BirdsCaribbean is delighted to announce the publication of a new graphic novel, just in time for World Shorebirds Day (September 6, 2022). “Sami the Snowy Plover: Stories of Survival” focuses on the vulnerability of these charming little shorebirds, which overwinter and nest on sandy beaches and salt flats on some islands throughout the Caribbean. You can leaf through this beautifully illustrated book here below or online in English or Spanish.
Josmar E. Márquez, the author and illustrator of the book, is passionate about these fragile shorebirds, whose IUCN status is Near Threatened. As he leads monitoring projects on Coche Island in his native Venezuela, his observations have made him come to love these round-bodied, pale brown plovers as they hurry across the sand. He also recognized the Snowy Plover’s susceptibility to human impacts and disturbances. He decided that he wanted to use his skills as an artist to tell stories that the reading public could empathize with, as he does. Hence little Sami’s story was born.
A naturalist and shorebird researcher and member of BirdsCaribbean and local NGO AveZona, Josmar is Coordinator of the Snowy Plover Monitoring Project in the offshore islands and cays of Venezuela. He explained that the idea of the novel grew in 2020 from a colouring book he created on the Snowy Plover. He worked with BirdsCaribbean’s Executive Director Lisa Sorenson and her team to make it a reality.
The Snowy Plover is a small, plump ground-nesting shorebird. In the Caribbean, they are primarily found in open, sandy areas near water like beaches, salt ponds, sand and mud flats, and barrier islands. (Photo by Hemant Kishan)
“Getting people to understand the risks faced by many shorebirds, especially Snowy Plover, is a personal goal. I have seen how Snowy Plovers are affected by human activity in their habitat,” says Márquez. To him, the book is “beautiful, tragic and hopeful.”
One of the pages from the book, highlighting the disturbance posed by driving vehicles on the beach causing stress and harm to the Snowy Plover and other ground-nesting shorebirds.
Please take a read through the poignant stories of little Sami, which also have a message for all of us to take to heart. We would also welcome your feedback!
Josmar Esteban Marquez in the field.
You can read the graphic novel online in both English and Spanish on our Flipsnack account where it is also available for free download. Please share with your networks!
Thanks to Josmar for creating this heart-warming but impactful resource!
Josmar Marquez, from AveZona, has lead bird monitoring projects on Coche Island in Venezuela since 2018. In addition to data collection, his work involves mentoring young conservationists and promoting nature-friendly behavior changes in the local community of the island.
Naturalist, illustrator, and shorebird researcher Josmar Márquez, who has just produced an online graphic novel “Sami The Snowy Plover: Stories of Survival” shares some encouraging news from the offshore islands and cays of his native Venezuela. His research and field work on Coche Island and Margarita Island for AveZona was supported by BirdsCaribbean through the David S. Lee Fund for Conservation.
Snowy Plover chick on salt crystals at Saline San Pedro de Coche, Coche Island. (photo by Sabino Silva)
The Snowy Plover is a special bird, in so many ways. Known in Venezuela as Frailecito it runs across the sand, pauses, and quickly catches its food (flies are its favorite) from the surface. Listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, its population is decreasing. It needs our protection! Let’s take care and share the beach, which is home to these and other shorebirds. Many have migrated long distances, and others use the beach as a breeding area. The Snowy Plovers breed from January to March on these islands. They build their nests by making a small depression in the sand, where they lay three to four eggs. The pair take turns incubating the eggs.
AveZona’s work in monitoring the Snowy Plover population began on Coche Island in 2018. During this year and into 2019, we were able to establish a positive relationship with people in the community. This has helped us to continue periodic counts of this wonderful species in the Saltpans of San Pedro de Coche, despite the restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic. All the results of these years of research will be published shortly in The Journal Caribbean Ornithology.
Sabino Rafael Silva, resident of Coche Island, has faithfully monitored the Snowy Plovers and other birds on the salt pans and salinas of Coche Island.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper locally called Playerito dorado (Calidris subruficollis). (Photo by Sabino Silva)
Working under tough conditions…
Coche Island resident, Sabino Rafael Silva, was a major supporter of this project. Due to the travel limitations during the pandemic, when others were not able to visit the island, he was the one who spent many hours walking under the burning sun and extreme conditions on the salt flats. He managed to observe and count the population of Snowy Plovers, and also observe other species of shorebirds in this study area. In other areas of the Isla de Coche, he also observed species not previously reported for the island and for this region of Venezuela.
Anahy and Sabino walking in the Restinga Lagoon National Park, Margarita Island. (Photo by Josmar Marquez)
Josmar, Sabino and other members of his team in the Restinga National Park, Margarita Island. (Photo by Josmar Marquez)
Additional important members of the team were Anahy Marcano, Guilberto Figueroa, Carlos Amundarain and Zenaida Martinez. They are “Margariteños” who were able to record the Snowy Plover on several occasions in the Marites Lagoon Natural Monument, a protected area on Margarita island, near Coche Island. These observations were made in conjunction with the Caribbean Flamingo Monitoring Project.
…and involving local residents through volunteerism
Just like Sabino, Anahy, Guilberto, Carlos and Zenaida are volunteers and friends of AveZona who have carried out valuable work on Coche and Margarita Islands. This is a growing group of community members who are now paying greater attention to their birds and the conservation of the islands’ biodiversity. This is an example of “participatory science,” engaging local communities in a conservation project.
Group of young birders in the Marites Lagoon National Monument, Margarita Island. (Photo by AveZona)
AveZona’s programs offer a great learning and bonding opportunity for children, youth and adults in the island region of Venezuela, establishing a sincere and respectful relationship with local communities. These groups will be able to observe, share information, and protect the birds and biodiversity of the islands of Venezuela.
The Snowy Plover, traveling between islands
One of these seven “Frailecito,” tagged with the black band, which can be read from a distance, is individual 6A, banded on Coche Island in February 2020 by Josmar Márquez and Antonio Ros.
6A has since been observed and photographed three times on Margarita island, flying 14 km one way and 14 km back, over the Caribbean Sea. This tagged Snowy Plover has shown us that the plovers that breed in the salt flats of Coche Island may travel between nearby islands and possibly to the coast of mainland Venezuela.
It is possible that all the populations on the Island of Coche are closely related to those observed in the Marites Lagoon Natural Monument and other areas of Margarita Island. We estimated there were 96 (95% CI: 46-201) and 116 (95% CI = 61-220) Snowy Plovers in the Coche Island salt flats in February and December, respectively.
As shown in the table, several of the individuals were seen frequently in the Coche Island salt pan, while others have not been seen since the day of banding. This raises several questions about the survival rates, migration, or dispersal of many of the individuals. As explained above, a population of 96-116 individuals is estimated in the Coche Island salt flats, thus, it may not be possible to observe all the banded individuals.
We hope to hear soon from some individual birds, such as the 4A, 5A, 6A, and 7A that have not been resighted often or at all. We wish 6A the best of luck in his travels to Margarita Island. Perhaps 6A may decide to settle on this Island. In the future, we hope to be able to use other monitoring methods such as Motus nanotags in this population and in the entire population of Snowy Plovers on different islands of Venezuela.
Snowy Plover banded with tag ‘6A’ on Coche Island in February 2020 seen again walking on the mud flat at Margarita Island on September 9, 2021. (photo by Josmar Marquez)
Another photo of ‘6A’ on September 9, 2021 at Las Marites Lagoon, Margarita Island. (Photo by Josmar Marquez)
Snowy Plover ‘3A’ tagged on Coche Island and photographed on July 17th, 2021. (Photo by Sabino Silva)
Exciting news! Two new protected areas on Coche Island may shelter shorebirds
A great victory for the shorebirds of the island of Coche is the recent creation of the first two areas protecting the biodiversity of this island. Under Official Decree No. 4,550, a Reserve of Wild Fauna was declared for Bahía El Saco, with an area of Four hundred and Eighty-Nine hectares (489 ha).
Map showing the new Bahía el Saco Wildlife Reserve (green polygon), 489 hectares, and in orange the towns. Map by the Ministry of Ecosocialism of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Under Official Decree No. 4,551, a Reserve of Wild Fauna in Punta El Palo was declared, with an area of Two thousand Nine Hundred Sixteen hectares (2,916 ha). These two areas are of utmost importance for the population of shorebirds and seabirds on the island of Coche.
The new Punta de Palo Wildlife Reserve, in green the polygon of the Protected Area (2,916 hectares, in orange the towns and in yellow the tourist hotels. Map by the Ministry of Ecosocialism of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
If you spot any of these Snowy Plovers or other shorebirds banded with black flags and white code, please report it to www.paave.net (website of the Bird Banding Program in Venezuela) or at https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/bblretrv/
Acknowledgments: I greatly appreciate support from IDEA WILD for providing equipment for the execution of this project, and to the David S. Lee Fund for the Conservation of Caribbean Birds for funding for the field work.
Josmar Esteban Marquez, from AveZona, has lead bird monitoring projects on Coche Island in Venezuela since 2018. In addition to data collection, his work involves mentoring young conservationists, creating artwork to educate about birds, and promoting nature-friendly behavior changes in the local community of the island.
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) with us in 2022! This year’s theme is “Dim The Lights for Birds at Night”. Have fun learning about a new migratory bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.
Migratory Bird of the Day: American Oystercatcher
With their large size, striking black and white plumage, pink legs and carrot-like orange bills, American Oystercatchers are truly unmistakable! Males and females look the same, and in addition to their distinctive plumage they have yellow eyes with a red eye ring. If their size and coloring don’t make them conspicuous enough American Oystercatchers will be sure to alert you to their presence with their loud, excited, high-pitched “hueep hueep hueep!” calls.
American Oystercatchers can be found year-round and breed in some islands of the Caribbean, including Cuba, the Bahamas, Virgin Islands, Hispaniola, and some Lesser Antilles islands. Outside of the breeding season they can be found across most of the West Indies, with birds migrating south in Fall from breeding areas on the Atlantic coast of the U.S.
Oystercatchers are true coast-lovers, and can be found in areas of rocky shoreline and on beaches and offshore cays. Their orange bills might look comical but they serve a serious purpose. These shorebirds specialize on feeding on bivalve mollusks. Their bills are powerful with razor-sharp edges for breaking into tightly closed clams, oysters and mussels.
The diet of American Oystercatchers means they are restricted to coastal areas. Although they are not currently considered to be of conservation concern by the IUCN, they are on the Partners in Flight’s Yellow Watch List. This is because their population size was estimated at only 10,000 birds in 2000. This led to a flurry of research on the species and conservation actions by the “American Oystercatcher Working Group.”
Biologists learned that American Oystercatchers are threatened by direct loss of their breeding habitat from coastal development and the impacts of human disturbance. They are less likely to breed successfully on beaches with high levels of human activity. Management actions such as raising public awareness and protecting breeding sites from disturbance are helping the population to recover. Undisturbed coastal areas are vital to help them thrive throughout the year in the Caribbean too. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.
Colour in the American Oystercatcher
Download the Migratory Birds of the Day Colouring Page! Use the picture above and the photos on this page as your guide, or you can look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your coloured-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #WMBD2022Carib
Listen to the calls of the American Oystercatcher
American Oystercatchers have loud high-pitched ” hueep” or “weeer” calls, which they can repeat in rapid succession (often with increasing rapidity and volume).
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 Oystercatcher. American Oystercatchers use their sturdy, strong bills to pry open mussels, clams, and other bivalves. (Photo by Hemant Kishan)American Oystercatcher with Chick. Oystercatchers nest in some islands in the the Caribbean, but are just winter visitors on other islands. (Photo by Phillip Simmons)
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Don’t forget that you still have time to take part in this year’s Global Shorebird Count. This takes place between September 1 – 7! To take part all you need to do is visit your local wetland and count all the shorebirds (and other birds) that you see there. Then share your eBird Caribbean list with ‘worldshorebirdsday’. You can find out more about how to take part in our handy blog post. This is full of tips and hints for carrying out a successful survey, including links to help out with shorebird ID.
Enjoy this video of an American Oystercatcher. In the video you can see it using it’s bill as it forages on the rocky shore on some tasty mollusks!
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) with us in 2022! This year’s theme is “Dim The Lights for Birds at Night”. Have fun learning about a new migratory bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.
Migratory Bird of the Day: Least Sandpiper
Meet our smallest Caribbean shorebird, the Least Sandpiper! Even the second part of their scientific name “Calidris minutilla” means “very small” in medieval latin. In fact, these tiny sandpipers, part of the group of shorebirds known as ‘peeps’ are not much bigger than a sparrow. These diminutive wetland inhabitants have a compact body, with brown or reddish-brown plumage above and white below. They have a thin slightly down-curved bill, which is black.
Their legs are quite short for a shorebird, and are a distinctive yellowish green color. Look out for these yellow-colored legs, they are a great way to tell Least Sandpipers apart from other very similar looking peeps, such as Western and Semipalmated Sandpipers, who have black legs. Take care though—their legs are sometimes covered in dark mud making the yellow difficult to spot! In addition to their slightly smaller size, yellowish legs and thin, slightly down-curved bill, another way to tell them apart from other peeps is to look for a warmer, browner tone to their plumage. Listen also for their distinctive cheep call.
Least Sandpipers might be small but that doesn’t stop them from making an amazing long-distance migration in the Fall. These birds head south from breeding grounds in subarctic regions in the far north of North America. They travel 1000s of km to winter in the Caribbean, Central and South America. Least Sandpipers will migrate in groups and once they arrive in their winter areas they also like to stay in a flock. They can be found in muddy areas of wetlands, both on the coast and inland. Here they can be seen in a typical ‘hunched over’ posture feeding on tiny invertebrates on the mud surface.
Least Sandpipers are listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN. However, like all shorebirds they are threatened by disturbance from humans and habitat loss. During migration and overwinter these tiny birds rely on the food that wetlands provide for their survival. Protecting our wetlands is vital to helping conserve shorebirds like the Least Sandpiper! Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.
Colour in the Least Sandpiper
Download the Migratory Birds of the Day Colouring Page! Use the picture above and the photos on this page as your guide, or you can look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your coloured-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #WMBD2022Carib
Listen to the calls of the Least Sandpiper
Least Sandpipers make a distinctive high-pitched “greeep!” call. You might heard this as a small flock takes flight.
Puzzle 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!
Look out for browner colored plumage and yellowish legs to be sure you are seeing a Least Sandpiper and not a different small sandpiper. Also note the pointed down-curved bill (Photo by Ray Robles).Least Sandpipers will often flock together in a loose group. Listen out for their rolling “cheep” call as they take flight (Photo by Maikel Canizares).
A Least Sandpiper searches for food on the mud. Least Sandpipers often feed further from the water on dryer parts of the mud, compared to other ‘peeps’ (Photo by Ted Lee Eubanks).
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS: Test your shorebird ID skills with our “Spot the Least Sandpiper” challenge! Small sandpipers or ‘peeps’ as they are known can look very similar to each other. As well as their small size they share other features such plumage that is brown or grey above and white below, pointed black-coloured bills and a habit of feeding in muddy wetland areas. But Least Sandpiper so have things that help you pick them out from the crowd, read the text above and look closely at the pictures of Least Sandpipers we have shared. Once you’ve done this take a look and see if you can pick out the Least 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: Don’t forget that from September 1 – 7 it is the Global Shorebird Count – with World Shorebirds Day taking place on September 6. Take part by heading to your local wetland and counting all the shorebirds that you see, then making sure to share your list with ‘worldshorebirdsday’ on eBird Caribbean. Need some extra help with your shorebird ID? No worries, we have you covered, check out our shorebird resources page here. Find out more about the Global Shorebird Count and World Shorebirds day below.
Cover of the new Raptors of the Caribbean Education & Conservation Resource Guide.
Marta Curti of the Peregrine Fund shares her thoughts on (and love for) our magnificent Caribbean raptors, including several threatened endemic species and subspecies; and introduces a brand new Resource Guide, which will help conservationists, educators, and community members understand raptors better.
I am just going to say it. Raptors are cool! Their laser-like eyesight, powerful hunting skills, acrobatic and graceful flight, coupled with their penetrating stare, have been a source of fascination for humans probably since the first time someone locked eyes with one of these spectacular birds. But they are so much more than attractive and awe-inspiring birds.
More and more research has shown the important roles raptors play in the ecosystems in which they live. They act as top predators, bio-indicators, and umbrella species. They provide important ecosystem services for humans, and many are keystone species. In short, their role in an ecosystem is large in comparison to their numbers and their removal from that system would cause a cascade of negative effects on numerous other organisms – including humans.
Despite this, raptors are one of the most threatened bird groups in the world. And raptors in the Caribbean are no different. Populations across the region are in decline and there are even several endemic species and subspecies that need our help. These include the Ridgway’s Hawk, Cuban Kite, Grenada Hook-billed Kite, and Puerto Rican Sharp-shinned Hawk. With this in mind, you would imagine that the study of raptors and conservation programs to protect them would be widespread. But sadly, despite the critical roles they play in our ecosystems, and the many threats they face, there are few research and environmental education programs focused on raptors across the Caribbean.
We set out to change all of that.
Together with support from BirdsCaribbean, we at The Peregrine Fund have written a 200-page training manual entitled “Raptors of the Caribbean: Education and Conservation Resource Guide.” The guide is divided into four chapters:
What are Birds of Prey,
Identification of Birds of Prey of the Caribbean,
Why Raptors Matter, and
How One Can Help Conserve Raptors.
Each chapter is followed by two learning activities and one evaluation activity, as well as additional learning materials. Though written in English, we are now in the process of translating it into Spanish and Haitian Creole (Kreyòl), so it will have greater impact throughout the Caribbean.
But the creation of the guide is just the first step. The next stage is to train conservationists, community leaders, and educators in its use. During the AOS-BirdsCaribbean Conference in Puerto Rico in June 2022, we held a condensed workshop for 12 participants. After a short presentation on birds of prey, the action started. We began by breaking into teams and building life-sized raptors out of recyclable materials. Participants created a Stygian Owl, a Ridgway’s Hawk, and even a massive Secretarybird out of nothing but cardboard, plastic bottles, newspaper, and some tape to hold them all together. Creativity took flight!
One group is busy constructing a Secretarybird (photo by Gabriela Diaz)
Close-up view of Secretarybird constructed of recycleable materials. (photo by Gabriela Diaz)
One group plans the activity they will teach to the rest of the workshop participants. (Photo by Gabriela Diaz)
Team proudly shows off their completed life sized Secretarybird built out of recyclable materials plumes prey and all! (photo by Lisa-Sorenson)
Group shares their Stygian Owl masterpiece (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Group works together to construct their Stygian Owl. (photo by Gabriela Diaz)
For the next activity, groups reviewed the guide and chose an activity they were going to teach to the rest of us. We played games, wrote poems, and engaged in a “memory” challenge. One participant kept repeating “I am having so much fun!” A positive sign indeed!
We had carried out a pre- and post-evaluation and saw that in the four short hours of the mini-workshop, participants learned a lot about raptors that they hadn’t known before – such as what they eat, where they live, and the important functions they perform in their environment. It was an intense, hands-on learning experience.
Thanks to support from BirdsCaribbean and the Betty Petersen Conservation Fund, the manual is now completed. Our dream is to carry out extended workshops of two or more days in countries around the Caribbean. Participants will gain experience – including conservation-based lessons that use raptors to teach math, language, art, and even physical education in their programs.
One team proudly shows of their Ridgway’s Hawk, made of recyclable materials. (photo by Tahira Carter)
In these longer workshops, we aim to offer participants training in environmental education techniques and methods. These would include developing a guided nature walk; giving an impactful presentation; how to speak about sensitive issues one-on-one with community members; and utilizing whatever materials are available on-hand to create fun and dynamic learning experiences for participants’ target audiences. They would also learn about raptors in their countries, food chains, threats to wildlife, and possible conservation solutions.
Several participants from each country would then be trained to lead these workshops, so we can form a chain of raptor-based environmental education workshops throughout the Caribbean and help to promote interest in raptor research and conservation. From our understanding, this is the only raptor-based conservation-themed workshop in the region. We are excited to embark on these workshops and look forward to sharing our results!
We are currently raising funds to make these education workshops a reality. Ongoing training is so vital to ensure the long-term survival of these magnificent birds. If you would like to support this work, please click here.
The “Raptors of the Caribbean” Training Manual and Guide is currently undergoing a final review, and will be available for FREE download in late September, 2022. Stay tuned!
Shorebirds to look out for in the Caribbean, from left to right: Sanderling, Semipalmated Plover, Willet, American Oystercatcher. Photos from Macaulay Library: Sanderling by Adam Jackson-ML374383651, Semipalmated Plover by Matthew Addicks-ML267273921, Willet by Brad Imhoff-ML172089971, American Oystercatcher by Isaias Morataya-ML187534121)
As September draws closer and migratory shorebirds are making their way south, we are getting ready to celebrate World Shorebirds Day 2022! This year, why not show up and take part in the Global Shorebird Count? From help with bird ID to counting tips, BirdsCaribbean has everything you need to make your survey a success.
Mark your calendars for Tuesday September 6, 2022 – World Shorebirds Day. A reminder, though, that Global Shorebird Count can take place anytime from September 1 to 7. You will be part of an army of recorders worldwide! Across the Caribbean, groups of birders will be out looking for and counting shorebirds and recording what they find on eBird Caribbean. Some birders will go out in ones and twos. Whoever you are with, or even if you are on your own – why not join the counters and make your contribution to citizen science?
Well, you may ask: why should I? Why is this important? The answer is that our migratory shorebirds are more vulnerable than ever, threatened by human activities such as destruction of their habitats, pollution, disturbance, and climate change. Recording how many birds are around during migration – as well as where you find them – can help us conserve where they live and where they stop over.
Sanderling are often spotted running along the shorelines of sandy beaches. (Photo by Gary McHale)
Counting shorebirds on Turks and Caicos. (Photo by Simon Busuttil)
Spotted Sandpiper in its winter plumage. (Photo by Darlene Friedman-Macaulay Library ML78856001)
Where to find shorebirds
Willets and Short-billed Dowitcher, using a mangrove in the Bahamas. (Photo by Walker Golder)
Where should you be searching for shorebirds? That’s a big question. The simple answer is: anywhere there is water. This means that, as their name suggests, you can find them at the beach and on other types of shorelines. However, some shorebirds will be further inland, including in salt ponds and salinas, freshwater pools, and at brackish marshes and ponds. Shorebirds will also gather on mud flats, in mangrove areas, and on tidal flats.
You may not be quite sure of the best places to look in your area. If so, why not take a look for ‘hotspots’ at your local wetlands on eBird. Just click on ‘Explore’ on the eBird Caribbean website, and find ‘Explore Hotspots.’ You can open hotspots in a map and then click on a hotspot to see what types of birds have been seen there recently.
Everything you need to count shorebirds
We know that Shorebirds can be tricky to identify, and some are especially difficult to tell apart. BirdsCaribbean is here to help you with some useful tools! We have a Shorebird Poster and “Quick ID Guide” to get you started as well as handy Shorebird ID cards that you can download and print featuring common shorebirds of the Caribbean.
You can also brush up on your CWC survey skills, waterbird ID, and shorebird ID before you go out on your surveys by watching our fantastic CWC and Shorebird ID webinars on YouTube. Go to our shorebird resources page to find everything you need. Of course, don’t forget to take your favorite bird ID guide with you when you do your shorebird counts.
Now, sometimes there’s a trick to these things. We also have a list of some best practice tips to help make your count go as smoothly as possible. You can download and share this infographic with your fellow birders. When you go out on your survey, a spotting scope or a camera with a good zoom lens, as well as binoculars, will make for very helpful tools. They will help you get a closer look to pick out the identifying features of the birds, without disturbing them. Photos can be looked at and shared later if you have any birds that were difficult for you to identify in the field. Birding colleagues and experts can explain further if they have visual evidence of the bird! (Did we say some are quite tricky to tell apart?)
Make your Counts Count
A survey team looking for shorebirds in the Dominican Republic. (Photo by Maria Paulino)
We encourage you to register to participate in the count and be sure to share your eBird Caribbean checklist(s) with worldshorebirdsday – the eBird username of World Shorebirds Day. You can find guidelines for sharing checklists here. eBird Caribbean is a critical tool for tracking and understanding bird migration and population changes – never more so than for our shorebirds. If you do not have an account, it is easy to register – here’s a quick guide to enter eBird data online. There is even a free eBird Essentials course to get you fully oriented. Download the free mobile app for recording your data in the field. Recording your findings on eBird is not only satisfying and enjoyable, but you are directly contributing to the global knowledge base of birds – what, when and wherever they are to be found. EBird is a good habit to get into!
Note that shorebirds are a type of waterbird. So, any counts you do at wetlands, mangroves, mud flats, coastal areas or beaches at any time of year count as Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) counts. When you do your counts please choose one of the CWC protocols in the eBird app or when you submit or edit your data online. When you are using the app make sure that you are using the eBird Caribbean Portal. To check or change the portal you are using, go into your settings on the app and look for “Portal”. To increase the value of your count to science, be sure to count ALL birds at your site, including seabirds, herons and egrets, land birds, etc.
Spotted a Banded Bird?
Banded Turnstone and Sanderling spotted in Jamaica in 2021.
Banded birds are special! If you spot a bird with a band on its leg, do your best to record the band colors and any numbers or letters. Binoculars or zoom photography may allow you to clearly see the band colors and the numbers engraved onto the band. Look out for bands especially on Piping Plovers, Red Knots, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Semipalmated Plovers, Ruddy Turnstones, and Sanderlings. Scientists use this information to track bird populations and migrations and have made some exciting findings from records of banded birds.
