Colorful and friendly, the Cuban Tody is one of Cuba’s most beloved endemic birds. (photo by Aslam Ibrahim)
Join BirdsCaribbean, the Caribbean Birding Trail, and expert Cuban bird guides, Ernesto Reyes Mourino and Tania Piñeiro, on the adventure of a lifetime! Choose from our January or March 2025 trips to explore Cuba’s spectacular landscapes, vibrant culture, and extraordinary birdlife. The tour is perfect for individuals, couples, and groups of friends looking for a truly unique experience!
With over 400 bird species recorded, including 29 unique endemics and 21 globally threatened species, Cuba is a birder’s paradise. Its expansive landscapes and prime Caribbean location make it a critical stopover and wintering site for over 180 Neotropical migratory species, creating rare opportunities to observe both endemic and migratory birds.
Our carefully crafted itinerary takes you to Cuba’s premier birding locations, where you’ll encounter the island’s diverse avifauna. Along the way, you’ll connect with Cuban ornithologists, guides, and community members; stay in welcoming casas particulares (Bed & Breakfast establishments); and dine in cozy paladars (private restaurants), giving you an authentic taste of Cuba’s rich culture, delicious food, and warm hospitality. Discover Cuba through its birds, landscapes, and people—join us for an unforgettable experience in 2025!
Explore, Enjoy, and Empower: Why you’ll Want to Book this Trip ASAP!
Your trip, led by outstanding and experienced certified Cuban guides Ernesto Reyes & Tania Piñeiro, and group leaders Lisa Sorenson (Executive Director, BirdsCaribbean, January trip) and Jeff Gerbracht (Checklist Working Group Co-Chair, BirdsCaribbean, March trip), combines expert guidance with local insights. Your adventure includes hassle-free Cuban visa arrangements, dedicated driver and first-class bus transportation, bilingual guides, accommodations, meals and non-alcoholic drinks (with tips at restaurants taken care of), and admission fees for all itinerary locations, ensuring a seamless experience.
Traveling with us not only lets you experience the beauty of Caribbean birds, it also directly supports their conservation. A portion of your trip proceeds goes towards our bird conservation programs and partners in Cuba and the Caribbean. Enjoy unforgettable sightings of some of the world’s most iconic birds, all while contributing to their welfare and supporting the dedicated people who study and protect them.
From Cuba’s majestic mogotes to lush tropical forests to vibrant swamps and wetlands, we explore a wide variety of spectacular habitats. For a glimpse of the incredible bird species you may encounter, take a look at our eBird trip reports:
Still not convinced? Check out the rave reviews at the bottom of this page and see what fellow birders are saying about their unforgettable experiences! See also photos from past trips in the gallery below.
Two exceptional tours to choose from in 2025: a 9-day trip in January and a 12-day trip in March
See detailed itineraries for our 2025 trips below!
Bicknell’s Thrush is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. (Photo by Alex Berryman, ML165158591)
BirdsCaribbean brings you highlights from the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology in our feature “Recently Published in JCO.” Here, Zoya Buckmire, the Lead Copy Editor for the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology, explores how researchers are using data that spans decades to examine the overwinter status of Bicknell’s Thrush.
Birds connect our world—as the 2020 World Migratory Bird Day theme so succinctly asserts. The Nearctic-Neotropical migrants that breed up north “belong” as much to the Caribbean as they do to North America. This is true even for range-restricted species. The Bicknell’s Thrush (Catharusbicknelli), an unassuming and elusive thrush found only in a narrow corridor along the eastern US and Canada, overwinters exclusively in the Greater Antilles. The Dominican Republic boasts the majority of this species’ suitable overwintering habitat, with Cuba a distant second, followed by Jamaica, Haiti, and Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, Bicknell’s Thrush is considered Vulnerable by the IUCN, and the threats faced by this species are multiple and varied across both its northern breeding ground and Caribbean overwintering ground. Full annual cycle conservation means identifying—and conserving—habitat across its range.
In this paper by Christopher Rimmer and colleagues, we learn a bit more about the Bicknell’s Thrush’s distribution and status in Cuba, from surveys as far back as 1998. This study compared data from two different sampling seasons conducted by different teams, a method we discussed in our recent blog, to make the most of available data. To get a bit more insight into how this collaborative and multi-decadal paper came to be, we reached out to Chris and his co-authors with some questions.
VCE-BIOECO field team with the first Bicknell’s Thrush ever to receive a Cuban bird band, #TA0242, 29 January 2018. From left: Jose Ramon Fuentes, Amauris Rapado Cruzata, Chris Rimmer, Carmen Placencia Leon, Leydis Sanchez Zaldivar, Allan Mendez Hernandez. (Photo courtesy the Vermont Center for Ecostudies)
We first delved, of course, into the conception and motivation for this research; why Cuba?
As part of an international effort to understand the full life cycle ecology and conservation needs of Bicknell’s Thrush (BITH), it became clear that we needed to know the species’ overwinter status on Cuba. Both phases of this study (1998-2005 and 2017-2020) aimed to clarify the distribution and habitat use of BITH on Cuba. Prior to the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) surveys in 1998-2005, we had no direct evidence that BITH overwintered on the island—but eastern Cuba’s extensive and largely intact montane forests begged for focused surveys. The exploratory CWS surveys confirmed the species’ presence at high elevations in Sierra Maestra and established a reference to guide future efforts. The 2017 Conservation Action Plan for BITH articulated an explicit goal to clarify the species’ status in Cuba, and that motivated our 2017-2020 follow-up surveys.
BITH #TA0242, the first Bickell’s Thrush to ever receive a Cuban band. (Photo courtesy the Vermont Center for Ecostudies)
We were not surprised to learn that field surveys in the remote mountains of Cuba were… adventurous to say the least. But with great effort comes great reward:
It is nearly impossible to highlight a single moment or experience that stands out above the rest. For me, one is hiking up the absurdly steep trail from our base camp at 1365 m elevation in pre-dawn darkness and covering 11 km to reach the summit of Pico Turquino at dawn. Being the only humans on Cuba’s highest peak as the sun rose and dawn chorus unfolded was a magical moment.
A second stand-out memory involves our 2019 expedition to Pico Bayamesa, a remote section of Sierra Maestra that required a grueling hike with backpacks into terrain that may never before have been visited by humans! The combination of genuine adventure, camaraderie with my Cuban colleagues in the face of physical challenges, and hard-won encounters with both BITH and endemics was unforgettable.
Right: dense cloud forest at km 10 on the 13-km trail to Pico Turquino; left: Pico Turquino at 1,974 m elevation. (Photos courtesy the Vermont Center for Ecostudies)
The data collection was also not without its challenges.
Co-author Yves Aubry chimed in to say: After discussion with Chris and colleagues from Vermont, the Canadian Wildlife Service took the lead during the 1998-2005 period because it was easier for Canadians to go and work in Cuba in that time. There was at that time no official winter record of BITH, so we found the species at the top of the Sierra Maestra after visiting many other lowland localities looking mostly for pine stands (habitat used in Dominican Republic). The first BITH call heard from a distance in the western steep slopes of Pico Cuba was an exciting moment for the whole team in 1998. The organization of such an expedition was a challenge—just to get the proper authorizations and all paperwork that involved the defense, protected areas, and sciences departments (national, provincial, and regional levels) was a serious task for our Cuban colleagues, at least for the first period. After those bureaucratic steps were done, the collaboration was really an asset for the success of the expedition.
Chris: as Yves mentioned, permitting and logistics were a perpetual challenge, one that we managed to overcome each winter thanks to the persistence and negotiating tact of our Cuban colleagues at BIOECO (Centro Oriental de Ecosistemas y Biodiversidad). The primary other challenge had to be the physical hardships of backpacking to our high-elevation study sites. None of Sierra Maestra’s high peaks are accessible by road, and this project was the most physically taxing of any during my 30+ years studying BITH in the Greater Antilles.
The daily headlamp-illuminated, pre-dawn ascent to Pico Joaquin. (Photo courtesy the Vermont Center for Ecostudies)
The dense, wet pluvisilva forest on the El Toldo plateau of Parque Nacional Humboldt seemed suitable for Bicknell’s Thrush, but the VCE-BIOECO team found none during a week of intensive surveying. (Photo courtesy the Vermont Center for Ecostudies)
A hard-earned Bicknell’s Thrush banded at Pico Botella in Cuba’s Sierra Maestra. (Photo courtesy the Vermont Center for Ecostudies)
The authors have high hopes for what this research will lead to, and the future of conservation planning for this species.
Our work confirms the importance of eastern Cuba’s high-elevation forests as a secure wintering area for BITH. We now know that the species is effectively limited to cloud forests in Sierra Maestra and that it occurs in these at fairly low densities, such that there appears to be a smaller overall population than we’d anticipated, given how much seemingly suitable habitat exists. I believe our most significant result is that these findings confirm the strategic importance of Hispaniola—and specifically the Dominican Republic—as the primary target for conservation efforts directed at BITH (the paper’s final paragraph sums that up well). So, in the sense that the international BITH conservation research agenda is now doubled down on the DR, this work definitely impacted priority setting for the species.
In closing, Chris expressed his awe and gratitude to the team that came together to make this study happen: If anything, the pulling together of this paper required much collaboration and choreography! With 9 coauthors from 3 countries and two disparate sampling periods, it was in many respects the most challenging (and time-consuming!) paper I have led over my career. I’m proud of how everyone contributed and worked together to ensure that the paper was JCO-worthy.
This work was made possible by the dedicated commitment of researchers and scientists across countries and decades, and various organizations from the Vermont Center for Ecostudies and Environment and Climate Change Canada/Canadian Wildlife Service to on-the-ground partners BIOECO, UNEP Corredor Biológico en el Caribe, and Instituto de Ecología y Sistemática de Ciudad de la Habana. It just goes to show what is possible when we come together across borders to study and protect our common species.
An estimated 90% of the Bicknell’s Thrush population individuals overwinters in Hispaniola’s dense, humid broadleaf forests. (Photo by BirdsCaribbean)
You can learn more about (and visit!) the Bicknell’s Thrush’s major overwinter habitat if you join us in the Dominican Republic this summer! Head over to our conference website to learn all about our incredible keynotes (including Chris’s!), skills-building workshops, insightful symposia, thrilling pre, mid, and post-conference field trips, and to get registered! You don’t want to miss this!
The Journal of Caribbean Ornithology is a peer-reviewed journal covering all aspects of ornithology within the Caribbean region, publishing in English, Spanish, and French. We welcome manuscripts covering the biology, ecology, behavior, life history, and conservation of Caribbean birds and their habitats. The JCO also publishes conservation reports and mentors inexperienced authors to help them develop their manuscript for publication. The JCO relies on donations to keep all of our publications free and open-access. Support our non-profit mission and give a voice to Caribbean ornithologists and their work by becoming a supporter of JCO.
Celebrate the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) with us! Our theme in 2024 is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds”—highlighting the importance of protecting insects for birds and our environment. Have fun learning about a new endemic bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy learning about and celebrating nature!
Endemic Bird of the Day: Cuban Kite
Today we delve into the natural history of a fascinating, elusive, and controversial bird—the Cuban Kite (Chondrohierax wilsonii)! It is a distant and mysterious relative of the widely known Hook-billed Kite (Chondrohierax uncinatus). The Cuban Kite is an endemic species confined to the beautiful island of Cuba where it is called Gavilán Caguarero.
Although once sighted in various regions, from the lush savannas of Cienfuegos to the wetlands of the Zapata Swamp, its presence nowadays is restricted to the far eastern part of Cuba, specifically in the provinces of Holguín and Guantánamo. Unfortunately, its appearance in these territories has become so rare that there are serious concerns about its possible extinction, or at least its imminent functional disappearance.
The taxonomic history of the Cuban Kite has been as intriguing as its existence in the wild. Named by the prominent ornithologist John Cassin in the 19th century, this bird has gone through periods of uncertainty regarding its taxonomic status, oscillating between being considered an independent species and then as a subspecies of the Hook-billed Kite. However, it has recently regained its status as a separate species, a well-deserved recognition for this marvelous raptor.
