)
Georgia Scarlett, Environmental Projects Manager at the Sandals Foundation, one of the main sponsors of the guide training, explained, “As a Foundation, we know that becoming stewards of your environment begins with education. With this, we continue to support capacity building sessions across the region.”
“This project not only strengthens capacity and fosters stewardship,” Scarlett continues, “but has the added benefit of livelihood development as birding is an exciting tourism opportunity. Globally, travellers are eager to participate in nature tourism activities and, with these sessions, trainees are able to provide this service.”
Georgie Thornton is a Bajan wildlife conservationist. She currently works at WIRRED as Project Officer, managing various habitat regeneration and monitoring programs.
Acknowledgements: The CBT Interpretive Guide Training was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors and local partners. These include the Sandals Foundation, WIRRED, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service International Programs, USAID, and Vortex Optics.
The Barbados CBT Interpretive Guide training is the eighth training to be carried out by BirdsCaribbean. Previous trainings have been held in Grenada, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Bonaire, Cuba, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. These guide trainings are integral to advancing the vision of the CBT—connecting people to the extraordinary places, diverse cultures, and people of each island. Through the CBT, we promote natural and authentic experiences that benefit local people and encourage the protection of the Caribbean’s natural resources, including birds and their habitats.
*Interpretation is a purposeful approach to communication that facilitates meaningful, relevant, and inclusive experiences that deepen understanding, broaden perspectives, and inspire engagement with the world around us. (National Association of Interpretation).
The Lesser Yellowlegs, a medium-sized shorebird widespread in the Caribbean, has suffered a population decline of 30 to 49%. Its IUCN threat level has been raised from Least Concern to Vulnerable. (Photo by Hemant Kishan)
BirdsCaribbean is sounding the alarm over the significant declines in shorebird populations, highlighted in a recent update to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The report, released during the COP16 UN Biodiversity Conference in November, reveals that 16 shorebird species have been moved to higher threat categories, with some populations plummeting by least 30% over the past three generations.
“This is a wake-up call,” said Lisa Sorenson, Executive Director of BirdsCaribbean. “The Caribbean is a lifeline for migratory shorebirds, providing critical stopover and wintering sites along the Atlantic Flyway. When these habitats are lost or degraded, or disappear, these birds face severe challenges.”
Many of the reclassified species are familiar visitors to the Caribbean, reflecting the region’s vital role in their life cycles. Among the newly listed species are the Lesser Yellowlegs, now classified as “Vulnerable,” and the Greater Yellowlegs, listed as “Near Threatened.” Other widespread species like the Ruddy Turnstone are also in decline, facing threats such as habitat loss, disturbance, and climate change-related impacts. The Short-billed Dowitcher has also experienced worrying population declines.
The Role of Coastal Habitats
Coastal wetlands, including mangroves, swamps, ponds, beaches, sand flats, and mud flats, are essential for shorebird survival, yet they are disappearing at an alarming rate. According to the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF), 12% of the world’s global mangroves are found in the Caribbean, but nearly 7,000 square kilometers were lost between 1980 and 2010. At this rate, the CBF surmises, “the Caribbean’s mangroves could disappear in the next 60 years.”
Over 20,000 shorebirds rely on the wetlands at Monte Cristi in the Dominican Republic during migration every year – making this a regionally important site and a critical lifeline for shorebirds. (Photo by GAE)
Shorebirds feeding at Cargill, which is designated as Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) site of regional importance, and holds important number of shorebird species such a Red Knot and Short-billed Dowitcher. (Photo by Jeff Gerbracht)
Over 100 Piping Plovers, classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN, along with many other wintering shorebirds, were counted on Andros and nearby cays in The Bahamas during our 15th Caribbean Waterbird Census. (Photo by Chris Allieri)
Mangroves across the region are experiencing degradation from multiple pressures, including pollution, unsustainable development, and the effects of climate change. (Photo by Maria Paulino)
A Call to Action
“The destruction and degradation of Caribbean coastal habitats from increased tourism, housing and agricultural developments, pollution, and extreme weather events has devastating consequences,” Sorenson noted. “We must act now to protect these vital ecosystems and the shorebirds that depend on them.”
A volunteer uses a Shorebird ID card at a Caribbean Waterbird Census count. (Photo by Dayamiris Candelario OPAS)
Counting waterbirds at Las Salinas, Zapata Swamp.
A flock of Willets and Short-billed Dowitchers take flight in Las Salinas mangroves, Zapata Swamp, Cuba (photo by Ernesto Reyes)
BirdsCaribbean is urging governments and citizens alike to step up:
Governments can lead the way by prioritizing wetland conservation and enforcing policies that safeguard mangroves and coastal habitats from pollution and unsustainable development practices.
Citizens can contribute by supporting habitat protection and restoration efforts, joining cleanups, participating in bird monitoring programs like the Caribbean Waterbird Census—essential for tracking bird populations and habitat use—and reducing pesticide use to protect waterways from pollution.
Together, these actions can create a lasting impact, safeguarding our birds and the vital habitats they depend on.
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) with us in 2024! This year’s theme is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds”. Have fun learning about a new migratory bird every day. We have coloring pages, interesting facts, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.
Migratory Bird of the Day: Wood Duck
Meet the dazzling Wood Duck! It is one of North America’s most stunning ducks, turning heads wherever it goes with its vibrant and ornate plumage. The elegant male sports a glossy green head with a long green, purple, and white crest at the rear, chestnut-coloured breast, black-and-white neck, orange-red bill, and brilliant red eye. Females have a more understated beauty with warm brown to grayish plumage, a pronounced white tear drop around the eye, white throat, and soft gray crest. Males in non-breeding plumage and juveniles resemble adult females.
True to their name, Wood Ducks live in or near forested swamps. They stand out among ducks for their ability to perch gracefully on tree branches and logs, thanks to their strong claws. Unlike most ducks that nest on the ground or in reeds, Wood Ducks favor snug tree cavities high above ground—sometimes directly over water. They rely on pre-existing holes, often crafted by woodpeckers or natural breaks in trees. The female selects the nest site, while the male waits nearby.
To make the cavity cozy, the female lines it with soft down feathers from her breast, ensuring warmth for her eggs. After hatching, the one-day old ducklings climb up to the cavity entrance and leap fearlessly, landing safely on the ground or water below, even from heights exceeding 50 feet! Their mother calls them, but the ducklings navigate this daring jump on their own—and land without injury!
A study in South Carolina found that 42% of nesting females returned to the same site the following year, highlighting the crucial need to protect these nesting trees.
Wood Ducks enjoy munching on aquatic plants, but they also eat seeds, fruits, insects, and other arthropods. When their aquatic buffet becomes scarce, they venture into the forest to forage for nuts or into fields to snack on grains. Ducklings feed exclusively on protein-rich insects and small invertebrates to fuel their rapid growth.
These birds can be found year-round along the Pacific Coast, in the Northwest, Midwest and Eastern United States, and in Cuba! Migratory populations winter in the southern U.S. and northern Mexico and are rare visitors to the northern Bahamas. Wood Ducks form pairs on their wintering grounds and males follow their mates back to their breeding areas. This means a male may make a long journey north one spring and a shorter one the next, depending on where his partner leads him.
In the early 20th century, hunting pressure coupled with loss of nesting sites pushed Wood Ducks to near extinction. Thanks to legal protection and artificial nest boxes, their populations rebounded, and the species is no longer considered threatened. However, preserving their habitats and the insects they rely on remains vital. Keep waterways clean, and opt for organic fertilizers and biopesticides to minimize harm to wetlands. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here. Great news! If you’re in the Caribbean, thanks to BirdsCaribbean, you have free access to Birds of the World and you can find out even more in the full species account of this bird!
Thanks to Aliya Hosein for the text and Arnaldo Toledo for the lovely illustration!
Color in the Wood Duck
Download the Migratory Birds of the Day Coloring Page! Use the picture above and the photos on this page as your guide, or look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your colored-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #WMBD2024Carib
Listen to the calls of the Wood Duck
Female Wood Ducks have a loud “oo-eek, oo-eek” call that they make in flight or when disturbed.
Enjoy these photos of Wood Ducks
The stunning and colorful male Wood Duck. Wood Ducks pair up in January, and most arrive at the breeding grounds in the spring already paired. (Photo by Alan D. Wilson)
The more demure female Wood Duck has an understated elegance of her own. Females normally lay 10-11 eggs per clutch, and will sometimes raise two broods in one breeding season! (Photo by Alan D. Wilson)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS: Some times birds can be hard to find! Your task in this activity is to find and identify the hidden bird in the given picture!
All you need to do is download and print this activity sheet. Then color in the spaces according to the instructions below to see what kind of bird this is. Once you have found them, describe or name the bird.
Esta actividad también se puede descargar en español en español. ¡Disfruta buscando todas las cosas de la lista!
Tu tarea consiste en encontrar e identificar el pájaro escondido en la imagen dada. Colorea los espacios según las instrucciones siguientes para ver de qué tipo de pájaro se trata. Una vez encontrado, describe o nombra el pájaro.
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy this video of a Wood Duck in the wild!
Timed with the global migration of shorebirds from breeding to overwinter areas, World Shorebirds Day is celebrated every September 6th! This special day highlights these incredible birds and the amazing journeys they make. It also brings attention to the threats they face and actively promotes shorebird monitoring and conservation through the Global Shorebird Count (GSC). Over the week-long GSC, people all over the world come together to monitor shorebird populations and protect the vital habitats these birds depend on for shelter and food. In the Caribbean, we enthusiastically joined the count, showing our love for these remarkable birds. Here are highlights from around the islands!
Sargassum draws shorebirds in the British Virgin Islands (BVI)
Rondel Smith, a Terrestrial Warden with the National Parks Trust of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), headed out to survey shorebirds across Anegada’s wetlands. He was surprised that of all the wetland habitats he visited the beaches proved to be the hotspot for shorebirds. Perhaps because of their thick beds of sargassum? Rondel said “the beached sargassum seemed to be very popular as hundreds of sandpipers could be seen foraging through it.” You can learn more about how beneficial sargassum is to wildlife from the free e-book ‘Suddenly Sargassum’ by Les Fruits de Mer linked at the ned of this blog. Rondel also spotted Ruddy Turnstones, Sanderlings, Short-Billed Dowitchers. The highlight of the count?—A Piping Plover! This small globally near-threatened shorebird is a fairly common winter visitor in parts of The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and Cuba, but it is a much rarer sight in the BVI. This shows that once you are out monitoring waterbirds you never know what you might find! Rondel’s efforts also revealed an unexpected discovery—an active Brown Pelican nesting colony, the first ever recorded nesting on the island!
Enjoy Rondel’s beautiful photos from his shorebirds surveys:
Western Sandpiper BVI. (Photo by Rondel Smith)
Shorebirds feeding on sargassum, BVI. (Photo by Rondel Smith)
A Semipalmated Sandpiper enjoying the sargassum, BVI. (Photo by Rondel Smith)
Young Brown Pelicans, BVI. (Photo by Rondel Smith)
You can also find out more about birds and sargassum in this great book on the topic “Suddenly Sargassum”
Ailen Anido Escalona shared some amazing finds from her shorebird surveys in Cuba with us. During their week of surveys, Ailen and her team counted many wetland birds in addition to shorebirds. Their efforts led to the discovery of a previously undocumented colony of American Flamingos—an exciting find! They also managed to visit the lagoons of the Las Balsas wetland, a site monitored with BirdsCaribbean’s support. Alien reflected on the importance of their work: “It was a unique experience, as we continue to build knowledge about our birdlife.”
Ailen and the survey team.
American Flamingos (Photo by Ailen Anido Escalona)
Engaging youth in St. Eustatius
Jethro and group enjoy a walk and bird survey along Zeelandia Beach for World Shorebirds Day. (Photo by Jethro van ‘t Hul)
Small islands with small wetland areas are still important for shorebirds on the move, so we were delighted to hear about the monitoring effort of Jethro van ‘t Hul of STENAPA on St. Eustatius. As part of their celebration, Jethro hosted an afternoon walk along a local beach on September 6th, World Shorebirds Day itself! Seven participants, including curious youngsters, joined in the fun. They spotted 17 bird species, 10 of which were shorebirds, including Short-billed Dowitchers and Wilson’s Plovers. This hands-on experience inspired participants to connect with nature and appreciate the importance of shorebird conservation.
Puerto Rico celebrated World Shorebirds Day with impressive results. Biologist Nahíra Arocho-Hernández along with volunteers, Julián Rivera and José (Cheo) Vargas, surveyed the Salt Flats of the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge. Their efforts paid off in a big way! They identified an impressive 22 shorebird species of shorebirds, with a total of 2,540 birds counted! The Salt Flats were teeming with Stilt Sandpipers and Semipalmated Sandpipers. Nahíra and her team also encountered several individuals of the larger shorebird species, such as Whimbrels, Willets and striking American Oystercatchers, adding more excitement to their GSC. Their dedication highlights the incredible biodiversity of Puerto Rico’s wetlands.
The local organization De Pajareo Puerto Rico also joined in, sharing their shorebird adventures during the Global Shorebird Count. Follow along on their shorebird-counting adventures here:
World Shorebirds Day is more than a celebration of amazing shorebirds — it’s a tribute to the beautiful wetlands they rely on to survive and the love and dedication shown to them by all the Caribbean shorebird monitors. We thank everyone who participated in this year’s event. Together, we’re making a difference!
Mark your calendars for next year’s Global Shorebird Count and World Shorebirds Day. Bring your friends and family, and let’s make it another unforgettable celebration as well as grow the move to monitor and protect shorebirds and their habitats.
In case you missed them from earlier in the year, BirdsCaribbean made some great ID videos to help you separate the Peeps and Spotted Sandpiper from Solitary Sandpiper. You can find all our shorebird ID videos here, and all of our great shorebird ID and outreach resources can be found here.
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) with us in 2024! This year’s theme is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds”. Have fun learning about a new migratory bird every day. We have coloring pages, interesting facts, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.
Migratory Bird of the Day: Louisiana Waterthrush
Who’s that cutie bobbing their booty? It’s the Louisiana Waterthrush! This lively songbird is famous for its constant tail-bobbing, which inspired its scientific name (Parkesia motacilla)—both parts meaning “tail-wagger.” True to its name, the Louisiana Waterthrush thrives near fast-moving rivers and streams, often hopping gracefully along rocky edges.
Its cryptic, thrush-like plumage is dark olive-brown above and white below, with brown streaks on its breast and sides. A bold white eyebrow stripe (wider behind the eye) and a clean, white throat help set it apart from its equally bobbing cousin, the Northern Waterthrush. The latter has buffier underparts, a narrower eyebrow stripe, and streaking on its throat.
You can also tell them apart by song: the Louisiana Waterthrush’s tune begins with 2-4 clear, descending whistles, followed by a complex jumble of notes. Its sharp metallic chip call is higher-pitched than the Northern’s.
While both species winter in the Caribbean, the Louisiana Waterthrush tends to prefer fast-flowing streams, while its cousins favor mangrove swamps—though they can sometimes overlap. It’s hypothesized that the tail-bobbing behavior may serve as camouflage, mimicking rippling water as they forage for invertebrates near streams. Other wetland birds, like Spotted Sandpipers and Solitary Sandpipers have similar bobbing behavior.
The Louisiana Waterthrush is one of the earliest migrants to arrive in their Caribbean and Central American wintering grounds, often reaching as early as July or August. It is also among the first to return north in spring, arriving on breeding grounds in eastern North America well ahead of most warblers. They seem to prefer traveling solo, usually spotted migrating with only one or two individuals.
Despite being a relatively common migrant in the Caribbean, much remains to be learned about their migration. Some take inland routes through Mexico and Central America, while others cross the Gulf of Mexico to overwinter on islands like Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico.
These streamside specialists feed on a great variety of insects, larvae, and even the occasional small frog or minnow. They walk briskly and skillfully among rocks and sticks as they pursue their prey, sometimes wading into water to obtain food. Their reliance on clean streams makes them bioindicators—birds whose health reflects the condition of their habitat. Studies show that water pollution directly affects their survival and breeding success, as it reduces the macroinvertebrates they depend on for food.
Although not considered threatened, Louisiana Waterthrush populations depend on healthy stream ecosystems. Simple actions like disposing of trash properly and using eco-friendly fertilizers can help protect these amazing birds and the waterways they call home. Keeping streams clean safeguards not only the Louisiana Waterthrush but also countless other species that share their habitats.
Thanks to Holly Garrod for the text and Arnaldo Toledo for the lovely illustration!
Color in the Louisiana Waterthrush
Download the Migratory Birds of the Day Coloring Page! Use the picture above and the photos on this page as your guide, or look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your colored-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #WMBD2024Carib
Listen to the calls of the Louisiana Waterthrush
The call of the Louisiana Waterthrush is a loud, metallic ‘chip‘, similar to that of the Northern Waterthrush.
Enjoy these photos of Louisiana Waterthrush
Louisiana Waterthrush. This bird is a very early migrant arriving back on the wintering grounds as early as July or August. (Photo by Jesse Gordon)Louisiana Waterthrush grabbing a tasty insect snack, this bird mainly feeds on aquatic invertebrates. (Photo by Ryan Shean ML618924609)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS: Use your observation skills and go on a migratory birds and insect Scavenger hunt! Print the cards on sturdy paper and use a clipboard or piece of cardboard as a writing surface outside.
Talk about this with your kids and then go outside to investigate your habitat and get looking for birds and insects. Instead of collecting the items, this is an observational scavenger hunt. See what you can find on your search and note down each bird or insect you find and anything interesting you spot about them, as they are located. When everyone has had a chance to take part and add items to the list, come back together to chat about what was seen and where they were located. How many different bird did you see? Which habitat had the most insects? Did you spot any birds eating insects?
Esta actividad también se puede descargar en español. ¡Disfruta buscando todas las cosas de la lista!
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy this video of a Louisiana Waterthrush in the wild! In the winter you will likely only hear their ‘chip- chip’ call, but here is a sample of their sweet song from the breeding grounds.
If you like Caribbean birds, maybe you want to learn to put a ring (or band) on them!