You can report your sightings and send any photos you have to BandedBirds.org and the USGS Bird Banding Lab, which oversee all banding in the United States.
Share your Shorebird Stories
The Wadadli Warblers birding group out on a waterbird survey in Antigua. (Photo by EAG/ Wadadli Warblers)
Why not take photos of the birds you see, your local wetland, or of you and your survey crew and share them on social media? Don’t forget to use the hashtags #worldshorebirdsday and #ShowUpForShorebirds
We’d love to hear all about your surveys and find out about some of the birds that you see, so remember to tag us @birdscaribbean when you post on social media! Thanks in advance for your participation in this important citizen science initiative to understand and conserve our beautiful shorebirds!
Get out there, Show up for Shorebirds, take part and have fun!
If you would like you use our graphic to promote World Shorebirds Day & the Global Shorebird Count, you can follow the links below to work with a template in Canva. You can add your own logos and extra information if needed. The templates include the graphic in English, Spanish and French for you to use. Please don’t forget to credit the photographers !
Shorebirds to look out for in the Caribbean, from left to right: Sanderling, Semipalmated Plover, American Oystercatcher. Photos from Macaulay Library: Sanderling by Adam Jackson-ML374383651, Semipalmated Plover by Matthew Addicks-ML267273921, American Oystercatcher by Isaias Morataya-ML187534121)
Shorebirds to look our for in the Caribbean, from left to right: Sanderling, Semipalmated Plover, Willet, American Oystercatcher. Photos from Macaulay Library: Sanderling by Adam Jackson-ML374383651, Semipalmated Plover by Matthew Addicks-ML267273921, Willet by Brad Imhoff-ML172089971, Oystercatcher by Isaias Morataya-ML187534121)
Every two years, BirdsCaribbean (BC) holds an election for its Board of Directors.
This year — 2022 — is an election year, and we need the involvement of our community members!
Serving on the BirdsCaribbean Board of Directors is a fantastic opportunity to help shape the future of an organization dedicated to conserving the region’s incredible birds and nature. We are a vibrant network and work with many partners throughout the region, including governments, NGOs, educators, tourism interests, communities, students, and more. The BirdsCaribbean Board is an extremely personable, inclusive, and enthusiastic group, and we are eager to bring new ideas and backgrounds to our leadership. Without a doubt, serving on our Board of Directors is an enriching and rewarding experience, and interested individuals should not hesitate to pursue a position.
The nomination period will remain open for two full months, from 15 August until midnight 30 September. During this time, our community’s goal is to develop the best possible slate of nominees to provide leadership and growth for BirdsCaribbean.
WHAT POSITIONS ARE UP FOR NOMINATION?
BirdsCaribbean President Adrianne Tossas and members at the AOS-BC Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico (27 June-1 July 2022). Joining our board is a great opportunity to contribute to regional bird conservation and work with an amazing network of dedicated conservationists!
The following positions are up for nominations:
Executive Officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer
One Director-at-Large are elected to these positions
(other Board Directors are appointed directly by the Board)
Nominees = individuals that have been nominated to stand for election
Nominator = the person making the nomination
Seconder = an additional person that supports the nominator’s choice
WHO CAN NOMINATE AND WHO CAN BE NOMINATED:
Dinner of BC Board and staff plus supporter Greg Butcher and his wife Linda Fuller.
Any individual, sponsored, honorary, or life member in good standing* may be nominated and may also nominate or act as a “seconder” (i.e., give a second endorsement) for a nominee. All nominators must make sure that their nominee is willing to stand for election. And all nominations need a seconder.
Exceptions:
Directors that have served two consecutive terms in a position cannot run again for that same position. These individuals can run for a different position.
Note that individuals who have been disqualified because they have served 2 consecutive terms may run for election for their previous posts after a break of 1 term (2 years) or more.
Note — If you would like to receive a list of BirdsCaribbean members in good standing, or if you are not sure of your membership status, please contact BirdsCaribbean’s Administrative Assistant, Delores Kellman (Delores Kellman@BirdsCaribbean.org). You can easily renew your membership or join BirdsCaribbean. Contact us if you would like to apply for a sponsored membership.
*The Nominations Committee will perform a thorough vetting of each nominee to make sure that they are suitable for candidacy.
Enthusiasm and commitment to contributing to the leadership and mission of BirdsCaribbean, a non-profit organization
Any BirdsCaribbean member in good standing can nominate any other BirdsCaribbean member in good standing. All members should be active in seeking out nominations for elected or appointed posts. We encourage you to open up dialogue with individuals that you think would be a great addition to the BirdsCaribbean Board, and encourage those individuals to run for election.
Note — the Nominations Committee will be considering the Board’s need for diversity and representation when developing the list of candidates for election.
WHEN YOU ARE READY TO NOMINATE AN INDIVIDUAL, PLEASE COMPLETE THE ONLINE NOMINATION FORM:
Group photo of Caribbean delegates at AOS-BC Conference 2022 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Be ready to provide the following:
Nominee’s name, address, country (ies) of citizenship and residence
Position the nominee is standing for (open positions include President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Director-at-Large)
Evidence of the nominee’s willingness to stand for election. This is a brief statement that the nominee must write, and then send to you to be added to the nomination form. This should be a brief statement of interest (describing in about 100 words why the nominee thinks they are eligible for the post and what they will contribute if elected).
Name and contact information of a “seconder” (i.e., another person that agrees with this nomination), who must also be a member in good standing.
The nominations will be reviewed by the Nominations Committee to ensure that the nominees are eligible and that the nomination forms are complete.
*You may nominate more than one individual. Please complete a new nomination form for each individual and each position they seek.
The deadline for receipt of nominations is 11:59 PM, 30 September 2022.
ELECTIONS TIMELINE
Reunion of Caribbean colleagues at the Opening Reception of our AOS-BC Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico (27 June-1 July 2022).
15 August: Call for Nominations opens
15 August – 31 September: Two months’ time during which nominations can be sent to the Nominations Committee.
1 October: Nominations are closed. The Nominations Committee reviews the nominations and agrees on a slate of candidates that they submit to the Board for approval.
1 November: The President will announce the slate of candidates and release the link to electronic ballots to BirdsCaribbean members.
1 November – 15 December: All BirdsCaribbean members should vote during this time.
20 December: The President will announce the results of the election.
31 December: Terms of Office for previous Board members end.
1 January 2023: Terms of Office for new/ returning Board members begin.
The Caribbean is home to so many incredible species of birds. Join our Board of Directors, and help us protect them!
We are very excited to welcome several new endemic birds to the Caribbean! Every year the American Ornithological Society publishes their supplement to the Check-list of North American Birds which includes taxonomic (classification) updates to North American bird species. This year, we had not one, not two…. but three different species splits!
Hispaniolan Mango and Puerto Rican Mango
Hispaniola and Puerto Rico each acquired a new endemic with the split of the Antillean Mango. Mangos are large hummingbirds with decurved bills in the genus Anthracothorax. The Hispaniolan Mango (Anthracothorax dominicus) can be differentiated by males having a shimmering green throat, and entirely velvet-black underparts, whereas the Puerto Rican Mango (Anthracothorax aurulentus)has green flanks, black restricted to just a patch on the belly, and overall lighter underparts that are a brownish-gray. The female Hispaniolan Mango has a purplish tail base, whereas the female Puerto Rican Mango has a brownish tail.
In the early 1900s, the two mangos were formerly considered two separate species, but were lumped together (Anthracothorax dominicus) in the 1980s. Recent work looking through museum specimens has found that there are enough plumage and morphometric (size and shape) differences to split these two species once more! We now have the Puerto Rican Mango and the Hispaniolan Mango!
Hispaniolan Mango (female) feeding on hibiscus in the Dominican Republic. (Photo by Neil Hilton)
Hispaniolan Mango (male) perched in the Dominican Republic.(photo by Carlos-Gomez)
Puerto Rican Mango female feeding in Puerto Rico. (photo by Ken Pinnow)
Puerto Rican Mango (female) perched in Puerto Rico. (photo by Ryan Douglas)
Puerto Rican Mango (male) perched, Puerto Rico. (photo by Ryan Mandelbaum)
Black-billed Streamertail and Red-billed Streamertail
The Streamertail is a long-tailed hummingbird that is easily recognized as the iconic national bird of Jamaica. The country has gained another endemic with the split of the Streamertail into Black-billed Streamertail (Trochilus scitulus) and Red-billed Streamertail (Trochilus polytmus). The biggest difference between these now two distinct species is all in the name, the bill color. But the Black-billed Streamertail also has shorter wings and a more grass-like green plumage, lacking some of the coppery tones that Red-billed Streamertail has. Like the former Antillean Mango, these two hummingbirds were originally recognized as distinct species, but lumped together into the Streamertail (Trochilus polytmus) in 2010s; now they are split again.
Recent research has studied the hybrid zone (the area where two closely-related species interact and reproduce; their offspring are known as hybrids) between these two taxa, finding it has been relatively stable for the last 70 years. While genetically, the two species remain fairly similar, the hybrid zone is relatively narrow, meaning the two species only come into contact in a small area. It also looks like bill color is important to males that are displaying to females, making a good case for splitting these two charismatic hummingbirds once more. Additionally, the Red-billed Streamertail is widespread across the island while the Black-billed Streamertail is restricted to the eastern part of Jamaica.
A male Black-billed Streamertail in Jamaica. (photo by Dominic Sherony)
A female Red-billed Streamertail in Jamaica. (photo by Charles J Sharp)
A male Red-billed Streamertail, locally known as Doctor Bird, shows off his iridescence. (photo by Kaldari)
A male Red-billed Streamertail in Jamaica. (photo by Dick Daniels)
Cuban Kite split from Hook-billed Kite
The Cuban Kite, formerly considered a subspecies of the Hook-billed Kite, is now a full species. (painting by Nils Navarro, from Endemic Birds of Cuba Field Guide)
Cuba is also gaining another endemic with the split of the Cuban Kite (Chondrohierax wilsonii) from Hook-billed Kite (Chondrohierax uncinatus). The Cuban Kite was originally recognized as its own species in 1847, when it was first described, but was later lumped into Hook-billed Kite as they can show quite a bit of variation throughout their extensive range in Latin America. However, looking through specimens, the Cuban Kite shows a barred collar, which other Hook-billed Kites lack, overall smaller size, and a larger bill that is typically yellow. While genetically, Cuban Kite remains very similar to Hook-billed Kite, it is a species that is not known to disperse from or travel outside of Cuba, making a good case that there is relatively little connectivity between populations.
Unfortunately, the Cuban Kite is Critically Endangered and there have been very few sightings in recent years. Likely, there is a small stronghold left in the mountains of Eastern Cuba. Their decline has been attributed to habitat loss, loss of its main prey, the beautiful land snails, and persecution from the belief that they hunt domestic chickens. We hope that recognizing the Cuban Kite as its own distinct species will help gain some momentum to conserve this beautiful raptor.
Other taxonomic proposals not accepted
Other proposals that were unfortunately not accepted included: splitting Hispaniolan Elaenia from Greater Antillean Elaenia, recognizing the different subspecies of Red-legged Thrush as 2 or 3 distinct species, and splitting the Caribbean populations of House Wren into 7 distinct species. There’s a lot more work to be done for understanding our endemic birds in the Caribbean!
We are very excited to add a total of 3 new endemic species to the Caribbean! We look forward to continuing to learn more about our specialty Caribbean birds and maybe seeing more distinct species in the future!
Learn more about the Streamertail here (we will update this page soon to reflect the latest taxonomic update): https://www.birdscaribbean.org/2020/04/from-the-nest-day-9/
Over 700 species of birds live in the Caribbean. This includes 176 species that can be found nowhere else in the world! There is no doubt that birds add music and a splash of color to our lives. Many people enjoy watching wild birds since it distracts them from the pressures of their daily lives. Additionally, birds provide invaluable ecosystem services—they control insect populations, pollinate flowers, disperse seeds, and clean the environment. They continue to be important indicators of ecosystem health and can tell us if we are succeeding as stewards of our planet. Unfortunately, these services are almost always overlooked.
Vervain Hummingbird, Jamaica. (Photo by Sadik Kassam)
Birds are still threatened by development, agriculture, pollution, natural disasters, and hunting for meat or pets. For geographically restricted Caribbean birds, both resident and migratory, the effects can be disastrous leading to severe population declines, extirpation, or even extinction.
It’s up to all of us to take care of our birds, and to make sure they are around for future generations to enjoy. You can help birds thrive by taking a few simple, everyday actions.
Here are 10 ideas to get you started:
1. Keep Birds Safe from Pets
Unleashed dogs and outdoor cats can disturb, chase, and kill birds. Around the world, billions of birds die each year when they are caught by birds. Cats are natural predators, even if well fed. Outdoor cats also live shorter, harsher lives—they may suffer from injury or die if attacked by a dog or poisoned, can contract diseases and cause unwanted litters of kittens, if unspayed or unneutered. Keeping your cat indoors (or on a leash outdoors) is good for your cat and birds. Check this website for helpful resources.
Keep pets on a leash when outdoors. Cats kill millions of birds every year. This cat in Montserrat has killed a migratory shorebird, a Western Sandpiper. (photo on right by Alistair Homer)
2. Avoid Using Chemicals on your Lawn
Birds may accidentally eat pesticide and herbicide pellets or prey (e.g., insects) that have been poisoned. This can kill a bird or have toxic effects on their health. You can reduce your use of harmful chemicals by weeding by hand, landscaping with native plants, grasses and flowers that attract birds and provide food for them, and using organic insecticides like neem, and/ or make your own (try a mixture of white vinegar, salt, and dish soap for ridding your garden of weeds.
Keep your lawn pesticide free.
3. Leave Fledglings Where You Find Them
Young birds may spend a few days on the ground before they are able to fly well. Typically parents are nearby continue to care for them and feed them. You can help by keeping people and pets away. If you think a bird is truly an orphan, call a local wildlife rehabilitator for instructions.
Students from the St. Martin Primary School plant a tree, Dominica.
5. Share What You See
Citizen scientists such as yourself help us monitor our bird populations and environment. The observations entered into eBird Caribbean, from interested people across the region, provide data at an amazing scale and level of sophistication. If you’re interested in birds and nature, chances are there’s a BirdsCaribbean citizen-science project that can benefit from your participation. Caribbean Waterbird Census, Global Big Day, Global Shorebird Count
Coral Aviles entering the birds she saw in her Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) count on eBird Caribbean, Blassina Canal Puerto Rico. (Photo by Eliezer Nieves)
6. Prevent Window Collisions
During the day, windows reflect plants and trees or the sky, making them look like places to fly into. Sadly, the bird often dies, even when it is only temporarily stunned and can still fly away. Many times these birds die later from internal bleeding or bruising, especially on the brain.The good news is that you can greatly reduce the danger your home’s windows pose to birds. You can explore options like decals, netting, or mosquito screens to keep birds away from your windows during the day. Check out ideas and resources here.
Glass panes that reflect trees and greenery can be problematic for birds.
7. Drink Coffee that is Good for the Birds
You might be looking to satisfy a craving but did you know you can preserve critical habitat for birds, and other wildlife, and support farmers that are committed to sustainable farming, by brewing a cup of coffee? The Smithsonian Bird Friendly certification ensures farmers follow strict growing standards to prevent irreversible damage to bird habitats by protecting tree diversity and foliage cover. Find a store or coffee shop near you, or have it shipped right to your door.
Bird Friendly Coffee.
8. Don’t Buy Illegally Caged Birds
Although trade is illegal, many Caribbean parrots, parakeets and songbirds are still harvested for both the local and international trade. Report the capture and sale of wild birds to the authorities. Learn more here about the Cuban songbird trade.
Hispaniolan Parakeets, native to Hispaniola, are illegally captured and sold for pets or smuggled out of the country for the pet trade.
9. Create Communities
Share your passion for birds with family and friends. And expand your backyard bird oasis into a larger neighborhood oasis by working with neighbors and managers of nearby parks, schoolyards, golf courses, and farms. Together you will help restore habitat and provide safe spaces for birds to find food, hide from predators and raise their families. Restoring bird habitat can also provide cooler spaces for people, absorb stormwater runoff, and combat the spread of invasive plants.
Kids planting trees in Haiti. (Photo by Anderson Jean)
10. Support BirdsCaribbean
At BirdsCaribbean, we’re committed to conserving birds and their habitats. We have been successful in empowering local people to enjoy, study, and monitor local birds, as well as alleviate threats to their survival and their habitats. However, there is still much more to be done for Caribbean birds, people, economies, and ecosystems that are under constant threat of development, agricultural expansion, pollution, climate change, and more. We’re a member-supported nonprofit and we rely on donations for our annual funding. We are extremely grateful to our generous and dedicated members and donors, and we invite you to join us as we continue to build a future where birds and people thrive.
Building capacity to study, monitor and conserve Caribbean seabirds
BirdsCaribbean booth at NAOC, 2016.
Serving on the BirdsCaribbean Board of Directors is an enriching experience, where you can really make an impact.
Group photo with Orlando at his home in Havana. BirdsCaribbean Cuba Bird Tour, January 2019.
Learning all about bird banding on WMBD, Dominican Republic. (Photo by Maria Paulino/ GAE).
Carefree Birding group enjoys the waterbirds in Sint Maarten with Binkie Van Es, BirdsCaribbean member and Caribbean Birding Trail trained guide. (photo by Carefree Birding)
Thanks to educators at the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), youth in Jamaica were treated to a field trip that included birding and a nature scavenger hunt using BirdSleuth Caribbean materials published by BirdsCaribbean. (photo courtesy of NEPA)
The results of our first Short Story and Poetry Contest are in! We would like to congratulate the winners of this year’s competition for their creativity and skill at conveying emotion. We received fantastic submissions from the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela and are extremely grateful to each writer and poet for sharing their personal encounters with some of the Caribbean’s best birds.
We decided to host this short story and poetry contest as a way to highlight this year’s Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival theme “Loving Bird is Human Nature” by documenting the powerfully innate connection we have with birds. The result was an overwhelmingly talented pool of writers and poets, and outstanding stories and poems to choose from.
Short Story Winners
We are pleased to announce that the short story winners are:
3rd Place: “The Root of the Murder” by Chloe Bramble (Antigua and Barbuda)
The following stories also captivated the judges and they received Honorable Mentions:: “Jairo y el Frailecito” by Yohana Rivero Pérez (Venezuela), “Hide and Seek” by Adriana Cintrón (Puerto Rico) and “Guerreras del aire” by Alicia Marlene Ríos Pérez (Cuba).
Poetry Winners
And the poetry winners are:
1st Place: “To Wonder At Birds” by Brianna Salmon (Jamaica)
2nd Place: “Paloma Querida” by Wanda I. Rodríguez López (Puerto Rico)
3rd Place: “Bird Love” by Yashid Charles (St Lucia)
The judges believed the following poets were also able to powerfully express their ideas and emotions, and they received “Honorable Mentions.”: “Up Close First Encounter” by Alliah Francis (Jamaica), “Las aves de paso” by Yamilaiki Osorio Sánchez (Cuba) and “Miradas al mar” by Génesis Parra Rivero (Venezuela).
The entire CEBF team offers a sincere thanks to everyone who submitted. We invite you to read all submissions, including the winning short stories and poems in both Spanish and English, at this link OR click on the book below. to view here!
We would love to see this collection of short stories and poems grow! Please contact Aliya.Hosein@birdscaribbean.org and info@birdscaribbean.org if you would like to contribute a short story, poem, or both!
On April 9th, 2021, La Soufrière Volcano, on the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent, began to erupt for the first time in 42 years. These explosive eruptions left the conservation community gravely concerned about impacts to the island’s wildlife and vegetation. Using funds raised through our volcano recovery campaign, BirdsCaribbean, the Saint Vincent Department of Forestry, and Antioch University were able to begin assessing the effects. Here, we report on field work from our successful two-week pilot season surveying for the endemic Whistling Warbler and other forest species in May of 2022. Field Assistant Kaitlyn Okrusch shares her experiences—read on!
There is something indescribable about witnessing a creature that so few have laid eyes on. Not because it makes you lucky over others. Rather, this creature, this other living thing, has somehow managed to stay hidden from our pervasive (and distinctly) human nature. This thought crossed my mind several times as I glimpsed a view of the Whistling Warbler—a really rare bird found only on one island and restricted to mountainous forest habitat. As I gazed up at this endemic gem, I imagined its secretive life. With its stocky body, bold white eye-ring, cocked tail, and tilted head, it looked back down at me, just as curious.
When Mike Akresh, a conservation biology professor at Antioch University New England, asked if I wanted to assist a pilot study for the Whistling Warbler on the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent, I paused. “The Whistling Warbler?” I thought, “Saint Vincent?” I had never heard of the bird nor the island. Now, I don’t know how I could ever forget either.
Saint Vincent is located in the southern Lesser Antilles, and has a kite tail of 32 smaller islands and cays (the Grenadines) dotting southward. Its indigenous name is ‘Hairouna,’ which translates to the Land of the Blessed. The people, the culture, and the biodiversity are truly remarkable—blessed indeed. In addition to the warbler, the islands are home to the national bird, the colorful and endemic Saint Vincent Parrot, and host to six other bird species that are found only in the Lesser Antilles.
The rumblings, then eruptions, that ignited our work
At the northernmost point of this island lives the active volcano, La Soufrière, which last erupted in 1979. In December of 2020, this powerful mountain showed signs of life with effusive eruptions and growth of the lava dome for several months. On April 9th 2021, explosive eruptions began that sent plumes of ash as high as 16 kilometers. In addition, pyroclastic flows and lahars (very fast-moving, dense mudflows or debris flows consisting of pyroclastic material, rocky debris, ash and water) caused considerable damage along river valleys and gullies.
Multiple eruptions in April damaged trees and blanketed the forests and towns in thick layers of gray ash, leaving many parts of the island barren for months. Upwards of 20,000 people were evacuated in the Red and Orange Zones (northern half of the island), and, thanks to this decision, there was no loss of life. Remarkably, the 2021 eruption of La Soufriere is the largest to occur in the entire Caribbean of at least the last 250 years.
Massive ash cloud from La Soufriére volcano explosion on St. Vincent and the Grenadines, April 13, 2021. There were multiple powerful eruptions in April, starting on April 9th. (Photo by Dr. Richard Robertson, UWI).
There was grave concern for the welfare of the Saint Vincent Parrot, Whistling Warbler, and other wildlife. BirdsCaribbean launched a fundraising campaign and our community stepped up to provide funding and supplies for volcano recovery efforts, both short and longer-term. This natural disaster was destructive for both the people and the land; the impacts are still being seen and felt today. But, out of this catastrophe arose an opportunity to assess the status of Saint Vincent’s iconic birds and to plan for their conservation moving forward.
The eruption of La Soufrière called attention to the urgent need for collaboration and research efforts regarding biodiversity conservation on Saint Vincent. With such limited baseline knowledge pertaining to most of the forest birds on the island, locals worried that some species (like the Whistling Warbler and the Saint Vincent Parrot) might disappear. No one was sure how these eruptions had impacted their populations.
This opened the door for concerted efforts between the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Department of Forestry (SVGF), BirdsCaribbean, and Antioch University, to complete a pilot season surveying for the elusive and endangered Whistling Warbler and other endemic landbirds. SVGF and researchers from Florida International University (led by Dr. Cristina Gomes) were already in the process of specifically re-surveying the Saint Vincent Parrot population, so our surveys focused on other landbirds (stay tuned for a blog post on this work!).
La Soufriére Volcano Trail sign. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Volcanic remnants near the northeast town of Georgetown. (Photo by Kaitlyn Okrusch)
Headquarters of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Department of Forestry, located in Campden Park near Kingstown. We met several times with Forestry staff during our visit to plan and discuss the field work. (Photo by Kaitlyn Okrusch)
Ash deposits on the coast at Wallibou, just north of the Wallibou River in the northwest, Glenroy is looking towards La Soufriére volcano. (Photo by Mike Akresh)
Trees on the La Soufriére trail—one year later you can still see the damage to the canopy from the April 2021 eruptions. (photo by Lisa-Sorenson)
Touching down for the “oreo” bird
Flying into Saint Vincent. (Photo by Kaitlyn Okrusch)
My eyes grew wide as the plane touched down and I stepped out into the humid, salty air. Lisa Sorenson (the executive director of BirdsCaribbean) had been down here for the previous few days with her husband, Mike Sorenson, and colleagues Jeff Gerbracht (Cornell Lab of Ornithology and long time BirdsCaribbean member) and Mike Akresh. They had been scouting out potential locations for our surveys of the warbler using the PROALAS point count protocol with SVGF and specifically SVGF Wildlife Unit Head, Glenroy Gaymes.
Lisa and Mike A. picked me up from the Argyle International Airport in a silver Suzuki jeep—driver’s side on the right, drive on the left. I hopped in the car and we zipped off into the narrow (and steep!) hillside roads of Arnos Vale—a small community north of the capital of Kingstown. Lisa had been down here before. She drove us around like a local: confident and happy, despite the crazy traffic and winding roads! I rolled down the window and the sun brushed my face. Our first stop before our home base was a local fruit stand, well equipped with juicy mangoes, soursop, plantains, pineapple, and grapefruits. Island life and fresh fruits—nothing quite compares!