One of the most distinctive features of the Cuban Kite is its plumage and massive bill, which reveal its unique identity. With its broad wings and barred tail, and a notably large and hooked yellow bill, this elegant raptor stood out in the Cuban landscape. It was once incorrectly believed that the Cuban Kite feasted on birds, especially doves, and the occasional lizard. But this Cuban emblem has a more sophisticated palate and prefers escargot. This bird feeds exclusively on tree snails! In the eastern part of Cuba its primary food source is the Cuban painted snail (Polymicta picta), however this species does not occur in its former range in west-central Cuba, where tree snails of the genus Liguus (presumably L. fasciatus and L. vittatus, based on range) might be its alternative food source. The Cuban Kite uses its strong hooked bill to pierce or crush the mollusk’s shell before slurping up the soft snail. As a famous animated lion cub once said, “Slimy…yet satisfying!”
Currently there are no sound recordings for the Cuban Kite, but in flight calls are believed to be very similar to that of the Hook-billed Kite. Additionally, with just a handful of sightings, most recently in 2010, information on its breeding ecology, and other social or antagonistic behaviours remain unknown.
However, ornithologists are certain that the survival of the Cuban Kite is in jeopardy. Habitat destruction, indiscriminate snail collection, and direct persecution by farmers who mistakenly believe it preys on their poultry represent significant threats to its existence. The shells of the snails that the kite feeds on come in a wide variety of colors: pastel yellow and pink, brick red and black, pearly white and ochre and are sought by collectors who sell them to tourists or trade them to the US and Europe.
The Cuban Kite reminds us of the fragility of wildlife and the importance of our role as stewards of nature. It is crucial to organize expeditions to search for the Cuban Kite and implement urgent conservation measures, ranging from the protection of its vital habitat to public awareness of the importance of preserving this unique and little-known species. Every effort to protect this majestic bird contributes to maintaining Cuba’s rich biodiversity and preserving an invaluable treasure for future generations. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here. Great news! If you’re in the Caribbean, thanks to BirdsCaribbean, you have free access to Birds of the World and you can find out even more in the full species account of this bird!
Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Nils Navarrofor the text!
Colour in the Cuban Kite
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
Puzzle of the Day
Click on the image below to do the puzzle. You can make the puzzle as easy or as hard as you like – for example, 6, 8, or 12 pieces for young children, all the way up to 1,024 pieces for those that are up for a challenge!
The Cuban Kite was once seen across Cuba. Today its presence is likely restricted to the far eastern part of Cuba, specifically in the provinces of Holguín and Guantánamo. Unfortunately, sightings of this bird are so rare that there are serious concerns about its possible extinction, or at least its imminent functional disappearance. (Art by Nils Navarro)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS : The only food theCuban Kite will eat is tree snails! They use their huge strong hooked bills to pierce or crush the snail’s shell, before slurping up its soft insides.
Can you help this hungry Cuban Kite find its way through our maze to to grab some tasty snails?
Celebrate the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) with us! Our theme in 2024 is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds”—highlighting the importance of protecting insects for birds and our environment. Have fun learning about a new endemic bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy learning about and celebrating nature!
Endemic Bird of the Day: Cuban Emerald
Picture this—you’re enrapt in a spectacular pine forest in Cuba, quietly marveling at the many bird species that call it home—and you’re suddenly distracted by the buzzing sound of a giant bumble bee practically grazing your ear! Or so you thought! After the initial surprise, you spin around and spot the culprit and are dazzled to discover that it’s not a bee at all! Just a few feet away, much to your shock and awe, is a stunning green hummingbird—the fantastic Cuban Emerald.
As the name implies, the Cuban Emerald (Riccordia ricordii) is a vibrant green, medium-sized hummingbird. When the light hits them at just the right angle, they’re nearly impossible to miss! Males have an iridescent green throat and breast with a long forked tail, white undertail coverts, and a long thin bill that is black on top and reddish-pink on the underside. Females look similar to males except with green upperparts along with a grayish throat and breast, and a slightly shorter and less forked tail. Both sport a very distinctive white spot behind their eyes, though that of the female extends slightly further back than the male.
The vocalizations of the Cuban Emerald are not as exciting as their looks. When singing, males make repetitive, and slightly high-pitched, “cheep” notes that can often go unnoticed. When close enough though, you can easily hear the distinct buzzy (insect-like) sound produced by their wings as they flit around.
Cuban Emeralds are native to Cuba where they can be found both on the mainland and also on various surrounding cays. Locally, they are called ‘zunzún.’ These beauties are also found on three of four pine islands in The Bahamas, namely Abaco, Grand Bahama, and Andros. These agile flyers are known to use all types of habitats, including pine forests, coppice forests, gardens, parks, and plantations. It is common to see them zipping around as they forage on nectar from native plants, and snack on insects on the fly (known as hawking). They’ve even been known to eat the occasional spider!
This species breeds at any time throughout the year. Like other hummers, they build the cutest little nests! These are tiny but deep, cup-shaped nests using twigs, pieces of bark, and even spiderwebs. The nests are carefully constructed in the fork of small branches up to four meters above the ground. Females lay two tiny white eggs that they will incubate alone for about two weeks. She then takes care of the chicks until they fledge about 19 to 22 days later.
Currently, Cuban Emeralds are considered to be of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, though the current population and population trend is unknown. Likely threats to the species include habitat loss due to natural disasters or habitat destruction by humans. and predation by invasive species such as feral cats. But we can work together to protect these glittering gems by planting native plants that can offer their favourite sweet drink—nectar. Native plants also attract tasty insects which are especially important to nesting females for egg production and to feed their young. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here. Great news! If you’re in the Caribbean, thanks to BirdsCaribbean, you have free access to Birds of the World and you can find out even more in the full species account of this bird!
Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Demonica Brown for the text!
Colour in the Cuban Emerald
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 Emerald
The song of the Cuban Emerald includes a high-pitched, descending “tsee, tsee, tsee, tse, tse.”
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 Cuban Emerald. Males have an iridescent green throat and breast with a long, forked tail, white undertail coverts, and a long thin bill that is black on top and reddish-pink on the underside (Photo by Neil Hilton)Cuban Emerald. This shining green hummingbird can be found both in Cuba (and its offshore islands and cays) and in The Bahamas where they are found on three islands: Abaco, Grand Bahama, and Andros. (Photo by Greg Lavaty)Cuban Emerald in flight. These agile flyers are known to use all types of habitats, including pine forests, coppice forests, gardens, parks, and plantations. (Photo by Maikel Canizares)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS : Like lots of birds, the Cuban Emerald and other hummingbirds like to bathe. But they won’t use a traditional birdbath. They prefer to take a shower in moving water: like from a mister, sprinkler, or dripper. They will also bathe in very shallow water, and will even sometimes bathe in the water droplets that collect on leaves!
Why not make a hummingbird water dripper so that these lovely little birds can take a shower in your garden? If you have an empty juice bottle you can make this dripper. Other wildlife in your yard will also appreciate having some water!
To make the dripper you will need:
1 plastic jug or bottle, clean, empty and with labels removed
craft wire, twine, ribbon, strips of cloth
1 straight pin or fine-gauge needle
Scissors
Paint or markers (optional)
Be sure to have an adult on hand when using the needle and scissors!
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS : Enjoy this video of a Cuban Emerald in the wild!
The Cuban Emerald featured in our Global Big Day Photo Awards in 2023- read our blog post to find out more!
Celebrate the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) with us! Our theme in 2024 is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds”—highlighting the importance of protecting insects for birds and our environment. Have fun learning about a new endemic bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy learning about and celebrating nature!
Endemic Bird of the Day: Cuban Nightjar
If you are fortunate enough to visit the first national park established in Cuba—Pico Cristal National Park, you will no doubt be thrilled by the beautiful landscape and abundant wildlife. But while your eyes drink in the bountiful beauty around you, we urge you to also turn your gaze down, and scan the forest floor as you walk along the trails for an especially mysterious bird! You see, spotting this elusive species will require vigilance—it blends in superbly with the leaf litter, rocks, and twigs of the forest floor!
If you’re lucky and attentive though, you might just get a glimpse of the cryptically patterned Cuban Nightjar! You may know it as the Greater Antillean Nightjar (Antrostomus cubanensis) but this species was split in 2023 into the Hispaniolan Nightjar (Antrostomus ekmani) and Cuban Nightjar (Antrostomus cubanensis) based on vocal differences between the two populations. The Cuban Nightjar’s song is described as a low, burry “weeyo” given in rapid succession, whereas the Hispaniolan Nightjar’s song, “pit, whoo-vore?” has an overall rise in pitch.
The Cuban Nightjar has two subspecies, the nominate A. c. cubanensis and A. c. insulaepinorum. The subspecies of the Cuban Nightjar A. c. cubanensis is 25 to 29.5 cm (9.8 to 12 in) long. Males weigh approximately 76 g (2.7 oz) and females 70 g (2.5 oz). Their upperparts are dark brown mottled with grayish buff, pale buff, and grayish brown. The tail is brown and the three outer pairs of feathers are tipped white in males and beige in females. The innermost pair has grayish-brown chevrons. The wings are brown with spots, bars, and mottles of lighter shades. The face is tawny with dark brown flecks, the chin and throat dark brown with flecks of cinnamon, the breast dark brown with large spots and smaller buff-white flecks, and the belly and flanks are dark brown with gray flecks. A.c. insulaepinorum is smaller, much darker, and has a shorter tail.
The nominate subspecies of the Cuban Nightjar is found on the main island of Cuba and most of the adjacent small islands of the archipelago. A.c. insulaepinorum is found only on the Isla de la Juventud (“Island of Youth”, formerly Isla de Pinos). They inhabit forests, swamps, and adjacent semi-open habitats. The Cuban Nightjar is crepuscular. It feeds at dawn and dusk on insects, most likely sallying from a low perch or from the ground. Although it is a small and stocky bird, it has been seen maneuvering swiftly among the vegetation, wood patches, or along the edges of roads in the dark.
This bird breeds between March and July. The usual clutch of two grayish-green eggs, spotted with brown, is laid directly on the ground among dry leaves. Both male and female are believed to incubate the eggs. If a predator approaches their nesting area, the incubating birds will give an injury-feigning display, similar to the Killdeer’s broken wing display, to distract and lure the predator away from the eggs or chicks.
The Cuban Nightjar has been listed as a Least Concern species by the IUCN. In Cuba it is protected by law from direct (killing or capturing) and indirect (habitat destruction) threats. However its population is believed to be declining. Cuban conservationists emphasize this excellent insect hunter’s importance in controlling pests, and they encourage communities to not destroy its habitats. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here. Great news! If you’re in the Caribbean, thanks to BirdsCaribbean, you have free access to Birds of the World and you can find out even more in the full species account of this bird!
Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Yanelis Sánchez Serrano for the text!
Colour in the Cuban 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 Cuban Nightjar
The song of the Cuban Nightjar is a low, rapidly repeated, burry “weeyo.”
Puzzle of the Day
Click on the image below to do the puzzle. You can make the puzzle as easy or as hard as you like – for example, 6, 8, or 12 pieces for young children, all the way up to 1,024 pieces for those that are up for a challenge!
The Cuban Nightjar has two subspecies: A. c. cubanensis and A. c. insulaepinorum. The ‘cubanensis’ subspecies is larger and less darkly coloured than the ‘insulaepinorum’ subspecies. (Photo by Arturo Kirkconnell)Scan the ground carefully for this bird! The Cuban Nightjar blends in superbly with the leaf litter, rocks, and twigs of the forest floor. (Photo by Ernesto Reyes Mourino)Cuban Nightjars feed on insects. They head out to forage at dawn and dusk, likely sallying to catch insects on the wing, from a low perch or from the ground. (Photo by Greg Griffith, Macaulay Library-ML204321841)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS : Birds like the Cuban Nightjar are very good at hiding in plain sight. Their colours help them to blend in with their environment. Insects also use camouflage to blend in with their environment and keep them safe from other animals that love munching on them. But note that it also helps some insects catch prey that doesn’t see them! Their colours, patterns and even physical shape make them indistinguishable from their surroundings.
In this activity you’re going to go outside (with an adult) and help insects and birds find the best spot for them to blend in such as in the grass, amongst fallen leaves, branches, leaves, flowers, dirt, tree trunks, and other plants.
You will need:
pencil
scissors
clipboard (optional)
copy of Masters of Camouflage page
Can you find the ‘Masters of Camouflage’ page to print (in colour or black and white) and full instructions of this activity in here !
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS : Enjoy this video of Cuban Nightjars in the wild!
Celebrate the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) with us! Our theme in 2024 is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds”—highlighting the importance of protecting insects for birds and our environment. Have fun learning about a new endemic bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy learning about and celebrating nature!