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! Participants will learn about the basics of bird banding, from setting up a mist-net to examining molt patterns, through a blend of classroom and field based activities. We’ll also discuss and demonstrate some of the benefits of joining our new Caribbean Bird Banding Network. We’re very excited to return to the Dominican Republic to one of our favorite workshop sites, Baiguate Ecolodge in Jarabacoa. Mark your calendars — this year’s workshop will take place from 20-24 February, 2025.
Why do we need to band birds?
A Cuban Tody wearing a BirdsCaribbean band about to be released. (Photo by Daniela Ventura)
Bird surveys, like those covered in our Caribbean Landbird Monitoring Training Workshops, provide valuable information about abundance and species presence. But bird banding is a different methodology that takes a deeper dive into how bird populations are doing by assessing the condition of individual birds. By 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, which in turn sheds light on the quality of the habitats these birds are using.
Aging birds using plumage to investigate demographic patterns.
Using recapture records to learn about survivorship and longevity.
Assessing the presence or absence of breeding characteristics to better understand the timing of breeding and life history for many of our understudied Caribbean endemics.
Finding out which migratory routes our shared birds are taking and gaining a better understanding of factors influencing survival and longevity of species.
Over the long-term, bird banding data can also help us understand patterns and trends in bird populations, to aid in their management and conservation.
About the workshop
This workshop is the fourth annual Caribbean Bird Banding (CBB) Training Workshop. It will cover many of the same topics explored in our previous CBB Training workshops held in The Bahamas (March 2022) and the Dominican Republic (March 2023) and Grenada (March 2024). This bilingual (English and Spanish) workshop is designed for Caribbean wildlife professionals and volunteers who are interested in gaining more experience with bird banding. Prior banding experience is not required. However, priority will be given to applicants who are likely to continue training to gain the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to contribute to or initiate avian research and/or banding programs on their home islands.This workshop will focus on banding landbirds, with an emphasis on Passerines. We hope to provide banding training opportunities for other bird groups in the future.
Daniela Ventura del Puerto (Cuba) provides instruction on bird molt to workshop participants Giselle Raganoonan (Trinidad) and Elvin Manual Vargas Estevez (Dominican Republic).
Zoya Buckmire instructs a participant on how to correctly hold a bird to take measurement. (Photo by Maya Wilson)
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 (assistant, bander, trainer) in the future.
Share information about the other training opportunities, resources, and community available through the CBB Network.
Several NABC-certified trainers will share their knowledge in the classroom, at the mist-net, and at the banding table, covering topics including:
Juan Carlos Fernández Ordóñez shows participants how to correctly set up mist nets in Grenada. (Photo by Maya Wilson)
Proper set-up and placement of a mist-net
Proper techniques for extracting birds from mist-nets
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 bird banding internships following the workshop.
In an effort to decrease the amount of time spent in the classroom, some materials will be shared 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 aim to include approximately 15 participants in this workshop. BirdsCaribbean has funding for a limited number of need and merit-based scholarships to cover the costs of travel and participation. Participants who are able to contribute all or part of their costs can allow us to include additional participants. We encourage applications from all candidates who are well-suited to make use of this training, regardless of their financial ability. Participants should plan to arrive in the Dominican Republic by February 18 and depart on February 25.
Participants at our Caribbean Bird Banding Workshop held in the Dominican Republic in March 2023. (Photo by Joshua Covill)
Applications
If you are interested in participating in this workshop, please fill out this form by 8 December 2024.
Oportunidad de formación: Taller de anillamiento de aves caribeñas
Si te gustan las aves del Caribe, ¡Quizás quieras aprender a ponerles un anillo (o una anilla)! BirdsCaribbean se complace en invitarte a participar en un taller de formación de 5 días centrado en el anillamiento de aves, ¡Una importante herramienta para la investigación y el monitoreo! Los participantes aprenderán los fundamentos del anillamiento de aves, desde la instalación de una red de niebla hasta la revisión de los patrones de muda, a través de una mezcla de actividades en el aula y sobre el terreno. También discutiremos y demostraremos algunos de los beneficios de unirse a nuestra nuevaRed de Anillamiento de Aves del Caribe. Estamos muy contentos de volver a República Dominicana, a uno de nuestros lugares favoritos para los talleres: Baiguate Ecolodge, en Jarabacoa. Márcalo en tu calendario: el taller de este año tendrá lugar del 20 al 24 de febrero de 2025.
¿Por qué necesitamos anillar aves?
Los censos de aves, como los que se tratan en nuestrosTalleres de Formación para el Monitoreo de Aves Terrestres del Caribe, proporcionan información valiosa sobre la abundancia y la presencia de especies. Pero el anillamiento de aves es una metodología diferente que profundiza en la situación de las poblaciones de aves mediante la evaluación del estado de cada individuo. Marcando y estudiando a las aves en la mano, podemos recopilar datos que nos informen sobre su demografía y salud, entre otros:
Observar la acumulación de grasa y el peso para evaluar la condición corporal de las aves en diferentes hábitats y en diferentes épocas del año, lo que a su vez arroja luz sobre la calidad de los hábitats que estas aves están utilizando.
Determinación de la edad de las aves mediante el plumaje para investigar patrones demográficos.
Utilizar los registros de recapturas para conocer la supervivencia y la longevidad.
Evaluar la presencia o ausencia de características reproductivas para comprender mejor el momento de la reproducción y el ciclo biológico de muchas de nuestras poco estudiadas endémicas caribeñas.
Averiguar cuáles rutas migratorias siguen nuestras aves compartidas y comprender mejor los factores que influyen en la supervivencia y longevidad de las especies.
A largo plazo, los datos provenientes del anillamiento también pueden ayudarnos a comprender los patrones y tendencias de las poblaciones de aves, para contribuir a su gestión y conservación.
Sobre el taller
Este taller es el cuarto taller anual de formación sobre anillamiento de aves en el Caribe (CBB). Cubrirá muchos de los temas ya explorados en nuestros talleres anteriores de capacitación sobre la CBBN celebrados enBahamas (marzo de 2022), República Dominicana (marzo de 2023) y Granada (marzo de 2024). El taller bilingüe (inglés y español) está diseñado para profesionales y voluntarios que trabajan con vida silvestre en el Caribe y que estén interesados en adquirir más experiencia en el anillamiento de aves. No se requiere experiencia previa en anillamiento. Sin embargo, se dará prioridad a los solicitantes que tengan posibilidades de seguir formándose para adquirir los conocimientos, habilidades y experiencia necesarios para contribuir o iniciar programas de investigación y/o anillamiento de aves en sus islas de origen. Este taller se centrará en el anillamiento de aves terrestres, con énfasis en los paseriformes. Esperamos ofrecer oportunidades de formación en anillamiento para otros grupos de aves en el futuro.
Los objetivos del taller son:
Proporcionar a los participantes una comprensión básica de las técnicas de anillamiento de aves y las mejores prácticas.
Discutir lo que se necesita para montar y dirigir una estación de anillamiento de aves.
Preparar a los participantes para formación adicional en anillamiento de aves y posibles certificaciones del Consejo Norteamericano de Anillamiento (NABC) (asistente, anillador, entrenador) en el futuro.
Compartir información sobre otras oportunidades de formación, recursos y comunidades disponibles a través de la Red CBB.
Varios formadores certificados por el NABC compartirán sus conocimientos en el aula, en las redes de niebla y en la mesa de anillamiento, cubriendo temas como:
Montaje y colocación adecuados de una red de niebla
Técnicas adecuadas para extraer aves de las redes de niebla
Puesta en marcha de una estación de anillamiento
Primeros auxilios y seguridad
Ética y fundamentos del anillamiento de aves
Uso del anillamiento de aves para educación y demostraciones públicas
Determinación de la edad de las aves utilizando terminología WRP y Howell-Pyle
Patrones de muda
El anillamiento de aves es una habilidad compleja de aprender. Este taller pretende ser un punto de partida, y los participantes no deben esperar salir del taller con las calificaciones necesarias para anillar aves de forma independiente. Para sumergirse completamente y practicar lo aprendido en el taller, los participantes tendrán la oportunidad de ser considerados para prácticas o pasantías de anillamiento de aves tras el taller.
En un esfuerzo por reducir la cantidad de tiempo que se pasa en el aula, algunos materiales se compartirán virtualmente antes del taller presencial. Estas sesiones virtuales también se pondrán a disposición de un público más amplio. Mantente atento para más información.
Financiación y logística
Nuestro objetivo es contar con aproximadamente 15 participantes en este taller. BirdsCaribbean cuenta con financiación para un número limitado de becas basadas en la necesidad y el mérito para cubrir los costes de viaje y participación. Los participantes que puedan contribuir con la totalidad o parte de sus costes pueden permitirnos incluir participantes adicionales. Animamos a presentar solicitudes a todos los candidatos que reúnan las condiciones necesarias para aprovechar esta formación, independientemente de su capacidad financiera. Los participantes deben planificar su llegada a la República Dominicana para el 18 de febrero y su salida para el 25 de febrero.
Solicitudes
Si estás interesado en participar en este taller, llena este formulario antes del 8 de diciembre de 2024.
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) with us in 2024! This year’s theme is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds”. Have fun learning about a new migratory bird every day. We have coloring pages, interesting facts, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.
Migratory Bird of the Day: Ring-necked Duck
With such a fab updo and glossy plumage, the Ring-necked Duck is one dashing duck! It is also a strong and fast flier, able to take flight by springing up directly from the water! In contrast, most diving ducks need to do a laborious take-off run before flying off. Although Ring-necked Ducks are diving ducks, they’re frequently seen in shallow waters (four feet deep or less), where patches of open water are fringed with aquatic or emergent vegetation such as sedges and lilies.
Ring-necked Ducks don’t tip up as “dabbling” ducks do, like the elegant Northern Pintails and Blue-winged Teals. They plunge underwater and swim using only their feet for propulsion. The plants they munch on include crunchy leaves, stems, seeds, and tubers from pondweed, water lilies, wild celery, wild rice, millet, sedges, and arrowhead. They also chomp down on snails (shell included!), dragonfly larvae, and even leeches! When it’s time to lay eggs during spring (March through April), these ducks need lots of protein, so they gobble up more bugs and small creatures. In the fall, they switch back to munching on plants during their big migration!
Ring-necked Ducks breed in freshwater marshes and bogs across the boreal forests of northern North America. They build their nests about 10 inches above the water, using bent plant stems, or on floating vegetation. This elevated nesting keeps their eggs safe from land predators like foxes. The female lines the nest with her own down feathers, making it soft and cozy. She typically lays between six and 14 eggs. Ducklings hatch and leave the nest within two days, already able to swim and find food, though they stay under their mother’s watchful eye. As temperatures drop, Ring-necked Ducks migrate to warmer areas, including Central America, northern South America, and the Caribbean. On your island, you’re most likely to spot them in swamps, river floodplains, and reservoirs.
The Ring-necked Duck is named for the chestnut collar across its black neck. This collar is hard to see in the field but it was clearly visible to the nineteenth-century biologists that described the species using dead specimens. Males can instead be identified by their pointed heads, bright yellow eyes, satiny black body, light gray sides, and white wedge at the shoulder. Males have a gray bill with a black tip. Their bills are bordered by a white ring. Females have a gray bill with white band and black tip but no white ring around the bill. Males in eclipse (nonbreeding or “hiding”) plumage, which is worn for a month or more after breeding in the summer, display a browner plumage with brown-black head, breast and back. They differ from the females by having bright yellow eyes and no eye-ring.
Females have a brown-gray body, pale white feathers around the base of the bill, a brown top of the head that contrasts with its gray face, and white eye-ring with a narrow white line that extends back from the eye. Immature ducks resemble their corresponding adult plumages by sex, but they are duller in color.
Ring-necked Ducks and other waterbirds rely heavily on wetlands for breeding, wintering, and migrating. If these vital habitats are threatened, their populations can suffer too. Even if wetlands seem far from where you live, you can still help protect them. Keep your sidewalks, lawns, and driveways free of pet waste, trash, and toxic chemicals like motor oil, which can wash into storm drains and pollute wetlands. Talk to friends and family about the importance of wetlands for both wildlife and people. Also, opt for non-nitrogen lawn fertilizers to prevent nutrient pollution, which can lead to harmful algae blooms and dangerous “dead zones” in water. Your actions can make a big difference in preserving these vital habitats and supporting waterbird populations.Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here. Great news! If you’re in the Caribbean, thanks to BirdsCaribbean, you have free access to Birds of the World and you can find out even more in the full species account of this bird!
Thanks to Aliya Hosein for the text and Arnaldo Toledo for the lovely illustration!
Color in the Ring-necked Duck
Download the Migratory Birds of the Day Coloring Page! Use the picture above and the photos on this page as your guide, or look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your colored-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #WMBD2024Carib
Listen to the calls of the Ring-necked Duck
Ring-necked Ducks make a series of short calls consisting of grating barks or grunts.
Enjoy these photos of Ring-necked Ducks
A beautiful male Ring-neck Duck in striking black and white breeding plumage. In winter he will have gray-brown sides, but you can still use his distinctive peaked head to ID him. (Photo by Becky Matsubara)Females are brown with a subtle white eye-ring and grayish face. Look for these ducks in small, shallow wetlands. (Photo by Denny Swaby ML317836361)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS: During migration, Ring-necked Ducks will stop to rest and feed on shallow lakes with lots of vegetation. Here they will munch on submerged plants and aquatic creatures.
Can you help this tired and hungry Ring-necked Duck get to the swamp to take a rest and grab a snack on its journey south?
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) with us in 2024! This year’s theme is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds”. Have fun learning about a new migratory bird every day. We have coloring pages, interesting facts, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.
Migratory Bird of the Day: Summer Tanager
Summer Tanagers are one of our boldest and brightest migratory birds, and they come in three exciting “flavors”! Look for them in an entirely bright red plumage or what we like to call strawberry (adult male), a warm yellow plumage better known as banana (adult female), and finally, a mixture of reds and yellows AKA strawberry-banana (young males and older females)!
Despite this buffet of colors, like many birds, Summer Tanagers were named after the appearance of the male. Their latin name, Piranga rubra, is a combination of the Tupi (a language native to Brazil) word for “bright red,” and the Latin word for “red.” Their name essentially means “bright red red” — a perfect description for the male’s stunning plumage!
These striking beauties breed in many parts of the Southern United States. However, there are two distinct breeding populations that likely each take different migration routes. Birds breeding in the Southwestern US migrate through Mexico, down into Central America, and even to northern South America. Birds breeding in the Southeastern US migrate through the Caribbean — Summer Tanagers have been recorded migrating through Cuba, The Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Barbados, Grenada, and Curacao. Whilst the majority will continue on to South America, some birds have been recorded overwintering in the Caribbean!
Like many other songbirds, Summer Tanagers prefer to migrate at night. Cooler temperatures help them avoid overheating during long flights, calmer nighttime air provides smoother flying conditions, and traveling under the cover of darkness means that they can avoid predators that hunt during the day. These birds sometimes flock together, forming groups of up to 30 individuals before leaving to their next stopover site. Flocking may help birds navigate and better avoid predators on the move.
Their rest and refuel time is spent gorging on the good stuff — flying insects like bees, wasps, and beetles, crunchy grasshoppers, and gooey caterpillars. Much like their strawberry and banana plumage, Summer Tanagers are also big fans of fruit, and they can often be found munching on mulberries, blackberries, citrus, and bananas. These crucial meals help them build muscle and fat reserves prior to taking off — in fact, in a study looking at weights and fat storage of migratory birds in the tropics, Summer Tanagers arriving in Panama in the fall were estimated to have enough fat to continue another 860 km of flying!
Summer Tanagers are ready to take summer with them, they are one of the earlier migrants detected migrating as early as August and arriving to their overwintering grounds by the end of September! During migration, look for these birds in secondary growth forests, with a preference for edge habitats and gardens. Their overwintering habitat is similar and they can often be found in forest edges and second-growth woodlands such as those used in shade-grown coffee plantations. You may spot them anywhere from low-lying mangroves, up to 1800 m in elevation!
If you’re fortunate enough to live on an island that serves as a migration stop for the Summer Tanager, you can attract these beautiful birds to your backyard by planting native trees that provide a rich source of flying insects and produce the fruits they love to feast on. This will help sustain these tanagers on their journey to South America. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here. Great news! If you’re in the Caribbean, thanks to BirdsCaribbean, you have free access to Birds of the World and you can find out even more in the full species account of this bird!
Thanks to Holly Garrod for the text and Arnaldo Toledo for the lovely illustration!
Color in the Summer Tanager
Download the Migratory Birds of the Day Coloring Page! Use the picture above and the photos on this page as your guide, or look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your colored-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #WMBD2024Carib
Listen to the calls of the Summer Tanager
The calls of the Summer Tanager are a short, descending “pit-a-tuck.”
Enjoy these photos of Summer Tanagers
A pair of Summer Tanagers. Adult males are completely red whereas females can be a range of colors, from pale dull yellow to brighter orange. (Photo by Magdalena Richter ML623482755)
Immature male Summer Tanager. When it comes to diet these colorful birds are bee and wasp specialists though they will also eat fruit. (Photo by Linda Petersen)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS: Honey bees feed on both nectar and pollen. Nectar provides energy, and pollen provides protein and other nutrients. They find their food through sight and smell.
In today’s activity you will do an experiment to test how great bees are at remembering where they can find food!
With the help of an adult, you will need to gather the following items before you get started:
Pan or microwave-safe dish
Water
50g sugar
5 clear dishes
4 pieces of white paper
1 piece of red paper
Then download and follow these simple instructions and get started finding out more about bees!
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy this video of a male Summer Tanager feeding on fruit!
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) with us in 2024! This year’s theme is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds”. Have fun learning about a new migratory bird every day. We have coloring pages, interesting facts, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.
Migratory Bird of the Day: Cliff Swallow
Meet the Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)! The Cliff Swallow is a master of the skies, performing dazzling acrobatics as it hunts for its favorite food—flying insects. Unique among swallows, the Cliff Swallow frequently changes altitude while flying, has a high-speed flight, and often glides with its wings tilted downward.