As Lisa and Mike picked out the various ripe fruits they wanted, Lisa didn’t miss an opportunity to ask the stand tenders if they had ever heard of or seen the Whistling Warbler. She took out her phone, pulled up the Merlin Bird ID app, and displayed some of the few captured sounds and photographs of this bird. She held it up for them to see. “Ahhhh, yes, we’ve heard that before!” the man said, after listening to the song. A smile crept onto his face. The unmistakable call of this bird, as I would come to observe, has been ingrained into the minds of many locals—without them even knowing who was making it. “We hear that many times when we are in the forest,” the woman said.
The song of the Whistling Warbler is a crescendo trill of loudly whistled notes.
Many locals (and non locals) are unaware that the Whistling Warbler is endemic to Saint Vincent. On the other hand, many are aware that the beautiful and iconic Saint Vincent Parrot is endemic. Endemic species are naturally more vulnerable to extinction due to their specific nature: their limited distribution leaves them particularly vulnerable to threats like habitat destruction, climate change, invasive predators, or overhunting. On top of those reasons—as noted above—their survival may be even more perilous after a devastating volcanic eruption. It is well known that often the large, flamboyantly colored birds captivate, motivate, and receive more funding when it comes to conservation. Sometimes the smaller, less colorful birds quite literally get lost in the shadows. Because of a lack of research and funding, there are large knowledge gaps pertaining to the Whistling Warbler’s ecology and population status.
Whistling Warbler perched on a branch. (Photo by the Saint Vincent Ministry of Tourism)
There are only two scientific papers out there (one unpublished) that contain what little we know about the Whistling Warbler. Consequently, you often see “no information” listed under the various tabs if you search for this species on the Birds of the World website. What is its breeding biology? Do we actually understand the plumage variations between sexes and ages? What about habitat preference and home range size? Diet? Perceived versus actual threats regarding its conservation?
Furthermore, this warbler is interesting because it is also monotypic. It’s in a genus all of its own, and there are no subspecies. This makes the warbler especially unique, and it may be susceptible to changes that we could be causing (and accelerating).
Unfortunately, as with many endemic birds throughout the Caribbean, the lack of capacity, funding, and previous interest has limited our ability to answer these research questions and better conserve these endemic species. Few have had the time (or the funding) to put into fielding these research questions. These are some of the motivations to try and research—to understand—this unique bird and its ecology. We hope to try and figure out the status of this endangered warbler and build local capacity to monitor the warbler and other birds.
Hiking, Birding, and Counting, Oh My!
Most birders acknowledge that in order to see a bird, you need to be a bird. This means getting up at unpleasantly early times, 4 am for example. But, more often than not, it is well-worth the short night of sleep, driving in the dark, and arduous hiking, to watch and hear the lush green forest wake up. On our first field morning, we headed to a trail called Montréal, a steep ascent up the mountain, that became Tiberoux trail, once you reached the saddle and hiked down the other side. This was an area that SVGF staff had both seen and heard our small, feathered friend before.
Montreal farm field with Glenroy Gaymes and Mike Akresh. Glenroy points the way to hike into the mountains on the Montréal trail to survey for the warbler. (Photo by Kaitlyn Okrusch)
Utilizing local and SVGF staff knowledge was a crucial aspect of our surveying strategy. Our team visited sites and hiking trails where the warbler was known to be seen or heard in the past. We then conducted point counts within these areas to collect data on the presence/absence of the warbler and other forest species. Glenroy (AKA “Pewee”) has a wealth of knowledge about Saint Vincent’s forests and wildlife. His deep connection with the land comes from inherent connection and diligent observation: being a part of and not apart from the land. He has been walking these trails for 30+ years, patiently learning. Now, he was going to try and teach us about one of his favorite birds.
At first glance, the Whistling Warbler seems nearly impossible to study, partly due to its elusive nature, and partly due to its apparent habitat preference. This bird is found in dense, mountainous forests on extreme slopes of ridges and slippery ravines. This, as you can imagine, makes it difficult to track the bird, let alone nest search. One wrong step, and you can be sent flying down the mountain.
Luckily, with Glenroy’s knowledge and our protocol incorporating a playback song of this species, we were given glimpses here and there as the warbler flitted through the dense, dark, mid-canopy. Digging our heels into the steep sides of the trail, we would all anxiously listen for and await our prized subject. You could feel the tension rising as each of us swiveled our heads back and forth, looking for any sign of movement. “I see it, I see it, right there!” one of us would whisper—the others getting our binoculars ready.
For this two week pilot season, we wanted to rely on local knowledge to understand where to place our PROALAS point counts. PROALAS is a protocol used throughout Central America, and is now beginning to be implemented with BirdsCaribbean’s new Caribbean Landbird Monitoring Project. The protocol includes a standardized set of survey methods for monitoring birds, specially designed for tropical habitats. For our study, we would stop and do a 10-minute point count, noting every single bird that we see and/or hear every 200 meters along a designated trail. This methodology is a quick and systematic way to get an understanding of the landbirds in an area.
Additionally, we collected vegetation and habitat data which can then be used to understand species-habitat relationships. In our case, since we were focusing on the Whistling Warbler, we also did an additional five-minute point count just for it. For the first two minutes, we would play a continuous variety of Whistling Warbler calls and songs and visually looked for the bird to come in. For the final three minutes, we would turn off the playback, and listen to see if the warbler called back. At several locations, we also set out Autonomous Recording Units (ARUs), which are small devices that record bird songs for days at a time without us being physically present at the site.
All of this data was entered into eBird, available to local stakeholders and forever stored in the global database (see our Trip report here: https://ebird.org/tripreport/58880). Needless to say, Lisa, Mike, Jeff, Mike Akresh, and myself all got a crash course in Saint Vincent bird ID in the field.
Jeff, Mike, and Kaitlyn hiking on Tiberoux trail. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Mike Akresh setting up the AudioMoth acoustic monitoring device in the field. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Winston “Rambo” Williams and Mike doing a point count on the Vermont Nature Trail. (Photo by Kaitlyn Okrusch)
Team on the Vermont Nature Trail. (Photo by Mike Akresh)
Warbler and Parrot teams on the Silver Spoon trail. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Glenroy Gaymes walking through Mahorn Ridge. The orange flowering bush is Palicourea croceoides; common names Yellow Cedar and Caribbean Red Cappel Plant. (Photo by Kaitlyn Okrusch)
Audiomoth Automatic Recording Unit (ARU) set up on a tree to record songs and calls of forest birds. (photo by Lisa Sorenson).
So, how are the warblers doing?
Figure 1. Map of St Vincent showing locations of our PROALAS Point Counts without Whistling Warbler (WHWA) sightings, with warbler sightings, and eBird Caribbean sightings prior to the April 2021 eruption of La Soufriére Volcano.
The good news is we found some warblers! After surveying 8 sites, 46 points, and conducting 100+ point counts, we detected the Whistling Warbler, by sight and/or sound, at around 35% of the point locations (see Figure 1). Warblers had higher abundance on the eastern (windward) side of the island compared to the western (leeward) side, and appeared to be present on steep, mountainous, wetter slopes with natural (non-planted) forest.
Interestingly, we detected a number of Whistling Warblers along the La Soufrière Trail, an area that was highly impacted by the volcano eruption, so the warbler seems to be doing ok despite the habitat destruction! However, the impacted northern areas were definitely quieter and a number of other forest birds seemed to be missing, like the Cocoa Thrush and Ruddy Quail-Dove. One hypothesis might be that the heavy ash deposits closer to the volcano affected insects living on the ground—the food resources needed by ground-foraging bird species.
We also noted that a few other bird species were especially rare on the island after the volcano eruption. For instance, we did not detect any Antillean Euphonias, and only briefly saw or heard the Rufous-throated Solitaire at two locations. The Green-throated Carib, Brown Trembler, and Scaly-breasted Thrasher also had fairly low numbers throughout the island. This may have been due to the habitat we focused on and/or the time of year of our surveys. Clearly, more surveys are needed to assess these other species.
Fenton Falls trail, where Whistling Warblers were detected. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Mike Akresh, Jeff Gerbracht, and Mike Sorenson along the Fenton Falls trail. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Possible non-active Whistling Warbler nest. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Whistling Warbler looks out from a branch. (Photo by Mike Akresh)
Whistling Warbler (possible juvenile or female). (Photo by Kaitlyn Okrusch)
Nature is resilient!
After traversing much of this island in search of the warbler, it is hard to imagine that this devastating eruption happened only one year ago. We saw the remnants of the ash on the trails; trees drooping over from the sheer weight of the volcanic ash upon their branches, and huge swaths in the north part of the island mostly devoid of large canopy trees. Yet, there was also life flourishing around us, green and growing up towards the light.
Glenroy commented that after the April eruptions, the forests were so eerily quiet, he felt like he was in outer space. He told us that in some areas, there was not one creature to be seen or heard for months, not even the ever-present mosquitos. Despite this devastating natural disaster, here we were though, both hearing and seeing many of the forest birds coming back. This also often included hearing the unmistakable crescendo whistling song of the Whistling Warbler, much to our delight.
Spathoglottis plicata, Philippine Ground Orchid (invasive species) in bloom. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
White Peacock Butterfly (Anartia jatrophae) (Photo by Mike Akresh)
Glenroy Gaymes with a St Vincent Hairstreak butterfly (endemic to St Vincent). (Photo by Mike Akresh)
Jeff and Mike Sorenson at the Parrot Lookout on the Vermont Nature Trail. Yes, we saw parrots! (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
“Life From Death” interpretive sign along the Vermont Nature Trail. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Mike Sorenson looking for birds in dense forest habitat. (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Optimistic for the future: Our next steps
Kaitlyn Okrusch on the Coffee Trail with a rainbow in the background. (Photo by Glenroy Gaymes)
BirdsCaribbean, in partnership with Antioch University, SVGF, and others, are hoping to better understand how (and if) the Whistling Warbler and other species are recovering. Based on our knowledge of bird population resilience following catastrophic hurricanes, some species may quickly rebound to their former population sizes, while it may take years for other species to recover, and some may even become extinct. For instance, the Bahama Nuthatch, with a previously extremely small population, has not been seen since the devastating Hurricane Dorian passed through Grand Bahama island in 2019.
Next steps are to further examine the audio recordings we collected, carry out more surveys, and conduct a training workshop next winter to help build SVGF’s capacity to continue to monitor the warbler and other forest birds next year and in future years. We also plan to work together with SVGF to write a comprehensive Conservation Action Plan (CAP) which will help guide monitoring and conservation of the warbler for many years to come.
Finally, we will work with SVGF to elevate the status of the warbler in the eyes of locals—educate about this special little bird through school visits, field trips, and a media campaign. This endemic bird will hopefully become a source of pride, alongside the Saint Vincent Parrot, so that local people will join the fight to save it from extinction. It takes a village to work for the conservation of anything—especially birds—and we are excited to be partners on a fantastic project.
I keep returning to a quote from Senegalese conservationist, Baba Dioum: “In the end, we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.” Through collaboration with Vincentians and SVGF, I do believe we can better understand how this bird lives, and what this bird needs. It is, and will be, hard work. With help from Glenroy and other Forestry staff who have a wealth of knowledge and appreciation for the land and its wildlife, hopefully all Vincentians will come to know and love the Whistling Warbler as we have, and help us to conserve it and Saint Vincent’s other forest birds.
Lisa at the Silver Spoon Parrot watch lookout. (Photo by Jeff Gerbracht)
The team at work. L-R: Mike Akresh, Jeff Gerbracht, Lisa and Mike Sorenson. (Photo by Mike Sorenson)
Acknowledgments
We thank Glenroy Gaymes for working with us in the field nearly every day, generously sharing his vast knowledge of the birds, plants, and other wildlife of Saint Vincent’s forests. We are also grateful to Mr. Fitzgerald Providence, Director of Forestry, and other SVGF staff for supporting our work, including Winston “Rambo” Williams, Lenchford Nimblet, and Cornelius Lyttle. Thanks also to Lystra Culzac for sharing her knowledge about the Whistling Warbler and St Vincent’s forest birds and providing helpful advice and insights to our field work. Funding for this pilot study came from BirdsCaribbean’s Volcano Recovery Fund—thank you so much to everyone who donated to this fund and to the “emergency group” that came together to assist with funding support and recovery . We also thank Antioch University’s Institute for International Conservation for providing additional funding.
Blog by Kaitlyn Okrusch (with Lisa Sorenson, Mike Akresh, Jeff Gerbracht, & Glenroy Gaymes). Kaitlyn is a graduate student at Antioch University of New England. She is obtaining a M.S. in Environmental Studies as well as getting her 7-12 grade science teaching licensure. She has worked and volunteered for various bird organizations over the past six years – both conducting research (bird-banding, nest searching) as well as developing curriculum and educating. These most recently include University of Montana Bird Ecology Lab (UMBEL), Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory (HRBO), and Owl Research Institute (ORI). Her passion is fueled by connecting people with the wild spaces they call home – especially through birds.
Help us to continue this work!
Once again, we thank the many generous members of our community who donated to help with the recovery effort for birds in St Vincent impacted by the April 2021 explosive eruptions of La Soufrière Volcano. If you would like to donate to help with our continued work with the Forestry Department and local communities, please click here and designate “St Vincent Volcano Recovery” as the specific purpose for your donation. Thank you!
*The “emergency group” that came together to assist with funding support and recovery of the St Vincent Parrot, Whistling Warbler, and other wildlife consisted of the following organizations: BirdsCaribbean, Rare Species Conservatory Foundation, Fauna and Flora International, Caribaea Initiative, Houston Zoo, Grenada Dove Conservation Programme, UNDP Reef to Ridge Project, Houston Zoo, IWECo Project St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Farallon Islands Foundation. We thank our amazing local partners SCIENCE Initiative, the St. Vincent & the Grenadines Environment Fund, and the Forestry Department for your support and hard work.
Gallery
Antillean Crested Hummingbird. (Photo by Kaitlyn Okrusch)
Lobster Claw Heliconia (Heliconia bihai). (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Fenton Falls Trailhead. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Cattle Egret coming in for a landing. (Photo by Kaitlyn Okrusch)
Jeff Gerbracht walking on Montreal Trail towards the mountains with a boom mic. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
La Soufriere in the clouds on the east side of the island. (Photo by Kaitlyn Okrusch)
Common Black Hawk in the Calabash mangroves. (Photo by Kaitlyn Okrusch)
Lisa and Mike at Fenton Falls. (Photo by Mike Akresh)
Purple-Throated Carib on the Silver Spoon Trail. (Photo by Kaitlyn Okrusch)
Two-year old Maeson Gaymes (incredible little hiker!) on the La Soufriere Trail for Global Big Day 2022 in St Vincent. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Mangroves down by the ocean in Kingstown. (Photo by Kaitlyn Okrusch)
St Vincent Hairstreak (Pseudolycaena cybele), also called Marsyus Hairstreak, St Vincent endemic butterfly, rests on a flower. (Photo by Mike Akresh)
Freshly picked Guava on the coffee trail. (Photo by Kaitlyn Okrusch)
Old Trinity Road on the west side of the island, near the volcano. (Photo by Kaitlyn Okrusch)
Purple-Throated Carib nest found by Jeff, Lisa and Mike S. on Montreal. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Scaly-breasted Thrasher sits on a branch. (Photo by Kaitlyn Okrusch)
Saint Vincent Bush Anole Anolis trinitatis). (Photo by Mike Akresh)
St. Vincent Whistling Frog (Pristimantis shrevei, IUCN endangered) in Glenroy Gaymes’ hands. (Photo by Mike Akresh)
Plumrose or Water Apple flowers found on the Coffee Trail. (Photo by Kaitlyn Okrusch)
White Peacock Butterfly (Anartia jatrophae) (Photo by Mike Akresh)
Lystra Culzac and Lisa Sorenson – mango sisters reunited! Lystra generously shared her knowledge about St Vincent’s forest birds and provided excellent advice for our field work. (photo by Mike Sorenson)
Lovely pastoral scene, nursing calf in Montreal. (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Warbler and Parrot Crews at Silver Spoon Trail. (Photo by Glenroy Gaymes)
Acomat Boucan (Sloanea-caribaea) – Large tree with buttress roots in the forest. (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Gommier (Dacryodes excelsa) dominant large tree in St Vincent. (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
In March 2022, we installed the first two Motus stations that are part of BirdsCaribbean’s effort to expand the Motus network in the Caribbean region. Three installation experts from the Northeast Motus Collaboration and 12 trainees came together in Puerto Rico to put up stations at Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge and Hacienda La Esperanza Nature Reserve.
The rumors are true – Motus stations in the Caribbean are growing! It took months of hard work and preparation but, during the week of March 22-29, 2022, a team of Motus experts and novices interested in the installation of Motus stations successfully added two more stations (and two more dots) to the Motus Wildlife Tracking System.
“It was so satisfying to watch those tiny yellow dots appear on the Motus station map,” commented Maya Wilson, Project Manager for the Caribbean Motus Collaboration, noting that the Caribbean region greatly needs more tracking stations.
Two yellow dots have been added to the Motus Receiver Locations map (motus.org/data/receiversMap), representing the Motus stations at Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge and Hacienda La Esperanza Nature Reserve.
But what is Motus, and why is it important?
Motus (Latin for movement) is a powerful research network that uses automated radio telemetry to track the movements of small flying animals. The power of Motus lies in its collaborative nature, combining hundreds of projects that have installed 1400+ receiver stations and deployed nearly 34k+ tags on 287 species, mostly birds. Adding receiving stations in the Caribbean is critical, since the region is an important migratory pathway and overwintering region for many bird species.
Motus is one of three monitoring networks that we are aiming to build in the Caribbean as part of our newLandbird Monitoring Project. But with growing interest in Motus in the region, we’ve expanded our efforts into theCaribbean Motus Collaboration (CMC).
Expanding Motus in the Caribbean
Our timely development and implementation of the CMC has been possible largely due to our ongoing partnership with the Northeast Motus Collaboration (NMC). The NMC has put up around 120 stations over the last several years (with plans to reach 150 by the end of the year!), and they have been generously sharing their knowledge with us. Recently, Lisa Kizuik and Todd Alleger presented in our webinar series to providean introduction to Motus and plans for the Caribbean, and some guidance onhow to plan your Motus station.
First stop – Puerto Rico!
To kick things off, we traveled to southwestern Puerto Rico to install a station at Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge. This station is the result of a partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wildlife Refuge System, adding to the larger network of stations on National Wildlife Refuges.
We gathered at the Centro Interpretativo Las Salinas, where visitors to the refuge can see and learn about the legendary salt flats. Most of us had never assembled yagi antennas or deployed a SensorStation before. But lucky for us, three experts from the NMC – Todd Alleger, Mallory Sarver, and Aaron Coolman – led the team through each step.
As a base for the station, a telescoping mast was bracketed to the corner of a building on the refuge. The six antennas (3 of each frequency) were assembled, coaxial cables were attached and labeled, and then each one was hoisted up the ladder to be attached to the mast. The coaxial cables were run through a slatted window to be connected to a SensorStation housed inside. The next day, we returned to add some extra concrete support to the base of the station, add a grounding rod, and deploy the SensorStation. With that, the first station was up – constantly listening for tagged birds on the salt flats, dry forest, mangroves, and other important bird habitats throughout the refuge.
Todd, Mallory, and Aaron guide the team through the process of assembling yagi antennas. (Photo by Maya Wilson)
Six antennas (3 of each frequency) with coaxial cables are lined up to be attached to the mast on a building at Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo by Maya Wilson)
Aaron Coolman begins the process of attaching antennas to the mast, while Cesar Montero supports the ladder. (Photo by Maya Wilson)
Todd Alleger supports the ladder as Aaron Coolman attaches the fourth out of six antennas. (Photo by Maya Wilson)
Mallory Sarver and Aarron Collman install the grounding rod, connecting it to the mast over the concrete base that has been poured earlier that day. (Photo by Maya Wilson)
Almost there! All antennas attached, base secured in concrete and grounded, and coaxial cables are run through the slatted window to be connected to the SensorStation. (Photo by Maya Wilson)
Todd Alleger describes the process of testing and deploying the SensorStation receiver to Ivelisse Rodrigues, Sheylda Diaz, Cesar Montero, Kendrick Weeks, and Maya Wilson. (Photo by Aaron Coolman)
Labeled coaxial cables have been connected to the SensorStation receiver, which is then tested and deployed to begin collecting data. (Photo by Maya Wilson)
Most of the installation team next to the complete Motus station at Cabo Rojo. From left to right: Todd Alleger, Kendrick Weeks, Mallory Sarver, Maya Wilson, Aaron Coolman, Jedai Diaz, Ivelisse Rodrigues, Sheylda Diaz, and Cesar Montero. (Photo by Aaron Coolman)
One down… One to go!
From Cabo Rojo, we headed to Puerto Rico’s northern coast to install another station at Hacienda La Esperanza Nature Reserve. In partnership with Para La Naturaleza (PLN), this station is the first of several stations that will be installed as part of our Landbird Monitoring Project. Attached to the recently rebuilt sawmill building on the reserve, the station will detect any tagged birds moving through or within the karst and coastal forests, wetlands, fields, and other habitats.
Bird’s eye view: A yagi antenna (5-element, 166 Mhz) at Hacienda La Esperanza points over the restored sugarcane field toward the karst forests. (Photo by Aaron Coolman)
The main structure for this station is a 30-ft Rohn tower, which meant that we had to start by making sure that the base was solid. PLN had already built a wooden cast for the cubic yard of concrete that we had to mix and pour in around the Rohn base. Once the cast was leveled in its place and the 5-ft Rohn section was stabilized, the concrete mixing began. Rotating through team members, we made relatively quick work of the 48 60-lb bags in the bucket of a tractor. As a final natural touch, we pressed leaves and flowers into the concrete.
Todd Alleger, Mallory Sarver, and William Burgos secure the short Rohn section in the cast to pour the concrete for the base. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Aaron Coolman, Alcides Morales, and William Burgos empty concrete bags (48, 60-lb bags total!) into the bucket of the tractor. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson
Aaron Coolman, Alcides Morales, and Maya Wilson add one of many batches of concrete to the cast. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
William Burgos levels the concrete base. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Lisa Sorenson, Aaron Coolman, and others press leaves and flowers into the concrete to add a natural touch to the base of the station. (Photo by Maya Wilson)
Teamwork definitely made this dream work!
While the concrete started drying, we assembled the 8 antennas (4 of each frequency) and coaxial cables in preparation for the tower assembly the following day.
Aaron Coolman, Claudia Babiou, Emilio Font, Ivelisse Rodriguez, Kendrick Weeks, and Omar Manzon assemble one of eight yagi antennas. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Ivelisse Rodrigues practices stripping coaxial cables and attaching connectors with Mallory Sarver. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
At the end of the first day, all 8 yagi antennas and coaxial cables are ready to be attached to the station. (Photo by Maya Wilson)
The next morning, we started by putting the three 10-ft Rohn sections together, then carefully raised the tower and lifted it onto the base. Once the tower was bracketed to the building, Todd climbed to the top and we began passing him the antennas. After a couple more hours of hard work in the hot Puerto Rican sun, the antennas were attached, and the coaxial cables were securely run into the top level of the building where they were connected to the SensorStation.
Todd Alleger and Mallory Sarver show the team how to connect the 3, 10-ft Rohn tower sections. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Once the tower is in place, it is secured to the base with heavy-duty bolts. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Todd Alleger briefs the team on how the tower will be raised. Everyone helps get the job done safely! (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Aaron Coolman and Kendrick Weeks prepare to lift the 434 Mhz antennas up to Todd on the tower. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Todd Alleger attached the 434 Mhz antennas to the top of the tower. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Using a few ropes, the team on the ground passes another antenna to Todd on the tower. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
After all antennas have been attached, Todd takes a break and Aaron climbs to the top to secure the coaxial cables. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
The CMC is just getting started – we may be in your island soon!
Now that both stations are officially on the Motus station map, we are eagerly watching them to see which tagged birds visit or travel through these areas! But this is only the beginning – the excitement and momentum behind the Caribbean Motus Collaboration is still going strong. Just over the next year or so, you can expect to see many other stations pop up in Barbados, The Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Saba, and several other Caribbean islands.
To find out more about the CMC and or to let us know if you are interested in contributing, please contact Maya Wilson at Maya.Wilson@BirdsCaribbean.org.
Acknowledgments: We want to say thank you to the Northeast Motus Collaboration for their constant help and support. Special thanks to Todd Alleger, Mallory Sarver, and Aaron Coolman for leading us through our first CMC installations! We are grateful to our partners in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Para La Naturaleza, particularly Adam Smith, Ricardo Antonetti, and Alcides Morales, for helping us plan, install, and watch over these stations. Thanks to our funders, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act grant, and our generous supporters who have donated to the Caribbean Motus Collaboration. And of course, thank you to everyone who joined the team in Puerto Rico to learn about the installation process and helped to get these stations up, including staff and members of Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña, BirdsCaribbean, Reserva Estuarina Bahía de Jobos, Environment for the Americas, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, and the Vieques National Trust.
Enjoy this short video of the Hacienda La Esperanza Installation!
Gallery
Enjoy more photos of the team working on our Motus installation in Puerto Rico below. Click the images to enlarge and see their captions.