Endemic Bird of the Day: Oriente Warbler
It is impossible not to stop and marvel at the spectacular hubbub of a foraging flock of Oriente Warblers (Teretistris fornsi). Not only is this warbler is endemic to Cuba where it is known as the ‘Pechero’, these little birds belong to a family known as ‘Teretistridae’—where all the members are only found in Cuba and its surrounding cays!
Its simple but unique plumage instantly grabs your attention. The upper parts of its body are bluish gray which contrast strikingly with the yellow of its lower parts. That delightful lemony yellow extends from around the eyes and throat to the upper belly. The lower belly and undertail are pale gray, and the flanks have a dull brownish wash. Males and females look alike. Don’t confuse this bird with its cousin, the Yellow-headed Warbler, which has a yellow crown and is gray on the belly.
If the Oriente Warbler’s flashes of yellow and gray don’t immediately stop you in your tracks, its melodious song will. It has been described as “buzzy notes interspersed with sweeter notes.” Their call, however, is a shrill “tsi-tsi-tsi.” The Oriente Warbler also emits a series of loud, metallic calls that, during non-reproductive periods, attract several migratory and resident passerines to form mixed foraging flocks.
Orient Warblers can be found in dry coastal scrub and forest habitats along the central-eastern coast of Cuba. They specialize in feeding on all types of insects, but they have also been observed feeding on lizards of the Anolis genus, seeds, and flowers. Their foraging behavior is spectacular—like the Yellow-headed Warbler, they perform vertical and horizontal sweeps through all levels of the vegetation. It is common to find 10 or more individuals foraging together from ground level, up to the branches, trunks, or foliage of the trees!
Oriente Warblers reproduce during the months of March to July with the arrival of spring. Interestingly, researchers from the Eastern Center for Ecosystems and Biodiversity (BIOECO) have observed male Oriente Warblers paired with more than one female! They build cup-shaped nests using rootlets, vines, fine grasses, and ball moss. These nests are found in the branches of thorny plants. Females lay 2 to 3 light blue eggs with brown specks on the wide end. These are attended to by only one parent, most likely the female. The chicks make their wobbly exit from the nest after about a month, but remain with their parents for a few weeks. During this time, parents keep a watchful eye on them, showing them where to find food and stay safe from predators.
The size of the Oriente Warbler population is currently uncertain but it is believed that the population is stable, which is why the IUCN classifies the Pechero as “Least Concern.” If you enjoy nature, do not hesitate to visit Cuba to observe this absolute jewel of its birdlife!
Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Claudia Mantilla & Carmen Plasencia León for the text!
Colour in the Oriente Warbler
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 Oriente Warbler
The song of the Oriente Warbler is a jumbled combination of buzzy “zhip” and chipping “tip” notes.
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!
Outside of the breeding season, which is when they defend a territory, Oriente Warblers are fairly sociable. They can be found feeding in mixed species flocks or will flock together as a single species in groups of up to 10 individuals. (Photo by Michael World)Oriente Warblers feed at all levels of the vegetation- you can find individuals foraging on the ground, on the branches, trunks, or foliage of the trees. They mainly eat insects, but they have also been seen feeding on lizards, seeds, and flowers. (Photo by Ian Burgess, Macaulay Library- ML558957951)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS : On Cuba you might spot several different types of warblers. There are two little birds amongst them who look very much alike, but they’re not the same type of bird! Once is today’s endemic bird, the Oriente Warbler, and the other is the Yellow-headed Warbler. Both are mainly gray and yellow! In our activity of the day you need to look carefully at two photos and try to identify the Oriente Warbler. Check the text above for some handy tips.
If you get stuck and feel like you need a bit of extra help then take a look on the second page of this activity. You will find some helpful hints to set you on the right track.
Think that you found the Oriente Warbler? You can check if you are right on our answer sheet here. This activity is perfect to play with school groups or outdoor education clubs etc.
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS : Enjoy this video of an Oriente Warbler in the wild!
Wondering about some of the ways we monitor birds like the Oriente Warbler? Read all about the first-ever BirdsCaribbean bird banding workshop in Cuba!
Celebrate the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) with us! Our theme in 2024 is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds”—highlighting the importance of protecting insects for birds and our environment. Have fun learning about a new endemic bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy learning about and celebrating nature!
Endemic Bird of the Day: Tawny-shouldered Blackbird
Blackbirds love to hang out with other blackbirds and this beloved endemic is no exception. The Tawny-shouldered Blackbird is considered nearly endemic to Cuba where locals call it ‘Mayito.’ There is a small relict population in Haiti. Like other blackbirds, it belongs to the Icteridae family, which includes other cool endemics like the Greater Antillean Grackle, Cuban Blackbird, and Red-shouldered Blackbird. It forms mixed flocks with these species. It even flocks with Shiny Cowbirds—which are known to parasitize their nests! Being in a mixed flock affords Tawny-shouldered Blackbirds better protection from predators and possibly improves foraging efficiency. At night, their raucous roosts can be immediately identified in parks and tree groves.
Male and female Tawny-shouldered Blackbirds look alike. Both have black plumage, and distinctive tawny (orange-ochre) patches on the shoulders with a yellowish-cream border. This shoulder patch is particularly striking in males during the breeding season. Females are duskier and lack the bluish gloss of the males. These relatively small birds measure approximately 7.5 inch to 8.7 inch.
Not all species of songbirds can sing duets with their mates but Tawny-shouldered Blackbirds rather delightfully can! Both males and females have melodious voices with males usually leading the serenade. Solo songs are a shrill “shuh-riii-iii” and calls are a short and strong metallic “chic-chic.”
Tawny-shouldered Blackbirds are monogamous, nesting in trees or bushes near water, and prefer colonial nesting, with many nests close to each other. They nest from April to August with chicks fledging the nests mostly between May and July. Females take the lead in constructing the nests using dried grass, moss, twigs, hair, and feathers. Clutches comprise 3–4 bluish to greenish eggs with brown spots.
In Cuba look for these black beauties in woodlands and woodland edges, farmlands, and rice fields. In Haiti, they occur along channels of dry open woodlands. They can also be found in Cuba’s cities and neighbourhoods, and are not restricted to wetlands like their counterpart, the Red-shouldered Blackbird. Their omnivorous diet of insects, seeds, fruits, and nectar allows them to adapt to a variety of habitats.
While primarily sedentary, vagrant Tawny-shouldered Blackbirds have been recorded in the southeastern United States and the Cayman Islands, possibly blown off route during storms and hurricanes.
Fortunately, the Tawny-shouldered blackbird is not globally threatened. Although common in larger islands in the Cuban archipelago, it is rare in Haiti, mainly in the western part, and the current status of its populations there is unknown.
Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Ailén Anido Escalona for the text!
Colour in the Tawny-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 song of the Tawny-shouldered Blackbird
The song of the Tawny-shouldered Blackbird is made up of long buzzing notes, sometimes interspersed with short higher-pitched ‘buzzes’. Both males and females will sing, sometimes together.
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!
Both male and female Tawny-shouldered Blackbirds have melodious voices. Unlike many species of songbirds, where only the male sings to attract a mate, they will sing duets together! (Photo by John Drummond, Macaulay Library-ML27841521)In Cuba, look for Tawny-shouldered Blackbirds in woodland and woodland edges, farmland, and rice fields. They can also be found in Cuba’s cities and suburbs and are not restricted to wetlands like the similar looking Red-shouldered Blackbird. (Photo by Neil Hilton)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS : The Tawny-shouldered Blackbird enjoys catching and eating bugs. It searches trees and in bushes, sometimes even on the ground to find tasty creepy crawlies to munch on. Perhaps catching a moth, a tasty worm, or a spider!
Imagine you are a Tawny-shouldered Blackbird in search of a meal. In today’s activity you will go exploring 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 to just 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 Tawny-shouldered Blackbirds in the wild!
Celebrate the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) with us! Our theme in 2024 is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds”—highlighting the importance of protecting insects for birds and our environment. Have fun learning about a new endemic bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy learning about and celebrating nature!
Endemic Bird of the Day: Bare-legged Owl
Cuba is the home of two tiny endemic owls. The Bare-legged Owl, locally called Sijú Cotunto, is perhaps the lesser known of the pair. That does not mean it is uncommon—in fact, it is easily observed all around the country in wooded areas, mixed palm forest, semi-deciduous forest, and thickets. It is most active at night, which is when you can sometimes hear its series of soft hoots hoo hoo hoo huhuhuhuhuhuhuu, with a bouncing ball rhythm that accelerates at the end. The best chance to see this cute little puffball of an owl during daylight is while it is roosting inside caves or in the crevices of palm trees.
The name of this owl tells us about its most distinguishing characteristic: the lack of feathers on its legs, which are yellow-green in color. If you come across the similar Burrowing Owl, which is very rare in Cuba, you can use this feature to tell them apart! The other tiny Cuban endemic owl, the Cuban Pygmy-owl, also has feathered legs and is more active during the day, unlike its nocturnal bare-legged cousin. Their big, dark brown eyes also distinguish them, as the other species have yellow eyes. Their plumage is mostly rufous to brown on the upperparts, with white spots on the wing feathers. The throat and belly are mostly white, with some brown streaks on the breast and flanks.
Bare-legged Owls feed mainly on large insects and occasionally on frogs and small reptiles. The breeding season occurs from December to June, with a peak around March-April. They use abandoned woodpecker holes or natural openings in trees where they lay two white eggs. They can also be found nesting on cliffs or caves. It is very common to find them in pairs—that observation, coupled with the record of a pair living for seven years in the same territory—has led to scientists suspecting that they are monogamous birds. However, Bare-legged Owls are very secretive, meaning we still have lots to learn about their behavior, especially during the breeding season! This ‘secretiveness’ and the fact they are nocturnal make any sighting a joyful event!
Luckily, Bare-legged Owls do not seem to be in decline. They have a large geographic distribution and have shown adaptive traits in the face of habitat conversion for housing and commercial development. However, as a secondary cavity nester, it is important to protect the holes and dead trees that are an important resource during the breeding season. Dead trees still provide cover and nesting spaces for birds and mammals too, so don’t get rid of the dead trees in your yard just yet!
Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Daniela Ventura for the text!
Colour in the Bare-legged Owl
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 Bare-legged Owl
The song of the Bare-legged Owl is a soft series of “hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo…” notes that accelerate. This bird also sometimes make a screeching 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!
Bare-legged Owls are ‘secondary cavity’ nesters, meaning they use holes made by other birds especially woodpeckers and natural openings in trees, particularly palms. (Photo by Aslam Ibrahim Castellon Maure)Although Bare-legged Owls, like most owls, are most active at night, your best chance to spot one is during the day whilst this tiny owl is roosting. (Photo by Max Schwenne)The Bare-legged Owl is fairly common across Cuba and appears to be able to adapt to live in human modified landscapes. (Photo by John Mangold)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS : How much do you know about the life-cycle of our featured bird the Bare-legged Owl? Why not test your knowledge and complete our “Life Cycle of an Owl” activity?
First spend some time learning about owls on the internet or at your school library. Then carefully cut the ‘missing’ images and paste in the correct order to complete this owl’s life cycle! Don’t forget to label each stage.
You can check your completed life cycle against the correct one, which can be found here.
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS : Enjoy this video of a Bare-legged Owl in the wild!
Their project involved providing binoculars and training to community and group leaders so that they would engage in bird monitoring and share the data through eBird Caribbean. These teams would then grow local birding clubs and raise awareness throughout Cuba of the need to protect birds and their habitats through community education and social media. These newly fledged birders would 1) help to put pressure on the authorities to enforce laws protecting wild birds, and 2) provide valuable citizen science data to eBird Caribbean, thereby increasing our knowledge of the status and trends of Cuban birds, including further identification of hotspots for endemism and migration stopover sites.
Cuban artist, photographer, and ornithologist Nils Navarro.
Yaro and Nils hit the ground running! They mobilized communities in almost every province in Cuba, connecting with persons from diverse backgrounds and converting them into passionate bird watchers and protectors—from hunters to hotel managers, from students to government workers. In this blog, Yaro shares achievements with us from their phenomenal first year, and tells us about the exciting next steps as their project continues to grow in influence.