The Cliff Swallow is a compact swallow with a short, square tail. Its striking plumage features a metallic, dark-blue back and crown, cinnamon-colored neck, pale buffy-orange rump, whitish belly, and bright buff-white forehead patch. Males and females look similar, while juveniles look like a drab version of the adult.
It can be challenging to identify these fast-flying birds, so it’s important to know how they differ from similar species. The Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva) has a paler throat and orange forehead, while the Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) has a long deeply forked tail and lacks the Cliff Swallow’s buffy-orange rump.
The Cliff Swallow has a vast range, breeding throughout North America. It winters in and/or passes through many Caribbean islands on migration, traveling as far south as Brazil and Argentina. Its exact distribution in these wintering areas and the migratory routes it follows are not well understood highlighting the need for more research.
Cliff Swallows are highly social, often nesting in colonies that can host up to 6,000 nests at a single site! Historically, they chose natural sites like cliff faces or canyon walls to place their intricate mud nests. But in the last 100 to 150 years, they’ve expanded their range across North America, finding nesting spots on modern structures like bridges, culverts, and buildings.
The social behavior of the Cliff Swallow during the breeding season has been well-studied, helping us understand the evolution of colonial nesting and rapid adaptation to environmental changes both natural and human-made. Their flexibility has allowed them to thrive across North America, even colonizing areas where they hadn’t previously been recorded.
Cliff Swallows migrate through a wide variety of habitats. You can most likely spot them over grasslands, wetlands, and agricultural areas, zooming around acrobatically to catch insects on the wing. You may also spot them perched in trees preening or roosting for the night, or bathing in shallow water.
Although classified as a species of “Least Concern,” conservation actions are still vital to their long-term survival. Reducing pesticide use helps keep their insect food abundant, and participating in citizen science counts aids researchers in tracking migration and population trends — contributing to the protection of this remarkable species.
Thanks to Alieny González Alfonso for the text and Arnaldo Toledo for the lovely illustration!
Color in the Cliff Swallow
Download the Migratory Birds of the Day Coloring Page! Use the picture above and the photos on this page as your guide, or look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your colored-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #WMBD2024Carib
Listen to the calls of the Cliff Swallow
The calls of the Cliff Swallow are a short, repeated “chur”.
Enjoy these photos of Cliff Swallows
Cliff Swallows eat flying insects all year round, catching them on the wing and sometimes foraging in large flocks of thousands of birds! (Photo by Daniel Irons Macaulay Library-ML193593551)Cliff Swallow Perched. Migration in both in Fall and Spring spans several months. In Fall birds can arrive on migration from July through to November and may even still be arriving in December. (Photo by Brad Imhoff Macaulay Library-ML338869051)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS: Use your observation skills and go on a migratory birds and insect Scavenger hunt! Print the cards on sturdy paper and use a clipboard or piece of cardboard as a writing surface outside.
Talk about this with your kids and then go outside to investigate your habitat using the Habitat Scavenger Hunt cards. Instead of collecting the items on the list, this is an observation scavenger hunt. You can check off the items (with a pencil or pen), as they are located. When everyone has had a chance to look for the items listed, come back together to chat about where they were located. Were any difficult or impossible to find? Why do you think that was? For example, was it too dry to find any waterbirds or insects that live in water?
Esta actividad también se puede descargar en español en español. ¡Disfruta buscando todas las cosas de la lista!
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy this video of Cliff Swallows in the wild! You can see a Barn Swallow, which is also a migratory bird in the Caribbean, next to the Cliff Swallow for comparison (it does not have a white ‘forehead’!).
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) with us in 2024! This year’s theme is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds”. Have fun learning about a new migratory bird every day. We have coloring pages, interesting facts, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.
Migratory Bird of the Day: Gull-billed Tern
Have you ever spotted a sleek, silver-gray and white tern with a thick black bill soaring gracefully above a saltmarsh, beach, or flooded field? You’ve likely encountered the Gull-billed Tern! This medium-sized bird can also be identified by its long black legs and slightly forked tail. During the breeding season, it sports a striking black cap, while in other months, its head has a more subtle black band stretching from the eyes to the back of the head. Juveniles, on the other hand, have fine dark speckles between the crown and back of the neck and warm brown mottling on the upper wings.
The Gull-billed Tern has an impressive range, with breeding populations scattered across the Americas (including the Caribbean), Europe, Africa, and Asia. Birds from North America and the Caribbean fly south to winter along the Gulf of Mexico and coasts of Central and South America, while some remain in the Caribbean. It breeds in select spots in The Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, and Sombrero Island (Anguilla).
This adaptable bird thrives in various habitats. During the non-breeding season, it can be found foraging and resting in salt pans, coastal lagoons, marshes, and even plowed or flooded fields. Inland, it favors large rivers, lakes, rice paddies, sewage ponds, and irrigation canals. When it’s time to nest, Gull-billed Terns prefer to nest in colonies on islands with sparse or no vegetation, or on sandbanks, dry mudflats, dunes, and even near wetlands like marshes and lagoons. It uses small stones and plant material to build nests and typically lays one to two eggs. This species appears less tolerant to human disturbance and is not as faithful to nesting sites as other gulls and terns.
Unlike many of its gull and tern relatives, Gull-billed Terns are not die-hard seafood lovers. They have a broad diet, and this where having a thick bill comes in handy. They hawk for insects in the air, pluck crabs, small reptiles and frogs from the ground, and snatch small fishes out of the water — without diving! They also boldly pilfer fish straight from the bills of other birds like the Common Tern. Occasionally, they’ll eat the chicks of other species, such as shorebirds and Least Tern!
What does this audacious tern sound like? Its call has been described as a slightly upslurred “kay-wek.” Its song is “raspy” and consists of 2-3 syllables.
Although their global population is stable, it’s crucial to share the shore with this and other waterbird species. Human disturbance can cause parents to abandon nests and chicks can die if driven away from the nest area too soon. So when you’re near their habitat, remember to give these birds space, keep dogs leashed, and clean up after yourself. You can find more tips on sharing the shore and a free downloadable infographic here.
Keep your eyes to the skies and your senses sharp — spotting this charismatic seabird is always a thrill! Whether it’s soaring gracefully or acrobatically hunting its insect prey, the Gull-billed Tern never disappoints. Happy birding! Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here. Great news! If you’re in the Caribbean, thanks to BirdsCaribbean, you have free access to Birds of the World and you can find out even more in the full species account of this bird!
Thanks to Antonio Garcia Quintas for the text and Arnaldo Toledo for the lovely illustration!
Color in the Gull-billed Tern
Download the Migratory Birds of the Day Coloring Page! Use the picture above and the photos on this page as your guide, or look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your colored-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #WMBD2024Carib
Listen to the calls of the Gull-billed Tern
The call of the Gull-billed Tern is a lightly upslurred “kay-wek”
Enjoy these photos of Gull-billed Tern
In breeding plumage, Gull-billed Terns sport black-caps. Gull-billed Terns are monogamous and pairs stay together for many years! (Photo by Steve Schnoll)
Gull-billed Tern foraging with its distinctive thick bill. This tern is not fussy when it comes to food, and will eat a variety or prey, including insects it catches on the wing. (Photo by Pablo Re, Macaulay Library-ML350199221)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS: Four our activity today why not imagine that you are a Gull-billed Tern and complete the My Migration Adventure creative writing activity!
We have provided a template for you to write a short story about a migration journey. Pretend that you are a migrating Gull-billed Tern flying from the US to the warm and sunny Caribbean. Imagine getting ready to make this epic journey: how would you be feeling having to fly so far? Think about the places you will see along the way and perhaps about other migratory birds you could ‘meet’ on the way.
This is a long journey so you should also think about challenges you, as a Gull-billed Tern, might face!
As well as writing about the journey you might also want to add some pictures to your story. Perhaps you could add a map of where you would be traveling or you could add some pictures of the other migratory birds on the route, of a particular challenge you might face or of a ‘rest stop’.
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy this video of a Gull-billed Tern in the wild! First in breeding plumage and then, in winter plumage without its black cap.
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) with us in 2024! This year’s theme is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds”. Have fun learning about a new migratory bird every day. We have coloring pages, interesting facts, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.
Migratory Bird of the Day: Pectoral Sandpiper
If you’re out birding in marshy, wet, grasslands during migration season, and you see a shorebird’s head pop up — with a slightly down-curved bill — chances are you’ve just spotted a Pectoral Sandpiper! As the medium sized shorebird obligingly steps out of the vegetation you will observe its distinctive, boldly-streaked brown breast. One more stride into the open reveals that this streaky breast pattern ends abruptly — in a stark line marking the start of the white belly and underparts! Pectoral Sandpipers also sport streaked heads and necks, while the feathers on their back and wings are brown with rufous edges. They have shortish yellow-green legs, and are often seen in shallow water or at the water’s edge in grassy vegetation. You might spot them with American Golden Plovers who like similar habitats, and sometimes form flocks with Pectoral Sandpipers.
We all know that many shorebirds are great travelers during migration, but the long-distance journey of the Pectoral Sandpiper is especially amazing! They breed in the high arctic tundra through Siberia and North America, and most of their population winters in South America. Their winter range includes Peru, south Bolivia, south Brazil, Uruguay, south to central Chile, all the way down to southernmost Argentina. This means that some individuals, leaving from the northernmost parts of the breeding range and flying down to the southern tip of Argentina, are making round trip migrations of up to 30,000 km! This is similar to the journeys made by another epic long-distance migrant, the Arctic Tern, and is amongst the longest migrations for a shorebird in the Americas. Pectoral Sandpipers fuel up for these long trips by chowing down on wriggling midge and crane fly larvae.
In fact, Pectoral Sandpipers feast on different types of insects year-round, underscoring our WMBD theme “Protect Insects, Protect Birds”. During fall and winter they can be found in their favorite grassy wet areas — freshwater marshes, pond edges, and flooded agricultural areas. Their love for these environments have earned them the nickname “grasspipers” among birders. They use their down-curved bills to peck at insects at the water’s edge and probe the soft mud, feeling for aquatic insects such as diving beetles, insect larvae of midges and flies, as well as mollusks and worms.
Pectoral Sandpipers are listed by the IUCN as ‘least concern’, but like many shorebirds, their population is unfortunately in decline. Although this shorebird was extensively hunted in North America in the past, this is unlikely to be the cause of the current population decline. The reasons for this present decline are not well understood and need further study, however, it is thought that the loss of freshwater wetlands needed during migration and on their wintering grounds could be part of the problem. Wetland areas supporting thriving insect and invertebrate populations provide essential food for so many of our migratory and resident birds. Keeping wet, grassy areas full of the insects that birds like Pectoral Sandpipers need to thrive can help them on their way during their long migrations! Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here. Great news! If you’re in the Caribbean, thanks to BirdsCaribbean, you have free access to Birds of the World and you can find out even more in the full species account of this bird!
Thanks to Alex Sansom for the text and Arnaldo Toledo for the lovely illustration!
Color in the Pectoral Sandpiper
Download the Migratory Birds of the Day Coloring Page! Use the picture above and the photos on this page as your guide, or look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your colored-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #WMBD2024Carib
Listen to the calls of the Pectoral Sandpiper
The calls of the Pectoral Sandpiper is a low, sharp “churt”. This call is quite distinctive and can help identify Pectoral Sandpipers when flushed or in flight.
Enjoy these photos of Pectoral Sandpipers
Pectoral Sandpiper in its typical setting during winter and migration. You can often find this shorebird in small flocks feeding in freshwater grasslands, marshes, and pools. (Photo by Jesse Gordon)Pectoral Sandpiper. Did you know that although this species mainly winters in the southern part of South America? A small proportion of the population however migrates to Australasia to spend the winter!
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS: Have you ever wondered how migratory birds like the Pectoral Sandpiper know which direction to go when they hit the skies for their long trips south? And why it is they they hardly ever get lost (unless they get blown off course)!
We don’t yet fully understand how it is that birds are so good at finding their way to their winter homes. But they know that birds can use different senses to help them navigate as they migrate. They can help set their direction using the position of the sun and stars. They can also use landmarks, just like we do, to help them know where they are. One other special way birds can navigate is to use Earth’s magnetic field. Just like birds we can navigate using this magnetic field, unlike birds we cannot sense this ourselves but we can use a magnetic compass.
Ready, set—BIRD! It’s time to flock together for the season’s biggest day of birding!
A male Magnolia Warbler in breeding plumage, with his bright yellow underparts and heavy black streaking, forming a necklace band on its upper breast.
Get ready for a spectacular October Big Day! This annual event, falling on Saturday, October 12, 2024, coincides with World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) and is a thrilling celebration of our feathered friends and the vibrant birding community.
At BirdsCaribbean, we eagerly anticipate October Big Day. It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to unite with fellow bird lovers to share in the joy of birdwatching and the beauty of Caribbean wetlands, forests, botanical gardens, and neighborhoods. This is our chance to celebrate our passion for birds, support science, and strengthen our conservation efforts. Whether you’re enjoying a quiet morning from your balcony or heading to a prime birding hotspot with your birding crew, October 12 is your moment to puff out your chest and rack up those eBird checklists!
And there’s more! Global Bird Weekend runs from October 11 to 13, offering even more opportunities to engage and possibly set new world records. Last year, we saw record-breaking participation during Global Bird Weekend—36,332 people from 191 countries submitted 83,735 checklists with eBird, and we’re aiming to surpass that achievement this year. Let’s make birdwatching history together!
Where are the birds, and what are they doing?
Dive into the excitement—track the birds, observe their behaviors, and discover their favorite spots. Early mornings are perfect for spotting warblers, while raptors soar as the day heats up. Seagulls and shorebirds are ever-present, and you might catch tanagers and bullfinches at their most active.
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 14th October via the eBird website or mobile app. If you’re in the Caribbean, be sure to 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—here’s a quick guide on how to use eBird.
Birders should aim to spot as many birds as they can from midnight to midnight in their local time zone on October 12; or bird anytime during the weekend of October 11-13 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 15, 2024 to be included in the initial results announcement!
Make connections: Birdwatching can be a peaceful solo activity, like a serene stroll through the forest punctuated by bird sightings. But it’s also a fantastic social experience, and there’s so much to learn from fellow birders. They can help with spotting and identifying birds. Connect with your local environmental or birding club—there’s a good chance someone is organizing a birding event for October Big Day on your island, and they’d be thrilled to have you join in!
Don’t wing it: Make a to-pack list and use a backpack. Remember to pack your field guide, stylish and functional BC buff, medicine, water, and food too! If you’re birding in an unfamiliar place, make a trip plan. Be sure to consider where you might park your car, the amount of time you plan to spend birdwatching, how far you want to walk, and tell your friends and family about your plans and where you will be.
Embrace being a beginner birder: If you’re a newbie don’t let anxiety keep you from discovering the wonderful world of birds. Birding groups love it when new members join their flock; they will share their scopes and field guides and work with you to identify the birds you see. They’ll even help you navigate the eBird app and submit your very first eBird checklist!
Find your flock! Birding in a group can be rewarding and fun. (Photo by Edward Hernandez Lara)
Show off your bird sightings and let us in on the birding blast!
Don’t forget to share your birding stories and photos with us on social media. Follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram @birdscaribbean and tag us in your posts. If social media isn’t your thing, join our discussion group with over 950 members to share your October Big Day experiences.
May we remind you that BirdsCaribbean membership has so many benefits; you will 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 to help protect Caribbean birds and their habitats!
Let’s make October Big Day 2024 unforgettable. Have a blast, remember to stay hydrated, and tag @BirdsCaribbean in all your birding adventures. We can’t wait to see the incredible migratory birds that have arrived in the Caribbean!
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) with us in 2024! This year’s theme is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds”. Have fun learning about a new migratory bird every day. We have coloring pages, interesting facts, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.
Migratory Bird of the Day: Semipalmated Sandpiper
Meet our first ‘Migratory Bird of the Day’ for 2024, the Semipalmated Sandpiper! Despite being pint-sized and gray-brown in color, this bird is anything but boring! For a start do you know why it has such a curious name? ‘Semipalmated’ refers to the bird’s partially webbed toes—amongst the other small sandpipers this trait is only shared with the Western Sandpiper!
Semipalmated Sandpipers belong to the exclusive ‘peep’ club, a group of small, tricky-to-identify sandpiper species. Semipalmated Sandpipers can be separated from their cousins, the Least and Western Sandpipers, by a few subtle details. Least Sandpipers have yellow legs, a thin slightly down-curved bill, and their upperparts are a warmer brown hue, while Semipalmateds sport dark legs, straighter, slightly thicker bills, and are more gray-brown in color.
Separating Semipalmateds from Westerns can be challenging even for experienced birders since both have gray-brown upperparts and dark legs. Start by looking at bill length and shape. Semipalmated Sandpipers typically have shorter, blunter and straighter bills compared to Western Sandpipers, whose bills are typically longer and curve down slightly at the tip. Western Sandpiper can also look ‘chunkier’ and more ‘front-heavy’. You can find some more great ID tips for separating peeps in our video here (be sure to read the caption too!).
Though tiny, Semipalmated Sandpipers are mighty when it comes to migration! They travel thousands of kilometers from their breeding areas in the Arctic to their wintering grounds in South America with the Caribbean serving as an essential pit stop to refuel. On migration they are often found in flocks (sometimes of thousands of birds), and often with other ‘peeps’. They feast on aquatic invertebrates that live in the surface layer of the muddy habitats they prefer. You can spot them on mudflats, beaches, on the edges of ponds and lagoons, and even in muddy agricultural areas!
Sadly, Semipalmated Sandpiper populations are in decline, and they’re currently listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. Habitat loss, hunting, and changes in their food supply pose threats to these birds during the course of their long journey. That’s why it’s crucial to protect wetlands across the Caribbean and ensure that these tiny travelers have safe places to rest and feed on their amazing journeys south each year. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here. Great news! If you’re in the Caribbean, thanks to BirdsCaribbean, you have free access to Birds of the World and you can find out even more in the full species account of this bird!
Thanks to Alex Sansom for the text and Arnaldo Toledo for the lovely illustration!