Lisa Sorenson, Adrianne Tossas, and Sheylda Diaz. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Visit to Jose Colon’s property. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Adrianne Tossas, Emilio Font, and Maya Wilson lay out lunch for the group. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
The group enjoys lunch together at Hacienda La Esperanza. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Lisa Sorenson, Alcides Morales, Adrianne Tossas, and Ivelisse Rodrigues. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Mallory Sarver, Lisa Sorenson, and Maya Wilson at Hacienda La Esperanza. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Kendrick Weeks, Maya Wilson, Mallory Sarver, Todd Alleger, and Aaron Coolman with finished Motus station at Hacienda La Esperanza. (Photo by Aaron Coolman)
A curious Greater-Antillean Grackle checks out our work. (photo by Aaron Coolman)
Celebrate the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) with us! Our theme in 2022 is “Loving Birds is Human Nature”. Have fun learning about a new endemic bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.
Endemic Bird of the Day: Cuban Pewee
Often seen darting from a perch to grasp insects from the air, the Cuban Pewee is full of energy and character. It is a species of flycatcher, a group of birds well known for catching their insect prey on the wing. Unlike other species with vibrant colors (think Western Spindalis, Yellow Warbler, and Painted Bunting) this small bird has rather drab olive-brown plumage with an olive-gray crown and tufted crest. Its underparts are lighter beige-gray with yellowish wash. Look for the bold white crescent behind the eye to distinguish this bird from other flycatchers.
Formerly called the Crescent-eyed Pewee, the Cuban Pewee is a Caribbean endemic, found in only two countries: Cuba and The Bahamas. There are four subspecies, three in Cuba and one in The Bahamas, which vary slightly in plumage. In The Bahamas, you can find them on the northern islands of Grand Bahama, Abaco, New Providence, Andros, Eleuthera and Cat Island. They are wide-spread throughout Cuba from the coast to moderate elevations. Their habitat includes pine and broad-leafed forests, forest edges, tree plantations, brushy scrub, mangroves, and swamp edges.
A great way to find this bird is to listen out for its song, Tswee-ooooooooo.” The first part is explosive and the second a long descending whistle. It’s call is a short “peep peep,” or the Bahamas, “peeep peep peep!”
Like other flycatchers, the Cuban Pewee typically uses a low perch from which it flies to catch insects on the wing. It mainly eats small insects, but will also eat fruits. Breeding is thought to occur in February-March in the Bahamas and March to June in Cuba. The nest is a finely-made cup of roots, hair, dried grass, lichens, and moss placed in the fork of a tree branch or shrub. Eggs (2-4) are pale with dark dots, crowned with lilac or grayish dots at the broad end.
Download our West Indies Endemic Bird colouring page. Use the photos below as your guide, or you can look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your coloured-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #CEBFfromthenest
Listen to the song of the Cuban Pewee
The song of the Cuban Pewee song is a “Tswee-ooooooo.” The short sharp initial “Tweee” is followed by a drawn-out descending whistle.
Puzzle of the Day
Click on the image below to do the puzzle. You can make the puzzle as easy or as hard as you like – for example, 6, 8, or 12 pieces for young children, all the way up to 1,024 pieces for those that are up for a challenge!
A Cuban Pewee in the Bahamas. (Photo by Christopher Johnson)A Cuban Pewee. This small flycatcher live in open woodlands and scrub. (Photo by Sergey Uryadnikov)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: How much can you remember about the birds we have featured during the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival 2022? Test your memory of your newly gained knowledge of these wonderful birds with our 2022 Caribbean Endemic Bird Quiz! Today we have Part Two of a two-part Bird Trivia Quiz. Try to answer all the questions without checking back to our posts or looking up the answers online or in your bird guides! But just in case you do get stuck you or if you want to do some studying before you try the quiz you can read about all our featured endemic birds here or take a browse on ebird. Once you’ve finished the quiz you can click on the “View Score” link to see how many you got right and find out the correct answers! Note: the page might look blank when you finish, but if you scroll back up you should be able to find the link to “View Score”.
Now you’ve completed our quiz – enjoy this video of a Green-tailed Warbler the wild!
When the world seemed to stop at the behest of the pandemic, forcing most of us to remain at home, our BirdsCaribbean community kept going — birding, monitoring, and sharing our stories from safe spaces in our neighborhoods, community parks, and backyards.
Nearly three years and countless virtual meetings later, the anticipation of an in-person reunion was palpable. In partnership with the American Ornithological Society (AOS), and with invaluable support from local partners Para La Naturaleza and Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña, Inc. (SOPI), we successfully hosted our biggest conference to date — AOS & BC 2022— welcoming over 800 wildlife professionals from 34 countries to the tropical shores of Puerto Rico from June 27-July 2, 2022.
The conference, held under the theme “On the Wings of Recovery: Resilience and Action”, was a true celebration of the perseverance of our community featuring 146 poster presentations, 143 oral presentations across 14 symposia, 280 contributed papers, 8 roundtable discussions, and 93 student presentations.
Keynote speakers Dr. Howard P. Nelson, professor and wildlife biologist from Trinidad and Tobago and professor of conservation leadership at Fauna & Flora International, and Dr. Herbert Raffaele, retired chief of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Division of International Conservation, spoke to the importance of resilience and action as the Caribbean region faces the conservation challenges of the future. Speaking to packed auditoriums at the Convention Center in San Juan, Dr. Nelson addressed “Island Futures: Pathways to Resilient Conservation of Caribbean Birds,” and Dr. Raffaele outlined “Saving Our World’s Birds: A Plan for the Future.”
Plenary speaker, Dr. Kristen Camille Ruegg gave a fascinating talk on: “The Bird Genoscape Project — Unlocking the Secrets of Bird Migration Using DNA in the Tip of a Feather.” And Dr. Purnima Devi Barman received a standing ovation for her inspiring presentation to save the Greater Adjutant Stork, locally known as the Hargila: “The Rewilding Revolution: Using the Magic of Community Action to Save the Hargila,.
“Our international conferences are always special because they give members of our diverse community a chance to meet, network, and learn about cutting-edge research and conservation solutions,” commented Executive Director, Dr. Lisa Sorenson. “This year was exceptional because the pandemic added a new layer of complexity to our work and our plans for the future. Partnering with the AOS allowed us a unique opportunity to widen our network of enthusiastic conservationists. The high level of participation and engagement over these five days of learning in Puerto Rico augurs well for the future of the Caribbean region and the safeguarding of its natural resources, particularly its birds and their habitats.”
BirdsCaribbean Highlights at the Conference
Workshops
BirdSleuth Caribbean: Connecting Youth to Nature and Science through Birds
Birds are an engaging and fun way to get youth interested in nature, science, and inquiry-based learning. The BirdSleuth Caribbean Workshop sought to inspire participants to consider ways they, and their organizations, might support teachers and youth through educational programs in school as well as in camps and afterschool programs.Facilitated by Jennifer Fee, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and Dr. Lisa Sorenson, BirdsCaribbean, the full-day workshop reviewed the innovative BirdSleuth Caribbean curriculum — a resource that engages kids in scientific study through fun activities, games, and real data collection through the eBird citizen-science project.
BirdSleuth Caribbean Workshop group photo.
Participants learn the basics of bird identification. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
BirdSleuth Workshop participants identify birds outdoors. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Ingrid shows off her drawing. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Participants sketch birds at the BirdSleuth workshop. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Raptors of the Caribbean: Education and Conservation Resources
This highly-anticipated workshop focused on teaching participants about raptors, one of the most threatened bird groups in the world. Globally, we recognize there to be a basic lack of knowledge about raptors, as well as a lot of misinformation about birds of prey in general. Although raptors in the Caribbean are suffering population declines, they often remain excluded from environmental education guides and outreach programs.
Through the use of a brand new, hot-off-the-press resource, Environmental Education Guide: Raptors of the Caribbean, workshop facilitators Marta Curti and Gabriela Diaz from The Peregrine Fund engaged participants in dynamic, hands-on activities, and group work to better understand the importance raptors play in the ecosystems where they live. These activities helped participants gain practice and increase their confidence in teaching others about birds of prey using/adapting the materials and activities presented in the education guide.
Participants in the Raptors of the Caribbean Workshop show off their bird of prey, made from recycled materials.
The Power of Film and Video to Drive Conservation Impact
In the age of social media, and faced with the phenomenon of rapidly declining attention spans, the importance of video as a tool for storytelling cannot be underestimated. New research shows that 83% of people prefer watching videos as a means to learn vs. reading text. In this workshop, Elijah Sands, Senior Communications Officer at the Bahamas National Trust, with support from Tahira Carter, Communications Manager at BirdsCaribbean, engaged participants on the use of the most dynamic form of digital communication — video — to inspire change and drive impact.
Inspirational message recorded especially for the group by Paul Nicklen, acclaimed Canadian photographer, film-maker, author and marine biologist. (Photo by Tahira Carter)
Workshop Facilitator, Elijah Sands, from the Bahamas National Trust, uses videos from his portfolio to explain key concepts to the group. (Photo by Tahira Carter)
Caribbean Landbird Monitoring Training Workshop
This workshop was held as part of BirdsCaribbean’s Landbird Monitoring Project, which seeks to inspire and facilitate landbird monitoring and conservation efforts in the Caribbean — including raising public awareness, alleviating threats, and managing and restoring habitats. Through a blend of classroom and field-based activities, workshop facilitators Jeff Gerbracht (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), Maya Wilson (BirdsCaribbean), Ingrid Molina (Our Coffee Our Birds), Holly Garrod (BirdsCaribbean), Coral Aviles (San Juan Bay Estuary Program), and Alcides Morales and Omar Monzon (Para La Naturaleza) introduced participants to landbird identification, monitoring techniques, and eBird data entry. The group practiced bird ID and counting techniques at Hacienda La Esperanza Nature Reserve and Cambalache State Forest. Participants will join a regional network of people involved in standardized monitoring and conservation of landbirds in the Caribbean.
Participants in the Landbird Monitoring Workshop look for birds in the forest. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Puerto Rican Emerald. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Participants in the Landbird Monitoring Workshop engage in classroom sessions before going out into the field. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Puerto Rican Woodpecker. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Participants in the Landbird Monitoring Workshop engage in classroom sessions before going out into the field. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Symposia
Puerto Rico Day: Bird Diversity and Conservation in the “Island of Enchantment”
As traditionally done by BirdsCaribbean, the first day of the conference launched with presentations of local ornithological work. This symposium consisted of two sessions with 11 presentations that included research, conservation, and education conducted by biologists representing different agencies and organizations. In the opening talk, Adrianne Tossas summarized the status and distribution of the avifauna throughout the island, emphasizing threats and current advances in habitat and species protection. Team efforts by the PR Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (PR DNER) and US Fish and Wildlife to save the charismatic and Endangered Puerto Rican Parrot were presented by Tanya Martínez and Thomas White, respectively. Also from PR DNER, Katsí Ramos spoke about the accomplishments of the Endangered Yellow-shouldered Blackbird Recovery Program, and Ingrid Flores focused on the agency’s numerous activities to increase local awareness on biodiversity conservation.
Joseph Wunderle from the USDA Forest Service, gave an overview of the increasing challenges bird populations face from climate change, as revealed from population responses to severe hurricanes across the region in recent years. University of Mississippi biologist, Francisco Vilella, summarized his contribution to the knowledge of the biology of the Puerto Rico Nightjar and raptor species. Marconi Campos, Rainforest Connection, shared recent collaborative work in bird conservation with technological advances that allow remote acoustic sampling of birds in over 600 sites in the island. Hana Weaver gave an update on The Peregrine Fund’s efforts to improve the reproductive rates of the Endangered Puerto Rican Sharp-shinned Hawk, while Laura Fidalgo talked about the contribution of members in bird monitoring programs of the Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña. Finally, Omar Monzón, from Para La Naturaleza, emphasized on the organization’s role in the protection of private lands and the engagement of volunteers in citizen science.
Francisco Vilella
Hana Weaver
Ingrid Flores
Joseph Wunderle
Katsí Ramos
Laura Fidalgo
Marconi Campos
Thomas White
Tanya Martínez
Omar Monzón
Shorebirds of the Atlantic Flyway:How Recent Work to Conserve Wetlands is Contributing to Species and Habitat Resilience in the Caribbean and Beyond
With 15 fantastic talks across three sessions this symposium moved from highlighting the importance of Caribbean and Atlantic Fly wetlands for migrating shorebirds, to the threats shorebirds and wetlands face, and on to the exciting outreach and restoration work. Presenters from 13 different countries shared their recent work and experiences. During the symposium, participants heard how the Caribbean Waterbird Census can highlight where the important places for shorebirds are and the threats they face; data from 12 years of the CWC were presented. We also learned about development that is having devastating impacts on Caribbean wetlands and mangroves, and ongoing battles to halt the destruction. But there were also inspiring stories of hope and community engagement, showing how outreach and education can inspire people to love shorebirds and value their wetlands. Even when all seems lost we learned that wetlands can be restored and created to provide havens for shorebirds, other wildlife and people to enjoy. It was clear that shorebird and wetland conservation in the Caribbean and throughout the Atlantic Flyway is full of challenges. However, working together with local communities we can help protect these beautiful birds and their valuable habitats.
Some of the presenters and organizers of the Shorebirds Symposia, from left to right: Benoit Laliberte, Juliana Almeida, Maxon Fildor, Alex Sansom, Elio Dortilus, Lisa Sorenson, Debra Baker, Ajhermae White, Elijah Sands, Devon Carter (photo by Chris Johnson)
Planning for Resiliency of Caribbean Island Endemics – Strategies for Post-2020 recovery
This symposium included two sessions with fantastic talks from 11 speakers covering the conservation perspectives on island endemics from across the Caribbean islands from The Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Cayman Islands, and Jamaica in the north to Saint Lucia and Trinidad in the south. The symposium provided an opportunity for conservation practitioners to reflect on the status of the endemics on their islands, share insights on recovery patterns after disturbance, and reflect on the implications of the current post-2020 discussions at the Convention on Biological Diversity for the conservation of birds on their islands. Clear themes from these two sessions included the need for realistic targets, much greater financial and technical support for species management interventions, and sustained efforts on practices that are having an impact.
Seabirds in Peril: How Recent Knowledge is Contributing to Conservation Priorities and Species Resilience in the Face of Environmental Change
Organized by BirdsCaribbean’s Seabird Working Group, the seabird symposium included 14 presentations spread out throughout the whole day. Speakers presented exciting studies from North America to Antarctica, by way of the Caribbean. The day started with a heartfelt call for active restoration of imperiled seabirds globally. Following speakers shared tools to better assess the health of seabird populations, from survey methods using drones (in Puerto Rico) to cutting-edge artificial intelligence to analyze drone and airplane imagery, and from tracking studies of Caribbean seabirds to studies of links between oceanographic features, forage fish and seabirds in the western North Atlantic. participants closely listened when speakers shared about the importance of long-term studies on land (in Jamaica and Antarctica) and at sea (in Gulf Stream waters off the U.S. coast) to assess changes in seabird populations. Finally, conservationists shared inspiring conservation projects, from assessing the presence of predators in the Grenadines to addressing issues of plastic pollution in the Gulf of Maine, and about restoration success stories in Anguilla and Puerto Rico.
The Caribbean Seabird Working Group (with members representing Puerto Rico, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Montserrat, the Grenadines, Bonaire, and Curaçao) was able to use gaps in the schedule to discuss its push for a region-wide Seabird Census in 2023.
Working Group Meetings
Endemics and Threatened Species Working Group (ETSWG)
The BirdsCaribbean ETSWG meeting was attended by 15 members. The meeting reviewed the outcomes of the needs assessment survey prepared by the 2 co-chairs (Ellie Devenish-Nelson & Howard Nelson). Members were also briefed on the status of the Alliance for Zero Extinction by the participants from the American Bird Conservancy (Amy Upgren, Dan Lebbin, Dave Ewert). The participants also discussed key issues for the group including broadening participation across the islands in the working group, data management, funding, and key projects that the various members were working on including monitoring efforts on endemic and threatened species in their countries. The group reviewed the chairmanship and there was unanimity that the current co-chairs would continue to chair the group until the next BirdsCaribbean conference. The Chairs also discussed the development of group activities in the intervening year, and agreed to improve its presence on the BC website and the frequency of members contribution to a working group blog.
Bird Education & Festivals Working Group and Educators’ Awards
Caribbean Bird Educators reconnected and discussed the themes and activities for this year’s World Migratory Bird Day and Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival. WMBD Coordinators, Laura Baboolal and Miguel Matta, gave a brief overview and handed out Happy Kits to all educators—a wonderful set of materials to educate about this year’s theme—Dim the Lights for Birds at Night. Participants also received a fabulous set of nine different sticker sheets featuring the artwork of talented artist, Josmar Esteban Marquez. The stickers include a variety of Caribbean birds (endemics, residents, waterbirds, shorebirds, migrants, etc.) to use in the next Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival and other bird education activities. Thanks to Daniel Serva for his incredible efforts to carry two heavy suitcases on a long journey from Venezuela to Puerto Rico – he shared the incredible tale of his journey that included a harrowing 6 hour interrogation by US Customs when he arrived in San Juan, who were convinced that Daniel was transporting drugs on the stickers!
Educators group photo at the Bird Education-Bird Festivals Working Group Meeting at the conference.
A highlight of the meeting were the awards given to ten different educators who did a fantastic job celebrating WMBD and/or CEBF in the last two years, consistently organizing creative and fun activities for youth and local communities, and also sending in their reports and photos. All recipients received binoculars and a certificate of recognition. Educators’ Awards went to Shanna Challenger (Environmental Awareness Group, Antigua and Barbuda), Maria Paulino (Grupo Acción Ecológica, Dominican Republic), Josmar Esteban Márquez (AveZona) Inés Lourdes Fernández (La Empresa Flora y Fauna Santiago, Cuba), Ingrid Flores (DRNA, Puerto Rico), Carla Montalvo (Roots and Shoots, Puerto Rico), Ajhermae White (Dept of Environment, Montserrat), Monika Gomez (DR), Natalya Lawrence (Antigua and Barbuda), Shirley Droz (post-humous award, Puerto Rico), and Marisa Awai (Bahamas). Congratulations to all the winners!
Laura Baboolal and Lisa Sorenson presenting an Educators’ Award to Ajhermae White (Montserrat). (photo by Daniel Serva)
Daniel Serva telling the harrowing story of his journey bringing the stickers to Puerto Rico (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Laura Baboolal and Lisa Sorenson presenting an Educators’ Award to Ingrid Flores (Puerto Rico). (photo by Daniel Serva)
Laura Baboolal, Miguel Matta, Carla Montalvo, Sheylda Díaz-Méndez, and Lisa Sorenson. (photo by Daniel Serva)
Laura Baboolal and Lisa Sorenson presenting an Educators’ Award to Daniel Serva for Josmar Esteban Marquez (Venezuela). (photo by Daniel Serva)
Laura Baboolal presenting an Educators’ Award to Giselle Dean for Marisa Awai (Bahamas). (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Laura Baboolal and Lisa Sorenson presenting an Educators’ Award to Maria Paulino (Dominican Republic). (photo by Daniel Serva)
Laura Baboolal presenting an Educators’ Award to Joshel Wilson for Natalya Lawrence (Antigua). (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Laura Baboolal and Lisa Sorenson presenting an Educators’ Award to Carla Montalvo (Puerto Rico). (photo by Daniel Serva)
Laura Baboolal and Lisa Sorenson presenting an Educators’ Award to Shanna Challenger (Antigua). (photo by Daniel Serva)
Laura Baboolal presenting a posthumous Educators’ Award to Carla for Shirley Droz(Puerto Rico). (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Roundtables
Action Learning for Building Resiliency in Island Endemic Species Recovery
The roundtable on species recovery used an action learning approach to deliver on a specific need identified by the Endemics and Threatened Species Working Group’s needs assessment survey – more training on species recovery. The session consisted of two segments, the first enabled the 20 participants to learn from three guest speakers from The Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, and Antigua and Barbuda, who shared their experiences undertaking species recovery actions on their islands. The second part of the round-table permitted all participants to interact directly with the speakers and each other in small working groups, which enabled workshopping the challenges each participant was experiencing with species recovery on their respective islands. Feedback from the participants suggested that the workshop provided an excellent forum for learning from each other’s professional experiences as well as improving the informal networks between species recovery practitioners.
The Journal of Caribbean Ornithology (JCO) at 34—an Open Discussion on How our Regional Journal can Best Meet your Needs
The JCO editorial team at the conference. From left: Editor-in-Chief Joe Wunderle, Lead Copy Editor Zoya Buckmire, Managing Editor Stefan Gleissberg, Development Editor Natasha Atkins, Review Editor Jen Mortensen, and BC Vice President Justin Proctor.
The JCO–BirdsCaribbean’s peer reviewed scientific journal–welcomed fellow editors, authors, and other conference participants for a brainstorming session about the role of our journal in the Caribbean research and conservation communities. Managing Editor Dr. Stefan Gleissberg opened up the discussion with an overview, and Editor-in-Chief Dr. Joe Wunderle was available throughout to answer questions. JCO occupies a rather unique niche serving a biodiverse region which at the same time is also culturally and politically diverse. To limit access barriers to critical information on Caribbean birds, JCO publishes in three languages, provides immediate open access, keeps a comprehensive online archive, and has only modest publication charges. A vital point of the journal’s work is to assist early-career and first-time authors, and those who’s research is not conducted with the support system of an academic institution, in order to achieve the highest-possible impact of their work. Roundtable participants contributed valuable ideas. Conversation points included ethical and permit compliance, and how these vary widely among islands and territories. Following a request by a participant, JCO now explores how abstracts from the conference can be published in the journal, increasing visibility.
The most prestigious award — The Lifetime Achievement Award — went to two conservation stalwarts (1) Dr. John Faaborg, Emeritus Professor, University of Missouri and (2) Mr. Eric Carey, Executive Director, Bahamas National Trust and Past President of BirdsCaribbean. This award honors individuals who have helped change the future of Caribbean birds and their habitats for the better through a lifetime of work and dedication.
Elijah Sands accepts the BirdsCaribbean Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of Mr. Eric Carey, Bahamas National Trust.
Eight individuals, representing three organizations – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program, Terrestrial Ecology Division,Puerto Rico’s Department of Natural and Environmental Resources; and Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña, Inc. (SOPI)– were hand selected by our President Dr Adrianne Tossas for the President’s Award. In choosing recipients several things are considered, particularly their ability to adapt in challenging times and master their skills ultimately raising the bar of service in conservation. This year’s Founders’ Award recipient was Julissa Irizarry from Puerto Rico, for her outstanding paper entitled Evaluating avian biodiversity in Puerto Rico’s urban neighborhoods: A test of the “luxury effect”. And finally Russell Campbell received the Video Workshop Award for showing the most initiative in the field following the training session at the conference. Read all the details and award citations here.
Recipients of the BirdsCaribbean President’s Award: Ricardo López-Ortiz, Katsí R. Ramos-Álvarez, and Roseanne Medina from the Terrestrial Ecology Division of Puerto Rico’s Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
Elijah Sands accepts Lifetime Achievement Award from Executive Director Dr Lisa Sorenson on behalf of Emma Lewis.
Ex-President of the Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña, Inc. (SOPI), Gabriel Lugo, receives the BirdsCaribbean President’s Award on behalf of SOPI President, Laura Fidalgo, and Executive Director Emilio Font.
BirdsCaribbean President Dr Adrianne Tossas and Executive Director Dr Lisa Sorenson with BirdsCaribbean President’s Award recipient Tanya Martinez of the Terrestrial Ecology Division in Puerto Rico’s Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
Recipients of the BirdsCaribbean President’s Award, 2022, for their work in the conservation of the Puerto Rican Parrot and the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird.
Silent Auction
The Silent Auction is an important fundraising activity and always a fun event at BirdsCaribbean conferences. Among the many items donated by our members for auction this year was the once-in-a-lifetime experience to zipline with BirdsCaribbean Executive Director Dr Lisa Sorenson! It is worth mentioning that Lisa wasn’t even aware this item was up for bid until too late, but seized the moment and fulfilled her ziplining duties in great form for the birds!A huge thank you to our members who donated a record-breaking 600 items for auction this year, helping us to raise US$6,000! All proceeds from the auction support our ongoing conservation efforts and provide much-needed travel scholarships to help Caribbean wildlife students and professionals attend our meetings.
Dr Howard Nelson and Ellie Nelson consider which books they’d like to bid on. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Bidding at the Silent Auction. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Silent Auction organizer, Jennifer Wheeler, announces the start of the event with the traditional blowing of the conch shell. (Photo by Tahira Carter)
The excitement builds as the bidding comes to a close. (Photo by Adrianne Tossas)
Lisa finds out that she is the feature of a surprise auction item – a zipline experience! (Photo by Tahira Carter)
Tody Trot
This year’s 5k Fun Run, the Tody Trot, was named in honor of one of Puerto Rico’s most fascinating endemic bird species, the Puerto Rican Tody. 5k organizers, Maggie MacPherson and Justin Proctor, were excited to welcome 75 runners and walkers to the starting line. The course took participants along sandy beaches, beautiful ocean views, and even a castle, finishing in style on a rocky peninsula with waves crashing all around.
Tody Trot participants socialize after the race.
Tody Trot participants on the course.