What an amazing year our birding project had in Cuba! We want to share some of the incredible things that the Cuban birding community accomplished together during the past year. Cuba is home to a wealth of unique and endangered bird species, many of which are endemic and cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Our conservation efforts are comprehensive—we don’t just work to preserve species, we also focus on raising awareness of the value and importance of birds through social networks, like Facebook and Whatsapp. Birds play a crucial role in pollination, seed dispersal, and insect control, and we recognize that their conservation is vital for the health of our ecosystems.
Gundlach’s Hawk perched. (Photo by Michael J. Good)
The bee hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae), endemic to Cuba, is the world’s smallest bird. Weighing less than 2g, it is not much bigger than a bee. It is classified as ‘Near Threatened’. (Photo by Ernesto Reyes)
The national bird of Cuba – the Cuban Trogon. (Photo by Rafy Rodriguez)
Cuban Oriole. (Photo by Neil Hilton)
Empowering local leaders and building birding communities
Over the past year, our team identified passionate potential birding leaders in almost every province of Cuba and worked with them to form and maintain active Facebook communities. These groups strengthen our community. They expose illegal bird hunting and trapping activities on social media by reporting them to the relevant authorities. It has been a challenge, and there is still a lot to do, but we have certainly made progress. These birds now have our voice to champion their protection and we will continue to defend them.
“The first bird of the season has fallen” – August 2021 Facebook post by a bird trapper in Cuba showing a migratory warbler, the Northern Parula.
A Facebook page with thousands of subscribers announces the sale of 39 recently caught Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. Community birding groups are vigilant and report illegal trapping activities on social media to the authorities.
Over the course of the year, we organized exciting activities to promote birding, such as the Gundlach Weekend and Garrido Birding Day, October Big Day, and Global Big Day. Through these activities, we participated in global celebrations and citizen science events and helped add data to the eBird platform.
Exchanging trapping cages for binoculars—igniting passions for conservation
We also created a WhatsApp group to guide new bird enthusiasts; through this group we have organized expeditions to previously unexplored places. We have even confronted hunters, face to face, and have encouraged them to join us in birdwatching. And boy was it worth it! We made amazing discoveries, and even turned some local hunters into passionate birders!
Mixed flock of Cattle Egrets, Snowy Egrets, and Glossy Ibisis flies over the rice fields, Chambas, Ciego de Ávila. (Photo by Eduardo Caraballo)
West Indian Whistling-Ducks having a snooze on a wetland in Cayo Coco, Cuba. (Photo by Max Schwenne)
Take for example, the story of Eduardo Caraballo: Eduardo used to be a fierce hunter but now he protects the waterbirds in the rice fields of Chambas, Ciego de Avila. He has actually become our local guide in that area! There is also Brayan Lazaro Calunga, a former Parakeet nest hunter who now protects them—he jealously guards the palms where they nest in the northern circuit of the wetlands of Bolivia, Ciego de Avila. Nicolas Peralta, a security chief at one of the hotels in Cayo Coco, has become a passionate bird watcher and destroys the bird cages he finds around the tourist facilities. Nicolas educates his workers, who are mainly gardeners, about why they should not engage in trapping. It’s amazing how we have changed lives!
Cuban Parakeet. (Photo by Jean Sébastion Guénette)
Saving the best for last—ending the year with a grand finale!
We closed the year with an incredible National Bird Identification Workshop where we connected with birders from almost every province! Under the theme, “United for Birds,” our community gathered for a week of intense work sessions, presentations, workshops, and field trips. The objectives of the National Bird Identification Workshop were to strengthen our bonds as a community; to share knowledge; and to act as eBird ambassadors by sharing everything we have learnt about using and contributing to the platform as citizen scientists. Workshop sessions included training in Bird Observation and Bird Photography for scientific documentation purposes, and learning how to use the Annotated List of The Birds of Cuba. We used this forum to not only reach the communities most vulnerable to illegal bird hunting, but also to strategize among our team about how we could encourage hunters to join us, especially as they often share our love for birds. This unique experience helped us to get to know each other better, share and learn from each other’s experiences in various areas, and continue adding more people to our community.
Attendees and facilitators of the inaugural National Bird Identification Workshop in Cuba. (Photo by Yaro Rodriguez)
At the workshop, we launched the second edition of the Great Cuban Year! Our first Great Year in 2022 was a spectacular year-long birdwatching extravaganza with birders—old, new, and in-between—competing to observe and record the highest number of species! The Great Cuban Year encourages Cubans to don their Citizen Scientist caps and explore their island, while enjoying the birds in their natural habitats rather than in cages. (Cuba’s first Great Year was a fantastic success, with eBird checklists in April 2022 growing by a phenomenal 338%! The Great Cuban Year 2024 promises to soar to even greater heights!)
A Bahama Mockingbird on Cuba. (Photo by Arturo-Kirkconnell Jr- Macaulay Lirbrary-ML93392851)
Our National Bird Identification Workshop also gave us the opportunity to engage our community in the goal of “tying up loose ends of Cuban Ornithology.” These are gaps in our knowledge or things that remain to be clarified in Cuban ornithology—like determining whether particular species are breeding in Cuba, identifying important nesting sites for various species, and documenting records of new species for Cuba. We also shared protocols to follow when planning natural history studies, so that communities are empowered to contribute detailed information on the natural history of our birds.
Members of the Bird Observers Club presented the bird conservation work they are doing across the Cuban provinces. (Photo by Yaro Rodriguez)
Attendees practicing their bird identification and photography skills in the field. (Photo by Yaro Rodriguez)
Attendees at the National Bird Identification Workshop proudly display their name tags and bird ID sheets. (Photo by Yaro Rodriguez)
Wency Rosales speaks about the club’s environmental education program in the province of Holguín. (Photo by Yaro Rodriguez)
It was all a great success! The active participation of our community, the exciting engagement in friendly competition, and the transformation of some hunters to wildlife advocates are signs of our positive impact. While we faced challenges, such as resistance from some hunters and a shortage of fuel to travel to hard-to-reach areas, we also learned a lot. Our comprehensive strategy, which includes education, knowledge sharing, and awareness raising, has been key to our progress. Adaptability and collaboration were also essential factors. While we have overcome many obstacles, we understand that there is always more to learn.
A student labels the parts of a bird with help from an Aves Silvestres de Guisa club member. (Photo by Carlos Arevalo)
Aves Silvestres de Guisa members birding with third grade students of Fabricio Ojeda School. (Photo by Carlos Arevalo)
Completed parts of a bird diagram activity. (Photo by Carlos Arevalo)
Our commitment to bird conservation with the birding community in Cuba goes beyond the simple thrill of spotting a rare species. It is a dedication to preserving our natural heritage while fostering a love for our birds, and to ensuring a harmonious coexistence between humans and birds. Together, we are not just birding; we are safeguarding the soul of our island. Thank you for being part of this amazing birding trip in Cuba! Together, we are making a difference and protecting our precious birds. Here’s to more in the coming year!
The Betty Petersen Conservation Fund seeks to advance the conservation status of birds and habitats in the Caribbean region through projects that engage and empower communities and stakeholders to protect and benefit sustainably from their birds. BirdsCaribbean encourages others to consider endowments or other large awards to ensure that our grants programs continue indefinitely. Empower Caribbean conservation by making a tax deductible gift here.
We are pleased to share with you the new edition of the Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Cuba, number 7, 2024, by Nils Navarro Pacheco.
The Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Cuba is an annual publication that constitutes the most complete and updated official list of Cuban avifauna. It is the result of a deep and thorough bibliographic review and updating from the field. It serves as a basis for generating regional and global listings and is standardized for use with eBird.
The main objective is to provide up-to-date annual listings of Cuban birds, including reference information on each new report and general statistics about Cuban birdlife, and to serve as a reference platform for ornithological studies in the country. The increasing number of bird-watching tourists on the island as well as more bird monitoring by Cuban biologists and the rapidly-growing Cuban birding community are contributing to an increase in the number of previously unrecorded species entering the list every year. Furthermore, the influence of climate change is producing altered patterns of migratory movements in many species.
The new list has been enriched with 6 new records—3 of these were added to Cuba’s main list to bring the new Cuban total to 404 species. The other three records comprised two exotic species, and another which is currently classified as ‘dubious.’ Beyond the numbers though, splits announced in the American Ornithological Society 64th Supplement to the Checklist of North American Birds means that Cuba now boasts 3 more Cuban, rather than West Indian, endemic species! Cuba welcomes the Cuban Nightjar ( Greater Antillean Nightjar split to Cuban Nightjar and Hispaniolan Nightjar), the Cuban Palm-Crow (Palm Crow split to Cuban Palm-Crow and Hispaniolan Palm-Crow) and the Cuban Bullfinch (split from the Cuban Bullfinch into the Grand Cayman and Cuban Bullfinches, making the Cuban Bullfinch a true Cuban endemic!).
This year’s cover features a captivating photo of the beautifully plumaged Western Spindalis, Cuban subspecies (Spindalis zena pretrei), taken by Yadiel Veunes, in the Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt. The Western Spindalis belongs to the Spindalidae family which is a recognized family of songbirds endemic to the Caribbean. Spindalises were formerly classified as members of Thraupidae (or “tanagers”) but have since been reclassified as a separate family based on genetic studies. There are five subspecies of Western Spindalis one of which is the Cuban subspecies!
The 2024 checklist is now available in PDF for free download from the BirdsCaribbean website (see below). The printed version is available on Amazon at a good price. It is not intended to be a field identification guide but is a checklist, updated in accordance with the 64th supplement of AOS. Nils and the publisher, Ediciones Nuevos Mundos, hope this publication fulfills its role and is useful to all persons interested in Cuban birds and ornithology. Nils welcomes questions or suggestions about the checklist (Nils Navarro).
This checklist edition is dedicated to the memory of Jim Wiley, a great friend, extraordinary person and scientist, a guiding light of Caribbean ornithology. He crossed many troubled waters in pursuit of expanding our knowledge of Cuban birds.
If you are looking for a Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba, you can purchase it here or on Amazon.
Past checklists are all available for download, click on the images below to download a pdf of each.
Colorful and friendly, the Cuban Tody is one of Cuba’s most beloved endemic birds. (photo by Aslam Ibrahim)
Join BirdsCaribbean, the Caribbean Birding Trail and talented Cuban bird guide, Tania Piñeiro, on the adventure of a lifetime in January or March of 2024!
Cuba is well-known for its amazing landscapes, vibrant culture and unique biodiversity. According to the new Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Cuba: 2023 Edition (and recent research), 404 birds have been recorded in Cuba, including 28 which are endemic to the island, 20 that are endemic to the West Indies, and 21 which are considered globally threatened. Due to its large land area and geographical position within the Caribbean, Cuba is also extraordinarily important for Neotropical migratory birds—more than 180 species pass through during migration or spend the winter on the island.
Our itinerary takes you to several of the best and most beautiful birding locations in Cuba, providing opportunities to see many of Cuba’s endemic species and subspecies as well as many West Indian endemics and migrants. Along the way, we will meet people in local communities, stay in Bed & Breakfast establishments (casas particulares) and eat in private restaurants (paladars), allowing you to experience Cuba’s rich culture, delicious food, friendly people, and generous hospitality. We will also have the opportunity to meet and have discussions with local ornithologists and conservationists that have been working with BirdsCaribbean for many years.
https://youtu.be/3p7DZmHxuKA?si=FsV3XNco_vWQ-kwv
BirdsCaribbean is offering two tours in 2024: a 9-day trip in January and a 12-day trip in March.
Find detailed itineraries for our 2024 trips below!Traveling with us helps Caribbean birds as a portion of the proceeds from the trip supports our bird conservation programs and partners in Cuba and the Caribbean. See some of the world’s most beautiful and memorable birds, knowing that you are helping ensure their welfare by supporting the people who study and protect them.
Read testimonials and see photos from past trips in the gallery below. Purchase the Endemic Birds of Cuba Field Guide here. See our eBird trip report from our March 2023 trip here. Check out the report and photos from our January 2016 trip here and from our July 2017 trip to Havana and Zapata Swamp here. Read more
Portada y contraportada de Aves del Jardín Botánico Nacional de Cuba. El Carpintero Verde Cubano, en la portada, es el único representante de los géneros endémicos cubanos que viven en el jardín.
Con casi 500 hectáreas, el Jardín Botánico Nacional de Cuba ofrece un oasis verde a las aves, a otros animales salvajes y a las personas, en la capital, La Habana. Es conocido por su extensa colección de palmeras, sus muestras etnobotánicas, sus invernaderos y su sereno Jardín Japonés. De noviembre a febrero es un lugar ideal para observar aves migratorias, mientras que algunas de las aves endémicas y autóctonas más emblemáticas de Cuba pueden verse durante todo el año.