Color in the Semipalmated Sandpiper
Download the Migratory Birds of the Day Coloring Page! Use the picture above and the photos on this page as your guide, or look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your colored-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #WMBD2024Carib
Listen to the calls of the Semipalmated Sandpiper
The calls of the Semipalmated Sandpiper include a strident “jer-jer-jer-jer-jer” as well as softer chirping calls made when in flocks and sometimes in flight.
Enjoy these photos of Semipalmated Sandpipers
Semipalmated Sandpiper. These small sandpipers build up and store fat reserves before migrating. This means they make amazing non-stop trips, with some individuals probably migrating over 4000km directly from New England in the US to South America! (Photo by Anthony Levesque Macaulay Library-ML67930001)Semipalmated Sandpiper (left) and Western Sandpiper (right). You can see the shorter, straighter bill of the Semipalmated Sandpiper. This feature can be great for ID but there is an overlap in bill length between both species, so also take note the ‘heavier’ appearance of the Western Sandpiper and the slight ‘barrel chested’ look. (Photo by Jeff Gerbracht)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS: Test your shorebird ID skills with our “Spot the Semipalmated Sandpiper” challenge! Small sandpipers or ‘peeps’ can look very similar to each other. As well as their small size, they share other similar features—both have plumage that is brown or grey above and white below, pointed black-coloured bills, and a habit of feeding in muddy wetland areas. You can pick out Semipalmated Sandpipers if you look very carefully. You need to pay special attention to their leg color, back color, and bill size and shape. Read the text above, watch our handy ID video, and look closely at the pictures we have shared. Once you’ve done this take a look and see if you can pick out the Semipalmated Sandpiper! (there are some extra tips for you on the second page if you get stuck). You can find the correct answer here.
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy this video of a Semipalmated Sandpiper in the wild! This bird is on the mud feeding on ‘biofilm’. This is made up of microorganisms living on the surface of the mud that are stuck together. They eat this by slurping the biofilm into their bill!
Caribbean birders, it’s time to get “buggy” with it for World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) 2024!
Celebrated this fall on October 12th (or anytime during the ongoing fall migration from August through October) WMBD is a special time of year when birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts across the Caribbean eagerly welcome migratory birds to their winter retreats. Our gardens, forests, wetlands, and coastlines serve as vital “all-inclusive” havens, providing essential food and shelter for these incredible travelers.
Similarly, our neighbors in Central and South America join in the celebration as they too welcome back plump warblers, wading shorebirds, agile raptors, and other migrants. WMBD unites people across the Americas in a shared commitment to securing a bright and sustainable future for these marvelous migrants.
The WMBD 2024 theme “Protect Insects Protect Birds” is particularly timely as insects are declining worldwide due to pesticides, habitat loss, and other threats. Insects are crucial food sources for many migratory birds, providing the energy they need for their long journeys. This theme is especially relevant to the Caribbean, where our warm tropical climate supports thriving insect populations—a hearty buffet for which migratory birds make epic journeys covering thousands of miles, every year! This October, we’re urging Caribbean islanders to trade in pesticides for binoculars and join the global initiative to raise awareness about the threats to both birds and insects. By taking simple actions, like those suggested below, we can help protect these vital species.
For the Americas, the WMBD 2024 theme is presented in English, Spanish and French:
Bugs for Birds… and People
Insects are essential sources of energy for many migratory bird species during their long journeys. The success of these migrations often depends on the timing, as birds rely on peak insect abundance at stopover locations to replenish their energy reserves before continuing their travels.
Worm-eating Warbler with a caterpillar in its beak. (Photo by Bryan Calk ML54410741)
A Common Nighthawk chases its insect prey in flight! (Photo by Brad Imhoff ML367282621)
Insects are an important protein source for growing birds too. A female Common Yellowthroat feeds its offspring. (Photo by Dawn Gunderson ML621947269)
Insects play a crucial role in ecosystems that directly benefit people. They pollinate crops, helping to produce a significant portion of the world’s food supply. Insects also contribute to natural pest control by preying on harmful species, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. Additionally, they help decompose organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the soil, which supports healthy plant growth. Without insects, our agriculture, food security, and overall ecosystem health would be severely impacted.
However, insects face significant threats from habitat loss, pesticide use, and light pollution, among others. The decline in insect populations not only impacts ecosystems but also leads to a scarcity of this vital energy-rich food source for migratory birds, resulting in weakened immune systems, reduced reproductive success, and increased mortality rates for both adult birds and their offspring.
Your backyard is a lifeline for insects
Protect insects and help birds by taking these actions:
Plant native flowers, trees, and shrubs in your gardens
Support organic farming or start your own pesticide-free kitchen garden
Preserve natural habitats
Leave leaf litter! It provides a crucial ecosystem for insects
Educate your friends and family about the importance of insects
You are cordially invited to celebrate birds, explore nature, and reverse insect decline
Our amazing community of Caribbean educators and WMBD coordinators are busy preparing exciting events, including birdwatching trips, habitat clean-ups, all-day festivals, art competitions, presentations in schools, webinars, and so much more, all aimed at raising awareness of the importance of insects to birds and people. Get in touch with your local environmental groups to find out where and when the festivities will be held, and make plans to attend with friends and family.
WMBD pins, stickers, bracelets, and more were distributed at Conservation Opportunity’s event. (Photo by Conservation Opportunity)
A volunteer ensures no trash is left behind. (Photo by Conservation Opportunity)
‘Job well done!’ Conservation Opportunity members and volunteers after the amazing cleanup effort.(Photo by Alexia Morales))
We invite all who are interested to join our educator flock! As you join the WMBD campaign, you may request WMBD educational materials by contacting Laura Baboolal, the WMBD Caribbean coordinator at lbaboolal@environmentamericas.org.
If you are planning a WMBD event or two (and we hope you are!), you will find free digital resources in English, Spanish, and French on the World Migratory Bird Day Trello board.
BirdsCaribbean will also be featuring WMBD bird species that occur in the Caribbean on our Migratory Bird of the Day webpages (Birds Connect Our World). Our drawings this fall are featuring the art of Arnaldo Toledo—Cuban ornithologist, photographer, and scientific illustrator extraordinaire!
As in past years, we will provide free downloadable resources, including coloring pages, natural history information, puzzles, photos, videos and activity sheets—we invite you to check it out!
We also encourage you to add your events to the interactive map, so we can see where WMBD activities are taking place throughout the Caribbean: https://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/events-map
Add your event to the WMBD Events Map and let the world know how you will be celebrating in the Caribbean!
Meet Your 2024 Migratory Bird and Insect Ambassadors!
Every year, EFTA selects species as WMBD ambassadors. The seven focal species this year highlight the diversity of migratory birds and their dependence on healthy insect populations and thriving habitats:
Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrronota*
Cliff Swallows eat insect all year round, foraging during the day in pairs or flocks of up to 1000 birds. (Photo by Brad Imhoff ML338869051)
Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus*
Male Bobolink in breeding plumage. (Photo by Ryan Sanderson, Macaulay Library-ML342377131)
Nacunda Nighthawk Chordeiles nacunda
Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla*
Semipalmated Sandpiper in Jamaica. (Photo by Ann Haynes Sutton)
Broad-tailed Hummingbird Selasphorus platycercus
American Kestrel Falco sparverius*
The American Kestrel is a more frequently seen migrant to the region. (Photo by Imran Ashraf)
Wood Duck Aix sponsa*
The male Wood Duck is one of the most colorful waterfowls in North America. (Photo by Brad Imhoff)
At least five of these species, marked with an asterisk, occur in the Caribbean, though they are not all common. The region is critical for these traveling birds as they move to, from, across, and through our islands.
This year, insects are also in the spotlight as focal species:
Vivid Dancer Argia vivida
A male Vivid Dancer (blue morph) on a pitcher plant. (Photo by Judy Gallagher)
Willow Sawfly Nematus corylus
Giant Cicada Quesada gigas
Giant Cicada. (Photo by Juan Cruzado)
Buzzer Midge Chironomus plumosus
Mayfly Cinygmula ramaleyi
Red-legged Grasshopper Melanoplus femurrubrum
Giant Water Scavenger Beetle Hydrophilus triangularis
Giant Black Scavenger Beetle. (Photo by Robert Webster)
First WMBD Photo Contest!
Join us for the first-ever World Migratory Bird Day Photography Contest, presented by Environment for the Americas. This year’s theme, “Protect Insects, Protect Birds,” highlights the important relationship between birds and insects. Our competition focuses on the role insects play in order to sustain migratory birds on their journeys. Win cash prizes and Vortex binoculars! Deadline is September 30th 2024.
Anna Rose, a talented artist from Columbus, Ohio, is the Featured Artist for World Migratory Bird Day 2024! With a deep connection to wildlife, Anna has received the Susan K. Black Foundation Scholarship three times, was named ‘Student Artist of the Year’ by the American Birding Association, and won first place in the Junior Duck Stamp Contest hosted by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. She pursued graduate studies at Ohio State University, focusing on the nesting ecology of warblers and thrushes, blending her enthusiasm for art and science. Anna’s artwork will be used throughout the Caribbean in this year’s WMBD events.
Birders, brace yourselves for some exciting news! Jennifer Valiulis, Executive Director of the St. Croix Environmental Association (SEA), made an incredible discovery at St. Croix’s Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge in St Croix, US Virgin Islands. She spotted a White Tern—only the second recorded sighting of this species in the West Indies!
A Serendipitous Discovery
On Sunday August 11th, Jennifer set out for a routine sea turtle track patrol along the southwest shore of St. Croix. She had just wrapped up a morning bird survey when something unusual caught her attention. Hovering above her dog, a completely white bird floated gracefully, following them along the beach. The bird’s shape suggested that it could be a tern, but this behavior was unlike anything Jennifer had seen before, especially compared to the Least Terns commonly found in the area—which typically fly with quick wingbeats and dive aggressively to defend their nests and chicks.
White Tern spotted by Jen Valiulis at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge (photo by Jennifer Valiulis)
The White Tern following Jennifer along the southwest shore of St Croix at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge (photo by Jennifer Valiulis)
Note the completely white body and head and black bill (photo by Jennifer Valiulis)
“I first assumed it was a Least Tern,” Jennifer recalls. “But as I looked closer, I realized the markings weren’t right.” The Least Tern is small, with a grayish back, yellow bill, white forehead, and black cap. This bird however was larger, entirely white, and had large striking black eyes. Jen’s keen observation skills and a bit of luck led her to take several photos with her phone, capturing this unique moment before she continued her turtle patrol.
White Tern in Hawaii. It’s a medium-sized tern with entirely white plumage, a slightly forked tail, and glittering inky pools for eyes. The bill is black with a blue base. (photo by Cameron Rutt ML2863700)1
The White Tern is graceful and buoyant in flight. It sometimes flies very high in pairs or trios. (photo of White Tern in Wake Island in the Pacific Ocean, by Eric VanderWerf ML42169701).
Piecing Together the Mystery
Once home, Jennifer struggled to match her photos with any local bird species. Eventually, she shared her images in a U.S. Virgin Islands birding group chat, where her fellow birders, including BirdsCaribbean’s Executive Director and ornithologist, Lisa Sorenson, began to weigh in. After some research, Lisa suspected it was a White Tern, a bird typically found in the Pacific Ocean, especially around Hawaii and around several islands in the south Atlantic.
A White Tern chick on Midway Island. White Terns have been recorded breeding in trees and both natural and artificial ledges on coral islands. (photo by Caroline Pott)
Caroline Pott, a former St. Croix resident now working as a Wildlife Biologist on Midway Island in the Pacific, confirmed the identification. “I live with White Terns—they’re everywhere here—on my windowsill, in the trees like Christmas decorations, on my shed roof,” Caroline said. “That is most definitely what it is. They love to follow, floating as you describe, like the birds in Cinderella.”
A Rare Visitor in a Safe Haven
This sighting marks only the second time a White Tern has been recorded in the West Indies, with the first being in San Salvador, The Bahamas, in June 2010. Jennifer’s discovery is a testament to the importance of wildlife refuges like Sandy Point, which provide a sanctuary for lost and exhausted birds that have strayed far from their normal habitats.
Jennifer reflected on the significance of refuges like Sandy Point, noting, “It’s a safe place for them to rest and refuel so they can hopefully find their way back to where they would normally be found. Although we have not seen anything quite so unusual at Sandy Point before, it is not uncommon to see tired, hungry birds that have strayed from their migratory routes.”
How did the White Tern end up in St Croix?
The White Tern (Gygis alba) is typically found in tropical and subtropical regions, with its normal range spanning the Pacific and Indian Oceans, including Hawaii, where it is commonly known as the “Fairy Tern,” and a handful of islands in the South Atlantic. The sighting in the US Virgin Islands is extraordinary because the species rarely strays to the North Atlantic.
eBird range map for the White Tern clearly depicting its abundance in the Pacific Ocean.
Seabird expert Rhiannon Austin, who studies seabirds in the Turks and Caicos Islands, commented, “This individual bird could have been blown off course during a storm or strong winds, a phenomenon known as “vagrancy,” where birds end up far outside their usual range.” She also explained that changes in weather patterns, possibly linked to climate change, can disrupt traditional migratory routes, movements, and food availability. These shifts can force birds to stray from their typical habitats as they search for suitable conditions. This makes the sighting both exciting and a poignant reminder of the broader environmental changes impacting wildlife globally.
The White Tern nests on islands throughout tropical and subtropical oceans of the world. In the Hawaiian Archipelago, it is a common breeder in northwestern refuge islands, with a small population also on O’ahu Island. (photo by Tony Palliser ML63353901)
A Message to Fellow Birders
Jennifer’s experience serves as a reminder to all birders: trust your instincts and always document unusual sightings. “Even if it isn’t something very rare, the observation is still valuable,” she advises. She also emphasizes the importance of slowing down and taking in the natural world, rather than just focusing on data collection. “Once in a while, those cool anomalies turn out to be something really unusual and exciting—like a White Tern on St. Croix!”
This incredible sighting has not only thrilled the birding community but also highlights the critical role of conservation areas in protecting wildlife, even those far from home. Keep your eyes peeled—you never know when you might spot something truly extraordinary!
Jen Valiusus doing a waterbird count in St Croix. (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Editor’s Note: Jennifer returned to Sandy Point to try and spot the White Tern again, but with no luck. With Tropical Storm Ernesto bearing down on the US Virgin Islands, she had to shift her focus to hurricane preparedness. She and her fellow birding enthusiasts will continue to search for the White Tern, an exciting opportunity to add an extremely rare bird to their life lists. However, the recent storm may have carried the bird off to another island. West Indies birders: keep your eyes peeled for an all-white tern with a pointed black beak!
Whether you’re passionate about landscapes, birds, or wildlife in general—our photo contest is your chance to gain recognition and inspire others to protect Caribbean biodiversity. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to win incredible prizes. See below for more details.
BirdsCaribbean is excited to announce our 5th Digital Photography Contest at the BC Conference in the Dominican Republic—we invite you to participate!
BirdsCaribbean se complace en anunciar que celebraremos nuestro 5º Concurso Anual de Fotografía Digital en la Conferencia de República Dominicana – ¡Te invitamos a participar!
BirdsCaribbean est heureux d’annoncer son cinquième Concours Annuel de Photographie Numérique à la conférence BC en République dominicaine et vous invite à y participer !
The Vortex Viper HD spotting scope is a high-end scope with incredible optical performance bringing even the finest distant details in for a closer look. It is built to withstand rugged terrain and harsh weather.
Adjusting a spotting scope for participants during a Bird Guide Training workshop in Turks and Caicos. (Photo by Christel Mohammed)
Students learn to use binoculars and a spotting scope to look at birds at Hope Gardens, Jamaica.(photo by Natural History Museum of Jamaica)
Participants learned about spotting scope set up and management – especially when dealing with the needs of a large group!
In addition to the Grand Prize, the following prizes will be awarded in each category:
First Place: $100 Amazon Gift card
Second Place: $50 Amazon Gift card
Third Place: $25 Amazon Gift card
Photos must be taken during the time of the conference, including the pre- and post-conference field trips and workshops, in the Dominican Republic between the 15th and 25th of July 2024. Photos can be submitted online starting July 16. (See the full contest rules and submission details below)
The deadline for submitting entries is 11:59 pm EDT on Sunday, August 25th, 2024.
Winners will be announced by Thursday September 12th, 2024.
The BirdsCaribbean 2024 Photography Contest is open to ALLphotographers (aged 18 and over), except board members of BirdsCaribbean and the judges of this contest and their immediate families. The contest is open to all participants of the conference regardless of residence or citizenship, so long as the laws of their jurisdiction allow participation. Review the rules for entering below.
Contest Categories
Our Conference Photography Competition is all about showcasing the beauty of Caribbean birds, ecosystems, and people. That’s why we have included a variety of submission categories that provide a wide range of opportunities to capture rare endemic species and vibrant habitats. We are also excited to see passionate individuals dedicated to preserving our unique biodiversity. Our ultimate goal is to find compelling digital photos that embody our 2024 theme, From Mountains to Mangroves: Safeguarding Our Avian Treasures.
Here are the photo contest categories that you can enter:
“THE ENDEMICS”: Hispaniolan and regional (West Indies) endemic birds found in the Dominican Republic
“FUN WITH BIRDS AND PEOPLE”: Fun with birds, nature, and human interaction* (including photographs of people during conference activities, people experiencing and enjoying nature)
“BIRDS AND NATURE”: Natural habitats and landscapes in the Dominican Republic, including close-up photography, and birds that are not endemic to Hispaniola
Please do not include photographs of pets or domestic animals, nor images of captive animals.
*If you choose to include people in your submission, you are responsible for obtaining the necessary (verbal) releases from the individuals depicted. Entrants must not submit images that involve human nudity, or the willful harassment of wildlife.
All photos must be submitted via the photo-sharing site Flickr. Here’s how:
Log on: To submit your photos via Flickr, use your Yahoo! ID, Google, or Facebook account to login to http://www.flickr.com. If you do not have an account, you can sign-up for FREE.