Merchandise
This year, we partnered with award-winning biological illustrator, Arnaldo Toledo, and past president of Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña Inc. and Tour Operator for Wildside Nature Tours, Gabriel Lugo, to create a series of eye-catching designs! Arnaldo and Gabriel combined art, birds, and fashion to bring attention to Puerto Rico’s iconic bird species and the threats they face. The AOS-BC Conference collection included t-shirts, hats, buffs, stickers, and a poster that all featured the gorgeous illustrations of talented Cuban artist Arnaldo Toledo. These items and many others, such as local bird-friendly coffee and field guides from Puerto Rico and the West Indies, make great souvenirs from the conference and unique gifts for family and friends! Limited merchandise items from the conference are still available for purchase in Puerto Rico, please contact the Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña Inc. for more information (Gabriel Lugo and Emilio Font)
Endemic Birds of Puerto Rico T-shirt, AOS-BC Conference Merchandise.
Endemic Birds of Puerto Rico Hats, AOS-BC Conference Merchandise.
Tody Buff, AOS-BC Conference Merchandise.
Endemic Birds of Puerto Rico Poster, AOS-BC Conference Merchandise
Field Guides & Books on Puerto Rico and the West Indies by Dr Herbert Raffaele and Mark Oberle.
Endemic Birds of Puerto Rico Stickers, AOS-BC Conference Merchandise
Raffle
Fernando stylishly sells raffle tickets at the conference. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Thanks to our generous partners, we are hosting another amazing Raffle to support our ongoing conservation efforts. All proceeds directly impact scientific research and support programs and activities that build the capacity of Caribbean wildlife professionals — like our regional training workshops and conferences.The items offered this year are so good that we have two grand prizes — an original watercolor “Puerto Rican Tody” by award-winning Cuban Wildlife Artist and Illustrator, Arnaldo Toledo; and the Vortex Razor HD 8×42 Binocular, valued at US$1,279.99!
Other fabulous prizes include more stunning bird art — limited edition, high-quality giclee prints of Cuban endemic birds, signed and numbered by acclaimed Cuban artist and author, Nils Navarro.The grand prize drawing will take place on Saturday, 27 August 2022 so enter now for a chance to win! bit.ly/Raffle-2022 With each ticket purchase, you can help Caribbean nationals create better tomorrows for the birds and the communities that live alongside them.
Exploring Puerto Rico: Excursions and Endemics
We could not come to Puerto Rico, home to some of the region’s most stunning endemic birds, and not explore the beauty of our host island. Local hosts, Para La Naturaleza and SOPI ensured that conference attendees had the opportunity to discover as much of Puerto Rico’s rich flora and fauna as possible. Tours included visits to El Yunque National Forest in Río Grande, Medio Mundo y Daguao in Ceiba, the Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve in Fajardo, the Antiguo Acueducto del Río Piedras and the Parque Central de San Juan.
Acknowledgements
A huge thank you to everyone that helped make this conference a tremendous success! It was a pleasure to work with our co-host, the American Ornithological Society, and our local partners, Para la Naturaleza and Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña to organize the conference. We are very grateful to all the conference sponsors and donors, including the National Science Foundation, Dept of Natural Resources and Environment, Puerto Rico, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Windmar Home, Audubon, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Para la Naturaleza, Richard King Mellon Foundation, US Geological Survey, American Bird Conservancy, Vermont Center for Ecostudies, and the US Forest Service – we could not have held this conference without you! We are especially grateful to all those that provided funding and donated to help us provide travel scholarships to 40 Caribbean wildlife professionals and students, including those that participated and donated to our 2022 Global Big Day teams fundraising event in May. As you can see in the photos and videos, the conference provided an incredible opportunity for learning and networking. It also helped us to reconnect, recharge, and become newly inspired to continue our vital conservation work, after a long period of covid isolation. Thank you to all of you from the bottom of our hearts!!!
Gallery
Hover over each photo in the gallery to see the caption or click on a photo to view as a slide show.
Adrianne and Adolfo pose for a photo. (Photo by Adrianne Tossas)
Field Guides on display at the BirdsCaribbean merchandise table. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Dr Adrianne Tossas delivers remarks at the AOS-BC Conference opening ceremony. (Photo by Tahira Carter)
Dr Howard Nelson delivers Keynote Address. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Josh Pergola and Justin Proctor show off their new endemic birds of Puerto Rico t-shirt. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Zoya Buckmire at her poster. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
JC manages sales at the BirdsCaribbean Merchandise Table. (Photo by Tahira Carter)
Puerto Rican Woodpecker. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Photo frame fun with Lisa, Adrianne, Delores, Tahira and Ann.
Photo frame fun: Adrianne, Shanna, and Lisa.
Shoppers make their final bids at the Silent Auction jewelry table. (Photo by Tahira Carter)
All eyes on that vintage Society of Caribbean Ornithology T-shirt. (Photo by Adrianne Tossas)
Jordan, Tyrone, Zoya, and Lisa. (Photo by Tahira Carter)
Group Photo of the Caribbean and US Delegation.
Lisa and Jennifer send love to our Cuban colleagues (note the bracelet!). (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Laura Baboolal participates in the Tody Trot.
Lisa Sorenson, Herbert Raffaele, Ann Sutton, and Justin Proctor sending love to our Cuban colleagues.
Lisa and Justin smile for a photo after their zipline experience. (Photo by Daniel Serva)
Lisa and Justin spot a Puerto Rican Parrot on the way up. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Bird-friendly Coffee and a Puerto Rican Tody Mug – the perfect gift package! (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Adrianne and colleagues. (Photo by Adrianne Tossas)
Silent Auction offer to zipline with Lisa Sorenson. (Photo by Tahira Carter)
Tahira and Jennifer manage sales at the merchandise table. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Howie, Yvan, Lisa, Christopher and Ellie at the Closing ceremony after party.
Group photo with the AOS-BC Photo Frame. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Adrianna, Purnima and Lisa.
The Silent Auction jewelry table is busy with bidders! (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Tyrone, Ellie, Howie, Jordan, Lisa and Zoya. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson(
Dr Herbert Raffaele delivers Keynote Address. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Participants in the Landbird Monitoring Workshop engage in classroom sessions before going out into the field. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Justin helps out with sales at the merchandise table. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Photo frame fun: Christine Schmidt and Lauren Gates.
Participants in the Raptors of the Caribbean Workshop show off their bird of prey, a Secretary Bird, made from recycled materials. (Photo by Tahira Carter)
Branded BirdsCaribbean shirts on sale. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Recently constructed Motus Station. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Dr Herbert Raffaele delivers Keynote Address. (Photo by Christine Schmidt)
Participant group photo. (Photo by Tahira Carter)
Participants in the Landbird Monitoring Workshop pause to discuss what they’ve observed. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Tyrone, Jordan, Zoya at their posters. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Ingrid, Ivelisse and JC pose for the camera in our fun AOS-BC photo frame. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Puerto Rican Lizard-Cuckoo. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Caribbean women group photo.
Caribbean colleagues from our Endemic and Threatened Species Working Group discussion at AOS-BC 2022 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Lisa and Justin are ready to zip! (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Justin and Giselle show off the Puerto Rican Tody Buff. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Puerto Rican Emerald sits on a branch. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Browsing books at the Silent Auction. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Dr Herbert Raffaele delivers Keynote Address. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Dr Howard Nelson delivers Keynote Address. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Holly helps customers at the merchandise table. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Jose Colon stands next to his Silent Auction donation – a vintage Society of Caribbean Ornithology T-shirt. (Photo by Adrianne Tossas)
Meeting up with colleagues at the Opening Reception on the Terrace – Maya Wilson, Junel Blaise, Dodly Prosper, Howard Nelson (photo by Tahira Carter)
Lisa, Ivelisse, Farah, Shanna, and Ingrid at the Closing ceremony after party. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Justin Ziplining across the Convention Center courtyard. (Photo by Edward Hernández-Lara)
Environment of the Americas table. (Photo by Christine Schmidt)
View of the Convention Center that shows the zipline. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Yvan, Lisa and Christopher at the Closing ceremony after party.
Lisa, Emilio, Omar and JC take a selfie at the Para La Naturaleza welcome ceremony. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Ellie Devenish-Nelson and Howie Nelson chat with Chris Mulvaney at the Merch table.
Lisa is suited up and ready for her first-ever zipline experience! (Photo by Justin Proctor)
Lisa finds out about the surprise ziplining experience at the Silent Auction. (Photo by Tahira Carter)
Justin zooms by on the zipline. (Photo by Edward Hernández-Lara)
Delores, Josh, Justin, Adrianne and Lisa pause for a photo during conference prep. (Photo by Tahira Carter)
Lisa Sorenson, Mike Webster, Bruce Lyon, and Andre Dondt.
Safety first! Justin gets suited up for the zipline experience. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Caribbean men group photo.
Keynote Speaker Dr Howard P. Nelson addresses a packed ballroom at the AOS-BC Conference opening ceremony. (Photo by Tahira Carter)
Elijah Sands, from the Bahamas National Trust, reviews technical elements of video production at The Power of Video Workshop. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Alex Sansom presenting author of a talk by Jessica Cañizares on the Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) – what we have learned from the last 12 years. (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Dr Herbert Raffaele delivers Keynote Address. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Participants in the Landbird Monitoring Workshop, Puerto Rico, look for birds in the forest. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
JC and Joshel help Chris select an endemic birds of Puerto Rico hat. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Lisa Sorenson and team present their Ridgeway’s Hawk, “Enriquillo”. (Photo by Tahira Carter)
Ajhermae White poses for a photo in the conference photo frame. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Caribbean group jumping for joy! (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Lisa Sorenson, Maya Wilson, Lisa Kiziuk, and Holly Garrod.
Lisa and Dr Birdy at the airport. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Lisa Ziplining across the Convention Center courtyard. (Photo by Edward Hernández-Lara)
Jose Colon assists with sales at the BIrdsCaribbean merchandise table.
Group photo of Caribbean delegates at AOS-BC Conference 2022 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Dr Howard P. Nelson delivers Keynote Address. (Photo by Tahira Carter)
Keynote Speaker Dr Herbert Raffaele delivers address at AOS-BC Conference in Puerto Rico. (Photo by Christine Schmidt)
Carlos, Luis and JC take a selfie. (Photo by Juan Carlos Fernandez)
Natasha helps a customer at the BirdsCaribbean merch table. (Photo by Christine Schmidt)
Lisa takes a photo with students after the closing ceremony. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Handmade wooden and crochet birds, from Cuba and Venezuela respectively, are displayed at the merch table. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Volunteers pause for a photo at the BirdsCaribbean merchandise table. (Photo by Adrianne Tossas)
Shoppers browse items at the Para La Naturaleza table.
Lisa Ziplining across the Convention Center courtyard. (Photo by Edward Hernández-Lara)
Participant gets ready to head into the field, with a new friend. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Various items for sale at the BirdsCaribbean merchandise table. (Photo by Adrianne Tossas)
Adrianne and Lisa take a group photo with students.
Lisa introduces keynote speaker Dr Herbert Raffaele. (Photo by Christine Schmidt)
Adrianne, Ingrid and colleagues take a photo frame pic. (Photo by Adrianne Tossas)
Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña, Inc. (SOPI) table. (Photo by Christine Schmidt)
Photo frame fun: Adrianne, Ingrid, and Lisa.
Reunion of Caribbean colleagues at the Opening Reception of our AOS-BC Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico (27 June-1 July 2022).
Adrianne and colleagues take a group photo. (Photo by Adrianne Tossas)
Ingrid Flores Vallejo manages the DRNA & NOAA table. (Photo by Christine Schmidt)
Celebrate the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) with us! Our theme in 2022 is “Loving Birds is Human Nature”. Have fun learning about a new endemic bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.
Endemic Bird of the Day: Blue-headed Hummingbird
Arguably the most beautiful hummer in the Lesser Antilles region, the Blue-headed Hummingbird is not to be missed! If you find yourself in high elevations of rainforest to elfin woodlands on Dominica and Martinique, be sure to look out for this naturally bold bird. During the breeding season, you may be treated to a special sight as females will sit on their nests just inches away from people! This medium-sized hummer is ~9-11cm. Males are deep blue all over with some metallic green on their back and underparts, and a sparkling “gem blue” color on the head. Females are slightly shorter in length and resemble a bigger version of the Antillean Crested Hummingbird, with pale underparts, green head, more green on the back, and longer beak. She carries a white tip on her tail, which looks like a little lady wearing a skirt.
Polygynous in nature, the male will mate with several females but guards specific small groups of flowers for different females. He keeps busy trying to prevent other birds from coming to these flowers, though he is often unsuccessful. The male prefers a variety of flowers, which include Palicourea crocea, Psychotria urbaniana, and Rudgea citrifolia—all belonging to the coffee family (Rubiaceae). Males and females feed on the same flowers, but females are often seen at the fringe edges of forests, adjacent to citrus and coffee plantations, feeding.
From February to June, the female engages in nesting with no assistance from the male. On her own, she constructs an intricate cup nest with very fine plant fibers, which include fluff from silk cotton trees and the furry part of tree ferns. Spider webs are used on the inner part of the cup, which becomes elastic as the chicks grow. The outer part of the nest is walled with lichens, which creates a camouflage effect. This is useful given that she nests in very small trees that are at eye-level for most humans. Clutch size is two small off-white eggs.
The voice of the male Blue-headed Hummingbird is a strong click-click-click which sounds like snapping of the fingers. The female is somewhat softer and often drags the syllables especially when nesting.
The Blue-Headed Hummingbird is high on the list of birders who visit Dominica for birding. They are not globally threatened but are a restricted-range species occurring on just two islands. Their populations should be monitored carefully as they are highly vulnerable to and recover slowly from severe hurricanes which are increasing in the Caribbean with climate change.Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.
Colour in the Blue-headed Hummingbird
Download our West Indies Endemic Bird colouring page. Use the photos below as your guide, or you can look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your coloured-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #CEBFfromthenest
Listen to the calls of the Blue-headed Hummingbird
The calls of the Blue-headed Hummingbird include a metallic-sounding trill.
Puzzle of the Day
Click on the image below to do the puzzle. You can make the puzzle as easy or as hard as you like – for example, 6, 8, or 12 pieces for young children, all the way up to 1,024 pieces for those that are up for a challenge!
A Blue-headed Hummingbird on Dominica. (Photo by Gabriel Kornbluh -Macaulay Library- ML393651351)A female Blue-headed Hummingbird on her nest. (Photo by Paul Reillo)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: How much can you remember about the birds we have featured during the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival 2022? Test your memory of your newly gained knowledge of these wonderful birds with our 2022 Caribbean Endemic Bird Quiz! Today we have Part One of a two-part bird trivia quiz. Try to answer all the questions without checking back to our posts or looking up the answers online or in your bird guides! But just in case you do get stuck you or if you want to do some studying before you try the quiz you can read about all our featured endemic birds here or take a browse on ebird. Once you’ve finished the quiz you can click on the “View Score” link to see how many you got right and find out the correct answers! Note: the page might look blank when you finish, but if you scroll back up you should be able to find the link to “View Score”.
Now that you’ve completed our quiz – enjoy this short video of a Blue-headed Hummingbird in the wild!
We’re doing it again! Our generous partners have made it possible for us to host another amazing Raffle to support our ongoing conservation efforts. All proceeds will directly impact scientific research and support programs and activities that build the capacity of Caribbean wildlife professionals – like our regional training workshops and conferences.
With each ticket purchase, you can help Caribbean nationals create better tomorrows for the birds and the communities that live alongside them.
Now, you may be distracted by all the good you’re doing and forget about the stunning prizes you stand to win – but they are worth mentioning!
The Grand Prize is “Puerto Rican Tody”
“Puerto Rican Tody” painting by acclaimed Cuban Artist Arnaldo Toledo.
On the heels of our recently held international conference in Puerto Rico, our Grand Prize of the highly-desired “Puerto Rican Tody” painting is fitting. The Puerto Rican Tody is one of Puerto Rico’s beloved endemics. This flycatching insectivore is widespread and found in coastal lowlands well into the mountains. Male and female Puerto Rican Todies look similar with vibrant green above, a neat red chin and throat patch, a white malar streak, yellow breast sides, and yellowish flanks. Its local names include ‘San Pedrito’, ‘Medio peso’, and ‘Papagayo’.
“Puerto Rican Tody” is an original watercolor by Cuban Wildlife Artist and Illustrator, Arnaldo Toledo Sotolongo. It is part of a collection of original paintings by this artist that illustrates all 17 Puerto Rican endemic birds for the American Ornithology Society & BirdsCaribbean joint conference. This high quality scientific illustration is 27x 22.5 cm, done in watercolors on Stonehenge Aqua paper.
In a recent interview Arnaldo shared his process for creating this collection with us. “I carefully researched each species and made an extensive study of reference material. This was essential in order for me to render each individual in a way that shows the beauty and life of the bird, as well as precisely draw and paint its field marks and diagnostic details. The pose and attitude of each bird is drawn to set the flow and balance of the composition, while at the same time showing all the splendor of these Puerto Rico endemics.”
Our Second Grand Prize is the Vortex Razor HD 8X42 Binocular
Shhh, this year’s raffle is so good that we have two grand prizes! The Vortex Razor HD 8×42 Binocular, valued at US$1,279.99, is a premium-quality, award winning binocular packed with everything you need for field observation. It is rugged, waterproof, compact and lightweight (one of the lightest full-size binoculars on the market)! In addition, the binocular comes with Vortex’s incredible unlimited, unconditional life-time VIP Warranty!
Vortex Razor HD 8X42 Binocular front view.
Vortex Razor HD 8X42 Binocular side view.
Other Prizes
Lucky winners will also have the opportunity to take home giclee prints by acclaimed Cuban Wildlife Artist & Author, Nils Navarro. Celebrate the endemic birds of Cuba with prints of the famed Bee Hummingbird (the world’s smallest bird), the Cuban Trogon (national bird of Cuba), Cuban Parrot, and more. Winners have their choice of Cuban endemic bird prints on this page. These giclee prints are high-quality, limited edition – only 50 of each will be printed – and do justice to the gorgeous original artwork. Each piece is signed and numbered, measuring ~8.5″ by 11″. The artwork is from Nils’ incredible book, Endemic Birds of Cuba Field Guide.
Bee Hummingbird Giclée Print by Nils Navarro.
Cuban Parrot Giclée Print by Nils Navarro.
Cuban Trogon Giclée Print by Nils Navarro.
The drawing for the Raffle is on Saturday, August 27th, 2022. Proceeds from the raffle support our conservation programs and provide travel support for BirdsCaribbean delegates to attend our workshops and conferences. Purchase your tickets today!
or send a check made out to “BirdsCaribbean,” put “Raffle” in memo, and mail to: BirdsCaribbean 841 Worcester St. #130 Natick MA 01760
If you have any questions, contact Lisa Sorenson at Lisa.Sorenson@BirdsCaribbean.org. Remember to get your tickets by Friday, August 26th LATEST, and good luck!
Acknowledgements: Sincere thanks to our generous donors for providing awesome prizes for the Raffle: Arnaldo Toledo, Vortex Optics, and Nils Navarro.
It’s been a tough couple of years, we must admit, but a global pandemic was no match for the determination and grit of the BirdsCaribbean community. In the face of unprecedented challenges—stay at home orders, canceled flights and closed borders—we found a way to not only survive but thrive.
At our recently held international conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico – the first in nearly three years – we saw it fitting to celebrate those among us that soldiered on during these difficult times, ensuring that our beloved Caribbean birds were in safe hands. On the final night of the conference, at the prestigious closing ceremony, we had the honor to present awards to 12 exceptional individuals and groups that went above and beyond in their service to our shared cause of conservation and protection for Caribbean birds.
Read on to learn more about our 2022 BirdsCaribbean Award recipients.
President’s Award (4)
This year, eight particularly special individuals received the President’s Award, hand chosen by BirdsCaribbean’s current President, Dr Adrianne Tossas. These individuals, and the organizations they represent, stand out for their extraordinary work, raising the bar of service in conservation.
Recipients of the BirdsCaribbean President’s Award, 2022, for their work in the conservation of the Puerto Rican Parrot and the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird. Recipients are accompanied by BirdsCaribbean President Dr Adrianne Tossas (2nd from left) and Executive Director Dr Lisa Sorenson (far right).
The winners of the 2022 President’s Awards went to:
1. Marisel López-Flores, Project leader, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program, and Tanya Martínez, Terrestrial Ecology Division, Puerto Rico’s Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
BirdsCaribbean congratulates the Puerto Rican Parrot (PRP) Recovery Program and its collaborators for their skillful use of adaptive management combined with cooperation among partners to successfully increase the PRP population. A combination of managing relevant science, its cautious application, and re-adjustments when needed, has led to increased aviary production of parrots, followed by successful releases with increased survival and reproduction in the wild. Today, the wild PRP population stands at a record 200 birds in two populations on Puerto Rico despite a loss of ~108 wild parrots to Hurricanes Irma and María in 2017 (60% decline). The recovery program demonstrates success in increasing the PRP wild population, provides a model for other recovery programs, and bodes well for the successful recovery of the Puerto Rican Parrot. This multi-agency collaboration has also benefited from partnerships with the U.S.D.I. Geological Survey, U.S.D.A. Forest Service.
Recipient of the President’s Award: Tanya Martínez (Center), Terrestrial Ecology Division, Puerto Rico’s Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, with colleagues.
2. Laura Fidalgo, President, and Emilio Font, Executive Director, Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña, Inc. (SOPI).
BirdsCaribbean extends grateful appreciation to SOPI for their exceptional contributions to avian conservation through education, monitoring, and advocacy for birds in Puerto Rico. Since 1995 SOPI has been the leading organization dedicated to stimulating the appreciation and conservation advocacy for birds in Puerto Rico. SOPI’s long-standing contributions include the regular organization of bird identification and monitoring workshops, field trips, and public education efforts such as the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival, World Migratory Bird Day, World Shorebirds Day, and Global Big Day. SOPI also supports or sponsors various citizen science activities including participation in international shorebird surveys, wetland bird surveys, post-hurricane surveys, and Christmas Bird Counts. Results of its citizen science efforts have resulted in the publication of a guide to important bird areas of Puerto Rico and a Puerto Rico breeding bird atlas. In addition, SOPI’s online newsletter, Bien-te-Veo serves as a vehicle for education and ornithological communications on Puerto Rico and repository for the island’s bird observations.
Ex-President of the Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña, Inc. (SOPI), Gabriel Lugo, receives the BirdsCaribbean President’s Award on behalf of SOPI President, Laura Fidalgo, and Executive Director Emilio Font.
3. Ricardo López-Ortiz, Katsí R. Ramos-Álvarez, and Roseanne Medina, Terrestrial Ecology Division, Puerto Rico’s Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
The Yellow-shouldered Blackbird is endangered, largely a result of brood parasitism by the Shiny Cowbird. A recovery project has been conducted for over 30 years that includes providing nesting structures, monitoring breeding, monitoring population numbers, and reducing the effects of parasitism by trapping cowbirds and removing their eggs and chicks from blackbird nests. These measures have resulted in fewer parasitized blackbird nests, as shown in the decline of nest parasitism from 95% in the 1980’s to <3% at present, and the group monitors the development of 200 to 300 fledglings annually. Although recent changes in habitat present new threats, the group continues to manage for the long-term sustainability of the species.
Recipients of the BirdsCaribbean President’s Award: Roseanne Medina, Katsí R. Ramos-Álvarez, and Ricardo López-Ortiz.
4. Emma Lewis, BirdsCaribbean Secretary and Board Member, and Member and past Co-Chair of the BirdsCaribbean Media Working Group.
Emma is a London-born, Oxford graduate, who has been living in Kingston, Jamaica for 31 years. She is a writer, blogger, and social media activist with a passion for human rights, the environment, climate change, and issues affecting Small Island Developing States. She formerly worked as the Public Affairs Specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Kingston (16 years). Thanks to our Past President, Dr Leo Douglas, we first got to know Emma in Grenada where she attended her first BirdsCaribbean conference. Since then, she has been an active member of our Media Working Group, and joined our Board in 2020. Emma is a gifted writer who has helped us to tell stories about the work we are doing at BirdsCaribbean, including writing and editing countless blog articles and media releases and helping us with ideas for our outreach work. She is passionate about birds and biodiversity conservation and conveys that passion in her writing—her stories are inspiring and always a joy to read. We are forever grateful to Emma for her many contributions to our mission to educate and bring local people closer to birds and nature. We sorely wished that Emma was able to accept this award in person but this was not possible. We look forward to seeing you again soon, Emma!
Ricardo Miller accepts BirdsCaribbean President’s Award on behalf of Emma Lewis.
Lifetime Achievement Award (2)
These are the most prestigious awards, presented to remarkable individuals in the BirdsCaribbean family that have helped change the future for Caribbean birds and their habitats for the better through a lifetime of work and dedication. The 2022 Lifetime Achievement Awards went to Dr. John Faaborg, Emeritus Professor, University of Missouri and (2) Mr. Eric Carey, Executive Director, Bahamas National Trust.