La nueva guía de campo “Aves del Jardín Botánico Nacional de Cuba” es la obra más completa, autorizada y actualizada de su género. Hablamos con sus autores, el Dr. Martín Acosta, la Dra. Lourdes Múgica y la MSc. Karen Aguilar, sobre la guía de campo. Nos hablan de la exhaustiva investigación que se llevó a cabo para su creación, de cómo el equipo perseveró a pesar de los numerosos contratiempos, de sus sorprendentes hallazgos y gratos recuerdos en el jardín, y de consejos para los aspirantes a autores de guías de campo.
¿Qué los inspiró a crear una guía de campo para las aves del Jardín Botánico Nacional?
Es una larga historia de amor entre nuestro grupo y las aves del Jardín Botánico Nacional. En 1982 el Dr. Martin Acosta comenzó a tutorear una tesis de licenciatura sobre las aves del jardín, desde entonces se dio cuenta que, con sus casi 500 hectáreas y variada vegetación, era un lugar privilegiado, a pesar de que en ese entonces se detectaron menos de 40 especies. A partir de ahí realizamos varios estudios sobre la ecología de las especies que habitaban las diferentes zonas que conforman el jardín.
Portada de la primera guía de campo de las Aves del Jardín Botánico Nacional de Cuba, publicada en 1990.
Más adelante en 1990 publicamos una pequeña y rústica guía para identificar las aves, contaba con 41 especies, como no teniamos cámara ni forma de obtener las ilustraciones, el Dr. Vicente Berovides, profesor de la Universidad de la Habana, dibujó a mano y con lápiz cada una de las aves, e increíblemente, se lograban identificar. Esa simple guía se vendió rapidamente, con lo cual pudimos constatar que que el público estaba ávido de ese tipo de información.
A partir del año 1990 llega a Cuba el conocido Periodo Especial, con una profunda crisis económica que no nos permitía investigar en las aves acuáticas de las arroceras y humedales naturales, donde centrabamos nuestras investigaciones. Ese hecho dio lugar a que toda nuestra energía y tiempo se enfocara en las aves del jardín, adonde viajábamos en bicicleta desde antes del amanecer para monitorear sus poblaciones y ensambles de aves, o hacer algun estudio de su historia natural y ecología o tutorear a nuestros estudiantes en sus tesis.
Con el tiempo nuestro conocimiento del lugar y compromiso de compartir los resultados fue cada vez mayor. Ambos, Martin y Lourdes pensábamos que nos ibamos a retirar sin cumplir ese sueño, pues no contábamos con fondos para garantizar escritura, edición, diseño e impresión de un libro. Aún sin los fondos, pero con todo el conocimiento acumulado de mas de 30 años, en 2019 logramos el impulso final, cuando la Dra. Banessa Falcón, Directora de Docencia e Investigación del Jardín Botánico Nacional, nos insiste en la importancia de lograr ese libro y la MSc Karen Aguilar se une a los autores para contribuir de forma voluntaria con el diseño, la fotografia y todo lo que hiciera falta.
De igual forma la Lic. Neyda Izquierdo, Premio Nacional de Edición en Cuba, realizó la edición de forma gratuita. Por otra parte la Dra. Banessa Falcón, nos apoyó a trabajar en el libro desde sus comienzos y fue nuestra editora científica por la parte botánica.
Karen y Lourdes viajaron en bicicleta al jardín casi todos los días hasta que el libro estuvo terminado.
De esta manera, logramos reunir un fantástico equipo, con el cual el trabajo se convirtió en un constante intercambio de ideas entre personas maravillosas que le dedicaron numerosas horas a garantizar la calidad de los textos en tiempos de pandemia. En fin, que es una obra colectiva, llena de amor, de compromiso y de ciencia.
Hoy día, con 55 años el jardín cuenta con un ensamble de aves que se ha triplicado en diversidad, como respuesta al desarrollo adquirido por la vegetación, hasta el momento 128 especies, (tres de ellas despues de publicar el libro) han sido registradas en él, por lo cual, este grupo de vertebrados se encuentra entre sus mayores atractivos.
Sin dudas, este era el gran momento para traer a la luz la obra que pareció ser una utopía durante mucho tiempo, la cual nos permite valorar la importancia que puede tener un sitio antrópico bien manejado sobre la conservación de las aves, además de generalizar los resultados obtenidos en numerosas investigaciones de campo, que pueden ser útiles para otros jardines botánicos en Cuba y en el mundo.
¿En qué se diferencia esta guía de guías de aves cubanas?
Se diferencia en varios aspectos:
Es la primera guía de aves cubanas elaborada totalmente con fotografías de aves, las guías que existen en la actualidad están basadas en ilustraciones.
La mayor diferencia está en que incluye los close ups de las cabezas de la mayoría de las especies de aves (85%), que permiten apreciar detalles importantes que no son visibles en fotos generales o dibujos.
En el capítulo cuatro de la guía de campo, cada familia tiene una imagen general con las principales características de la familia y, a continuación, se presentan todas las especies de la familia. Cada especie tiene entre dos y seis fotos; los iconos y el texto completan las descripciones.
Es la primera guía que dedica un capítulo a esclarecer la interdependencia entre el desarrollo de las comunidades vegetales y los ensambles de aves que las utilizan, además de dar a conocer diferentes aspectos de la ecología de algunas poblaciones notables . En otro capítulo se estimula la observación de aves en la sociedad cubana y se ofrecen informaciones para su mejor desarrollo.
En el capítulo tres, los autores promueven la observación de aves y dan consejos sobre cómo atraerlas a su jardín. En esta página se destacan varias estructuras vegetales por el impacto que pueden tener en las aves y los recursos que pueden ofrecer.
Es una guía basada en los resultados científicos originales obtenidos por los autores durante más de 30 años, no en una recopilación bibliográfica, e incluye un capítulo donde se expresan muchos de ellos.
En el capítulo dos se presentan los resultados ecológicos publicados y recopilados por los autores durante más de 30 años en el jardín.
La incorporacion de recuadros dentro del texto de los capítulos generales resulta también novedoso en Cuba y permitió profundizar en elementos científicos vinculados al tema tratado y obtenidos por los autores en este jardín botánico.
Se enfoca en una institución de conservación ex situ dedicada fundamentalmente a la conservación de las plantas, con lo cual se une a un pequeño grupo de jardines botánicos en el mundo que cuentan con una guía de aves.
En el capítulo de la Guía de Campo se lograron presentar las 125 especies con 473 fotos. Aunque los autores cubrieron 70 %, el resto se debió a la desinteresada colaboración de 52 fotógrafos cubanos y extranjeros, por lo que es un resultado de la solidaridad en bien de la conservación.
En sus primeros meses de publicación ha obtenido un premio nacional del Instituto Cubano del Libro (Primer Premio de la Crítica Científico Técnica 2022 y el Premio de la Universidad de la Habana al Mejor Libro Científico de Ciencias Naturales en el año. Es la primera guía de aves cubana que logra estos reconocimientos dentro del país.
Háblanos de los autores- ¿Como contribuyó cada uno?
Fotografiar sujetos en movimiento no es fácil, pero Karen perseveró.
Martin y Lourdes tuvieron la idea general de escribir una guía de aves desde 1990, cuando publicaron una primera versión, mucho más simple. Ambos contribuyeron con su larga experiencia, sus datos de campo, y los resultados de las publicaciones. Ellos hicieron la mayor parte del texto, el trabajo de campo y la revisión exaustiva de cada versión. Martín aportó numerosas fotografías, Lourdes muy pocas, creo que un par de ellas.
Karen diseño el libro, aportó la mayor parte de la fotografía, para lo cual le dedicó numerosas horas al trabajo de campo durante el proceso de elaboración del libro e hizo el procesamiento de las imágenes para el capítulo de la guía. Tambien escribío algunos recuadros generales.
Los tres autores mantuvieron una estrecha colaboración e intercambio durante los dos años y medio en que se trabajó intensamente en el libro. Además participaron activamente en la revisión final de los textos, de conjunto con la editora general y la editora científica.
¿Cuánta investigación ustedes necesitaron hacer para escribir esta guía de campo?
Esa es una buena pregunta, porque nunca trabajamos para hacer una guía de campo, trabajamos para contribuir al conocimiento de la historia natural de las aves que viven en el jardin, y mientras más aprendimos, más preguntas surgían. Así realizamos trabajos de reproducción, territorialidad, alimentación, dispersión de semillas, y composición y estructura del ensamble de aves asociado a algunos tipos de vegetación. Todos han sido de gran utilidad para escribir el libro.
Las aves utilizaban el agua del jardín para mantener sus plumas y satisfacer las demandas diarias, así como el comportamiento anual de muda en diferentes especies de aves.Tras una exhaustiva investigación, los autores descubrieron que el jardín puede satisfacer las diversas necesidades de las aves: alimento, refugio y seguridad.
Lo que si podemos decir es que no es suficiente saber la lista de aves que se han registrado en un sitio, se necesitan años de observaciones, numerosas horas de trabajo de campo y estudiar aspectos esenciales de la ecología de las especies de aves que alli habitan, para así contribuir a su conocimiento de forma más efectiva.
Martin cerrando una red de niebla en el jardín. La red de niebla es una herramienta esencial para el inventario de especies, proporciona índices útiles de abundancia relativa y puede utilizarse para seguir las tendencias temporales de abundancia.
¿Que parte de la creación de la guía de campo – escribir, fotografiar, diseñar o editar- fue más difícil de lograr y un mayor reto para completer el libro?
La fotografía y el diseño fueron los grandes desafíos de este libro. La fotografía, porque nos propusimos una guía basada totalmente en fotos, y completar las fotos de 125 especies, en la que muchas de ellas eran raras o difíciles de fotografiar por su comportamiento, como por ejemplo los insectívoros aéreos, era realmente un reto mayor.
Martin y Karen tomando fotos en el jardín.
El diseño porque fue el primer trabajo de diseño de Karen, por lo que asumir esa tarea implicó largas horas de estudio intenso. Ambos retos fueron vencidos exitosamente.
Martin y Karen hablan de modelos de cámaras y técnicas para conseguir las mejores fotos.
En general fue un reto que tanto la escritura como el diseño fueran atractivos para un público muy amplio que queríamos que incluyera a niños, jóvenes y adultos, observadores de aves y especialistas en el tema.
¿Que los ayudó a mantenerse enfocados en un Proyecto tan largo?
En primer lugar el amor a las aves y conocer la importancia de lograr un libro como este que puede tener un gran impacto en la población y una contribución importante a su conservación. Poco a poco nos dimos cuenta de que el jardin puede contribuir y mucho a que la población conozca nuestras aves, y aprecie no solo su belleza sino todos los servicios ecológicos que prestan.
No es fácil visitar nuestras áreas protegidas, porque se encuentran en zonas aisladas de dificil acceso y poca transportación, sin embargo, el Jardín Botánico Nacional es un sitio cercano a la Habana (solo unos 30 km o 18 millas) y es muy visitado por la población de la ciudad.
En segundo lugar el trabajo de equipo que fue fabuloso y estimulante y nos mantuvo unidos y trabajando duro de principio a fin. Cada foto lograda, cada capítulo terminado, cada especie completada, fue un logro que disfrutamos ampliamente y nos mantuvo entusiasmados para alcanzar la próxima meta.
¿Qué fue lo que más les sorprendió aprender durante la elaboración de esta guía de campo?
Aprendimos cosas importantes, relacionadas tanto con las aves, como con la perseverancia y la fuerza de lograr nuestras metas.
En cuanto a las aves nos impresionó la belleza y complejidad de la cabeza de las aves, los close ups pusieron en evidencia detalles que no se capturan con los binoculares, ni con la fotografía de cuerpo completo.
Otro cosa que nos sorprendió fue el importante papel que juega el algodonero rojo (Bombax ceiba) en los meses de pricipios de año, cuando muy pocas plantas florecen en el jardín. En enero y febrero este árbol se cubre de flores de color rojo intenso y con él se asocian numerosas aves, pero no sólo en busca de insectos, néctar y polen, lo más sorprendente es que las flores acumulan gran cantidad de agua y las aves las utilizan como fuentes naturales, para saciar la sed, en estos meses de seca intensa.