Join the BirdsCaribbean Flickr group: go to the home page for the group and click the button that says “+ Join Group”
Upload your images: Click “Upload” in the top near the search bar and upload your entries.
VERY IMPORTANT – Tag your photos: Browse to the image you wish to submit for the contest and add tags (there is a tags section below the image in the right column). Please add the following tags: BCPhotoContest2024, and the category you are entering (Endemics, FunwithBirdsandPeople OR BirdsandNature), so each photo should have two tags total. Type the tags exactly as you see them here (or copy and paste). Please include your name, the location where the photo was taken, and the subject or title of the photo. Adding a descriptive caption in the title or comments about your photo is also helpful also!
Submit the image: Use the “Send to Group” function above the image to add your photograph to the BirdsCaribbean group.
The deadline for submitting entries is 11:59 pm EDT on Sunday August 25th, 2024.
You can check to see that your photos are uploaded and properly tagged by making sure they are there when you type in the overall contest tag BCPhotoContest2024 in the search bar at the upper right. Check that they are in the proper category by typing in two tags for each category, for example:
BCPhotoContest2024 Endemics
BCPhotoContest2024 FunwithBirdsandPeople
BCPhotoContest2024 BirdsandNature
Rules, Eligibility, and Judging:
This competition is open to all registered participants (full time and part time) of the conference.
All submissions must have been taken during the time of the conference, including the pre- and post-conference field trips and travel between 15th and 25th July, 2024 inclusive.
To ensure eligibility for the contest all entries must have a resolution of 2MB or greater.
Color, black & white, and edited formats are accepted.
SIX entries are allowed per participant for EACH CATEGORY, thus you can submit as many as 18 photos total.
The welfare of the bird always takes priority. Please keep your distance and do not disturb birds!
No audio playback.
No flash or other artificial lights may be used.
Any still photography method is acceptable, including digiscoping, SLR, point-and-shoot, mobile phone, etc.
BirdsCaribbean reserves the right to adjust any deadline(s) as the result of causes beyond its immediate control.
Winning Photos and Prizes
First, second, and third prize winners will be selected in each category and there will be one grand prize winner. Photos will be judged on originality, technical excellence, composition, overall impact, and artistic merit. All decisions made by the judges are final.
The judges are a selected panel of birders, photographers and scientists. Winning photos will be featured online on the BirdsCaribbean website, social media and Flickr site.
Read the Fine Print—Rules, Terms, and Legal Conditions
By entering, participants agree to indemnify BIRDSCARIBBEAN and its representatives, from any and all third party liability for any injuries, loss, claim, action, demand or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with the competition .
Each entrant in the Contest is responsible for ensuring that he or she has the right to submit the photos that he or she submits to the Contest per these rules.
BIRDSCARIBBEAN is not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information.
BIRDSCARIBBEAN assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, of entries.
If, for any reason, the photo competition is not capable of completion as planned, BIRDSCARIBBEAN reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the photo competition.
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Questions and inquiries about contest rules or issues with submitting your photos can be emailed to Lisa Sorenson: Lisa.Sorenson@BirdsCaribbean.org. You must read the following rules, terms, and legal conditions before submitting any photos!
Your photographs help BirdsCaribbean raise awareness of how important it is to protect the Caribbean’s amazing diversity of wildlife, plants and habitats. Thank you for helping to further our mission through your photography.
We wish you the best of luck and look forward to seeing the best of Caribbean nature photography!
A look back at past winners
2022 Grand Prize Winner – Red-legged Thrush by Edward Hernández-Lara
Back in May 2019, BirdsCaribbean joined other guests to celebrate the opening of the lovely office of Sustainable Grenadines (SusGren), perched on the edge of Ashton Lagoon on Union Island in the Grenadines. It was a joyful occasion—the result of 13 years of planning and sheer hard work which transformed an old, abandoned, and failed marina development into a beautiful place for local residents to enjoy—as well as the birds and other wildlife nestling in its restored mangroves and lagoon waters. Read more here. On July 1, 2024, this brilliantly successful project was dealt a catastrophic blow by the major Hurricane Beryl, sweeping away the SusGren office building and most of Ashton Lagoon’s infrastructure, and causing widespread devastation.
Here SusGren’s Executive Director Orisha Joseph talks about her devotion to the project and her determination to “build back stronger.”
Sustainable Grenadines office was completely destroyed when Hurricane Beryl passed through Union Island on July 1, 2024. (Photo by Orisha Joseph)
If you would like to assist, please donate at the link below, and help Ashton Lagoon, Union Island and its residents—both human and animal—get back on their feet! Your generosity will be greatly appreciated.
I first visited Union Island as a young reporter in 2009, on a trip to the world famous Tobago Cays Marine Park. Instantly, I fell in love with this small beautiful island. Soon after, I was introduced to the non-governmental organization Sustainable Grenadines Inc (SusGren).
Who knew that this introduction would lead me to migrate from Grenada to Union Island in 2012, where I began work as Administrative Officer with this amazing organization!
At SusGren, I used my communications skills to further reach audiences across the Transboundary Grenadines, in the region and further afield, sharing the impactful work we do in conservation, sustainable livelihoods, youth engagement and policy development.
Orisha Joseph speaking at the opening ceremony for the successfully restored Ashton Lagoon.
Fast forward to 2024. As Executive Director of SusGren, looking back at our journey, I wouldn’t change a thing—no regrets, at all!
However, on July 1st, 2024, Hurricane Beryl “changed everything.”
In 2019 we completed restoration work in the largest mangrove ecosystem on Union Island: the “Ashton Lagoon Restoration Project”. It was one of our flagship projects, to rehabilitate a failed marina area, which had caused significant ecological and socio-economic impacts with both long-term and short-term consequences for Union Island.
Twin suspension bridges over breached gaps in failed marina causeway in the Ashton Lagoon. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc.)
Birdwatching tower in Ashton Lagoon. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc.)
Ashton Lagoon trail. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc.)
Our achievements after restoration saw the construction of a two-storey office space and welcome centre, twin bridges at Ashton Lagoon to provide access—which became the main attraction on Union Island—restoration of red mangroves, construction of wildlife viewing towers, trails and interpretive signage, and a swale system for water exchange in the mangrove forest.
Sadly, since Hurricane Beryl visited us on that fateful day, we have lost everything.
Ashton Lagoon trail destroyed by Hurricane Beryl, the earliest hurricane to reach Category 5 intensity. (Photo by Orisha Joseph)
I was with one of my team members, her partner, my landlord, and 10-year-old grandson. As Hurricane Beryl displayed her strength, hurled broken glass at us, and lifted our roof, we held a mattress in front of us for protection. As the roof began to cave in, we realized we were not safe and needed to get to another house on the property.
Once I thought it was “safe,” I ran across the yard to the next house, then called for the others to do the same. We made it! We were alive! We are all together!
We stayed there until Hurricane Beryl decided she had done enough, and it was calm enough to go outside. I looked around in total shock, I could not believe this was the second time I am experiencing a devastating hurricane—my first being Hurricane Ivan, which destroyed Grenada in 2004. I cried….
Hurricane Beryl damaged or destroyed more than 90% of homes on Union Island. (Photo by Orisha Joseph)
My mind went to my two other team members. Were they OK? Were their families OK? Was the office OK? Was the bridge OK? What about other infrastructure? My heart sank as I started to walk through the island, witnessing the utter devastation, people with bewildered looks on their faces, homes destroyed.
SusGren employee Kisha McFarlen and other residents of Union Island survey the damage around them. (Photo by Orisha Joseph)
Then it all sank in, as I got to the office. It was completely gone, except for the stairs and two walls on the first floor. The mangrove was littered with chairs, desks, filing cabinets, papers. Birds were just hanging around and fiddler crabs were trying to find shelter.
The charming SusGren office before it was destroyed by Hurricane Beryl. (Photo by Sustainable Grenadines Inc.)
Sustainable Grenadines office was completely destroyed when Hurricane Beryl passed through Union Island on July 1, 2024. (Photo by Orisha Joseph)
Ashton Lagoon mangrove littered with littered with chairs, desks, filing cabinets, papers. (Photo by Orisha Joseph)
Despite the devastation, there was an overwhelming sense of relief. We had survived. Hurricane Beryl tested our resilience and reminded us of the power of Mother Nature.
But more importantly, Hurricane Beryl showed us the strength of our community and the unyielding spirit of Union Island. In the face of such adversity, we discovered that together, we could weather any storm.
As we pick up the pieces from here, to build back better and stronger, we welcome your support! If you are able to help, please go to our fundraising page here. Any gift, no matter how small, will be gratefully received!
We are pleased to share with you the new edition of the Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Cuba, number 7, 2024, by Nils Navarro Pacheco.
The Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Cuba is an annual publication that constitutes the most complete and updated official list of Cuban avifauna. It is the result of a deep and thorough bibliographic review and updating from the field. It serves as a basis for generating regional and global listings and is standardized for use with eBird.
The main objective is to provide up-to-date annual listings of Cuban birds, including reference information on each new report and general statistics about Cuban birdlife, and to serve as a reference platform for ornithological studies in the country. The increasing number of bird-watching tourists on the island as well as more bird monitoring by Cuban biologists and the rapidly-growing Cuban birding community are contributing to an increase in the number of previously unrecorded species entering the list every year. Furthermore, the influence of climate change is producing altered patterns of migratory movements in many species.
The new list has been enriched with 6 new records—3 of these were added to Cuba’s main list to bring the new Cuban total to 404 species. The other three records comprised two exotic species, and another which is currently classified as ‘dubious.’ Beyond the numbers though, splits announced in the American Ornithological Society 64th Supplement to the Checklist of North American Birds means that Cuba now boasts 3 more Cuban, rather than West Indian, endemic species! Cuba welcomes the Cuban Nightjar ( Greater Antillean Nightjar split to Cuban Nightjar and Hispaniolan Nightjar), the Cuban Palm-Crow (Palm Crow split to Cuban Palm-Crow and Hispaniolan Palm-Crow) and the Cuban Bullfinch (split from the Cuban Bullfinch into the Grand Cayman and Cuban Bullfinches, making the Cuban Bullfinch a true Cuban endemic!).
This year’s cover features a captivating photo of the beautifully plumaged Western Spindalis, Cuban subspecies (Spindalis zena pretrei), taken by Yadiel Veunes, in the Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt. The Western Spindalis belongs to the Spindalidae family which is a recognized family of songbirds endemic to the Caribbean. Spindalises were formerly classified as members of Thraupidae (or “tanagers”) but have since been reclassified as a separate family based on genetic studies. There are five subspecies of Western Spindalis one of which is the Cuban subspecies!
The 2024 checklist is now available in PDF for free download from the BirdsCaribbean website (see below). The printed version is available on Amazon at a good price. It is not intended to be a field identification guide but is a checklist, updated in accordance with the 64th supplement of AOS. Nils and the publisher, Ediciones Nuevos Mundos, hope this publication fulfills its role and is useful to all persons interested in Cuban birds and ornithology. Nils welcomes questions or suggestions about the checklist (Nils Navarro).
This checklist edition is dedicated to the memory of Jim Wiley, a great friend, extraordinary person and scientist, a guiding light of Caribbean ornithology. He crossed many troubled waters in pursuit of expanding our knowledge of Cuban birds.
If you are looking for a Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba, you can purchase it here or on Amazon.
Past checklists are all available for download, click on the images below to download a pdf of each.
The Journal of Caribbean Ornithology publishes peer-reviewed science on Caribbean birds and their environment that is critical to informing conservation work. In this annual blog feature, JCO’s staff is proud to show off the amazing research from scientific teams around the Caribbean. Volume 36 demonstrates the wide range of research conducted by our authors; from population and habitat use studies, to documentations of behavior, to methods-centered papers on bird monitoring. About ten articles focus on land birds, while three concentrate on waterbirds.
The JCO is immensely grateful for its dedicated team of editors, reviewers, copyeditors, translators, proofreaders, and production specialists that have worked together so well again this past year to produce high-quality publications. We also thank the 57 authors behind the 16 Research Articles and Notes for their trust in the JCO to publish their open-source work in the best form. The JCO and our non-profit publisher, BirdsCaribbean, continue to emphasize support for early-career researchers, trilingual content, open access, and a comprehensive archive going back to the very first volume from 1988.
Map depicting research locations of studies published in Volume 36.
A few glimpses behind the scenes of JCO’s operations in 2023:
JCO has welcomed Dr. Susana Aguilar, our Birds of the World (BOW) Coordinator for Cuba. Susana has an intimate knowledge of Cuban ornithology and we are very happy that we could recruit her to facilitate the revision of BOW accounts from the largest Caribbean island. Our Production Assistant and Designer since 2019, Diane Tessaglia-Hymes is pursuing another professional opportunity. She has tremendously helped with typesetting and, being an Adobe InDesign wizard, has optimized several “under the hood” features. Our Associate Editor team expanded with Yvan Satgé of Clemson University and Dr. Kathryn Peiman, from Ontario, Canada joining the team. Sadly, we learned that one of our Associate Editors, Dr. Virginia Sanz D’Angelo (Centro de Ecología, IVIC, Caracas, Venezuela) has passed away. Her dedication to JCO leaves a big gap.
It took a little longer than hoped, but our (all part-time!) staff finally pulled together a voluminous (94 pages) Special Issue with Caribbean-themed conference contributions from the AOS-BC conference in San Juan in 2022. Because it sometimes takes authors a while to fully publish research, these conference presentations and poster abstracts provide a more timely glimpse into what’s happening in Caribbean bird research and conservation.
We hope to see many of our readers, authors, editors, and team members in July at the BirdsCaribbean 2024 Conference in the Dominican Republic!
— Joseph M. Wunderle, Jr., JCO Editor-in-Chief,
— Stefan Gleissberg, JCO Managing Editor
— Zoya Buckmire, JCO Lead Copyeditor
The 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. Consider being a sustainer with a monthly contribution of $5 or more!
Like humans, birds are susceptible to parasitic infections, including avian malaria, and similarly, variations in hemoglobin structure may influence their susceptibility to these infections. Using one of the most widespread West Indian species, the Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola), Humphries and Ricklefs aimed to relate variation in hemoglobin structure and avian malaria infection across several islands. In this paper, they present the results of this fascinating study, with suggestions for appropriate markers for further biogeographic analyses.
In the midst of the central Bahamas archipelago lies the tiny Conception Island National Park. This multi-island park is designated as an Important Bird Area, but until now, its bird diversity was poorly documented. In this paper, Reynolds and Buckner present the first avifaunal list for this park in over a century, with a whopping 68 species, 3 of which are Bahamian endemics.
As human influence over the environment increases, so too does the distribution of artificial materials in natural spaces. More and more birds are encountering human debris in their habitat and interacting with these materials in various ways—whether mistaking them for food or becoming entangled in them. In this research note, Madden and Danielson-Owczynsky document landbirds in St. Eustatius using human debris in an interesting but dangerous way, a fascinating discovery that hints at the pervasiveness of our impact on the world around us.
Anderson Jean, Maxon Fildor, Marta Curti, Eladio Fernandez, Christine D. Hayes, and Thomas I. Hayes
Few things are more exciting than the rediscovery of a once-extirpated species, and the case of the Ridgway’s Hawk (Buteo ridgwayi) is no exception. This Hispaniolan endemic was once well-distributed across the island, but had not been recorded in Haiti since 1962. A chance encounter in 2019 prompted hope and follow-up studies in subsequent years as the authors sought to confirm sightings of the species. In this research note, Jean et al. document their rediscovery of this unique hawk in Haiti.
Joshua LaPergola, C. Justin Proctor, Hodali Almonte, and Kate J. Wallace
Birds eat bugs—or at least, that is how it’s supposed to go. The roles are sometimes reversed in the natural world, with one noteworthy example being parasitism. Philornis sp. larvae are a well-known parasite for birds, but we are still figuring out which species are affected by these parasites. In this paper, LaPergola et al. document the first record of Philornis sp. larvae parasitizing a swift, in this case an Antillean Palm-Swift (Tachornis phoenicobia) in the Dominican Republic. This expands our understanding of parasitism by this genus and adds to the ever-growing list of threats to Caribbean birds, especially aerial insectivores like swifts.
Nicholas Bergen, Christopher C. De Ruyck, and Nicola Koper
Citizen science provides a seemingly obvious solution to the various logistical and resource challenges of data collection in the Caribbean, but it is not without its own challenges. How does observer experience affect detectability of birds in the field? And do observers perform differently depending on who they are paired with? Bergen et al. conducted an experiment in Grenada to answer these questions and more, involving 34 different observers in over 400 surveys across the island. In this paper, the authors present the results of their study, along with several practical recommendations for the design and implementation of citizen science-based monitoring programs in the region.
Louise M. Soanes, Devon Carter, Laurel B. Symes, Jennifer C. Daltry, Holger Klinck, Clarissa Lloyd, and Farah Mukhida
If we as scientists had unlimited time and money, then long-term monitoring of bird populations would be a breeze. In the real world, however, monitoring efforts are limited by funding, access, and personnel, especially on remote islands and cays. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) is an emerging tool with the potential to significantly increase the efficiency of monitoring efforts, and a recent pilot project in Anguilla aimed to test the utility of this tool in the Caribbean context. In this paper, Soanes et al. describe the results of their pilot, with recommendations for the best use of PAM throughout the region.
Samantha J. Hagler, Kara Abbott, Christine D. Hayes, Thomas I. Hayes, and André A. Dhondt
The Critically Endangered Ridgway’s Hawk (Buteo ridgwayi) is a charismatic species that has received lots of conservation attention in recent years, but there still remain major gaps in knowledge about this species’ life history and behavior, especially pre-breeding. In this research article, Hagler et al. present their results from tracking 3 established breeding pairs of Ridgway’s Hawks in the Dominican Republic, adding critical information to the body of knowledge about this endangered and endemic species.
Yaroddys Rodríguez Castaneda y Nils Navarro Pacheco
The wild bird trade is a growing threat to Caribbean birds, with species targeted for their bright plumages and/or beautiful songs. This industry is especially prevalent in Cuba, with over 3,000 birds trapped in one month (October 2021). Dozens of species are trapped and sold, including species that may not have been previously recorded for the island. In this Spanish-language paper, Rodríguez Castaneda and Navarro Pacheco document a new species for Cuba, discovered through the ongoing bird trade, suggesting that Cuba’s true avian diversity may be even higher than estimated.