John Faaborg, Emeritus Professor, University of Missouri
We are thrilled to present a Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. John Faaborg, Emeritus Professor, University of Missouri. The award is given to express our grateful appreciation for John’s leadership in developing the long-term monitoring of birds in the Guánica Dry Forest of Puerto Rico. This long-term avian monitoring program was initiated and sustained for many years by Dr. John Faaborg with assistance from Wayne Arendt and continued with collaboration from John’s students, most recently Judith Toms. It is the longest-running mist netting/banding program in the Caribbean (>45 yrs) and is the longest-running banding project of its type anywhere in the tropics. This consistent, long term mist-netting project has resulted in several important publications by Dr. Faaborg and his students, including documenting the decline in winter resident Nearctic-Neotropical migrant birds well before such declines were demonstrated elsewhere. Results have also shown the effects of droughts, hurricanes, and early winter rainfall on resident and migrant annual survival and recruitment. The team’s work was also the first to demonstrate the decline of the endemic Puerto Rican Vireo in the dry forest while also documenting the colonization of the dry forest by Shiny Cowbirds and Caribbean Elaneas. The publications from long-term monitoring in Guánica have repeatedly demonstrated the value of long-term monitoring of bird populations. We wish you were here to accept this award in person, John, but we look forward to seeing you at our next conference. Congratulations.
Lisa Sorenson and Adrianne Tossas read the citation for John Faaborg’s Lifetime Achievement Award. (photo by Holly Garrod)
2. Mr. Eric Carey, Executive Director, Bahamas National Trust (BNT)
We are delighted to honor Mr. Eric Carey with a Lifetime Achievement Award. During his fifteen-year tenure as Executive Director, Eric has overseen dynamic growth of the BNT, taking it from a small non-profit to an environmental powerhouse of thousands of dedicated members, staff, park wardens, and both a Bahamian and international community of donors. The BNT and BirdsCaribbean are exceptionally proud of the impact it has achieved with Eric at the helm. Focused on the Trust’s three strategic priorities – Parks, Science, and Education – Eric has led the development of a world-class National Park System, helped save iconic Bahamian species from extinction, and played a key role in transforming the conservation landscape in The Bahamas. On his watch and through the efforts of the BNT, important species such as sharks, sea turtles and the Nassau Grouper gained legislative protection. Eric leaves a powerful and proud legacy for the next generation of Bahamians and global citizens who will reap the benefits of The Bahamas’ world-renowned National Park System. Eric has been a long-time member of BirdsCaribbean and served as Vice President and President of the organization. He helped us to grow as an organization and has ensured that he and the BNT have stayed connected with BirdsCaribbean through collaborations on many exciting projects and programs. We congratulate Eric on his many achievements and thank him for his many years of dedication and service to the conservation community both in The Bahamas and the Caribbean region as a whole. We wish him well on his upcoming retirement and expect to see him at our conferences for years to come.
Elijah Sands accepts the BirdsCaribbean Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of Mr. Eric Carey, Bahamas National Trust.
Founders’ Award (1)
This award is presented to the student who presents the best paper in conservation or management research at the conference. All student presentations are judged by members of a Founders’ Award Committee, consisting of ~10 conference delegates and led by Dr. Howard Nelson.
This year’s Founders’ Award went to Julissa Irizarry from Puerto Rico, for her outstanding paper entitled Evaluating avian biodiversity in Puerto Rico’s urban neighborhoods: A test of the “luxury effect”.
Recipients of the AOS Student Paper Awards, including BirdsCaribbean’s Awardee, Julissa Irizarry.
Video Workshop Award (1)
Participants in this year’s The Power of Video Workshop were challenged to put theory into practice and submit their best video content captured throughout the conference. This award was presented to Russell Campbell, for showing the most initiative in the field following the training session.
Winner of the Power of Film Video Competition, Russell Campbell, and Elijah Sands, Workshop Facilitator.
Huge Congratulations to Marisel, Tanya, Laura, Emilio, Ricardo, Katsí, Roseanne, Emma, John, Eric, Julissa, and Russell!
Photo Gallery: Hover over each photo in the gallery to see the caption or click on a photo to view as a slide show.
Recipients of the BirdsCaribbean President’s Award, 2022, for their work in the conservation of the Puerto Rican Parrot and the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird.
BirdsCaribbean President Dr Adrianne Tossas and Executive Director Dr Lisa Sorenson with BirdsCaribbean President’s Award recipient Tanya Martinez of the Terrestrial Ecology Division in Puerto Rico’s Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
Recipient of the BirdsCaribbean President’s Award, Tanya Martinez.
Dr Howard Nelson opens the BirdsCaribbean Awards Segment of the Closing Ceremony.
Winner of the Power of Film Video Competition Russell Campbell and Elijah Sands, Workshop Facilitator.
Recipients of the BirdsCaribbean President’s Award, 2022, for their work in the conservation of the Puerto Rican Parrot and the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird.
Recipients of the BirdsCaribbean President’s Award: Ricardo López-Ortiz, Katsí R. Ramos-Álvarez, and Roseanne Medina from the Terrestrial Ecology Division of Puerto Rico’s Department of Natural and Environmental Resources for their contributions towards the success of the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird Project.
Recipients of the BirdsCaribbean President’s Award, 2022, for their work in the conservation of the Puerto Rican Parrot and the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird.
Recipients of the BirdsCaribbean President’s Award, Tanya Martinez and Roseanne Medina.
Ex-President of the Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña, Inc. (SOPI), Gabriel Lugo, receives the BirdsCaribbean President’s Award on behalf of SOPI President, Laura Fidalgo, and Executive Director Emilio Font in grateful appreciation for their exceptional contributions to avian conservation through education, monitoring, and advocacy for birds in Puerto Rico.
Recipients of the BirdsCaribbean President’s Award, Ricardo López Ortiz and Roseanne Medina.
BirdsCaribbean Executive Director presents President’s Award to Emma Lewis.
The core committee of the BirdsCaribbean Seabird Working Group (SWG) continues its series of webinars to help conservation practitioners across the Caribbean prepare for engagement in a 2023 regional seabird census.
The second webinar in the series, Basic Concepts in Seabird Monitoring and Census Design, will be held on Thursday, June 7 from 4–5PM EDT. Seabird biologists and conservationists Ann Sutton and Hannah Madden will review the key issues and considerations when heading to the field to survey seabirds.
The SWG webinars are designed to be interactive, with question and answer sessions at the end of each event. Participants have the opportunity to meet renowned seabird specialists and learn from their knowledge and experience.
Topics for the webinars include design, preparation, logistics, and protocols of seabird surveys; data management; and other needed skills for monitoring seabirds.
Do you have a suggestion for a topic we should cover? Let us know your ideas, the SWG welcomes your input! Contact: Juliana Coffey (juliana@grenadinesbirds.com) and Hannah Madden (hannah.madden@cnsi.nl).
As islands across the Caribbean began to ease restrictions on gatherings due to COVID-19, we were finally able to take a break from our screens and meet, in-person, with our friends and colleagues! At events across the region, we saw people of all ages coming together to celebrate birds – in cities, botanical gardens, and nature reserves. The events were part of the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF), organized by BirdsCaribbean. The festival highlights endemic birds—the ones found only in the region—and how to protect them.
This year’s festival theme was “Loving Birds is Human Nature.” Our Media Working Group wanted the theme to express our understanding that a close relationship with our environment is natural, and that the best version of ourselves appreciates and sustainably uses what nature provides for our survival. Birds in particular, with their beautiful colors and songs, bring us much joy and they provide us with so many ecosystem services and other benefits. Coordinators embraced the theme with many activities featuring birdwatching trips, tree planting, cleanups, and learning to know and love birds while also taking care of our environment. This year’s theme also inspired our first Short Story & Poetry Competition highlighting human experiences with birds from across the region.
Activities Across the Region (by island)
Antigua and Barbuda
In Antigua, the Environmental Awareness Group (EAG), hosted multiple events, including a bird-masquerade at the Salvation Army PreSchool, field trips; to McKinnon’s Salt Pond with Gospel Light Academy Elementary and Great Bird Island (an offshore island) with the Antigua State College, and a backyard bird identification training session. They ended the CEBF with much flare by hosting a members exclusive ‘Birding in the Barracks’ in collaboration with the Nelson’s Dockyard National Park – a World Heritage Site. You can check out their Instagram reels and relive the festivities. Members of the CEBF coordinating committee at the EAG also made appearances on local media outlets.
We must commend the EAG for making their festivities inclusive to all. They provided a step-by-step presentation on the methods to identify birds at the Antigua and Barbuda Association for Persons with Disabilities (ABAPD) garden. After this presentation, local birding expert Joseph Prosper took the group outside to identify the different types of birds that reside in the Belmont, St. John area.
Student of Gospel Light Academy checking out the Endemic Birds colouring book, Antigua. (Photo by the Environmental Awareness Group)
Identifying birds at-McKinnon’s Salt Pond, Antigua. (Photo by the Environmental Awareness Group)
Students of Gospel Light Academy with their copies of the Endemic Birds colouring book, Antigua. (Photo by the Environmental Awareness Group)
Cuba
In Cuba, Flora and Fauna Company Santiago de Cuba attracted over 70 participants, comprising adults, teenagers, and children to birdwatching trips, workshops, games, poetry, and art contests. Beyond the school outreach, the NGO reached a wider audience by appearing on several Cuban radio stations to speak about the CEBF and the illegal bird trafficking problem. The coordinators helped participants to examine their personal relationship with birds through group discussions. They were asked about the role of birds in local Cuban culture, what they thought about birds, their most recent experience with birds, a popular saying that has to do with birds, and to recall a movie or cartoon that involved a bird. This was done to help them to appreciate the close relationship between humans and birds, the environmental services birds provide, and, most importantly, to understand why birds should not be caged, hunted, or killed. Learn more about the escalating illegal bird trafficking problem in Cuba here.
Colleagues from the University of Havana and Cuban Zoological Society hosted a public outreach event in Havana providing; games, information about Cuban birds and opportunities to learn how to identify the birds around them.
Student builds a bird puzzle as part of the CEBF activities in Cuba. (Photo by Daniela Ventura)
Children learning about birds as part of the CEBF activities in Cuba. (Photo by Daniela Ventura)
Clean-up activity held as part of the CEBF festivities, Cuba.
Students learn about bird identification as part of outdoor CEBF activities in Cuba.
Students take a group photo holding their bird drawings during the CEBF festivities, Cuba.
A student shows off bird illustrations during the CEBF festivities, Cuba.
Haiti
Similar to Cuba, CEBF coordinators in Haiti visited both schools and churches to speak about the important roles birds have in maintaining a healthy environment and the uniqueness of the birds that can only be found in Haiti. The coordinators also reported that the people at the church listened attentively, asked questions, and requested for more information to be shared with them. While at the schools, the students who typically kill birds with traps pledged to not trap or kill birds.
Dominican Republic
In the nearby Dominican Republic, Simón Guerrero, took a more scientific approach. With the support of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, the Ministry of Environment, and Ministry of Defense, he was able to install nests for Hispaniolan Woodpeckers and Hispaniolan Parakeets. The Hispaniolan Parakeet is one of two endemic but threatened parrot species on the island and has a breeding population on the university campus, but not enough cavities. Across at the Ministry of Defense’s compound, firebush or hummingbird bush (Hamelia patens) – a plant whose flowers and fruits are very attractive to native, endemic, and some migratory birds – were planted.
We are also proud to share that Simón and his colleagues worked alongside the National Board for the Blind to give a talk about the endemic birds of Hispaniola to blind and sight impaired people, using recordings of birdsongs. This was followed by a walk in the National Botanical Garden, where playback was used to get the wild birds that live in the Garden to sing. This allowed participants to learn to identify the birds through song. Following this the participants created a WhatsApp group named “Cuidemos las Aves (Let’s take care of birds), and already have a birdwatching trip planned for the city of Santiago. Simón has also proposed to include birding among the activities of school curriculum for the blind (Patronato Nacional de Ciegos).
At the same botanical garden another NGO- Grupo Acción Ecológica organized a birdwatching tour of the grounds as well as a bird art exhibition using artwork created by high school students.
Students engage in a birdwatching activity in the Botanical Gardens, Dominican Republic. (Photo by Grupo Acción Ecológica)
Group photo at the Botanical Gardens, Dominican Republic. (Photo by Grupo Acción Ecológica)
Tree planting in the Botanical Gardens, Dominican Republic. (Photo by Grupo Acción Ecológica)
Cayman Islands
Cayman Birding – a local bird conservation group on the Cayman Islands, hosted a local kids art contest to highlight their endemic birds. The primary goal was to challenge the talented young artists to research and draw a bird that is only found on the Cayman Islands. They received 27 stunning entries in two age categories and the artwork was so amazing that two winners were chosen from each category instead of one. The judges shared that “Not only was the artwork beautiful but many of the pieces were very well thought out and we could see the research of each species executed perfectly into a work of art. We saw entries that depicted a range of habitats, threats to our endemic species, diet, facts and more!” You can view the winning entries in the photo gallery below.
Winning submission by Vera Rodriguez for the Kids Art Contest (8-12 years) titled “Living in the trunk of the tree.” (Image courtesy Cayman Birding)
Winning submission by Scarlett Evans for the Kids Art Contest (8-12 years) titled “Yellow Belly.” (Image courtesy Cayman Birding)
Special Mention Submission by Ethan Soto for the Kids Art Contest (8-12 years) titled “By the House.” (Image courtesy Cayman Birding)
Winning submission by Shristie Singh for the Kids Art Contest (under 7years) titled “Bananaquit at Carib Sands.” (Image courtesy Cayman Birding)
Winning submission by Aria Irons for the Kids Art Contest (under 7years) titled “Birds are Like Gems.” (Image courtesy Cayman Birding)
Jamaica
In Jamaica, the Caribbean Coastal Area Management (CCAM) Foundation took a hybrid approach providing both online and in-person presentations. They hosted five days of activities with participants from communities and schools within the Portland Bight Protected Area, as well as the youth group Positive Pathways. Students and teachers from Mitchell Town Primary and Infant, Watsonton Primary School, Alley Infant, Banks Basic School and Kemps Hill High School received an introductory presentation followed by birdwatching. Additionally the primary schools created different bird related arts and crafts whilst the high school participated in a bird jeopardy.
Social media accounts, particularly Instagram, were also buzzing. Numerous photographers on the different islands took the opportunity to showcase their incredible skills and the beauty of their one-of-a-kind birds. Use the hashtags #CEBF #endemicbirds #FromTheNest #LovingBirdsIsHumanNature to find these jaw-dropping photos.
Infants and primary school students create bird crafts as part of the 2022 CEBF activities, Jamaica. (Photo by Caribbean Coastal Area Management)
Students and teachers birdwatching from a bird hide in Jamaica. (Photo by Caribbean Coastal Area Management)
Presentation being given by Caribbean Coastal Area Management (CCAM) staff to secondary school students in Jamaica. (Photo by Caribbean Coastal Area Management)
Endemic Birds of the West Indies Coloring Book – Spanish Version
Our Spanish-speaking partners and supporters in the Caribbean, and worldwide, can now relax their minds and increase focus all while coloring and learning about the Caribbean’s fabulous endemic birds. The Spanish version of our Endemic Birds of the West Indies coloring book is now available for free download from our Resources page!
A Google order form will be available soon for NGOs and government agencies who wish to distribute hard copies, during bird and nature events, on their respective islands.
We are extremely grateful to Juan Carlos Fernández-Ordóñez (Fundación Científica ARA MACAO) and Maydiel Cañizares for translating the original English text by Mark Yokoyama (Les Fruits de Mer). Bird illustrations are by the talented naturalist, scientific illustrator and long-time partner of BirdsCaribbean – Christine Elder. You can catch Christine’s past CEBF ‘Learn to Sketch’ webinars on our YouTube channel.
We need your help to ship this book to the islands. If you would like to help,please click here. No donation is too small!!
Back and Front Covers of the Endemic Birds of the West Indies Colouring Book in Spanish.
Endemic Bird of the Day
Each day we featured an endemic bird on our website and across BirdsCaribbean’s socials. The list of endemic birds was carefully curated to include species that are masters of disguise, like the Puerto Rican Nightjar; species which keep birders’ ID skills in check, like the St Lucia Warbler; those that feature, prominently, in local folklore, like the Jamaican Owl; and some of the forest’s greatest singers, like the Cuban Bullfinch. You can find the complete list of birds here.
Each endemic bird profile was accompanied by a beautifully drawn image by Josmar Marquez of AveZona, 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; trivia quizzes (How Well Do You Know Caribbean Birds Pt. 1 and Pt. 2); outdoor games for the entire family, Bug Hunt and Hide and Squeak; and crafts (Upcycled Hummingbird Feeder and Tomato Cage Bird Bath).
https://youtu.be/lJDVtWxaBf8
Poetry and Short Story Contest
This year, we held a Poetry and Short Story Contest as a way to highlight the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival theme “Loving Bird is Human Nature” and to document the powerfully innate connection we have with birds. We received fantastic submissions from Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. All poems and short stories, including winning entries, are now stored in this e-book “Loving Birds Is Human Nature: An Anthology of Short Stories and Poems in English and Spanish”. We invite you to read the wonderfully expressive poems and short stories we received. We would love to see this anthology grow! Please contactinfo@birdscaribbean.org and Aliya.Hosein@birdscaribbean.org if you would like to contribute a poem or story, or both!
Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) 2023
Theme
This year’s CEBF is over – but don’t worry, we still have plenty of bird content for you to enjoy! Make sure you are following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and havejoined the BirdsCaribbean mailing list, to ensure you are kept up to date with our latest news via our monthly newsletter.
The Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival will return next April 2023 – but we need help coming up with a theme. We would love to hear your ideas for next year’s theme, which should allow us to highlight a critical problem that affects birds throughout the region. Please email your theme and a brief explanation (1-3 sentences) on why it should be the 2023 CEBF theme to CEBF@birdscaribbean.org, info@birdscaribbean.org and Aliya.Hosein@birdscaribbean.org
French version of Endemic Birds of the West Indies Coloring Book
Both the English and Spanish versions of our popular Endemic Birds of the West Indies Coloring Book are already available for free download from our Resources page. In 2023, we intend to share this valuable educational resource in French, but this can only be made possible with your help!
Your support ensures that our resources, which help both adults and children learn about and how to protect birds, remain free and accessible.
If you would like to contribute, please click here.
Volunteer couriers for materials
We need help distributing educational materials to our partners in the Caribbean for next year’s CEBF.
In addition to high shipping costs, it can be difficult to get the materials to individual islands on-time and in good condition. If you, or a close friend or relative, will be traveling between the US and the Caribbean during the months of December, January and February and have extra room in your suitcase, please get in touch with us; CEBF@birdscaribbean.org, info@birdscaribbean.org and Aliya.Hosein@birdscaribbean.org. Your support will help ensure that bird education remains accessible to all in the Caribbean.
Acknowledgements: Thank you to all of our partners and friends across the region for participating so enthusiastically and making this another memorable CEBF.
Gallery
Enjoy more photos from the CEBF 2022 below. Click the images to enlarge and see their captions.
Children play bird games as part of the CEBF activities in Cuba. (Photo by Daniela Ventura)
Students take a group photo holding their bird drawings during the CEBF festivities, Cuba.
Student bird poster on display at the Botanical Gardens, Dominican Republic. (Photo by Grupo Acción Ecológica)
Students play bird-themed games as part of outdoor CEBF activities in Cuba.
Students participate in CEBF festivities in Cuba. (Photo by Daniela Ventura)
Children learning about birds as part of the CEBF activities in Cuba.
Black-necked Stilts, Cuba.
Children learning about birds as part of the CEBF activities in Cuba.
Student drawing of a Cuban Parrot.
A student shows off bird illustrations during the CEBF festivities, Cuba.
Student drawing of birds in nature as part of the CEBF activities in Cuba.
Group photo of students during the CEBF festivities, Cuba.
Students look for birds at a beach during the CEBF festivities, Cuba.
Clean-up activity held as part of the CEBF festivities, Cuba.
Kids Art Contest Flyer, Cayman Islands. (Image courtesy Cayman Birding)
Puerto Rican Spindalis Sketch shared on Instagram. (Photo by Sarita Emmanuel)
CEBF bird count at Lagos de Ponce, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Carla Montalvo)
Pearly-eyed Thrasher spotted by Natalya and Jordan, Antigua. (Photo by Natalya Lawrence)
Lago de Ponce, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Carla Montalvo)
Holly Garrod, one of the BirdsCaribbean’s trainers at this year’s bird banding workshop in The Bahamas, describes some highlights of the event. Wildlife professionals and students from 7 Caribbean countries had the opportunity to get together in person for hands-on learning in the science and skill of banding birds.
Our first Caribbean Bird Banding Training Workshop took place in The Retreat Garden in Nassau, The Bahamas, from March 8-12, 2022. The workshop was part of our newly launched Caribbean Landbird Monitoring Project and was organized in collaboration with The Bahamas National Trust. Wildlife professionals from all skill levels arrived from across the region for non-stop learning on the many ways bird banding serves as a valuable tool for monitoring birds. Some participants came to the workshop having already banded thousands of birds, while others had never even held a wild bird before. Our skilled facilitators ensured, however, that everyone left learning something new about birds in the hand. In the perfect green oasis of The Retreat Garden, participants went directly from the field to the classroom to learn all about what it takes to band birds.
The group observes a bird banding demonstration. Workshop Facilitator, Claire Stuyck, bands a Cape May Warbler.
Bird banding is a complex field technique that involves catching birds passively (no lures or bait to attract them) by using thin nets set up throughout vegetation. Bird banders check the nets every half hour (much like fishing), untangle any birds and place them in small bird bags to help them keep calm. The bird bags are then carried to the banding table.
At the banding table, birds are given unique, numbered bands that identify each individual for the rest of their life. Banders then proceed to take a variety of measurements; they look at bird fat scores and reproductive characteristics, they measure different bird body parts like bill and wing length, and they open up the wing to look at molt patterns, which is used to help determine age. These differences between young and old feathers are called molt limits, and there’s still a lot we’re learning about molt patterns in Caribbean birds! After this short inconvenience, birds are safely released to go about their business. But how can catching and banding these birds help us to understand bird populations?
Examining the molt on a Caribbean Dove. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Measuring the bill length on a Caribbean Dove. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Weighing a Caribbean Dove. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Bird banding gives us the opportunity to learn first-hand how birds are doing. We can use molt patterns and plumage characteristics to age birds, allowing us to better understand demographic patterns. Older birds and younger birds may take different migratory routes or have access to different resources. Banding also gives us insights into the lives of birds.
Recoveries of bands have allowed us to understand just how long some of these birds live – some migratory warblers can live 10-11 years! Most importantly, birds are indicator species—their presence, absence, or abundance reflects environmental conditions. Using bird banding data, we can look at the health of birds using metrics like fat scores and weight, allowing us to better assess habitat quality, especially for breeding residents and migratory birds.
Red-legged Thrush is examined. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Bird banding data sheet. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Within the Caribbean, there are very few active banding operations. Through the Caribbean Bird Banding (CBB) Network, we are aiming to expand and unite banding programs in the region. Workshops like this one provide the opportunity to learn about this valuable monitoring tool and can contribute toward gaining the necessary experience to safely band birds.
A truly international collaboration
Workshop Facilitator, Juan Carlos Fernández Ordóñez, explains bird banding basics.
Our first CBB Training Workshop was truly an international affair! Participants came from 7 different countries/islands — Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Grenada, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, The Bahamas, and Venezuela. Trainers came from highly reputable organizations in the U.S. with stellar training programs, including Klamath Bird Observatory and the Institute for Bird Populations.
Following this workshop, we are very proud to announce that the CBB Network has our very own North American Banding Council (NABC) certified banding trainer, Juan Carlos Fernández Ordóñez! The NABC certification has three levels: assistant (qualified to assist a banding operation), bander (qualified to band independently), and trainer (qualified to train people how to band birds). This certification is a rigorous process where banders are tested on a full suite of bird banding knowledge. The NABC certification helps ensure that everyone banding birds upholds the highest quality bird banding technique—prioritizing people safety, bird safety, and ethical data collection. As part of our goals for the CBB Network, we hope to certify more Caribbean residents so that we can continue to build capacity in the Caribbean! Congratulations JC!
What are the next steps?
Workshop participant from Antigua and Barbuda, Shanna Challenger, checks the fat on a Bananaquit. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Everyone came away learning something from this workshop, whether it was a new molt pattern of a Caribbean resident bird or banding their very first bird. These workshops provide a great jump-start into the world of banding, but they always leave participants wanting more.
To quench their thirst for molt limits, we are facilitating bird banding internships to select participants that are able to migrate northwards for a bit. Participants will be spending time at long-standing, internationally renowned programs to continue honing their banding skills. They will need to pack their sweaters, as these programs include Long Point Bird Observatory and Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory in Canada, Klamath Bird Observatory in Oregon, Audubon Rockies in Wyoming, and the Willistown Conservation Trust in Pennsylvania. And once the winter really starts to hit, they’ll migrate back south to work with NABC certified trainers and practice banding birds on their home islands.
Then, get ready because we have another upcoming Bird Banding Workshop! We’ll be returning to the beautiful ecolodge of Rancho Baiguate in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic (the same place we held our Landbird Monitoring Training Workshop, if it sounds familiar) in early 2023.
We’re also getting ready to share our brand new bird banding database and Caribbean bird bands. Stay tuned!
Acknowledgments: Special thanks to our Workshop Facilitators John Alexander, Claire Stuyck, Holly Garrod, and Steve Albert. Huge thanks also to The Bahamas National Trust for their support in making this workshop a success.
Testimonials
Participants shared their thoughts on the workshop and how the practical knowledge shared will augment their conservation efforts.
Carlos Peña, Center of Investigation and Environmental Services, Holguín, Cuba
This workshop exceeded my expectations and allowed me to incorporate knowledge related to the techniques of the whole process of bird banding: set up of mist nets, safe extraction of birds from the nets, and biometric measurements.