En la parte superior de la página de la izquierda se puede ver a un Herrerillo de cara amarilla buscando agua en la flor de un Algodonero de seda roja; en la parte inferior, en el mismo árbol, un Mirlo cubano busca agua o insectos en las flores.
Para Martin y Lourdes no fue difícil escribir el texto, conocían bien el lugar, las aves y ya habían pasado la experiencia de trabajar en otros libros. Pero para Karen el reto fue inmenso, no sabía de diseño, ni de fotografía ni era capaz de reconocer las aves. Estos coconocimientos eran indispensables para completar el libro.
Eso implicó numerosas horas de auto estudio para aprender a trabajar los programas CorelDraw, Photoshop, e inDesign, tomar cursos de fotografia, estudiar el contenido de las principales guías de aves que se han publicado en América, aprender el estilo particular de brindar la información en las guías de campo, y al mismo tiempo, realizar constantes visitas al campo para tomar fotografias, aprender a reconocer las aves, y trabajar en el libro. Todo en tiempos de pandemias con numerosas limitaciones económicas en el país.
¿Tienen alguna historia simpática que les haya ocurrido durante la elaboración del libro que puedan compartir ?
Hubo muchas historias. Al principio karen dijo que quería que la guía fuera con fotos, para que aportara algo diferente con respecto a otras guías cubanas. Cuando intentó tomar sus primeras fotos, a un sinsonte y un gorrión, después de mucho esfuerzo, no logró ni una foto con su lente, en ese momento se dio cuenta que el camino iba a ser largo, difícil y que le faltaba mucho por aprender.
Recuerdo cuando fuimos al zoológico a tirarle fotos a las garzas que permitieran obtener sus close ups. Las garzas querian dormir y bajaban la cabeza con los ojos cerrados, no había manera de que levantaran la cabeza para tirar las fotos, le gritábamos desaforadamente y en el momento que despertaban Karen tiraba la foto, las personas pasaban y nos miraban como si estuviéramos locas con aquellos gritos, realmente nos reimos mucho.
Otro día Karen se fue sola en moto para el jardín a tirar fotos, al entrar ve un grupo de perritos cruzando la cerca y para la moto para disfrutarlos, pues los perritos le cayeron atrás y pasó buen susto, tuvo que correr a toda velocidad para que no la mordieran.
¿Cuánto tiempo les tomó completar la guía de campo?
Comenzamos en junio de 2019, el libro estuvo listo para imprimir en enero de 2022. Pero durante la covid tuvimos una interrupción de unos 6 meses en que estuvimos totalmente aislados sin comunicación, porque no todos los celulares que teniamos los autores servian para usar el internet y sin poder salir, o sea dos años aproximadamente.
Cuando finalmente logramos comunicación entre todos establecimos un método de trabajo que permitió avanzar relativamente rápido. A la misma vez que se iba avanzando en el texto, se trabajaba en el diseño, realizábamos visitas constantes al jardín, y le dedicábamos tiempo a buscar fotografías donde se reflejara lo que explicábamos en el texto y con lo cual actualizábamos la información.
De hecho, hasta 2019 cuando comenzamos a trabajar en el libro, se habian registrado 105 especies de aves, en 2022 ya ese número habia subido a 125.
Una vez terminada la obra, comenzamos a buscar fondos para la impresión, que finalmente fueron aportados por un proyecto de PNUD, logramos tener los primeros 300 ejemplares en noviembre de ese mismo año.
¿Cómo celebró la finalización de la guía de campo?
Los cinco, los tres autores y los dos editores estábamos tan felices, no podiamos creer que lo habiamos logrado, cuando vimos las primeras pruebas de impresión la emoción fue inmensa, lo celebramos pasando tiempo juntos y compartiendo las vivencias de cada uno.
¿Cuántas aves endémicas viven en el jardín?
De las 27 especies endémicas vivientes que hay en Cuba 10 se han registrado en el jardín y 12 de las 20 reportadas para las Indias occidentales, lo que hace un total de 22 especies dentro de esta categoría.
En el libro aparecen 9 endémicas de Cuba, pero recientemente se registró por primera vez el Tocororo con lo que se suma uno más.
¿Cuales son los mejores recuerdos que ustedes tienen observando las aves del jardín?
Cada vez que visitamos el jardín lo disfrutamos tanto, encontramos algo nuevo, un comportamiento diferente, en fin es difícil de decir. Por ejemplo, ver la salida del sol y el despertar de los pájaros, ver por primera vez la Cartacuba, ave típica de nuestros bosques bien conservados nos pareció increible y recientemente, acabamos de observar el Tocororo.
El ave nacional de Cuba: el trogón cubano. (Foto de Rafy Rodríguez)
Recuerdo una ocasión en que empezó a llover, y tuvimos que tirar las fotos bajo la sombrilla para proteger la cámara, ese día registramos dos especies nuevas y logramos varias fotos de calidad para el libro, estábamos eufóricos!
Registrar una nueva especie siempre fue una fiesta para nosotros, lograr una foto que necesitábamos, con calidad y realizando una actividad que mencionábamos en el texto, ya era otra fiesta, puedo decir que los tres disfrutamos ampliamente cada visita, que en esos dos años fueron más de 60.
¿Donde se puede comprar esta guía en Cuba?
Hasta el momento no ha estado a la venta. La primera impresión ha sido muy corta con una alta demanda. Se ha usado para promocionar el libro y se ha utilizado como premio en concursos, festivales, se ha entregado a fotógrafos destacados de naturaleza, decisores, y algunas bibliotecas.
La segunda impresión que se realizará gracias al Betty Peterson Fund obtenido en el año actual debe dar la posibilidad de que se venda en el Jardín Botánico Nacional o en la Librería de la Universidad de la Habana, Alma Mater, en la Ciudad de la Habana.
¿Como se puede obtener una copia fuera de Cuba?
Esperamos poder vender el libro a través del sitio web de BirdsCaribbean.
¿Ustedes tienen en plan elaborar una versión de la guía en idioma Inglés?
Nos encantaría tener una version en Inglés y la idea es buscar fondos en el futuro para la traducción, diseño y revisión.
¿Qué le diría a un observador de aves que esté pensando en publicar su propia guía de campo?
Sigue adelante, no te detengas, trabaja duro, visita el sitio todas las veces que puedas, registra especies, comportamientos, fechas y lugares. Cuando recopiles suficiente información, busca un buen team y a estudiar y trabajar juntos. Una buena guía de campo es una obra colectiva, que puede ayudar a las aves y a las personas.
Nosotros hemos vivido siempre en un país pobre y bajo un fuerte bloqueo, con pocos recursos, poco transporte, problemas de comunicación y con elevada migración de personal joven. Si nosotros lo logramos, cualquiera que se lo proponga y le ponga empeño, constancia y amor lo va a lograr también.
Nuestros pequeños paises caribeños necesitan conocer su patrimonio natural, y estar conscientes primero de lo que tenemos, para que luego tomen conciencia de la responsabilidad de cada uno en cuidarlo y que todos podemos contribuir de alguna manera a su conservación. Libros como este son el primer paso a dar, el conocimiento conlleva apreciación, la apreciación es un paso importante para la conservación.
Puedes y debes.
Los tres autores del libro, de izquierda a derecha, Karen Aguilar Mugica, licenciada en Geografía, Martin Acosta Cruz PhD. y Lourdes Mugica Valdés PhD, ambos ornitólogos del Grupo de Ecología de Aves de la Universidad de La Habana. Karen es voluntaria del grupo desde hace varios años.
Los doctores Lourdes Mugica Valdés y Martín Acosta Cruz son profesores de la Facultad de Biología de la Universidad de La Habana (Cuba). Imparten tanto cursos formales de ecología como en los programas de investigación y educación ambiental de la facultad. Junto con Karen Aguilar Mugica, son miembros del galardonado Grupo de Ecología de las Aves (BEG) de la Universidad de La Habana. El BEG es ampliamente reconocido por su contribución al conocimiento de la ecología de las aves acuáticas cubanas. Además, son miembros y amigos de BirdsCaribbean desde hace mucho tiempo.
Front and back covers of Birds of the National Botanic Garden of Cuba. The Cuban Green Woodpecker, on the front cover, is the only representative of the Cuban endemic genera living in the garden.
At almost 500 hectares, the National Botanical Garden of Cuba offers a green oasis to birds, other wildlife, and people, in the capital city of Havana. It is well known for its extensive collection of palm trees, ethno-botanical displays, greenhouses, and serene Japanese Garden. From November to February it is an ideal place to see migratory birds, while some of Cuba’s iconic endemic and native birds can be seen year-round.
The new field guide “Birds of the National Botanical Garden of Cuba” (Aves del Jardín Botánico Nacional de Cuba) is the most comprehensive, authoritative, and up-to-date work of its kind. We speak with the dedicated authors Dr. Martin Acosta, Dr. Lourdes Mugica, and MSc. Karen Aguilar, about the field guide. They share the extensive research that went into its creation, how the team persevered through numerous setbacks, their surprising finds and fond memories at the garden, and advice for aspiring field guide authors.
What inspired you to create a field guide to Birds of the National Botanical Garden of Cuba?
It is a long love story between our group and the birds of the National Botanical Garden. In 1982, Dr. Martin Acosta began tutoring an undergraduate’s thesis on the garden’s birds. Since then, he realized that, with its almost 500 hectares and varied vegetation, it was a privileged place, despite the fact that at that time less than 40 species were detected. From there we carried out and published several studies on the ecology of the species that inhabited the different areas that make up the garden.
Cover of the first field guide to the Birds of the National Botanical Garden of Cuba, published in 1990.
Later, in 1990, we published a short rustic guide to identify the 41 birds we had recorded at the garden. As we had no camera or way to obtain the illustrations, Dr. Vicente Berovides, Professor at the University of Havana, drew each of the birds by hand with pencil. Incredibly, his drawings were good enough to identify the birds! That simple guide sold out quickly, so very early we could appreciate that the public was eager to get this kind of information.
From the year 1990, the well-known Special Period arrived in Cuba, with a deep economic crisis that did not allow us to travel to the field and investigate the waterfowl of the rice fields and natural wetlands that were the main focus of our research in that period. That fact resulted in all our energy and time being focused on the birds of the garden, where we traveled by bicycle from before dawn to monitor their bird populations and assemblages, to do several ecological studies, and to assist our students in their undergraduate theses.
Over time our knowledge of the place and commitment to sharing our results were increasing. Both Martin and Lourdes thought that we were going to retire without fulfilling the dream of having a book for the general public. At the time we did not have any funds to guarantee writing, editing, design, and printing. Even without the funds, but with all the accumulated knowledge of more than 30 years, in 2019 we got the final push when Dr. Banessa Falcón, Director of Teaching and Research of the National Botanical Garden, insisted on the importance of achieving this book. Karen joined the authors to contribute voluntarily with the design, photography, and anything else that was needed.
Similarly, Neyda Izquierdo, winner of the National Publishing Award in Cuba, edited the book free of charge. Additionally, Dr. Banessa Falcón, supported us in working on the book from its inception and was our scientific editor for the botanical topics.
Karen and Lourdes traveled by bike to the garden almost every day until the book was completed.
In this way, we managed to assemble a fantastic team, with whom the work became a constant exchange of ideas between wonderful people, who dedicated many hours to ensure the quality of the text in the pandemic times. In the end, it was a collective work, full of love, commitment, science, and fun!
Today, within 55 years, the garden has an assemblage of birds that has tripled in diversity in response to the vegetation development. So far 128 species, (three of them after publishing the book) have been registered, so this group of vertebrates is among its greatest attractions.
Undoubtedly, this was the great moment to bring to light the work that seemed to be just a dream for so long. Our research shows the importance that a well-managed anthropogenic (man-made) site can have for the conservation of birds. In addition, we hope that this field guide may be a useful model to other botanical gardens in Cuba and the world.
How is this field guide different from other Cuban bird guides?
It differs in several aspects:
It is the first Cuban bird guide made entirely with photographs of birds; the guides that currently exist in Cuba are based on illustrations.
The biggest difference is that it includes closeup images of the heads of most bird species (85%), which allow you to appreciate important details that are not visible in general photos or drawings.
In Chapter Four of the field guide, each family has a general picture with the main characteristics of the family and then, all the species within the family are presented. Each species has between two to six pictures; icons and text complete the descriptions.
It is the first guide that dedicates a chapter to the interdependence between the development of plant communities and the assemblages of birds that use them, in addition to revealing different aspects of the ecology of some notable populations. The guide also includes a chapter that encourages bird watching in Cuban society and offers strategies for its development.