El tráfico de aves silvestres es una amenaza creciente a las aves del Caribe, con las aves elegidas para sus plumajes brillantes y/o sus bonitos cantos. Esta industria es especialmente frecuente en Cuba, con más que 3000 aves capturadas en un mes (octubre 2021). Docenas de especies son capturadas y vendidas, incluyendo unas especies que quizás no eran reportadas para la isla. En este artículo español, Rodríguez Castaneda y Navarro Pacheco documentan una especie nueva para Cuba, descubierta por el tráfico continuado de aves, sugiriendo que la verdadera diversidad de aves de Cuba puede ser aún más alta que la estimada anteriormente.
Ramon J.T. Williams, Miyako H. Warrington, and Nicola Koper
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are subject to unique ecological pressures, and the bird populations on these islands are no different. How are birds using and responding to natural and anthropogenic habitats on these islands? In what ways does this use differ from the well-studied continental regions? And importantly, how does this inform conservation and management measures here, in the Caribbean? In this paper, Williams et al. explore all these questions and more using resident landbird species in Grenada.
Kara L. Lefevre, Elizabeth Forys, Adam DiNuovo, and Adam D. Smith
Black Skimmers (Rynchops niger) are a charismatic—and admittedly odd-looking—colonial seabird distributed throughout the coastal Americas. Populations in Florida (R. niger niger) are under threat, and to inform conservation measures, Lefevre et al. set out to track the dispersal and movements of skimmer chicks from breeding colonies in Florida. In this paper, the authors describe their use of various tracking methods, some more successful than others, and present important recommendations on how to design future studies.
Parrots and parakeets (Psittaciformes) are some of the most widely introduced species in the Caribbean, and Puerto Rico is no exception. There, the White-winged Parakeet (Brotogeris versicolurus) was introduced in the late 1960s and has since become “the most successful invasive psittacine species on the island”. However, until now, not much was known about their life history or population status in Puerto Rico. In this article, Falcón and Tremblay report on the status of two breeding populations with estimates of their growth rates, as well as other critical information including the species’ diet and nesting habits on the island.
Paige A. Byerly, Susan Zaluski, Daniel Nellis, Judy Pierce, and Paul L. Leberg
Effective management of bird populations requires quality data, but quality data is often difficult to come by. Where studies do exist, methods may vary greatly based on differing research questions, objectives, and priorities, but as Byerly et al. demonstrate here, it is not impossible to form a cohesive picture from various disparate surveys. Comparing data from surveys in the early 2000s with their own in 2016-2018, the authors produce up-to-date trends on the populations of 7 seabirds in the Virgin Islands—and none of them are good. In this paper, Byerly et al. present these timely population status updates, a call for action, and a great example of how to make the best of the limited data we have in the Caribbean to conserve and manage our birds.
Nils Navarro Pacheco, Roberto Jovel Lara, Wisdenilde Navarro Méndez, Juan Carlos Lobaina Montero, Noel Coutín Lobaina, and Carlos Hernández
The Cuban subspecies of the Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus fringilloides) is relatively understudied, with no documented nesting records for Cuba—until now. In this Spanish-language article, Navarro Pacheco et al. present the first record of a nest found in Guantanamo, Cuba, with detailed descriptions of the nest, eggs, breeding behavior, and other aspects of the reproductive biology of this endemic subspecies.
El Gavilancito Cubano (Accipiter striatus fringilloides) es relativamente poco estudiado, con ningunos registros de nidificación documentados para Cuba—hasta ahora. En este artículo español, Navarro Pacheco y otros presentan el primer registro de un nido encontrado en Guantánamo, Cuba, con descripciones detalladas del nido, los huevos, el comportamiento de reproducción, y otros aspectos de la biología reproductiva de esta subespecie endémica.
Avery Young, David Aborn, Steven C. Latta, and Jennifer Nagel Boyd
The way wildlife interacts with food systems is an increasingly important topic as food production expands and encroaches upon habitat. In the Dominican Republic, a major driver of habitat loss is the conversion of forests to avocado farms to meet demand. How does habitat differ between the natural forests and these farm systems? How are birds responding to these differences? And does avian response vary depending on whether the birds are endemic, resident, or migratory? In this research article, Young et al. answer these questions and more, and offer recommendations to balance habitat preservation with our food production needs.
Malo Braquier, Anthony Levesque, Jérémy Delolme, and Charlotte Francesiaz
How long do birds live in the wild? Lifespan of course differs by family and species, and even within species as birds face varying threats within their habitats, migration routes, and from the humans they encounter. Shorebirds like plovers can live into their teens, and for the Wilson’s Plover (Charadrius wilsonia), the previous longevity record was 10 years. In this research note, Braquier et al. report a new longevity record for this species from their resightings of a previously banded Wilson’s Plover in Guadeloupe.
The annual compilation of the most important articles that appeared elsewhere, annotated by Steve Latta.
Article by
Zoya Buckmire – Lead Copy Editor for the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology;
Stefan Gleissberg – Managing Editor JCO
TheJournal 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.
Demonica Brown and Maya Wilson assembling the Motus antenna. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Our Motus stations are multiplying! Twostations were recently installed in The Bahamas, bringing the total to six stations in just over a year—starting with two in Puerto Rico, followed by one each in Jamaica and Barbados. You may ask, “Remind us what Motus is?” The Motus Wildlife Tracking System, often abbreviated to “Motus” from the Latin word for movement, is an international collaborative research network that uses coordinated automated radio telemetry to facilitate research and education on the ecology and conservation of migratory animals. Put simply, it tracks the movements of small animals and birds in flight.
The Caribbean Motus Collaboration (CMC) aims to fill the geographical gap in the network in the Caribbean. As more stations are added, we will be able to learn more about the movements of migratory birds throughout the islands. It is exciting work! We look forward to a future filled with Motus stations to help us learn more about how to preserve these remarkable species on their journeys. Here, Demonica Brown, Science Officer at The Bahamas National Trust, shares her story of how the first two Bahamian stations were installed, and the impact they will have.
Wildlife backpackers on the move
Flying animals such as birds, bats, and insects are safely captured by trained professionals and “tagged” with tiny, lightweight transmitters that look like miniature backpacks. When these animals fly within the range of receiver stations, detection data is transmitted and added to the database. Motus is a powerful tool that allows researchers to gain a greater understanding of how these species, especially birds, move around.
Kirtland’s Warbler fitted with a lightweight nano-tag. This tiny transmitter lets researchers track the movements of tagged birds, bats, and even large insects with precision across thousands of miles. (Photo by Scott Weidensaul)
The various types of Motus tags that can be attached to animals to track their movement. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
The islands of The Bahamas are popular wintering grounds for many migratory bird species. Similarly to tourists that travel to the Caribbean to escape the cold in their home countries, winter migrants from North America make their way down the eastern coast of the US to our beautiful islands, where many of them remain throughout their non-breeding season (fall through early spring). For some migrants, our islands serve as a stop-over location along their migratory pathway as they make their way further south. Over 300 species have been recorded in The Bahamas, with migratory species accounting for more than half of them.
A male Green-winged Teal ventures across the mud. (Photo by Hemant Kishan)
Palm Warblers were named based on a specimen collected on Hispaniola, but this is far from a ‘tropical’ bird year-round. They are one of the northernmost breeding of all warblers (only the Blackpoll Warbler breeds farther north). (Photo by Ryan Schain Macaulay Library- ML223997711)
A Willet feeding. (Photo by Jesse Gordon)
Four stations slated for three Bahamian islands
Through the Caribbean Motus Collaboration, four new Motus stations will be installed across the country. Two stations will be set up on the northernmost island of Grand Bahama (described here). In the coming months, a third station will be installed on Eleuthera in the central Bahamas and finally, a fourth station on Great Inagua in the south! The installation of these stations is a big step towards better understanding how migratory, resident, and endemic species move throughout our islands and the Caribbean at large. I had the opportunity to assist with Motus tower installations on Grand Bahama, a first for myself.
Cesar and Todd attaching the antenna to the Motus tower at Rand Nature Center. (Photo by Maya Wilson)
Cesar and Todd attaching the antenna to the Motus tower at the Lucayan National Park. (Photo by Maya Wilson)
Since I reside in Nassau (the capital of The Bahamas), located on the island of New Providence, I first needed to get to Grand Bahama. Fortunately, this only required a quick 30-45 minute flight. Upon arrival, I was picked up by Lisa Wildgoose (Rand Nature Center Office Administrator) and headed to drop off my bags at my host home for the next few days. There I met my host Martha Cartwright, a Grand Bahama resident and fellow birder, who graciously welcomed me into her home.
Getting started on Grand Bahama, still feeling Hurricane Dorian’s effects
Lisa and I then made our way to The Rand Nature Center (RNC), one of three national parks on the island. This park protects 100 acres of pine and coppice forest, as well as a freshwater pond, making it a hotspot for birds. There I met with the rest of the Motus installation team, which consisted of Lisa Sorenson (BirdsCaribbean Executive Director), Maya Wilson (BirdsCaribbean Landbird Monitoring Program Manager), Todd Alleger (Northeast Motus Collaboration Installation Expert), and Cesar Montero (Caribbean Motus Collaboration Trainee). Also on hand to assist were two BNT Park Wardens, Bradley Pinder and David Claire. Director of Parks, Ellsworth Weir, provided crucial assistance with procuring supplies and getting all of the shipped Motus equipment out of customs—no small feat!
Grand Bahama Motus Installation team: Lisa Sorenson, Todd Alleger, Bradley Pinder, Cesar Montero, Maya Wilson, Demonica Brown and David Cooper. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
After catching up for a bit, we reviewed plans for the remainder of the week. To get started, Maya, Bradley, and I would start the work at Lucayan National Park (LNP) while the remainder of the team worked on getting additional supplies from the hardware store.
The scenery on the drive along the Grand Bahama Highway was somber. In 2019 Hurricane Dorian had ravaged this island for two full days. Winds of 185 mph, storm surge (up to 23 feet) and salt-water inundation drastically damaged pine, coppice, and mangrove habitats on both Grand Bahama and Abaco. These serve as vital habitats for many bird species, and their destruction resulted in the decreased population of many species including endemics such as the Bahama Swallow, Bahama Warbler (potentially extirpated on GB), and Bahama Nuthatch (potentially extinct). Though this is my second time visiting Grand Bahama post-Hurricane Dorian, it is still a sight to take in, with miles and miles of trees snapped in half. However, it was encouraging to see continued signs of regeneration, especially young pine growing, amongst the vast stretch of dead pine stands.
New pine trees and poisonwood growth after the devastation by Hurricane Dorian in 2019. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
It was hard labor—shovels, buckets, and mixing cement!
After a 25-30 minute drive, we finally arrived at Lucayan National Park (LNP). Established in 1982, this park protects both marine and terrestrial habitats, including one of the world’s longest-charted underwater cave systems. There we were joined by Delores Kellman (BirdsCaribbean Administrative Assistant) and Bob Davies (BNT volunteer), who generously offered to assist. The station was going to be located on the back of the rebuilt LNP Gift Shop, and our first task was to dig the hole for the base of the station. Pickaxes and shovels in hand, the team quickly got to digging.
Taking turns to dig the hole for the base of the tower behind the Lucayan National Park Gift Shop. (Photo by Demonica Brown)
Delores Kellman helps Maya to dig the hole for the base. (Photo by Demonica Brown)
Demonica and Bob Davies digging the hole for the base of the tower at the Lucayan National Park. (Photo by Maya Wilson)
About a quarter of the way down, we were met with a slight issue—our hole quickly started to fill with groundwater! This resulted in us needing to bail out buckets of water multiple times throughout the morning. After reaching an acceptable depth, the team worked on creating the frame that would hold the concrete when poured. With a few fittings to the hole, leveling, and other necessary adjustments, the frame was finally set and the 5-ft Rohn section (first section of the tower) was added and stabilized.
Water in the hole! The hole for the base of the tower filled with water. (Photo by Demonica Brown)
Delores bailing water from the hole. (Photo by Demonica Brown)
We returned to LNP the following morning to continue working on the station. While waiting on the equipment needed to complete the base, the team worked on assembling the antennas for the tower and preparing the cables. Three antennas for each of the 2 standard radio frequencies used by the Motus network were assembled, for a total of six antennas. This process was simple and went by quickly with everyone helping out. As the Motus expert, Todd gave each antenna a final look to ensure that everything was in place! Once complete, we resumed work on the base of the tower. With the 5-ft Rohn base section secured in place, it was time to add cement to set it in place for good. Mixing cement by hand can be a laborious task, but thankfully we had the help of a mixer which made the process easier. Many bags of cement later, we were ready to pour!
Bob and Maya constructing the base frame. (Photo by Demonica Brown)
Many bags of cement are needed to build a sturdy base for the Motus tower. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Pouring cement into the mixer. (Photo by Demonica Brown)
“Many bags of cement later, we were ready to pour.” (Photo by Demonica Brown)
Todd and Cesar ensures the tower is placed at the center of the base. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Lisa and Maya assembling one of the antennae for the tower. (Photo by Demonica Brown)
Todd and Cesar check the antenna before it is attached to the tower. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Base beautifully decorated with flowers and plants. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
While the rest of the team finished preparing the base, Lisa and I worked on collecting leaves and flowers of native plants, which were gently pressed into the top of the wet cement. With the cement successfully poured, and beautifully adorned, all it needed was time to dry. We finished off the remainder of the day at the Rand Nature Centre, where we prepared for the station installation the following day.
Demonica and Lisa with the various plants they collected to adorn the tower base at Lucayan National Park. (Photo by Demonica Brown)
A birding break…
I started my final day with the team with one of my favorite hobbies: birding! Martha planned a morning tour and led us to a few birding spots on the island, including Dover Sound and Barbery Beach. Perfect weather allowed us the opportunity to record about 27 species in total, including an unexpected lifer sighting for myself (Purple Martin). Overall, the morning was a success! We also were fortunate enough to spot five Bahama Swallows near a cell tower along the Grand Bahama Highway on our way to LNP to pick up supplies. Eventually, it was time to get back to work and continue work on the RNC station.
The group pauses to take a selfie while birdwatching at Barbery Beach, Grand Bahama. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Martha Cartwright and Cesar Montero searching for Wilson’s Plovers at Barbery Beach, Grand Bahama. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Martha, Cesar, Demonica, Maya and Todd birding at Barbery Beach, Grand Bahama. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Bahama Swallow swoops low to the ground. (Photo by Brendan Fogarty)
…Then, back to work!
At RNC, I assisted with preparing the remaining antennas and cables for the station. Once assembled, colored coordinated electrical tape was added to antennas of the same frequencies and then down the cables for ease of reference when installing them to the mast and connecting to the receiver. Finally, it was time to erect the Rohn tower onto the base plate that was secured onto the existing concrete near the main entrance of the building. Once set in place and secured with bolts, it was then bracketed to the building for extra security. The next steps would then be to attach the antennas and coaxial cables and connect them to the receivers.
Entrance to the Rand Nature Center, Grand Bahama. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Maya and Todd checking cables. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Motus station receiver with attached cables. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Motus tower set up complete at Rand Nature Center, Grand Bahama. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
And the work continued…
Eventually, my time with the team came to an end and it was time to return home. The Motus team, however, kept hard at work and completed both installations before departing that weekend!
It is exciting to have these towers set up. I am looking forward to the data that will be collected and the research they will help to advance. In fact, the station at Lucayan National Park has already detected a migratory shorebird—a Semi-palmated Sandpiper that was tagged in Quebec, Canada! I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to assist with this amazing work and to have the ability to see first-hand the work that goes into these installations. I would like to give a special thank you to BirdsCaribbean for including me in this work and to Martha Cartwright for her hospitality!
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Photo by Sipke Stapert)
Demonica Brown is an early-career environmental scientist serving as a Science Officer at the Bahamas National Trust. In her current role, she focuses on avian and terrestrial matters in which she executes multiple bird-related projects involving monitoring migratory and resident birds. Understanding the importance of protected areas to these species, she is passionate about conservation and collecting valuable data that can also further aid in their management. She hopes to pursue a master’s in wildlife and environmental conservation and to conduct much-needed research on local threatened, endangered, and endemic bird species.
Acknowledgments
BirdsCaribbean thanks our members and donors who made the installation of these two Motus stations possible, including the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Action Fund and American Bird Conservancy (ABC). A huge thank you to Cesar Montero, and to Todd Alleger and the Northeast Motus Collaboration for their ongoing support (Todd now works as the Atlantic Flyway Motus Technical Coordinator with ABC). Thanks also to Martha Cartwright, Delores Kellman, and the BNT staff and volunteers who assisted in getting these stations up. Finally, much gratitude to Ed Gates and the late Erika Gates for supporting our crew on this visit with accommodations, transportation, and delicious meals. We dedicate these two new stations to the memory of Erika Gates, who was always striving to advance bird knowledge, awareness, and conservation in Grand Bahama and the Caribbean.
Children birdwatching at Princess Park, Grand Bahama. (photo by EARTHCARE)
Every year thousands of migratory birds make epic journeys south. Many stop over in the Caribbean to rest and refuel; others arrive and spend the entire winter with us. Throughout Fall 2023 and on World Migratory Bird Day, we celebrated these beautiful visitors. We recognized and highlighted the amazing ways in which they adapt to endure such lengthy and dangerous journeys, and called attention to the importance of water to the survival of these birds. Check out the fun and creative ways in which Caribbean organizations got involved. Laura Baboolal, Caribbean Coordinator of World Migratory Bird Day for Environment for the Americas (EFTA), tells the story…
Water conservation for migratory birds and people
Every year we eagerly await the arrival of migratory birds as they flock to our shores, wetlands, forests, parks, gardens, and even backyards! This year’s theme was “Water: Sustaining Bird Life”; “Agua: vital para las aves” in Spanish;and in French, “L’eau: Source de vie pour les oiseaux.”