One of the most valuable experiences was related to the learning of molt cycles and plumage sequences, this experience has encouraged me to get involved in their knowledge, to use it as another tool for the study of bird communities and particular species. The workshop has given me the opportunity to broaden my knowledge, it has encouraged me to improve it and to participate and contribute to bird banding.
Daniela Ventura del Puerto, Student at Havana University, Cuba
Muchas gracias a BirdsCaribbean and The BahamasNational Trust for organizing and hosting this fantastic workshop! I’m so happy and honored to be part of the Caribbean Banding Network with so many enthusiastic and well-prepared people! Looking forward to more enjoyable days in the field at the beautiful Retreat Garden in Nassau, more molt talks and fabulous discussions among participants. Can’t wait to see how this effort will translate into more knowledge and conservation actions of our Caribbean birds.
Scott Johnson, Environmental Officer at BRON Ltd, The Bahamas
Spent the week with BirdsCaribbean, The Bahamas National Trust, and an amazing group of people from across the Caribbean, learning about bird molts and proper bird banding etiquette. BirdsCaribbean continues to shape Caribbean bird conservation through stellar workshops, conferences, and materials to foster a greater appreciation for our bird fauna. Thanks to the BNT for hosting such an amazing event. Now to put what I learned to good use.
Shanna Challenger, Offshore Islands Conservation Program Coordinator, Environmental Awareness Group, Antigua and Barbuda
Just came back from BirdsCaribbean’s regional capacity-building workshop on bird banding and was able to use my new skills to rescue this sweet little Lesser Antillean Bullfinch who got stuck in our museum! I couldn’t resist checking his plumage for molt limits (my new obsession thanks to Workshop Facilitator Holly Garrod).
Gallery
Enjoy more photos from the Bird banding Workshop below. Click the images to enlarge and see their captions.
Workshop participant from Grenada, Zoya Buckmire, checks the fat on a Red-legged Thrush. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Thick-billed Vireo is observed in the hand. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Classroom session. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Participant Josmar Marquez in the process of examining and banding a bird. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Group photo after certificate ceremony.
Tools used to band birds. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Participant selfie at Bird Banding Workshop. (Photo by Scott Johnson)
Workshop participants Josmar Marquez, Adrianne Tossas, and JC-Fernandez Ordonez.
Red-legged Thrush is examined before being banded. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Mist net set-up activity with the group. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Looking for molt limits on a Caribbean Dove. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Red-legged Thrush is examined before being banded. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Workshop facilitators. From left to right: Claire Stuyck, John Alexander, Holly Garrod, and Steve Albert.
A juvenile Bananaquit is observed before banding. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Great news! Our online Conference Merch Store for the upcoming 2022 AOS-BC Ornithological Conference is now OPEN! Order all your #AOS_BC_22 merchandise online for pick-up in San Juan, Puerto Rico, 27 June to 1 July!
There is a great variety of items on sale, including conference t-shirts, hats, buffs, stickers, and a poster that all feature the gorgeous illustrations of talented Cuban artist Arnaldo Toledo. These make great souvenirs from the conference and your time in Puerto Rico that you will enjoy for years to come. We also have West Indies and Puerto Rico bird field guides on sale, and the authors of both books will be on hand to sign your copies!
These items and many others, such as local coffee, make unique gifts for your family and friends. Check out all the offerings at our e-shop bit.ly/AOS-BC-Merch22
Important: All merchandise items purchased on this site are to be collected during the conference in Puerto Rico. If you are unable to attend the conference, please make arrangements with a friend or colleague, who will be attending, to pick-up your item/s. We will also do our best to connect you with people from your area who will be in attendance at the conference – if you are interested in this option, please email Tahira Carter at tahira.carter@birdscaribbean.org or Lisa Sorenson lisa.sorenson@birdscaribbean.org. Please also note that you, or the person collecting your item/s on your behalf, must be registered for the conference. Walk-ins cannot be accommodated at the Puerto Rico Convention Center.
Conference hats feature 9 of Puerto Rico’s endemic birds in different hat colors!
Conference buff showcasing the beautiful Puerto Rican Tody!
Gorgeous poster of Puerto Rico’s 17 endemic birds.
100% bird-friendly, organic, coffee, grown with love in Puerto Rico.
Multiple field guides for sale, also birding apps and a 3-disk audio CD!
Stickers showcasing Puerto Rico’s 17 endemic birds.
All these items will also be available for purchase during the conference, however, quantities are limited, so be sure to shop early for the best selection and prices!
The AOS-BC conference will take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico from 27 June to 1 July, 2022. The theme is “On the Wings of Recovery: Resilience and Action.” Find out more about the conference on the website and register at this link: https://meeting.americanornithology.org All are welcome!
Acknowledgements: Big thanks to Gabriel Lugo and Wildside Birding for making this amazing artwork available for us to use for the conference!
Celebrate the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) with us! Our theme in 2022 is “Loving Birds is Human Nature”. Have fun learning about a new endemic bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.
Endemic Bird of the Day: Green-tailed Warbler
The Green-tailed Warbler has an understated beauty, without bright colors or a melodious song. This small, somewhat secretive, bird is an endemic species of the island of Hispaniola and can only be found on this island. Green-tailed warblers typically inhabit mature broadleaf forests, thickets and scrub in both wet and semi-dry areas. While mostly in the central mountain ranges in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti, they can also be found at any elevation from sea level to the highest peaks (although not much in pine forests) over most of the central part of the island.
Sightings of this bird have been reported from a wide range of habitats, such as desert-scrub close to the coast of Puerto Alejandro near Barahona; the Guaraguao trail in Cotubanamá National Park; and in the rain forest on the coast in the Los Haitises National Park. It is also a regular sight in places like Ebano Verde Nature Preserve in the Central Mountains, and its stronghold anywhere in the Sierra de Bahoruco.
The gray plumage of the body and head has a soft, silky appearance, and contrasts with the back and wings which are a fairly bright olive-green. The irises are red with a black pupil, and it has a notable split white eye-ring which takes the form of crescents above and below the eyes. The tail is fairly long for its 12 to 14 centimeter total length. The bill is gray and is slightly chunky. Its diet consists mainly of insects.
The Green-tailed Warbler’s scientific name, Microligea palustris alludes, first, to its voice: Micro means small, and Ligea means shrill or high pitched. This describes the sharp, squeaky notes this bird makes. The word palustris means swamp or wetland, which is not the best suited since this bird is not restricted to wet habitats.
Breeding occurs from May to June, in the mountains, and possibly earlier than May, in the lowlands. Nests are cup-shaped and clutch size is 2-4 pale green, spotted eggs.
This species was classified with the New World Wood Warblers for many years, but recent studies have confirmed that it is not closely related to that large group of birds.Rather, it is part of a small family on Hispaniola – including the two palm-tanager species and the White-winged Warbler, which it resembles somewhat and can be found within mixed-species feeding flocks.
While the White-winged Warbler is considered Vulnerable due to its more restricted range, the Green-tailed Warbler population is not considered to be threatened. The destruction of broad-leafed and midrange forests, mainly from uncontrolled logging and the clearing of forests for agriculture, however, still pose a threat to the continued well-being of this species in the wild.
Download our West Indies Endemic Bird colouring page. Use the photos below as your guide, or you can look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your coloured-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #CEBFfromthenest
Listen to the calls of the Green-tailed Warbler
The Green-tailed Warbler makes repeated sharp “tsip” calls.
Puzzle of the Day
Click on the image below to do the puzzle. You can make the puzzle as easy or as hard as you like – for example, 6, 8, or 12 pieces for young children, all the way up to 1,024 pieces for those that are up for a challenge!
Green-tailed Warbler in Parque Jaragua, Dominican Republic. (Photo by Dax Roman)Green-tailed Warbler. (Photo by Dax Roman)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS: Get out your colouring pencils, pens, or paints and get ready to be creative with our “My Caribbean Bird” art activity! Choose your favourite endemic Caribbean bird and draw or paint its portrait.
You can download our colourful frame and get started. Not sure which bird you want to draw? want to check where your bird lives? or what its call is? Check back to all our featured Caribbean endemic birds here. OR let you imagination run wild and create your very own imaginary endemic bird using other endemic Caribbean birds as your inspiration!
Have fun making up a name for your ‘new’ Caribbean endemic bird! Where do you think your imaginary bird might live? And what sound does it make?
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy this video of a Green-tailed Warbler the wild!
Celebrate the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) with us! Our theme in 2022 is “Loving Birds is Human Nature”. Have fun learning about a new endemic bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.
Endemic Bird of the Day: Jamaican Woodpecker
In Jamaica, most early mornings boast the iconic soundtrack of the Jamaican Woodpecker at work – boring holes in dead trees or light poles.
Endemic to Jamaica, this bird can be found throughout the island, from the coast to the highest point, 2256m in the Blue Mountains. They are also tolerant to human disturbance, often found in gardens in more urban areas, such as the capital Kingston.
The Jamaican Woodpecker has a red hind neck, white face, and pale underparts with a yellow wash, upperparts and wings are generally black and densely streaked with white and the tail is blackish. Males and females can be easily identified by their forecrown. Males sport a striking red forecrown, while females have a brownish-olive forecrown. Size ranges from 24 to 26 cm. Jamaican Woodpeckers tend to travel alone, but are also observed in pairs or small groups. Their main diet consists of insects on the surface of trees or fruits. They are often seen feeding on the Ackee (Blighia sapida), the national fruit of Jamaica, and commonly also foraging in epiphytes for insects.
Breeding typically occurs from December to August, sometimes in other months. Nests are excavated at ~5–15 m in the trunk or branch of a dead tree or in a utility pole. Clutch size is usually 3–5 white eggs, laid at daily intervals. Incubation is performed by both sexes.
Jamaican Woodpeckers are very loud and vocal, making an auditory detection perhaps more frequent than a sighting. The main call is rolling churp churp churp, however, one call given frequently is very similar to the crok! of a Black-crowned Night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax).
Download our West Indies Endemic Bird colouring page. Use the photos below as your guide, or you can look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your coloured-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #CEBFfromthenest
Listen to the calls of the Jamaican Woodpecker
The calls of the Jamaican Woodpecker emphatic, slightly rasping “urp“
Puzzle of the Day
Click on the image below to do the puzzle. You can make the puzzle as easy or as hard as you like – for example, 6, 8, or 12 pieces for young children, all the way up to 1,024 pieces for those that are up for a challenge!
Male Jamaican Woodpecker. (Photo by Tim Avery- Macaulay Library- ML87028941)Female Jamaican Woodpecker. (Photo by Larry Therrien)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS: We hope that you have enjoyed learning all about our Caribbean endemic birds! Sadly some of the birds we have featured are endangered and many others are under pressure, often from human activities. This means our special endemic birds and many of the other beautiful birds that live in or visit us in the Caribbean need your help. Even simple things like picking up litter or being sure never to disturb birds when they are feeding, resting and nesting can make a difference.
You can download and print our pledge to help birds. Then sign your name and get started helping our birds by following some of the simple actions listed in the pledge. You can also colour in the picture on the pledge and perhaps hang it up somewhere at home to remind you and others of how you can help birds.
You can look at all the Caribbean endemic birds we have featured so far, from all our Caribbean Endemic Bird Festivals here.
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy this video of a Jamaican Woodpecker the wild!
Celebrate the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) with us! Our theme in 2022 is “Loving Birds is Human Nature”. Have fun learning about a new endemic bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.
Endemic Bird of the Day: Yellow-shouldered Blackbird
If you find yourself birding near the coasts of Puerto Rico, you may be lucky enough to witness the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird (Agelaius xanthomus) showing off its golden epaulets on the base of its wings. The yellow feathers that give it its name contrast beautifully with the shiny dark plumage that covers the rest of its body and boldly announces its rank as the “capitán” (Spanish for “captain” and one of its common names in Puerto Rico) of Puerto Rican birds.
Their size ranges from 20 to 23cm with males usually slightly larger than females. However, both sexes are identical when it comes to plumage. Their common call consists of a short “check” or nasal “chwip,” usually performed while perched on a branch and flicking their tail. Although considered by some as mostly insectivorous (feeding mainly on insects), Yellow-shouldered Blackbirds have a diverse diet that includes mollusks, fruits, seeds, nectar, animal feed, and processed food such as granulated sugar.
At the end of the 19th century, the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird was found throughout the entire archipelago of Puerto Rico. However, it is currently classified as Endangered, its decline due to loss of habitat and brood parasitism by the invasive Shiny Cowbird. Introduced predators like rats and the Indian Mongoose have also had a serious impact on the blackbird’s population size. Currently, due to all these threats, the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird can only be found on coastal habitats scattered throughout the main island of Puerto Rico and Mona Island. The largest population resides in southwestern Puerto Rico with approximately 500 individuals.
The Yellow-shouldered Blackbird’s breeding season typically occurs between the months of March and September but can stretch through November in rainy years. They make a nest in the form of a cup where the female lays between 2 to 5 speckled, light-blue eggs. Nests are commonly built on branches of mangroves or cavities of dead trees. However, they may also place their nests on palm leaves, coastal cliffs, and manmade structures. In southwestern Puerto Rico, to help conserve the species, biologists have been experimenting with providing Yellow-shouldered Blackbirds with PVC structures in which to place their nest. It was hoped that these structures would reduce the risk of predation by mammals and simplify the monitoring and control of brood parasitism. These have been highly successful at helping increase this species’ reproductive success. Nevertheless, multiple studies are being conducted to determine how these could be modified to further increase the reproductive success of this unique species.Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.
Colour in the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird
Download our West Indies Endemic Bird colouring page. Use the photos below as your guide, or you can look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your coloured-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #CEBFfromthenest
Listen to the calls of the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird
The calls of the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird include a sharp “chulp” sound.
Puzzle of the Day
Click on the image below to do the puzzle. You can make the puzzle as easy or as hard as you like – for example, 6, 8, or 12 pieces for young children, all the way up to 1,024 pieces for those that are up for a challenge!
Yellow-shouldered Blackbird. These almost entirely black birds can look a bit like Shiny Cowbirds when their yellow wing-patches are hidden! Remember that Shiny Cowbirds have glossier plumage and shorter, thicker bills. (Photo by Beny Diaz)Yellow-shouldered Blackbird in flight where you can clearly see the distinctive yellow wing patches which give this bird its name. (Photo by Mike Morel)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS: Todays featured endemic bird, the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird, builds its nests in on branches of isolated mangroves, in crevices or hollows of dead trees, and sometimes in palm trees. The females build the nest using dried grass, twigs and leaves, making the perfect place in which to lay their eggs and raise their chicks. You could give the birds nesting near your house or in your garden a helping hand with making their perfect nest, with our nest-material activity.
With an adult helping you can gather twigs, grasses and other safe things birds like to use for their nests from around your home and garden. Put out these materials, and see who arrives to make use of them! You can download full instructions here.
Be sure to follow our suggestions for nest materials, these have been selected especially to be suitable for bird nests, some things might be dangerous for birds and their chicks if they put them in their nests. You can keep note of who visits and which things they choose to include in their nests – do some birds have a favourite type of nest material?
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Watch this report from Puerto Rico below about how using man-made nest boxes can help Yellow-shouldered Blackbirds!In this video you can find out about the PVC “drainpipe” like structure that biologists are providing for Yellow-shouldered Blackbirds to nest in. These nest boxes have be very successful in boosting the numbers of Yellow-shoulder Blackbird chicks that fledge! They also make it easier for biologists to monitor Blackbird nests and chicks. For example, via the David S. Lee Fund for the Conservation of Caribbean Birds, BirdsCaribbean are funding Jean Gonzalez Crespo track Blackbird chicks after they fledge from the nest and estimate their survival during this critical period. His work will help local and federal agencies determine whether survival rates before breeding are contributing to population declines, and identify the factors that influence survival.
You can also enjoy this video of a Yellow-shouldered Blackbird the wild!
Celebrate the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) with us! Our theme in 2022 is “Loving Birds is Human Nature”. Have fun learning about a new endemic bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.
Endemic Bird of the Day: Cuban Black Hawk
If you’re lucky enough to visit the beautifully preserved wetlands of the Cuban archipelago, you may be surprised by the call of a large, dark bird of prey that seems to say “Ba-tis-ta.” This call explains why the Cuban Black Hawk is known locally as “Gavilán Batista,” although for English speakers it seems to say “uiit-uiit-uiu.” Although the Cuban Black Hawks is a bird of prey, it is possibly the tamest wild bird in Cuba. If you wait for it to perch, you can approach and observe it – sometimes as close as five meters away – an opportunity rarely offered by birds of prey, which are generally very elusive.
The Cuban Black Hawk ranges between ~43 to 52 cm in length (17-20.4 inches) and weighs ~650 g (22.5 oz). It has broad wings with white patches below and a short and wide tail with a very visible white band. Bill, legs, and feet are orange-yellow to yellow. Juveniles are mostly brown above and pale streaked below. This raptor, endemic to Cuba, prefers to live in wetlands such as mangroves, coastal lagoons, beaches, estuaries and swamps.
It breeds from January to July and both sexes build a cup-shaped nest with sticks and leaves, usually from mangroves, at a height of ~3 to 8m. It lays one to two grayish-white eggs with a bluish-green tint and some dark or reddish-brown blotches. It feeds on crabs, centipedes, lizards, rats, and is even known to hunt some birds.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature considers it Near Threatened. However, in Cuba the bird is considered Threatened due to a 75% reduction in its original distribution range and, above all, because its habitats are threatened by tourism development and the rise in sea level caused by climate change.Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.
Colour in the Cuban Black Hawk
Download our West Indies Endemic Bird colouring page. Use the photos below as your guide, or you can look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your coloured-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #CEBFfromthenest
Listen to the calls of the Cuban Black Hawk
The calls of the Cuban Black Hawk are a loud, high-pitched, thin “weet-WEET-whew”
Puzzle of the Day
Click on the image below to do the puzzle. You can make the puzzle as easy or as hard as you like – for example, 6, 8, or 12 pieces for young children, all the way up to 1,024 pieces for those that are up for a challenge!
A Cuban Black Hawk calling- listen out for the squeaky “weet-WEET-whew” or the harsh scream they sometimes make. (Photo by David Ascanio).
An adult Cuban Black Hawk in flight. You can see the white patches below on the wing and the clear white band on it’s short, wide tail . (Photo by Rafy Rodrigues)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS: The Cuban Black Hawk is in a group of birds often known as birds of prey or “raptors”. They feed by catching other animals, often using their strong and powerful feet which have sharp talons. In fact, the word “raptor” means “to seize” or “grasp” in Latin! Can you Match the Feet to the correct Raptor in our fun activity? Look at the size and shape of the talons and think about what types of things each bird eats to help you pick the right answers
Once you think you have matched them up you can check your answers here. When you’ve checked your answers you can also learn a bit more about who each bird pictured in this activity is and what their favourite foods are.
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy this video of a Cuban Black Hawk in the wild!
Jen Valiulis, Executive Director, St. Croix Environmental Association (SEA) shares her recent experience hosting a BirdSleuth Caribbean Workshop in St Croix, US Virgin Islands, April 5 & 6, 2022. Follow along for a vicarious experience of the workshop, and see what the educators discovered and how they are putting what they learned to use!
Through workshops at BirdsCaribbean conferences, I had learned some BirdSleuth activities already and several of them have become staples in my Environmental Education Toolkit. Bird Bingo and the Habitat Scavenger Hunt are always favorites! I was excited to go through the full training, and even better, to be able to offer it to other educators on the island. As we transition back to in-person learning, but still have to deal with periodic COVID outbreaks, having so many activities that can be done outdoors is especially valuable to teachers. A dozen educators spent two days exploring the BirdSleuth Caribbean curriculum and re-envisioning their island as a birding hotspot.
Finding birds in a nearby forest. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Day One: Back to School!
Training aptly began on the 34-acre campus of the Good Hope Country Day School in Kingshill – a pleasant and spacious setting for some birding. We started with some Birding 101. We learned how to use binoculars and how to become more comfortable and confident as birders. Some participants soon realized that they knew more about birds than they thought; they were able to identify a surprising number of common species.
Lisa shares tips for using binoculars and finding birds with teachers. (Photo by Jennifer Fee)
Participants were introduced to bird basics and fantastic tools that could be used to identify and collect data on birds, such as eBird and Merlin. These are critical tools in the hands of “citizen scientists” and for crowd-sourced research. Whether you are an individual, in a classroom, or a community member, this can have impact well beyond a single activity or learning. The BirdSleuth Caribbean curriculum was unveiled as the training team used it directly with participants in lessons such as “What makes a bird a bird?” Teaching teams tried out the lesson plans and hands-on activities themselves – and had a great deal of fun becoming “students” for a while!
In the afternoon, participants went outside and practiced using their binoculars and identifying birds with the Bird Detective game – laminated birds hidden in the forest! “Sound Map” and “Tall to Tiny,” showed teachers how they could help students build their observation skills by being quiet and focusing on the sites and sounds around them.
Recording birds in the nearby forest. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Finding and identifying birds in the school grounds forest. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Finding and identifying birds on school grounds. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Finally, using senses other than the sense of sight, participants tried to identify the birds in their surroundings. This activity revealed several warblers singing in the canopy. The group also experienced the unique challenge and excitement of identifying warblers that just wouldn’t sit still! Our patience and teamwork paid off, however, and we identified themas a Northern Parula (uncommon on St. Croix) and an American Redstart. It was a satisfying end to the day!
Day Two: BirdSleuth Trainees At Large
On the second day we ventured out in the field, starting bright and early with a visit to the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge. We all worked to hone our birding skills at the newly constructed bird blind (a structure that lets you watch birds without being seen) along the shores of the largest salt pond in the territory. Peering through the slots with binoculars raised, we identified a large flock of Black-bellied Plovers, Royal Terns, and Black-necked Stilts – a crowd favorite. Black-whiskered Vireos singing their monotonous song “sweet-john-chewit, sweet-john,” and Yellow Warblers singing “sweet-sweet-sweet-sweeter-than-sweet” were also identified and viewed. We then moved on to check out the avifauna on the beach, and test out some of the BirdSleuth activities, including Bird Bingo.
Participants identify waterbirds at Sandy Point bird blind. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Our next stop was the St. George Village Botanical Garden. This was a dramatic change of scenery and an opportunity to not only enjoy the resident birds but also many unusual and important plants that provide habitat for biodiversity. The Green-throated Carib and Antillean Crested Hummingbirds were the highlight at this stop.
Observation deck at Fredensborg Pond, Buddhoe Farms. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Our field day ended at Buddhoe Farms, an organic farm and the site of one of the largest freshwater ponds on the island—Fredensborg Pond, an ideal spot to test out all that we had learned over the last two days. We put our birding skills to work and identified the diversity of birds at the pond. This included Blue-winged Teal, White-cheeked Pintails, Pied-bill Grebes, Scaly-naped Pigeons, White-winged Doves, Common Gallinule, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Cattle Egret, Red-tailed Hawk, Gray Kingbird, Barn Swallow and Bananaquits. Working together to register our sightings on the all-important eBird list, we fledgling citizenscientists capped it off with a round of the Bird Migration game, where birds (us humans!) tried to navigate the many challenging “obstacles” to arrive safely at their breeding grounds. It was great fun and a good cardio workout too!
Participants engage in the “Migration Obstacle Course” where they gain a deeper understanding of the daily challenges birds face during migration – such as collisions with glass buildings and the dangers of power lines, hunters, and hurricanes.
Bonus Day! Caribbean Waterbird Census Training
It was “BirdSleuth Plus”!
On the day following the BirdSleuth workshop, BirdsCaribbean Executive Director, Dr. Lisa Sorenson, led a one-day training on the Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC). Practitioners from many agencies and organizations from all three of the major islands in the Virgin Islands improved their birding competencies through field observations and focused presentations on some of the more challenging species (those confusing sandpipers, for example!).
Classroom learning on the Caribbean Waterbird Census. (Photo by Jen Valiulis)
Birding for the Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC). (Photo by Jen Valuilis)
This rare opportunity to bring together so many conservation professionals to focus specifically on birds sparked important conversations about conservation practices and concerns. We wanted to keep the conversation going, and maintain our excitement about birds after the workshop, so we created a Whatsapp Birders group! Here, we share our observations, identification questions, and anything else bird-related across the territory. So far, it has been exciting to share and comment on what everyone is seeing. The highlight for me, thus far, has been the observations of the pelagic birds that some members of our group see when they go fishing.
The importance of the CWC was emphasized by challenges we had in finding wetland sites for our workshop. A multi-year severe drought coupled with hurricane damage to wetland sites have meant that some of the local hotspots have been so altered that birds are few and far between. For example, Great Pond, formerly the best site for waterbirds on the island, and home of Hope” the Whimbrel for many years, has dried up due to drought and other issues and most of the mangroves are, sadly, now dead. CWC surveys have documented the decline in diversity and overall numbers at these sites and this data will be used to inform upcoming wetland restoration projects.
We need to reclaim our wetlands, for the birds!
BirdSleuth Springs Into Action!
BirdSleuth is not about sitting still. Since the workshop in April, we hit the ground running by engaging well over a hundred students in BirdSleuth activities. Students at the Claude O. Markoe school in Frederiksted were especially excited when they found an active nest in a tree on campus and promised to watch it for any developments. A sixth-grade teacher who attended the BirdSleuth training was inspired. She has used the activities to nurture a new-found enthusiasm for birds amongst her students, getting her class involved in creating a guide to the common birds on the school campus.