In Chapter Three, the authors promote birdwatching and give advice on how to attract birds to your garden. In this page several vegetation structures are highlighted because of the impact they may have on birds and the resources they can offer.
It is a field guide based on the original scientific results obtained by the authors from more than 30 years of research, not on a bibliographic compilation, and it includes a chapter where many of these results are shared.
In Chapter Two, the published ecological results collected by the authors for over 30 years at the garden are presented.
The incorporation of informational boxes within the text of the general chapters is also new in Cuban bird guides. They offer a deeper understanding of the scientific elements, and were obtained by the authors in this botanical garden.
The book focuses on an ex situ conservation institution, dedicated primarily to the conservation of plants, which now joins a small group of botanical gardens around the world that have their own bird guide.
In the Field Guide chapter, 125 species are presented with 473 photos. Although the authors provided 70% of the pictures, the rest are from the selfless collaboration of 52 Cuban and foreign photographers, so this guide is a result of solidarity for the good of conservation.
Soon after the guide was published, we received a national award from the Cuban Book Institute (First Prize for Technical Scientific Criticism 2022) and the Prize for Best Scientific Book of Natural Sciences from the University of Havana. It is the first Cuban bird guide to achieve these recognitions within the country.
Tell us about your team of authors—how did each contribute?
Taking photos of moving subjects is not easy but Karen persevered.
Martin and Lourdes had the general idea of writing a bird guide since 1990, when we first published a much simpler version. Both of us contributed with our long experience, field data, and results from published studies. We wrote most of the text, and did the exhaustive revision of each version. Martin also contributed numerous photographs that are used in the field guide.
But it was Karen who designed the book and supplied most of the photos. She spent many hours doing fieldwork during the book’s development, and processed the images for the guide. She also wrote some informational boxes.
The three authors worked closely and intensively during the two and a half years it took to complete the book. We also actively participated in the final revision of the text, together with the general and scientific editors.
How much research did you need to do for this field guide?
That’s a good question, because we never worked to make a field guide, we worked to contribute to the knowledge of the natural history of the birds that live in the garden, and the more we learned, the more questions arose. So we carried out research on reproduction, territoriality, feeding, seed dispersal, and composition and structure of the assembly of birds associated with some types of vegetation. The findings have all been very useful in writing the book.
The birds used the water from the garden to maintain their feathers and meet daily demands, as well as the annual molting behavior in different bird species.
After extensive research, the authors found that the garden can meet the birds’ diverse needs: food, shelter and security.
What we can say is that it is not enough to know the list of birds that have been recorded in a site. It takes years of observations, and countless hours of fieldwork, to study essential aspects of the ecology of the species of birds that live there to contribute to their knowledge more effectively.
Martin closing a mist net at the garden. Mist netting is an essential tool for species inventory, provides useful indices of relative abundance, and can be used to track temporal trends in abundance.
What part of creating this field guide—writing, photographing, designing and editing—did you have the hardest time with or find most challenging?
Photography and design were the biggest challenges of this book. Photography, because we set out to create a guide based entirely on photos, and getting good-quality photos of 125 species, many of which are rare or difficult to photograph because of their behavior, such as aerial insectivores, was really a major challenge. At the end all species have photos and each species identification page has between 2 to 6 photos.
Martin and Karen taking photos in the garden.
Martin and Karen talk about camera models and techniques to get the best photos.
The design was challenging because it was Karen’s first design job, so taking on that task involved long hours of intense work. Both challenges were successfully overcome.
In general, it was challenging to achieve our goal that both the writing and the design were attractive to a very wide audience, including children, young people, adults, birdwatchers, and specialists in the subject.
What helped you to stay focused on such a large project?
First of all, the love of birds. Knowing that a book like this can have a great impact on Cubans and contribute to bird conservation also motivated us. Little by little, we realized that the garden can contribute a lot to local knowledge and the appreciation of birds, helping people to value not only their beauty, but also all the ecological services they provide.
Secondly, it is not easy to visit our protected areas because they are located in isolated areas that are difficult to access and transportation is scarce. However, the National Botanical Garden is situated close to Havana (only about 30 km or 18 miles) and can be easily visited by the population of the city.
Finally the teamwork, which was fabulous and exhilarating. It kept us together and working hard from start to finish. Every photo achieved, every chapter completed, every species completed, was an achievement we thoroughly enjoyed and it kept us excited to reach the next goal.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned while creating this field guide?
We learned important things related both to the birds, as well as to perseverance and the strength we have to achieve our goals.
As for the birds, we were impressed by the beauty and complexity of the birds’ heads—the close-up photos highlighted details that are not captured with binoculars or full-body photography.
Another thing that surprised us was the important role played by the Red Silk Cotton Tree (Bombax ceiba) in the early months of the year, when very few plants bloom in the garden. In January and February, this tree is covered with beautiful red flowers and numerous birds are attracted to them, but not only in search of insects, nectar and pollen. The most surprising thing is that the flowers accumulate a lot of water, and the birds use them as natural sources, to quench their thirst, in these months of intense dryness.
At the top of the left-hand page you can see a Yellow-faced Grassquit looking for water in a Red Silk Cotton tree flower; at the bottom, in the same tree, a Cuban Blackbird looks for water or insects in the flowers.
For Martin and Lourdes, it was not difficult to write the text, they knew the site and the birds well and already had the experience of working on other books. But for Karen the challenge was immense, she did not know about design, nor photography, nor was she able to recognize the bird species. All this knowledge was necessary to complete the book.
That involved numerous hours of self-study to learn how to work CorelDraw, Photoshop, and InDesign programs. So Karen took photography courses, studied the content of the main bird guides that have been published in America, and learned the particular style of providing the information in the field guides. At the same time, she made frequent visits to the field to take photographs, and learn to recognize the birds, and she kept working on the book every single day during those years.
Any fun stories to share during the process of writing, photographing, design, and editing?
There were many stories. At first Karen said she wanted the guide to be with photos, so that it would bring something different from other Cuban guides. When she tried to take her first photos, a mockingbird and a sparrow, after much effort, she did not achieve anything with her lens—at that moment she realized that the road was going to be long, difficult, and that she had a lot to learn.
I remember when we went to the zoo to take close-up pictures of the herons. They were asleep with their heads lowered and eyes closed. Yelling at them was the only way to wake them up. We shouted wildly and the moment they woke up Karen took the photo very fast. People passing by looked at us as we were screaming at the herons and by the looks on their faces, they thought we were crazy. We really laughed a lot.
Another day, Karen went alone on a motorcycle to the garden to take photos. When entering the garden, she saw a group of puppies crossing the fence and stopped the motorcycle to play with them. But the puppies ran after her which gave her a good scare. She had to run so they wouldn’t bite her.
How long did it take to complete the field guide?
We started in June 2019, the book was ready to print in January 2022. During Covid we had an interruption of about six months in which we were totally isolated without communication, (not all in the team had a good cellular phone to use the internet), and without the possibility to visit each other as we were not able to meet. So we would say that it took approximately two intense years to complete the book.
When the lockdown restrictions were lifted, we established a method of working that allowed us to advance relatively quickly, because at the same time that we were advancing in the text, we worked on the design. We made constant visits to the garden, looking for photographs that helped us explain the text, and with those visits we were constantly updating the information.
In fact, up to 2019, when we started working, 105 species had been registered; in 2022 that number had already risen to 125.
How did you celebrate when the field guide was completed?
The five of us, three authors and two editors, were so happy, we could not believe that we had finished the book. When we saw the first print proof the emotion was immense! We celebrated it by spending time together and sharing each of our experiences.
How many endemic birds live in the garden?
Of the 27 living endemic species in Cuba, 10 are found in the garden; and also 12 of the 20 species reported as endemic for the West Indies—making a total of 22 species in this category.
In the book we report on nine Cuban endemics, but recently the Cuban Trogon was recorded for the first time at the garden!
What is one of your fondest memories of birding in the Botanical Garden?
Every time we visit the garden we enjoy it so much and we learn something new about the behavior of the birds so it is difficult to say. For example, seeing the sunrise and the awakening of the birds, seeing for the first time the Cuban Tody, a typical bird of our well-preserved forests, seemed incredible to us, and recently, we just observed the Cuban Trogon for the first time!
The national bird of Cuba- the Cuban Trogon. (Photo by Rafy Rodriguez)
I remember one time when it started to rain, and we had to place the camera under the umbrella to take the photos. That day we registered two new species and got several quality photos for the book, it was unforgettable!
Recording a new species and getting a quality photo that we needed, of a bird doing an activity that we mentioned in the text, was always exciting to us. I can say that the three of us thoroughly enjoyed each visit, which in those last two years amounted to more than 60.
Where in Cuba can someone purchase this field guide?
Right now it is not for sale. We have a small first batch of just 300 printed books and very high demand. The first copies have been used to promote the book and they have been given as a prizes in competitions and festivals, as well as gifted to outstanding nature photographers, decision-makers, and some libraries.
The second printing will be made this year, thanks to a grant from the Betty Peterson Conservation Fund from BirdsCaribbean. We are thinking of selling copies from this second batch at the National Botanical Garden or in the Library of the University of Havana, Alma Mater, in the City of Havana.
How can someone outside of Cuba get their own copy?
We hope to eventually sell the book through BirdsCaribbean’s website.
Do you plan on providing an English translated version of this field guide?
We would love to have an English version and the idea is to seek funding in the future for translation, design, and proofreading.
What would you say to a birder who is thinking of publishing his own field guide?
Keep going, never stop, work hard, visit the site as many times as you can, and record species, behaviors, dates and places. When you gather enough information, find a good team and work together. A good field guide is a collective work, which can help birds and people.
We have always lived in a poor country under a strong blockade, with few resources, little transportation, lots of communication problems, and high migration of young personnel. If we could succeed, then anyone who proposes a project like this and puts in the effort, perseverance, and love will succeed too.
Our small Caribbean countries need to know their natural heritage, and be aware first of what we have, so that later they become aware of the responsibility of each one in taking care of it. We all can contribute in some way to conservation. Books like this are the first step to take—knowledge brings appreciation, appreciation is an important step for conservation.
You can, you should.
The three authors of the book, from left to right, Karen Aguilar Mugica, MSc in Geography, Martin Acosta Cruz PhD. and Lourdes Mugica Valdés PhD, both ornithologists from the Bird Ecology Group of the University of Havana. Karen has been a volunteer with the group for several years.
Drs. Lourdes Mugica Valdés and Martin Acosta Cruz are Professors at the University of Havana’s Faculty of Biology in Cuba. They teach both formal ecology courses and in the faculty’s research and environmental education programs. They, along with Karen Aguilar Mugica, are members of the University of Havana’s award-winning Bird Ecology Group (BEG). The BEG is widely recognised for its contribution to our knowledge of Cuban waterbird ecology. They are, moreover, long-standing members and friends of BirdsCaribbean.
Are you looking for a good birding read? We recommend that you log on to “The Cuban Birder,” a quarterly, digital, free magazine, published in English and Spanish. Richly illustrated and packed with information, it is a gem of a publication for birders in all walks of life, and the first of its kind in Cuba. An initiative of Birding Havana, its third issue was released in August 2021, and it is supported by BirdsCaribbean.
The magazine is more than just a substantial and fascinating read. The goal of the publication is simple: to get Cubans – especially the younger generations – excited about birds, so that they can take it up as a hobby. After all, Cuba has the highest number of recorded species in the insular Caribbean (397), of which around 262 are migratory. Once new devotees learn more and become engaged, this will lead to a deeper understanding of how the environment works, as well as a desire to protect and conserve the birds and the places where they live. In other words, it is hoped that the magazine will light a spark of awareness about Cuban birds and the serious, pressing challenges they face. The first issues have already received good readership.
The Cuban Birder has been a long-cherished dream of Birding Havana’s founding director Mr Vladimir Mirabal, former diplomat, lawyer, photographer and passionate birder. He says: “We have needed a magazine like this for a long time. There is great joy in birdwatching, and we want to express this through our publication. It is an educational tool that we hope will support our plans to rebuild a Cuban Birdwatchers Movement. Already, the Cuban Birders Club (Club de Observadores de Aves Cubanas) has experienced growth of over 3,000 new members in the past two months.” All who are seeking more information on Cuban birds and birding activities may join the Club’s Facebook page.