Birds need water as much as we do! They need to drink water to help them regulate body processes and use water to keep themselves clean and cool. And many migratory birds depend on healthy wetland habitats such as ponds, marshes, mangroves, rivers and coastal areas to safely rest during their long journeys south and to feed and replenish their energy.
The wetlands of Monte Cristi in the northern Dominican Republic are a fantastic place for waterbirds, including many migratory shorebirds. (photo by Maria Paulino)
This year’s theme highlighted the the impact of the growing water crisis on migratory birds. This theme resonated in the Caribbean, where islands have been enduring longer-lasting and more severe droughts. It is not only farmers and householders who are feeling the effects of lower than normal rainfall patterns. Birds are, too! Drought causes wetland habitats such as ponds, salinas, marshes, and rivers to shrink and dry up, thus impacting the amount of water available for birds to drink, feed and bathe, particularly those that rely on wetland habitats. Water scarcity also impacts people— we need clean water to drink, bathe, and grow our food.
The good news is that there are easy, everyday ways for us to reduce our water use and keep our natural supply of water flowing. Find out how our dedicated and passionate Caribbean educators throughout the islands used WMBD events to build and support coalitions of people to advocate for the protection of critical wetland habitats and water conservation.
Here are some highlights from this year’s WMBD events held in The Bahamas, Jamaica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, St. Martin, Sint Maarten, Antigua and Barbuda, Guadeloupe and Trinidad and Tobago. Many more islands are still hosting events, activities and celebrating this special time for migratory birds!
The Bahamas
EARTHCARE, an environmental education NGO that works across the islands of The Bahamas, celebrated WMBD by hosting a birdwatching trip for children at Princess Park on Grand Bahama Island. The children were excited to see and learn about the different birds at the Park. For many it was their first time using binoculars (provided by EFTA) and they were eager to find the birds using this fundamental tool for birders. Children love using binoculars and the first time using them is always a revelation! Gail Woon and Jill Cooper (EARTHCARE representatives) also visited the Eco School at Bishop Michael Eldon School (BMES) and made a presentation on the importance of water to birds, with special emphasis on migratory birds, and people.
EARTHCARE celebrates WMBD with a birdwatching trip for children at Princess Park, Grand Bahama. (photo by EARTHCARE)
Common Gallinule at Princess Park, Grand Bahama. (photo by EARTHCARE)
Getting the hang of using binoculars to look at birds. A child adjusts her binoculars while birdwatching at Princess-Park, Grand Bahama. (photo by EARTHCARE)
Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Princess Park. (photo by EARTHCARE)
Children birdwatching during EARTHCARE’s WMBD event at Princess Park, Grand Bahama. (photo by EARTHCARE)
An immature Common Gallinule makes its way to the pond at Princess Park, Grand Bahama. (photo by EARTHCARE)
Celebrating migratory birds with the Eco School at Bishop Michael Eldon School, Grand Bahama. (photo by EARTHCARE)
Students making bird masks during WMBD activities at the Eco School at BMES. (photo by EARTHCARE)
Students enjoying art and craft activities during EARTHCARE’s WMBD event at the Eco School BMES, Grand Bahama. (photo by EARTHCARE)
Jamaica
The Natural History Museum of Jamaica moved its popular “An Afternoon with a Scientist” from online and into nature at Hope Botanical Gardens, with the esteemed speaker being Ricardo Miller. Ricardo is a longtime member of BirdsCaribbean, veteran Jamaican birder, and Environmental Coordinator at the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA). Following this talk, students of Mona Preparatory School, Rollington Town Primary School and Sts. Peter and Paul Preparatory School in Kingston were treated to a birdwatching trip across the Gardens. Out in the field the youngsters had great fun using binoculars and bird ID cards to find and identify any birds they could spot!
Ricardo Miller speaks to students about migratory birds and water conservation at Hope Gardens, Jamaica. (photo by Natural History Museum of Jamaica)
Ricardo Miller leads students and teachers on a birding trip around Hope Gardens, Jamaica. (photo by Natural History Museum of Jamaica)
Students learn to use binoculars and a spotting scope to look at birds at Hope Gardens, Jamaica.(photo by Natural History Museum of Jamaica)
The session was a collaborative effort among the Hope Botanical Gardens, NEPA and Jamaica Environment Trust to commemorate this year’s World Migratory Day under the theme “Water and its Importance for Migratory Birds”.
Cuba
In Cuba, Biblioteca Municipal de Bauta (Bauta Municipal Library) in collaboration with the Bauta Birdwatchers Club, Faculty of Geography and Bird Ecology Group (University of Havana) hosted a migratory bird watching activity with 4th and 5th grade school students. The children learned about bird identification and the importance of protecting birds in their country.
Bird ID cards in hand and they are excited to go birdwatching. (photo by Bauta Municipal Library)
Students of 4th and 5th grades head outside to watch birds. (photo by Bauta Municipal Library)
Group photo with library staff and students at the library. (photo by Bauta Municipal Library)
Dominican Republic
During the month of October, Grupo Acción Ecológica (GAE) (Ecological Action Group) carried out several activities to celebrate migratory birds. The group ventured to different birding spots in the Dominican Republic to carry out bird counts, and uploaded their birding checklists to the eBird Caribbean online database.
GAE also partnered with the Department of Education to assist students with planting trees at the National Botanical Garden, thus increasing the number of endemic plants at the Garden. These plants will no doubt provide shelter and food for birds, and other wildlife for many years to come! The man-made lagoons at the Garden were the perfect setting for a live demonstration of the importance of water to birds.
A young girl models her bird mask. (photo by GAE)
Group of students birdwatching at one of the man-made lagoons in the National Botanical Gardens. (photo by GAE)
‘What’s that bird?’ Two girls use a field guide to Identify birds at the National Botanical Gardens. (photo by GAE)
In Jarabacoa the hands-on approach to learning, birding, and conservation continued. Students of the Doulos School went on bird walks and learned about different methods to survey bird abundance and species diversity. They also drew and painted the birds they saw and submitted their artwork to a WMBD contest organized by GAE. The festivities ended in the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo with a talk, tree planting activity, and birdwatching, where they had the opportunity to see more migratory birds!
Lecturer at Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (Autonomous University of Santo Domingo), and long-time member of BirdsCaribbean,Simón Guerrero, introduced primary school students to migratory birds through a riveting presentation on common migrants. They learned about ‘Moonbird,’ a male Red Knot celebrated for its epic 10,000 mile annual migrations and for being the oldest known member of its species! Simón told us, “I always plant some trees to be sure birds will know we are doing something real for them, not just talking.” After the presentation and WMBD activities, firebush or hummingbird bush (Hamelia patens), a plant whose flowers and fruits are very attractive to native, endemic, and some migratory birds, was planted on the school’s compound.
Students captivated by the birds and art on the WMBD 2023 brochure. (photo by Simón Guerrero)
The students were especially excited to learn about the Red Knot called ‘Moonbird.’ (photo by Simón Guerrero)
Students plant the firebush plant in their school’s garden. (Photo by Simón Guerrero)
Puerto Rico
Conservation Opportunity got their hands dirty to help migratory birds! The NGO celebrated World Migratory Bird Day by cleaning the waterways in Charco Dos Bocas, Ciales, Puerto Rico. Approximately 150 pounds of trash were collected in one day. Over 50 people showed up to lend a hand and learn about birds. They also installed a new sign, reminding their fellow Puerto Ricans and visitors to the river to keep the environment clean.
River in Charco Dos Bocas Ciales after spectacular cleanup effort by volunteers. (photo by Conservation Opportunity)
Approximately 150 pounds of trash were collected. (photo by Conservation Opportunity)
A community representative speaks about actions taken by residents of Toro Negro to preserve the area.(photo by Conservation Opportunity)
A volunteer ensures no trash is left behind. (Photo by Conservation Opportunity)
‘Job well done!’ Conservation Opportunity members and volunteers after the amazing cleanup effort.(Photo by Alexia Morales))
Members of Conservation Opportunity take a photo by their newly installed sign. (photo by Conservation Opportunity)
Volunteers receive instructions before the start of the clean-up. (photo by Conservation Opportunity)
River cleanups provide a-safe spot for migratory birds and help intercept garbage before it reaches our oceans. (photo by Conservation Opportunity)
WMBD pins, stickers, bracelets, and more were distributed at Conservation Opportunity’s event. (Photo by Conservation Opportunity)
Meanwhile, Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña Inc. (SOPI) headed to EcoExploratorio (Science Museum of Puerto Rico) to talk about water conservation for birds and how to identify some of the more common winter migrants on the island.
‘Let’s talk Birds!’ Visitors to the museum learns about Puerto Rico’s feathered migrants. (photo by SOPI)
SOPI’s booth at EcoExploratorio.
St. Martin / Sint Maarten
This year Laura was able to visit St. Martin to attend a WMBD event hosted by Les Fruits de Mer and to share educational materials with both Les Fruits de Mer and Nature Foundation Sint Maarten.
WMBD Caribbean Coordinator, Laura-Baboolal with Mark Yokoyama and Jennifer Yerkes of Les Fruits de Mer.
Educational books on the wildlife of St Martin written by Jenn and Mark, were given to children during the event. (photo by Laura Baboolal)
‘Hi Mark!’ Mark eagerly awaits the arrival of participants. (photo by Laura Baboolal)
This Migratory Bird Festival included art activities for children, educational activity books developed by the organization, and nature walks.
Guadeloupe
Our partner, outstanding guide, and skilled biologist Anthony Levesque gave a talk on the on the birds of La Désirade. It is one of the islands of Guadeloupe and is better known for its white sand beaches and coral reef. It is also a sanctuary for birds looking to rest and refuel during migration. The following day Anthony led a birdwatching tour with 20 participants, who recorded some notable species such as the Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Bobolink.
Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs (Photo by Anthony VanSchoor)
Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Photo by Jesse Gordon)
Female Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Photo by Linda Petersen)
Male Bobolink in breeding plumage. (Photo by Ryan Sanderson- Macaulay Library-ML342377131)
Bobolink females. Male and female Bobolinks have similar plumage in the non-breeding season. Look out for flocks of these sparrow-like birds during migration. (Photo by Karalyn Lamb-Macaulay-ML4702854910)
Trinidad and Tobago
WMBD was celebrated in May on the same day as Global Big Day and the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF), at the ARC Conservation Field Station in Brasso Seco in Trinidad. You can read about the “Protect the Rivers, Save the Birds” event in our CEBF wrap-up blog.
In October, local school teacher Sabira Ali, who hosts private birding activities for children, celebrated WMBD with her students. The activity included a presentation on migratory birds—by the students themselves! Students were asked to select a migratory bird and give a short presentation on the bird to their classmates. This was followed by decorating bird masks and a fun quiz to recap all the feathery facts learned.
One of Sabira’s-students puts her personal touches on her bird mask. (photo by Sabira Ali)
‘It’s time for a WMBD quiz!’ Sabira tests the participants knowledge of migratory birds in a fun and short quiz.
Sabira’s students stops to take a photo with the colorful WMBD 2023 brochures. (photo by Sabira Ali)
We applaud the tremendous efforts of our educators who plan and execute educational and fun activities to ensure an unforgettable WMBD and inspire a love for birds and birdwatching. We extend a massive thank you to our ambassadors, who selflessly deliver educational materials to Caribbean islands. Environment for the Americas and BirdsCaribbean extend our greatest thanks to all of you and we look forward to seeing what you have planned for WMBD 2024!
Birds Connect our World—Fifteen new species shared on BirdsCaribbean’s website
BirdsCaribbean recognized WMBD by featuring new migratory birds in our virtual campaign– Birds Connect Our World. Each migratory bird profile was accompanied by a beautifully drawn coloring page by Christine Elder, stunning high quality photos and videos, online puzzles tailored for different levels (between six and 1,024 pieces), and bird calls. Fun, free and engaging activities were also provided for both kids and adults, including downloadable coloring pages, experiments, up-cycle crafts, and more. We also created short videos to help birders identify shorebirds that show up every fall in the Caribbean—for example, the Least Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Short-billed Dowitcher and Stilt Sandpiper,Black-bellied and American Golden Plovers and the small and adorable, but confusing, plovers too!
Flying, hopping, wiggling, and crawling towards WMBD 2024
The WMBD theme for 2024 is Insects! While some people may shriek at the sight of these tiny creatures (and rightfully so because our brains confuse fear with disgust, and some insects are actually harmful to us) they are an important delicacy for birds. In fact, insects are so important to birds that migratory birds will literally fly halfway around the globe just to have an ample supply of insects to eat! Insects and bugs are a high protein food. Protein is essential to birds for keeping up energy and body mass and for growing baby birds.
A study published in the Journal of Biological Conservation reported that 40% of all insect species are declining globally. Loss of natural areas like forests and grasslands that have been converted or degraded by intensive agriculture and urban development, and climate change, have all contributed to this downward population trend. A scarcity of this protein-rich food source can hinder bird migration and breeding, leading to weakened immune systems, reduced reproductive success, and increased mortality rates for both adult birds and their offspring.
The WMBD campaign in 2024 will thus stress the need for proactive conservation measures like reducing the use of pesticides and fertilizers, switching to organic farming, and maintaining and connecting areas of natural vegetation in agricultural landscapes.
If you are interested in celebrating WMBD in your country, or if you can deliver materials to a Caribbean 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.
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) with us in 2023! This year’s theme is “Water: Sustaining Bird Life”. Have fun learning about a new migratory bird every day. We have coloring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.
Migratory Bird of the Day: Palm Warbler
Wood-warblers are challenging birds for most amateur birders to ID—they are small, fast-moving, and have plumage patterns that overlap across species, age and sex. However, if you are birding in open areas, and find a sparrow-sized bird, feeding on the ground, with distinctive and bright yellow undertail-coverts, wagging its tail feathers like it’s a matter of life or death—you have found a Palm Warbler!
There are two subspecies of Palm Warbler which are easily distinguished. Whilst both have grayish to olive brown upperparts, if you meet a Yellow Palm Warbler, you’ll notice that—besides their undertail coverts—their throat, breast and belly are also stunningly yellow. On the other hand, only the undertail-coverts, and sometimes the throat of the Western Palm Warbler, is vividly yellow—which contrasts with their pale breast and belly. You can also look out for faint brown streaking on the breast and flanks, and a chestnut cap in breeding plumage. Both sexes are similar, making them one of the few warbler species that are not sexually dimorphic.
Palm Warblers feed almost exclusively on the ground, searching for insects like grasshoppers, beetles, butterflies and mosquitoes during breeding season. Seeds, berries and nectar are added to their diet during the non-breeding season.
As a migratory bird, the name Palm Warbler reflects the fact that the species was first described from a specimen wintering in the Caribbean. The Palm Warbler’s non-breeding range also includes the southeast and Gulf Coast of the United States. Interestingly, this bird has a fondness for the bog and coniferous forests of Canada and the northern United States. This makes it one of the northernmost breeding species of all the New World warblers, surpassed only by its close relative, the Blackpoll Warbler.
Given its remote breeding habitat, and how difficult it is to find the nests of this bird, much remains unknown about this part of its life cycle. Peak nest building occurs around mid-May. Nests are usually constructed at the base of coniferous trees, between 5 to 30 cm above the ground. Females lay two to four eggs and take the lead in incubating the eggs and feeding nestlings, with some support provided by their mates.
Palm Warblers prefer relatively open habitats with scattered trees and dense shrubs of 1–2 m tall on both their breeding and wintering grounds. This charismatic warbler can also be found in a variety of woodland, second-growth, and thicket habitats; on the ground in savannas, open fields and lawns; and in mangroves.
Palm Warblers are not endangered, but like other nocturnal migrants, they face multiple threats from light pollution and building strikes. There is a lot we can do on a daily basis to protect this cute tail-wagging warbler: turn off the lights at night during fall and spring months, advocate for bird-friendly windows, keep your pets indoors, and provide and protect clean water sources along their migration paths. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.
Thanks to Daniela Ventura for the text and Christine Elder for the lovely illustration!
Color in the Palm Warbler
Download the Migratory Birds of the Day Coloring Page! Use the picture above and the photos on this page as your guide, or look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your colored-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #WMBD2023Carib
Listen to the calls of the Palm Warbler
Palm Warblers have a thin “seep” call, which can be heard during the non-breeding season.
Puzzles of the Day
Click on the images below to do the puzzle. You can make the puzzle as easy or as hard as you like—for example, 6, 8, or 12 pieces for young children, all the way up to 1,024 pieces for those that are up for a challenge!
During the non-breeding season, Palm Warblers will join mixed species flocks to forage—look out for them with sparrows, or other migratory warblers, such as the Yellow-rumped Warbler. (Photo by Ryan Sanderson Macaulay Library-ML445341491)
The Palm Warbler was named based on a specimen collected on Hispaniola, but this warbler is far from being a year-round ‘tropical’ bird. They are one of the northernmost breeding of all warblers—only the Blackpoll Warbler breeds farther north. (Photo by Ryan Schain Macaulay Library- ML223997711)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS: We hope that you have been enjoying learning all about migratory birds in the Caribbean! Don’t forget that this year our theme is “Water: Sustaining Bird Life”. Many of the birds we have featured this year are under pressure, often from human activities. This means that our special migratory birds, and many of the other beautiful birds that live in the Caribbean, need your help.
All birds need water to survive so you can help by carrying out the actions in our “Pledge to Conserve Water.” You can download and print our water pledge here. Sign your name and get started helping our birds by following some of the simple water-saving actions listed in the pledge. You can hang or pin it up somewhere at home to remind you to keep saving water and helping birds and wildlife. And don’t forget to share this pledge with your family and friends!
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy this video of a Palm Warbler in the wild on its wintering grounds in Cuba!
Get some helpful for hints on how to identify warblers in the Caribbean: Warblers are among the most beautiful and entertaining Caribbean birds, but they can also be some of the most challenging birds to identify. Luckily naturalist, educator, and artist, Christine Elder, has some really helpful tips on what to look for as well as some amazing resources for you to use. Check out this blog post to find out more. Christine also created the beautiful artwork for our 2023 “Migratory Birds of the Day”!