Jennifer Fee introduces the BirdSleuth Caribbean curriculum. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Many other educators have approached us about offering further training, so we are working to make that happen! We are on a BirdSleuth mission!
In the meantime, the BirdSleuth Caribbean curriculum and supporting materials are available for free download in English, Spanish and French. Click here to download.
Acknowledgements: This workshop was funded by a grant from the VI Department of Planning and Natural Resources to Horsley Witten Group. Many thanks to the Company House Hotel for providing discounted accommodations, the Good Hope Country Day School for providing the venue for the BirdSleuth training, the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge for providing the venue for the CWC training, Buddhoe Farms for welcoming us to their property for birding, Brian Daley for logistical support, Workshop facilitators, Lisa Sorenson (BirdsCaribbean) and Jennifer Fee (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), and Lisa Yntema for assisting with the CWC training.
Testimonials
Participants shared their thoughts on the training and how the practical knowledge shared can be implemented in their respective classrooms.
Olivia Walton, Education Coordinator, St. Croix Environmental Association (SEA)
“I really enjoyed the BirdSleuth training. It gave me a chance to connect with a lot of local like-minded experts and opened up opportunities for collaboration. The flow of the activities and the type of activities created a great sense of bonding between all of the educators and this made it easier to form those connections. I really think that we will stay connected after this, which really has been a great opportunity.”
Maranda Wood, Secondary Science Teacher, Good Hope Country Day School, US Virgin Islands
“I really enjoyed the BirdSleuth activities because my school has 3 year olds all the way to 12th grade students, so my mind is going crazy with the number of things I can incorporate and share with my fellow teachers. The kids are going to love it! This training has been so wonderful and I can’t wait to share the plethora of knowledge that I learned.”
Ky Reale-Munroe, Environmental Scientist
“I attended the BirdSleuth training to learn more about birds and it was awesome, especially the hands-on activities. This training was definitely memorable and very useful, thank you!”
Jane Coles, Middle-school Science Teacher, Good Hope Country Day School, US Virgin Islands
“I am going to use the BirdSleuth Curriculum with my middle school students and I’m going to help them to carry the program to the other students on our campus.”
Jahnyah Brooks, Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife
“Following this workshop, I feel very empowered to go out and identify birds. I understand the steps it takes and the scientific way of going out and doing it. I work with arthropods and I went through a similar process – from the microscope to the field and seeing the different species. It really does all come together. I think this workshop does empower local scientists like myself and everyday citizens who may not be as comfortable in the wild. It gives us a really strong foundation to actually go out and identify these birds.”
Haley Jackson, St. Croix Sea Turtle Project
“This workshop was very informative. The different activities are applicable not only to birding, but can also be updated and used for many other species and habitats. I thought the training was really awesome. We learned a lot of really great tools and ideas on how best to get kids engaged with the environment.”
Gallery
Enjoy more photos from the BirdSleuth training below. Click the images to enlarge and see their captions.
Participants getting ready for our point count at Fredensborg Pond, Buddhoe Farms. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Group photo, BirdSleuth Caribbean training in St Croix, US Virgin Islands.
Staff members of the St. Croix Environmental Association (SEA) and BirdSleuth trainers. L to R- Jennifer Fee, Jen Valiulis, Jade Algarin, Olivia Walton, Lisa Sorenson
Team 1 leading a lesson on habitat characteristics. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
National Park Service staff practice using binoculars. (Photo by Jen Valiulis)
Jen Valiulus shares insights on shorebird ID at the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge bird blind. Note-the shorebird poster is available for free download on our website.(Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Jennifer Fee leads a discussion on the benefits of spending time outdoors. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Zenaida Dove perched in a tree at the Botanical Gardens, St. Croix. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Finding birds in a nearby forest. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Teachers create their bird journals. (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Spotting birds at Sandy Point, St. Croix. (Photo Lisa Sorenson)
Participants try out the ‘Tall to Tiny’ BirdSleuth Activity. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Magnificent Frigatebird flying in to Fredensborg Pond, Buddhoe Farms. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
A large tree covered in epiphytes seen at the Botanical Gardens in St. Croix. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Claudia shares her bird journal art of a Magnificent Frigatebird. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Observing biodiversity close-up at the Botanical Gardens. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Bird blind sign on the road at Sandy Point, National Wildlife Refuge, St. Croix. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Participants engaged in the ‘Sound Map’ BirdSleuth Activity. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Lisa getting birds ready for the Bird Detective game. (Photo by Jennifer Fee)
Celebrate the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) with us! Our theme in 2022 is “Loving Birds is Human Nature”. Have fun learning about a new endemic bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.
Endemic Bird of the Day: Thick-billed Vireo
The raspy, hoarse call “zzhhe” of the Thick-billed Vireo (Vireo crassirostris) can be heard echoing throughout the coppice and pine forests of the Greater Antilles. The song is also unmistakable—a bubbly, scratchy, jumbled “chick, didderwid-weee-zhee, chip” repeated over and over.
The distribution of the Thick-billed Vireo is limited to specific islands in the Caribbean basin: The Bahamian Archipelago (where they can be found on all islands); Turks and Caicos Islands (found only on the Caicos islands); the Cayman Islands (Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac); Tortuga Island (Haiti); Cuba; and can be a vagrant/accidental to Florida.
The Thick-billed Vireo can be identified by two white wing bars, yellow spectacles, grayish bill, and underparts varying from dull olive to yellow. This species can be distinguished from the similar migratory White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) as the White-eyed Vireo’s throat and breast color are dull gray, flanks are yellowish, and the silvery-white iris that the Thick-billed Vireo lacks.
These energetic birds are typically found in dense scrubby habitats, as well as mixed pine forests with second-growth understory. They mainly eat insects, gleaning them from leaves and branches. They also eat some fruits such as Gum Elemi (Bursera simaruba).
Thick-billed Vireo nests are primarily made of leaves and grass, although small twigs and spider webs can also be utilized. Nests are typically cup-shaped and positioned in the forks or crooks of trees and bushes. Females usually lay 2-3 eggs and incubation is shared between both the male and female.
Download our West Indies Endemic Bird colouring page. Use the photos below as your guide, or you can look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your coloured-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #CEBFfromthenest
Listen to the song of the Thick-billed Vireo
The song of the Thick-billed Vireo consists scratchy jumbled variations of “chick, didderwid-weee-zhee, chip”
Puzzle of the Day
Click on the image below to do the puzzle. You can make the puzzle as easy or as hard as you like – for example, 6, 8, or 12 pieces for young children, all the way up to 1,024 pieces for those that are up for a challenge!
Thick-billed Vireos can be found in scrubland, thickets, and brushy forest edges where they will look for food within dense cover. (Photo by Chris Johnson)
Thick-billed Vireo, on the Bahamas. (Photo by Spencer Jablonski-Macaulay Library-ML100342241)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS: Thick-billed Vireo, and many other birds, enjoy munching on insects. Encourage more insects into your backyard or garden by making our Butterfly Feeder! As well as providing food for birds, some insects can help reduce pests like aphids and caterpillars. They also help to pollinate your plants!
Print out out the template and follow our easy instructions. To make this feeder you will need an adult to help you find and use the following:
An old postcard or any other sturdy material that is easy to draw on and cut (cereal box, shoebox)
A Pencil, Coloring pencils, markers
Screw bottle cap
Straw or craft stick
Glue
Scissors
Sponge or cotton balls
Flower template (optional)
Sugar
Water
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy this video of a Thick-billed Vireo in the wild!
Celebrate the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) with us! Our theme in 2022 is “Loving Birds is Human Nature”. Have fun learning about a new endemic bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.
Endemic Bird of the Day: Puerto Rican Nightjar
Just look at that mouth!
This is how the Puerto Rican Nightjar got its generic name, Antrostomus – combining the Ancient Greek word “antron,” meaning “cavern” with ‘stoma,” meaning “mouth.” In the late evening, early morning, or at night, this endemic bird feeds on moths and other large insects. It snares them out of the air with that gaping mouth, which has modified feathers called bristles, used to detect insects in flight.
The Puerto Rican Nightjar is cryptically colored; it camouflages itself, resembling leaves and bark, with mottled gray, brown, and black plumage and some reddish tones. Males have a black throat bordered by a white band, and white outer tail feathers. Females have buff-colored throats and outer tail feathers. They are ~22-23 cm in length and weigh ~ 40-41 grams.
Where will you find this rather mysterious bird? If you look closely enough, you will find Puerto Rican Nightjars mainly in dry coastal and lower montane forests with open understory and abundant leaf litter. During the day, they roost on the ground or on tree limbs, perching along the branch rather than across it, blending in perfectly with their surroundings. Heard more often than seen, their song is a repeated “whip, whip, whip, whip…”
This species nests between the months of February to July. Puerto Rican Nightjars do not build a nest; the female lays eggs directly on the ground on a layer of leaf litter. She lays 1 to 2 buffy brown eggs covered with brownish-purplish spots. Both parents incubate the eggs and care for the chicks, taking turns brooding and feeding them. When a predator approaches, the parents try to distract it, flapping their wings and tail as if wounded, to draw the predator’s attention away from the chicks. Juvenile nightjars remain in their parents’ territory for some time after fledging.Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.
Colour in the Puerto Rican Nightjar
Download our West Indies Endemic Bird colouring page. Use the photos below as your guide, or you can look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your coloured-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #CEBFfromthenest
Listen to the song of the Puerto Rican Nightjar
The calls of the Puerto Rican Nightjar are an emphatic, high-pitched and repeated “whip, whip, whip“
Puzzle of the Day
Click on the image below to do the puzzle. You can make the puzzle as easy or as hard as you like – for example, 6, 8, or 12 pieces for young children, all the way up to 1,024 pieces for those that are up for a challenge!
Puerto Rican Nightjar. Their mottled grey and brown plumage can make them extremely difficult to see as they rest on the ground during the day. (Photo by Guillermo Plaza)Puerto Rican Nightjar perched in a tree. If you see one of these birds in flight look at the outer tail feathers, in male birds these are white, but females only have buff tips of outer tail feathers (Photo by Mike Morel).
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS: Can you find the words in our Puerto Rican Nightjar word search? Circle the words as you find them and remind yourself of some of the interesting facts about todays endemic bird. There are 15 hidden worlds for you to look for! Remember the words can appear forwards and backwards, and can be horizontal, vertical and diagonal! Need some help? Or want to check your answers? You can see where all the words were here.
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy this video of a Puerto Rican Nightjar in the wild!
Puerto Rican Nightjars blend in beautifully with their environment, they are active mainly at night. This means that they can be very hard to spot as they sleep and nest amongst the leaf litter on the ground. Luckily, we have shared this video with you so you do not have to find this difficult to see bird. This Puerto Rican Nightjar is on a nest – keep an eye out for the tiny nightjar chicks!
Celebrate the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) with us! Our theme in 2022 is “Loving Birds is Human Nature”. Have fun learning about a new endemic bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.
Endemic Bird of the Day: Grenada Flycatcher
Connecting the islands from Grenada all the way north to St. Vincent is one special little endemic: the Grenada Flycatcher. This subtly beautiful bird is more closely related to the South American Brown-crested Flycatcher than other Antillean species, forming a bubble of endemism in the southern Lesser Antilles.
The Grenada Flycatcher has the white chest, light wing bars, and upright posture of other tyrant flycatchers in its range. However, a brown back and often vibrant yellow belly set it apart from the Gray Kingbird, Caribbean Elaenia, and Yellow-bellied Elaenia. It is also larger than the elaenias, averaging 20 cm long. Its colloquial nickname (in Grenada) “Johnny Muff” or “Johnny Head” is an ode to its hairstyle – a sleek mohawk of brown feathers that hardly ever appears ruffled. This bird is often heard before seen, with a high-pitched single-note “quip” (think sneakers squeaking on tiles). Once spotted though, it kindly gives you the chance to take in its beauty, staying perched for long periods.
Found in numerous habitats, from high-elevation forests to coastal mangroves, the Grenada Flycatcher is a true generalist. As the name suggests, it is primarily an insectivore, using a technique called “sallying” where it darts from a perch to catch insects midair. It has also been observed eating small lizards and berries to supplement its insect-rich diet.
Grenada Flycatchers nest between March and October, but can be seen collecting nest material as early as February. They nest in cavities, including hollowed-out mangrove snags. Their lifespan is at least 3 years, as revealed by sightings of previously color-banded birds on Grenada. However, more research is needed to shed light on the biology and life history of this unique tyrant. The species is not currently threatened (considered “Least Concern” by the IUCN) but as an endemic and range-restricted species, it is vulnerable to habitat loss from unsustainable development and climate change.Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.
Colour in the Grenada Flycatcher
Download our West Indies Endemic Bird colouring page. Use the photos below as your guide, or you can look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your coloured-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #CEBFfromthenest
Listen to the calls of the Grenada Flycatcher
The calls of the Grenada Flycatcher includes a loud, repeated “quip” or harsh queuk.
Puzzle of the Day
Click on the image below to do the puzzle. You can make the puzzle as easy or as hard as you like – for example, 6, 8, or 12 pieces for young children, all the way up to 1,024 pieces for those that are up for a challenge!
Grenada Flycatcher. You can find this large flycatcher in St Vincent, the Grenadines and of course in Grenada! (Photo by Knut Hansen)
Grenada Flycatcher. Look out for this bird in open woodlands and scrub including towns, and especially in areas near palms. (Photo by Pete Rogers)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS: The Grenada Flycatcher catches and insects to eat. Sometimes this bird will flit between plants searching for its next meal. At other times it will perch perfectly still on a twig or branch and wait to strike its prey – perhaps catching a moth, fly or spider! Imagine you are a Grenada Flycatcher and find out what bugs there are in your backyard in our fun bug hunt! Follow our instructions and see how many different types of bugs you can find! Perhaps you will spot a butterfly or a bee flitting past? Remember just to look at the bugs and not to touch or collect them. You can check the ones you see off on our list and perhaps take some photos of them?
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Enjoy this video of a Grenada Flycatcher in the wild! Listen carefully and you will also hear it calling quip …quip …quip…quip...quip.
Black Birders Week is a social media campaign which seeks to highlight the important presence of people of color in the birding and conservation communities. It is a week-long celebration, organized by the Black AF in STEM Collective, of Black outdoor enthusiasts, naturalists, and conservationists, focusing on their cultural perspectives of the world in which we live. This year’s theme, “Soaring to Greater Heights”, emphasizes birding as a lifelong learning journey that is enjoyed by Black cultures across the diaspora.
We are extremely grateful to be working in the Caribbean where any person, regardless of race, can enjoy birds and nature. At BirdsCaribbean we truly believe that nature is for everyone and are continuously working to create opportunities for Caribbean nationals to advance their conservation and leadership skills through workshops, mentorship programs and by providing funding for critical research.
However, we know that, beyond the region, Black people are still underrepresented in the natural sciences and academia. Therefore for Black Birders Week 2022, we are shining the spotlight on the following Caribbean leaders:
Ajhermae White- #InTheNest
Environment Officer Department of Environment Montserrat Instagram: @sajhkp
How did you first get interested in birds?
The Conserving Caribbean Shorebirds and Their Habitats International Training Workshop in 2019, hosted by BirdsCaribbean in Puerto Rico, was my first in-depth introduction to birds. Upon returning home, from the workshop, a male Lesser Antillean Bullfinch was nesting at my house, which further ignited my interest in birds. I remember using a field guide I received from BirdsCaribbean to identify it. I was so happy that I found its name. After that, my knowledge of birds skyrocketed. Now in 2022, I can identify just about all resident birds and their calls on Montserrat and many migrants and vagrants. Working in the Department of Environment in Montserrat gives me the opportunity to learn about birds and work with them.
Did you have anyone take you under their wing?
James ‘Scriber’ Daley took me under his wing at the start of my birding journey. He is the best on the island and his knowledge of birds is exceptional. I am grateful that I have been able to learn so much from him.
If you’ve been at it for a while, have you become a mentor to someone else?
Now that I have become so passionate about birds I have gained the courage to go on public platforms to share my knowledge with the community. With the help of BirdsCaribbean and Environment of the Americas, I have been able to organize many educational events on resident and migratory birds. I’m so happy that I have been able to share my knowledge with children and adults on Montserrat.
Johnella Bradshaw- #LearningToTakeFlight
Redonda Ecosystem Reserve Coordinator Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) Antigua and Barbuda Instagram: @jcstarss
What were your first steps into birding on your own?
My introduction into birding began roughly one year ago, when I started working at the EAG. I remember receiving my “Birding Bubble Bundle” that the group had curated, to celebrate the annual Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival in collaboration with BirdsCaribbean. Little did I know, I was about to embark on a journey, as I would be #LearningToTakeFlight in the vast world of birding.
Immediately after skimming through the contents of my bundle I began birding in my backyard. I recorded 4 species and counted 10 birds around my home. I was beyond excited to see my backyard “magically” turn into an ecological haven before my eyes. After identifying birds such as the Antillean Crested Hummingbird, adorned with its vibrant hues of greens and blues and its distinctive mohawk crest, I found a deeper appreciation for the environment around me, and I knew I wanted to learn more.
I wanted to learn more about the different birds in my country and there was no better opportunity than during the EAG’s Bird and Lizard Surveys on our offshore islands. I quickly had to learn about land birds, seabirds, and shorebirds. Who would have thought that there are so many different types of birds? NOT ME!
I love that birding is an activity for any and everyone!
When did you feel comfortable enough to call yourself a birder?
Birding not only connects people to nature but it also connects people to people. Although I consider myself to be a “baby birder,” I am happy to be learning from the birding enthusiasts, and experts in the field that I work with on a daily basis. I have been exposed to so many new opportunities and skills, ranging from bird photography to bird banding, that this journey has, so far, been nothing short of amazing.
So, what are you waiting on? It is time to take flight!
Shanna Challenger- #LearningToTakeFlight
Offshore Islands Conservation Programme Coordinator Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) Antigua and Barbuda Instagram: @specieswithshanna
What were your first steps into birding on your own?
My very first step of course was obtaining a pair of binoculars – you got to be able to see the birds! Second was strengthening my ID skills – I found as many bird ID guides and resources as possible and focused on the unique identifiers of a few familiar birds. I would use these “core birds” as my measuring stick for how others differed from them e.g. is it larger than a bullfinch but smaller than a grackle?
Lastly was getting out there and going birding – starting off in my backyard, around my workplace, and then expanding to birding hotspots across the island. As a scientist, data collection is crucial and once confident in my species IDs, I used eBird to record my sightings.
When did you feel comfortable enough calling yourself a birder?
“One does not simply choose to become a birder, the birding life chooses you.” I would say I finally became comfortable when I slowly realized birding had become second nature to me. Everywhere I went and encountered a bird, the species name and behavior would automatically pop into my head. And of course, the true confirmation of birder status came with the fact that I started to convert all my friends, coworkers and family members into birders too, one step at a time.
Zoya Buckmire- #DayOfRoost
Graduate Student University of Manitoba Canada
Why is it important for us to know when to ‘roost’?
Mankind has long gleaned lessons from our avian neighbors, from the mechanics of flight to indications of habitat quality. But what about more subtle lessons, like when and where to roost? Choosing a conducive environment (a safe sheltered tree or your happy place), settling in on the evenings after a long day of foraging (or completing projects), and surrounding yourself with birds of a feather (pun intended) are all important for ensuring you get the best roost (and rest!) possible. Birds also take extra time to recharge and fuel up before strenuous activities like migration, and so should we before embarking on new projects in order to protect our mental health. This is especially important for those of us at the intersection of several minorities as we face up against imposter syndrome, oppressive systems, and our own goals and limitations. Taking time off is the best way to avoid burnout and provide balance in our increasingly hectic lives. Only with proper rest and recovery can we then soar to greater heights.
What motivated you to take the leap to go after your passion?
When I was a child, I got a hold of a dinosaur book called “Dinosaurs” by the National Geographic Society and was fascinated by them. This later became a childhood obsession and my interest in dinosaurs evolved into an interest in birds and other animals. I continued to geek out on animals and wanted to become a biologist. However, upon going to the then College of The Bahamas at the time, it seemed as though there was no place in The Bahamas where I could become a field biologist. I did not want to become a vet or a medical doctor, but it looked as if those avenues were the only options for me. So, for a few years I was trying to convince myself to pursue one of those disciplines. Eventually, I became frustrated and turned to GOD and basically said to Him that I do not know how I was going to become a biologist or where I was going to work, but I am going to pursue this field no matter what. Soon after, one of my schoolmates told me about the Kirtland’s Research and Training Project that trains Bahamians in field biology and helps conservationists to learn more about the (then endangered) Kirtland’s Warbler. I applied and was accepted, and the rest in history.
What’s something you’ve always wanted to try or challenge yourself with?
As I continue to teach Bahamians, I realize that there are major gaps in Bahamian terrestrial research, and a lack of young people desiring to become terrestrial field scientists—like myself. As environmental work continues to grow in my country, the need for skilled field biologists is a necessity. I hope I can be one of those persons (wildlife trainers) who will lead this charge in a bigger capacity. So going for a Ph. D is in my future.
When is it time to pivot and “Fly The Coop”?
During certain times of the year, something inside birds triggers them to prepare for migration and reproduction. This trigger is not properly understood but we scientists know that it happens. When the season is right, I believe that that trigger will be squeezed. Until then, I am still training and gaining skills.
#AsTheCrowFlies- Leo Douglas
Past President of BirdsCaribbean Assistant Clinical Professor NYU, Liberal Studies Twitter: @leo_r_douglas
What is birding like in Jamaica?
Birding in Jamaica is a particular privilege; the island is home to many island and regional Caribbean endemic species. It is also a key stopover site for many Neotropical migrants. Additionally, there are multiple ecological biomes from dry forest to cloud forest. Thus, the birding is always rich, varied, and geographically accessible.
Reflect on where you have gone birding and how it’s helped you pave relationships with people of different cultures.
I started birding in high school through a youth program organized by college-aged youth. Thus, from the get-go my journey with birds was inspired by youth and my passion has always been to work with youth in the outdoors, exploring the natural world.
How has your own culture shaped your relationship with birds and your birding journey?
Being from a small island has always given me a sense of the urgency around valuing and protecting birds and forests. Jamaican forest and species are highly restricted in range and our cultural associations with them are similarly unique and threatened. I came to the understanding, very early on, that bird and nature conservation on my island was ultimately up to Jamaicans. Culture and identity has ultimately driven the ways I see and value birds.
#LifelongJourney- Inés Lourdes Fernández
Wildlife Specialist Empresa Flora y Fauna Santiago de Cuba Cuba Instagram: @lu861211
Comencé a dar mis primeros pasos en el fascinante mundo de las aves, hace unos años ya durante mi etapa universitaria con el grupo de ornitología del Centro Oriental de Ecosistema y Biodiversidad, (BIOECO) en Santiago de Cuba. Ahí supe que las aves iban a ser mi boleto de ida para conocer los secretos de la naturaleza y adentrarme más en la observación de ellas. Mis primeras aves observadas y estudiadas en esta etapa, fueron las rapaces migratorias, Águila pescadora, Halcón peregrino, así conocí de todo el proceso de migración.
Mi primer binocular lo obtuve gracias a Optics for the Tropics, durante el Festival de Aves Endémicas del Caribe en el 2018 y de inmediato agarré mi guía y me dirigí al área protegida más cercana a observar aves en compañía de mis colegas de trabajo. Al principio éramos dos y poco a poco hemos sumados más interesados. Hoy, no solo realizamos observaciones de aves sino también enseñamos a las comunidades, mediante la Educación Ambiental y la vinculación a actividades de investigación, el maravilloso mundo de las aves, así ayudan a su protección.
Hoy me considero una amante de las aves. Observarlas me ha permitido relacionarme y conectarme con otras personas que comparten esta pasión, intercambiar datos y opiniones, desarrollar habilidades y acceder a nuevas oportunidades como la fotografía.
Todavía me falta un mundo por aprender, pero poco a poco voy conociendo y sumando más amigos y colegas a la observación.
English translation
I took my first steps into the fascinating world of birds a few years ago, while at university with the ornithology group of El Centro Oriental de Ecosistemas y Biodiversidad (BIOECO) in Santiago de Cuba. From that point, I knew that birds were going to be my one-way ticket to learning the secrets of nature and diving deeper into observing them. The first birds I observed were migratory raptors: Osprey and Peregrine Falcon, and this is how I learned about the whole migration process.
My first binoculars were sponsored by Optics for the Tropics, during the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival in 2018. I immediately grabbed my guide and went to the nearest Protected Area to observe birds in the company of my colleagues. At first there were two of us and little by little, more people interested in learning about birds and nature joined us. Today we not only make bird observations but also teach communities, through Environmental Education and linking to research activities, the wonderful world of birds, thus helping their protection.
I consider myself a lover of birds. Observing them has allowed me to relate and connect with other people who share this passion, exchange data and opinions, develop skills, and access new opportunities, such as photography.
I still have a world to learn, but little by little I am getting to know more about birds and adding more friends and colleagues to my community.
It is our hope that by recognizing Black Birders Week we increase the visibility of Black Caribbean birders and naturalists and their contributions to conservation. We also hope that this will encourage other agencies and institutions to support their employees and members who are Black and to actively seek ways to make the workplace and outdoors more inclusive and welcoming.