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) with us in 2023! This year’s theme is “Water: Sustaining Bird Life”. Have fun learning about a new migratory bird every day. We have coloring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.
Migratory Bird of the Day: Short-billed Dowitcher
Sometimes bird names can be confusing—and in the case of the Short-billed Dowitcher, frankly, misleading! This medium size migratory shorebird most definitely has a LONG bill. So how did it get its odd name?
Dealing with the “Short-billed” part first, this bird has a closely related and very similar looking relative—the Long-billed Dowitcher. They have a very slightly longer bill than the Short-billed Dowitcher—a difference so subtle that it is hard to spot. Yet, these names were meant to distinguish between the two birds! In fact, the calls of these two cousins are actually the best way to tell them apart, especially when in non-breeding plumage. The Short-billed Dowitcher gives a soft “tu-tu-tu” call in contrast to the strident “keek” of the Long-billed. But it seems that the “Tu tu Dowitcher” wasn’t considered a suitable name.
Moving on to the “Dowitcher” part of the name, this is also a bit of a mystery—what does Dowitcher even mean? In the late 19th century, this bird was being hunted in North America. It seems as if Dutch and German immigrant hunters perhaps referred to them as “Deutscher” or “Duitsch” snipe (i.e. “German” or “Dutch” snipe). This may have then become “dowitcher” or “dowitch”.
Short-billed Dowitchers do have a snipe-like appearance with long straight bills, short-ish legs and a somewhat plump appearance. In breeding plumage they have mottled brown snipe-like plumage above, with pale cinnamon-brown below. In non-breeding plumage they are brownish-gray above, with a paler belly and greenish yellow legs.
Short-billed Dowitchers breed in boggy areas at the margins of boreal forests in northern Canada. They travel thousands of kilometers in Fall, stopping along the way to molt and mainly sticking to the coastline as they head south. In the Caribbean, they can be spotted in a wide range of habitats from beaches, to tidal mudflats, to flooded agricultural areas. Look out for their distinctive “sewing-machine” feeding motion, as small groups of dowitchers with their heads down plunge their bills up and down into the water and mud looking for worms and mollusks.
Short-billed Dowitcher populations are declining and the species is on the USFWS list of “Birds of Conservation Concern”. Protecting our Caribbean wetland habitats and reducing the use of insecticides (which will reduce their food sources) can help us provide places for this oddly-named bird to thrive during its migration. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.
Thanks to Alex Sansom for the text and Christine Elder for the lovely illustration!
Color in the Short-billed Dowitcher
Download the Migratory Birds of the Day Coloring Page! Use the picture above and the photos on this page as your guide, or look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your colored-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #WMBD2023Carib
Listen to the calls of the Short-billed Dowitcher
Short-billed Dowitchers make a soft “tu-tu-tu” call, often as a contact call when flying together.
Puzzles of the Day
Click on the images below to do the puzzle. You can make the puzzle as easy or as hard as you like—for example, 6, 8, or 12 pieces for young children, all the way up to 1,024 pieces for those that are up for a challenge!
Even though dowitchers are a very common bird in North America , it was not until the 1930s that scientists began realize that there were two different species there! (Photo by Dorian Anderson Macaulay Library-ML187630851)
Unlike the Long-billed Dowitcher, Short-billed Dowitchers migrate in stages, first moving to intermediate areas to complete their molt, then moving on to their ultimate wintering areas. (Photo by Dorian Anderson Macaulay Library-ML116188411)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS: What facts can you remember about today’s migratory bird—the Short-billed Dowitcher? Test your knowledge by filling in the missing words in our Short-billed Dowitcher facts! We have given you all the correct words to use but can you put them into the right places in these fact-filled sentences?
You can re-read the information about this bird above, or search on the BirdsCaribbean webpages or online for more information about the Short-billed Dowitcher! You can also look at the photos, illustration and videos on this page to help you. When you have completed all the sentences, you can check your answers here.
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy these videos of Short-billed Dowitchers in the wild! The first video shows bird feeding with their typical “sewing machine” foraging action, plunging their bills into the mud for worms. In the second video, you can see a flock of Short-billed Dowitchers in flight.
Learn all about how to tell a Short-billed Dowitcher from a Willet: Shorebirds can be tricky to identify, especially as they migrate through the Caribbean in their non-breeding plumage (which is often less distinctive than their breeding plumage). Short-billed Dowitchers and Willets are both commonly seen in the Caribbean in Fall, and both are long-billed and gray-ish brown—so how can we tell them apart? Find out in this blog post from bird guide Allison Caton from Grenada, who got the low-down whilst attending a week-long BirdsCaribbean, Caribbean Birding Trail (CBT) Interpretive Guide Training Workshop on Union Island in St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) with us in 2023! This year’s theme is “Water: Sustaining Bird Life”. Have fun learning about a new migratory bird every day. We have coloring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.
Migratory Bird of the Day: Northern Shoveler
Spoony. Bootlips. Souplips. Hollywood Mallard. We could only be talking here about the magnificent Northern Shoveler! This dabbing duck has earned these nicknames due to its huge shovel-shaped bill, which, if you have a vivid imagination, looks like the bird is grinning.
Breeding male Northern Shovelers have an iridescent green head and neck, bright white chest and breast, and rusty colored belly and sides. Their wings have a gray-blue shoulder patch, which is separated from a brilliant green speculum by a tapered white stripe. The bill is black, and the legs and feet are orange. Females have a light brownish head with a blackish crown and a mottled brown body. Their powdery-blue shoulder patch is sometimes visible at rest. The bill is orange and speckled with black dots.
In North America, they fly south to winter at lower altitudes. They fly from the iconic Rocky Mountains down to California and Mexico in late August or early September. Some will also fly east to winter along the Atlantic Coast, down to the Gulf Coast and the Caribbean. Look out for these dandy ducks on your island at wetlands, flooded fields, agricultural ponds, and wastewater treatment ponds.
Northern Shovelers feed by dabbling and sifting in shallow water. Their large bills have more than 100 lamellae (fine comb-like serrations) along the edges which allows them to filter out aquatic invertebrates, seeds and plants from pond water. They swim occasionally with their head under water, or tip-up, and sometimes even dive to feed underwater. Feeding groups and also lone birds will swim in tight rotating circles to stir up the water and bring food items to the surface.
Males give a wheezy “took-took” call during courtship, in flight, and when alarmed. Females on the other hand give a nasal-sounding quack during courtship and throughout the breeding season.
Females build their nest, which is a shallow depression on the ground, within 150 feet of water, and line it with downy feathers. Their clutch size is 8-12 greenish-gray eggs. If threatened by predators or disturbed by humans, females will poop on their eggs. Stinky? Yes, but also quite effective at making sure predators think twice about getting close to those eggs!
Habitat loss and degradation caused by development, climate change, and pollution are major threats to the Northern Shoveler, both on their breeding and wintering grounds. The good news is that whether you’re in the city or rural areas, you can adopt several behaviors that can have a positive impact on wetlands. This includes volunteering for wetland restoration projects, planting native plants, ditching the chemical pesticides, recycling your waste, checking your pipes and fittings regularly for any leakages, and harvesting rainwater. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.
Thanks to Aliya Hosein for the text and Christine Elder for the lovely illustration!
Color in the Northern Shoveler
Download the Migratory Birds of the Day Coloring Page! Use the picture above and the photos on this page as your guide, or look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your colored-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #WMBD2023Carib
Listen to the calls of the Northern Shoveler
Male Northern Shovelers make a “took-took” call during courtship, in-flight, and as an alarm call.
Puzzles of the Day
Click on the images below to do the puzzle. You can make the puzzle as easy or as hard as you like—for example, 6, 8, or 12 pieces for young children, all the way up to 1,024 pieces for those that are up for a challenge!
Female Northern Shoveler. Did you know that Northern Shovelers are monogamous? They form bonds on the wintering grounds and stay together during breeding until just before fall migration. (Photo by Neil Rucker, Macaulay Library-ML281986781)
Male Northern Shoveler. The odd shaped bill that gives this duck its name has fine projections (called lamellae) along the edges that filter out tiny crustaceans, seeds, and aquatic invertebrates from the water when feeding. (Photo by Brad-Imhoff, Macaulay Library-ML217711091)Male Northern Shoveler in flight. These ducks don’t just occur in the Americas—they also breed across Europe, and spend the winter throughout Europe, Africa, and India. (Photo by Frank Lake, Macaulay Library-ML448025311)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS: Every year Environment For The Americas (EFTA) selects several bird species to feature for World Migratory Bird Day. These species all migrate through or within the Americas. Several of these birds will pass through or spend the winter in the Caribbean. This year, the featured “Caribbean migratory birds” included the Osprey, Barn Swallow, Northern Waterthrush, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Wilson’s Phalarope, American White Pelican and of course today’s featured bird, the Northern Shoveler (click to find out more about each bird!).
EFTA also made a fantastic and fun activity book for you to enjoy full of interesting facts about birds and water, coloring pages and many other water and migration related games and puzzles. You can find them all to download here. This activity book is in both English and Spanish, and features beautiful bird art by Augusto Silva—Enjoy!
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy this video of Northern Shovelers feeding in the wild!
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) with us in 2023! This year’s theme is “Water: Sustaining Bird Life”. Have fun learning about a new migratory bird every day. We have coloring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.
Migratory Bird of the Day: Swainson’s Thrush
If you’re not looking carefully in the forest understory, you might miss the Swainson’s Thrush! These brown, spotted thrushes blend in well amongst forest foliage, but there is no mistaking their beautiful, flutelike, upward spiraling song.
Swainson’s Thrushes fall within a genus of birds known as Catharus thrushes. These thrushes are known for foraging low to the ground. They all have a spotted breast and a solid brown back of rust or olive, that varies in shade between species. Other thrushes within this genus include the Hermit Thrush, Veery, Gray-cheeked Thrush, and of course, our Caribbean overwintering Bicknell’s Thrush. Swainson’s Thrush can be distinguished from the others by their buffy colored eye rings and buffy coloration in the lores (between the eye and bill) which give these birds the appearance of wearing buffy spectacles!
Unlike their counterparts, Swainson’s Thrushes use more aerial fly catching techniques to obtain their insect prey—though they are quite fond of fruits during their migration. They also forage higher off the ground in comparison to other Catharus thrushes.
Did you know that there are actually eight different forms of Swainson’s Thrush all differing slightly in coloration? This has led to the recognition of different subspecies. Typically they all fall within the russet-backed and olive-backed forms. Interestingly enough, it’s hypothesized that these different subspecies might actually take different migratory routes and even overwinter in different locations! Russet-backed birds typically overwinter in Middle America while olive-backed birds continue to South America.
These birds can spend the winter anywhere from Southern Mexico to Northern Argentina! There is an international collaborative project currently underway which uses Motus technology to tag Swainson’s Thrush at different spots along their migration to better understand which routes different subspecies are taking. Banding data has shown us that Eastern and Western populations both take different routes and overwinter in different locales. The same populations might even take different routes in the spring and the fall! We’re excited to see what insights Motus technology can give us about these long distance migrants. Be sure to check out the Caribbean Motus Collaboration to learn more about how this technology is being used to understand migratory movements in the Caribbean.
Within the Caribbean, we typically see Swainson’s Thrushes during their fall migration. The Eastern populations will sometimes pass through Western Cuba on their way south. They’re considered a rare transient to other areas in the Western Greater Antilles, Cayman Islands, and the Northern Bahamas.
After finishing their spring migration, Swainson’s Thrushes breed in northern spruce forests, and in California in riparian woodlands. Although still considered one of the most abundant birds of northern spruce forests, their populations have been steadily declining. The reasons for this are unclear, but could be attributed to high predation rates leading to low nest success. But it is likely that habitat changes, especially on their wintering grounds, could be a major factor.
Thanks to Holly Garrod for the text and Christine Elder for the lovely illustration!
Color in the Swainson’s Thrush
Download the Migratory Birds of the Day Coloring Page! Use the picture above and the photos on this page as your guide, or look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your colored-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #WMBD2023Carib
Listen to the calls of the Swainson’s Thrush
Swainson’s Thrush has a frog-like “peep” call. You might also hear its distinctive ascending, flute-like song.
Puzzles of the Day
Click on the images below to do the puzzle. You can make the puzzle as easy or as hard as you like—for example, 6, 8, or 12 pieces for young children, all the way up to 1,024 pieces for those that are up for a challenge!
Male Swainson’s Thrushes have “sing-offs” during the breeding season, which can lead to chases and even occasionally to physical attacks. (Photo by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren)Swainson’s Thrushes have been called “mosquito thrushes” because of their habit of chasing after flying insect prey while feeding on their breeding grounds. (Photo by Eric Ellingson)
On their wintering grounds in particular, Swainson’s Thrushes will add fruits to their insect diet. They can also often be found attending army-ant swarms. (Photo by Mick Thompson)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS: The Swainson’s Thrush is quite a rare migrant bird in the Caribbean, which means that it is a bird that is hard to see here. But don’t worry, there are lots of beautiful migrant birds to look out for at this time of the year. From long-billed shorebirds flocking on the beaches, to the colorful gems of warblers flitting amongst the trees, there is so much to see!
When it comes to knowing who is who when out looking for birds, field guides and webpages with colorful illustrations, helpful maps and detailed descriptions of each bird are really useful. But these are not the only tools available to you! Have you heard of the Merlin Bird ID app? When you see a bird, you just answer some simple questions about it, and the app helps you work out what bird you have spotted! Merlin Bird ID can also help you ID a bird from a photo you have taken or a recording of the birds song! Why not head out and look for some migratory birds and then use the Merlin Bird ID app to lend a helping hand? We have handy instructions what to look for and how to use the app here. So grab you phone, binocular and camera and see what you can find!
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy this video of Swainson’s Thrush taking a drink in the wild!
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) with us in 2023! This year’s theme is “Water: Sustaining Bird Life”. Have fun learning about a new migratory bird every day. We have coloring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.
Migratory Bird of the Day: American White Pelican
If you look to the sky and spot a flock of large, conspicuously white birds, with black flight feathers, yellow bills and legs, soaring gracefully on broad, stable wings—no doubt, you have found a flock of American White Pelicans! These beautiful birds are easy to identify with their huge size, large pinkish-yellow bill, and white coloration. If the bill is gray instead of yellow, then you have spotted an immature bird in its first year! You will never, however, confuse this bird with its cousin, the Brown Pelican. Whilst they share part of their geographic distribution, and may be found together in wetlands, the Brown Pelican is smaller, with a darker coloration and a completely different feeding behavior.
When feeding, American White Pelicans obtain their food by dipping their bills into the water and scooping up fish, their main prey. This is usually done in very shallow freshwaters, although they will also feed in saline waters. The Brown Pelican feeds on fish as well, however, they plunge-dive from high up in the air, using the force of impact to stun small fish before scooping them up.
If you visit the shallow lagoons that pelicans prefer, you can observe each species feeding in their own way. Brown Pelicans look for food alone, each bird swooping down rapidly to catch their prey. White Pelicans forage cooperatively, using clever group strategies to capture fish. Coordinated flocks of swimming birds work together to encircle fish and herd them into the shallows where they become concentrated and can be more easily caught with synchronized bill dipping. Their enormous bills with elastic, expandable, pouches below then come into play—the pelicans scoop prey again and again into their pouch, an amazing spectacle when hundreds of these birds are feeding together!
This species breeds in western and central North America, laying two white eggs in a nest constructed in the soil. They are attentive caregivers to their young—from the moment the chicks hatch, both parents spend the day looking for fresh food to help them grow. By three weeks of age they are more mobile and parents begin to leave their nests unattended, coming back only to bring food. At this age, the young birds begin to form creches, for protection and warmth.
During autumn the species migrates south, spending the winter in southern California, the Gulf States, Mexico, and Central America. Most literature states that American White Pelicans are vagrant in the West Indies, with very few reports. Some researchers even say that they do not cross oceanic waters, but news flash: this information is no longer accurate! They do cross the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf and they are now common birds in Cuba! In February 2021, citizen scientists in Cuba recorded 1,700 individuals in one aquaculture farm in the Pinar del Río Province in western Cuba. A resident population of about 300 lives year-round in the wetlands of Los Palacios in the same province, and during winter migration they are common in most Cuban coastal wetlands in the western part of the country, for example, Zapata Swamp. Visit eBird Caribbean to observe all these recent sightings.
Thanks to Lourdes Mugica for the text and Christine Elder for the lovely illustration!
Color in the American White Pelican
Download the Migratory Birds of the Day Coloring Page! Use the picture above and the photos on this page as your guide, or look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your colored-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #WMBD2023Carib
Listen to the calls of the American White Pelican
Adult American White Pelicans are usually silent, especially when not breeding. At breeding colonies you might hear them give frequent low, brief grunts.
Puzzles of the Day
Click on the images below to do the puzzle. You can make the puzzle as easy or as hard as you like—for example, 6, 8, or 12 pieces for young children, all the way up to 1,024 pieces for those that are up for a challenge!
American White Pelicans cooperate when feeding. Sometimes, large groups gather in wetlands. They coordinate their swimming to drive schooling fish toward the shallows. (Photo by Michael Stubblefield Macaulay Library- ML554648261)
When While Pelicans are on their wintering grounds they only search for food during the day, but in the breeding season, they commonly head out fishing at night. (Photo by Mick Thompson)
American White Pelican in flight. (Photo by Cristina Avila Macaulay Library- ML538260461)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS: Can you find the words in our American White Pelican word search? Remind yourself of some of the interesting facts about this water-loving migratory bird as you look for all 15 hidden words!
Remember the words may appear forwards and backwards, as well as horizontal, vertical and diagonal! Need some help? Or want to check your answers? You can see where all the words were here.
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy these videos of American White Pelicans in the wild! In the first video, you can see what this bird looks like when it is flying.
In the second video, you can see a couple of birds in their winter plumage swimming.
We have exciting news about how to participate in the Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) using eBird! Whether you’re a long-time contributor to the CWC, use CWC protocols in eBird, or are just getting started with waterbird surveys in the Caribbean, there’s now a better and easier way to ensure your data is added to this incredible long-term program! 