Helping to combat the caged bird threat
The magazine is especially timely as Cuba’s birds and nature face an uncertain future. The threats of climate change and habitat destruction loom large for Cuba, as they do for other Caribbean countries. Another significant threat is capturing and keeping wild birds to sell and keep as pets. Although illegal, this practice, long part of the culture, is growing among the Cuban population. Parrots, parakeets, grassquits, the Cuban Bullfinch, and many songbirds (residents, endemics, and migrants) are trapped, sold, and trained to compete in songbird competitions and kept as pets.
Fall migration is prime “hunting season” for the trappers and private Facebook groups in Cuba show off hundreds of migratory birds for sale, including Painted Buntings, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and dozens of warbler species. Even children are involved in the trapping. BirdsCaribbean will continue to assist with efforts to reduce these harmful behaviors by supplying birding gear and educational materials to help promote birding and develop Bird Clubs in each province. Bird watchers are a growing voice in Cuba. Vladimir commented, “With your support we will be able to reach out to a lot more people in our communities as part of our efforts to replace bird cages and traps with binoculars and field guides by increasing the appreciation for Cuban birds and supporting conservation efforts.” Many of our Cuban colleagues and partners have been working hard to educate and raise awareness about this issue for many years, but it remains a huge challenge. If you would like to donate to help us send binoculars and field guides to Cuba, please click here and select “Reducing bird trapping in Cuba” for your gift designation.
“The first bird of the season fell” – August 2021 Facebook post by a bird trapper in Cuba showing a migratory warbler, the Northern Parula.The caption reads “Ready for the hunt.” Painted Buntings in cages for sale – August 2021 Facebook post by a bird trapper in Cuba.Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, a migratory warbler in a cage in Cuba, for sale on a private Facebook group.Cuban boy trapping wild birds, posted on Cuban social media.Bird hunters in Cuba heading out with their traps, shared on social media.Painted Buntings in cages in Cuba – this colorful bird is a popular species for the caged bird trade.
The legacy of Juan Cristóbal Gundlach in Cuba
So what will you find, as you turn the digital pages of this third issue of The Cuban Birder? If you love science history, you will enjoy browsing through articles on the life and work of Juan Cristóbal Gundlach (1810 – 1896), who was born in Germany but left a rich legacy in Cuban scientific discovery. The author of the first major work on Cuban ornithology, among other studies, his name is included in the Latin names of no less than sixty animal species – among the birds he discovered, these included the Gundlach’s Hawk and the Cuban Vireo.
According to a 1915 account, the avid collector and descriptor of thousands of species did not drink and was a frugal eater, often departing in the morning with a biscuit and a sandwich in his pocket – which he forgot to eat during the day. He was tall and reportedly had a bit of a limp, but he was quiet and unassuming, traveling from one end of the island to the other. What a dedicated man! You will enjoy getting to know Juan Cristóbal Gundlach better in the pages of the Cuban Birder. This fascinating section of the magazine, about a significant figure in Cuban natural history is illustrated with photographs of some of the birds he discovered, accompanied by his own descriptions.
Don Juan, as he was known, was also the man who first discovered the smallest bird in the world – the Bee Hummingbird, which is the topic of another article in The Cuban Birder. Noting the tiny bird’s mating ritual, Gundlach noted, rather sweetly: “I have also seen the male when he is in love, go up perpendicularly with a non-progressive flight, sometimes singing, others not, stop, hover for a moment at the female, and then drop down.” Unfortunately, it is not as widely distributed as it was in Gundlach’s day, and is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. You can read a detailed description of this exquisite but endangered bird in the magazine. On another page, there is a very useful fact sheet on Hummingbirds; there are some 343 species identified in the Americas, and they are surprisingly aggressive for their size!
This is just a taste of what you can find in the latest issue of The Cuban Birder. It is an absorbing read that also includes helpful advice on the art of birdwatching and the best cameras for wildlife photography; as well as a gorgeous photo feature on the Alexander Humboldt National Park. A section on identifying hotspots using the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s eBird Caribbean includes how to determine the criteria for a hotspot, and how to navigate the website to suggest one. This section also emphasizes the importance of using the portal, which is specially designed for the Caribbean – especially on days when there are special “counts,” such as the eleven-year-old Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) established by BirdsCaribbean. Data on Cuban birds – and our island birds in general – is more important than ever!
Previous issues have featured interviews with well-known Caribbean scientists like the legendary Orlando Garrido, and artist and naturalist, Nils Navarro, author of Field Guide to the Endemic Birds of Cuba. The magazine is also packed with tips on how to photograph birds, how to identify them, and places to visit and stay to enjoy Cuba’s amazing bird life.
We warmly recommend this digital magazine to our BirdsCaribbean members, and to anyone who wants to learn about and protect Cuba’s birds. We congratulate the editorial team and all the contributors, and hope that readers will share the publication widely online – including, of course, on social media. We eagerly look forward to the next issue of The Cuban Birder!
Here are some readers’ reviews:
José Eugenio Martínez González:
I have been very excited about this idea. You have given us a nice surprise. As a birder, which I have practiced alone or in the company of my family, without equipment, but with a lot of desire, I take my hat off to this initiative.
Daniela Ventura del Puerto:
Excellent! I hope this magazine contributes to more people leaving the cages and changing them for cameras and binoculars. Success in that work!
Alejandro Padrón:
Excellent work for Cuban nature. Congratulations to all the members of this Club. I will follow you with attention.
Agustín Dimas López Guevara:
What good news! Graphic showcase and sample of the work of this great team that brings to light, with image, nature; fauna and flora, beauties to appreciate.
Lázaro Ramón Sosa Morell:
Great initiative, something very worthy of the culture of respect in our country and the effort that so many people have made for years to make it so! Congratulations!
Perhaps it all started with chickens! Orlando with two Rhode Island Red chickens in Third grade. A gift from his father for being in the top 10 of the class.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our dearest friend and colleague, renowned Cuban Biologist and Ornithologist, and living legend, Orlando H. Garrido Calleja, on the occasion of his 90th birthday, March 1st, 2021! Orlando, you are a jewel in the crown of Caribbean ornithology, and a treasured friend to so many!!! We wish you excellent health and many more years of happiness enjoying your work, passions, and company of dear family and friends!
In this article, Nils Navarro Pacheco pays tribute to Orlando in honor of his birthday, describing his many contributions to science, taxonomy, and natural history in Cuba, as well as his personal qualities of humility, generosity, and kindness. (scroll down for español) Many of Orlando’s colleagues also give testimonials about Orlando’s many achievements and contributions in a wonderful video by AvesPuertoRico (scroll down to view video).
I thank my BirdsCaribbean colleagues for giving me the opportunity to write this tribute to my beloved and admired friend and teacher, Orlando Garrido Calleja, on his ‘first’ 90th birthday. And I say ‘first’, because (simply) Garrido, as everyone calls him, is History, and history outlives human beings forever and ever.
Emeritus ornithologist and living legend, Orlando Garrido, sharing stories from the field while showing us his endemic bird collection; BirdsCaribbean Cuba Bird Tour. (Photo by Susan Jacobson)
Natural sciences in Cuba has in Garrido one of their most illustrious sons, whose awards have transcended national borders to become a symbol for generations of Caribbean naturalists. Nobody else has been able to explore each landscape and each animal entity of this archipelago and beyond in the same way; venturing into a great diversity of zoological groups, ranging from beetles to mammals, and it is in birds and reptiles, where his greatest scientific contributions lie. All in a historical context where there were no books or field guides like there are today. When he went to the field it was almost “blindly,” only with a backpack full of the passion and spirit of a “discoverer,” a word that would define him as a man of science. These were times when neither GPS nor digital technology existed, and the Internet had not even been thought of. His bibliographic reviews are incredible and even today I often ask him how they could do it in those days, to which he only responds with his characteristic smile.
Garrido is an example of greatness, simplicity and humility, as is common from greatest men of science, and also he is a person with great insight and irreverent sense of humor. Garrido does not skimp on sharing his knowledge and discoveries with other colleagues. When I met him, many years ago, I saw him as something unattainable; I remember the first time when Alfredo Rams, a mutual friend and former director of the Holguín Natural History Museum, took me to his house. That was precisely when I began to become more interested in herpetology, on that occasion Garrido, with that spontaneity that characterizes him, provided me with all the basic and necessary information to be able to delve into what later were new species that we would describe together, from that moment he has been my mentor and enduring advisor.
It is surprising how this nonagenarian sportsman turned scientist, mind is still so clear and fluid, personally, I consider it as we call here ‘mataburros’ (donkeys’ killer = encyclopedia), when I have any questions I just call him by phone. Garrido still remembers details from any of his publications, from expeditions in the 1960s, and describes them with the same passion as in those days. Anyone would think that Garrido is an excellent teacher, nothing could be further away, because they do not ask him to give them a class. His patience would not allow it, neither his nor yours… However, with Garrido, you learn by his side, with his example; Garrido is a school unto itself.
Orlando Garrido, Nils Navarro and Herb Raffaele at the 21st International Conference of BirdsCaribbean, in Topes de Collantes, Cuba, July, 2017. Orlando was awarded a BirdsCaribbean Lifetime Achievement Award.
I will not do the story of his life, but we attach his full biography so that it is available to all. From that boy who raised chickens, to that boy who dropped out of biology at the University to become an internationally famous tennis player (he played six times at Wimbledon and still has the sweater from 1958!), representing Cuba in countless national and international competitions of the highest category. And from there he went on to become the pride of Cuban science.
I would like to summarize in a paragraph the greatness of his research. Garrido has to his credit the discovery of four mammalian taxa and the description of: 58 insect taxa, 21 birds, 90 reptiles (37 of them at the species level), and he holds the world record in species description of the genus Anolis. Also 78 new records among birds, reptiles, and coral fish, 23 taxa have been dedicated to him, and in total he has 298 publications.
Orlando, today I want to congratulate you with all my heart for having reached such an advanced age, with such energy and clarity, and also extend it to that person who by your side has allowed you to be who you are, to Gloria, your wife, that sweet and kind being who has “put up with you” for all these years, because as the saying goes: Behind every great man there is always a great woman…!
Personally, I would like to give you the dedication of my new book (in prep), for which you are and will continue to be an inspiration, and your legacy is inextricably linked to each of its pages:
Dear Orlando, this is my gift for your first 90 years. I dedicate this new “Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba” to you on behalf of all those who in one way or another love and enjoy the nature of Cuba and the Caribbean. In its pages and illustrations are engraved your countless teachings, adventures, studies, and discoveries. To you who have always been our example, with your enthusiasm and infinite energy, your invaluable contributions to science, your simplicity and your friendship. To you who are Great among the Greats, with the pride of being your disciple and friend!
Hover over each photo to see the caption – click on any photo to view the photos as a slide show. Thank you to Orlando’s wife, Gloria, for providing most of these precious photos to us!
Orlando and Reynaldo Garrido Calleja
Orlando, on the roof of the house of Perseverancia 258 between Neptuno and Escobar. Havana
Orlando Garrido Calleja
With the medal of the Sacred Heart
Orlando Garrido Calleja.
Perhaps it all started with chickens! Orlando with two Rhode Island Red chickens in Third grade. A gift from his father for being in the top 10 of the class.
Finalist in singles and doubles with Eduardo Zuleta, Ecuador. Rey Garrido when he won the Quebec, Canada Open. 1959.
Playing ball at El Vedado Tennis
Clandestine historical photo. Coffin of the Egyptian Pharaoh Cheops, in the Pyramid of Cheops, Cairo, Egypt. 1958
In front of the Pyramid of Cheops, Cairo, Egypt
Humboldt Expedition. Cuba-La Rada.
On a street in Calcutta, India, taking notes to include in my memoirs while Eduardo Argón, from Uruguay, took the photo. 1958
After a hunt with Warren, Popeye, Jacques. Australia.
La Fe, Pinar del Río, a future new subspecies. With the taxidermist Felino González
Cochabamba. Bolivia, with a sloth
With Florentino García Montaña and Telmo Naranjo, taxidermist, in Cayo Pugas, Tunas de Zaza.
Common Loon, Gavia Immer. First Record for the Antilles and Cuba.
With an Iguana, Juan García Cay, San Felipe Keys.
With Florentino García Montaña and Felino González, la Fe, Pinar del Río
Bare-necked breed of chickens created by Orlando Garrido
Bare-necked breed of chickens created by Orlando Garrido
Celebration of the First Anniversary of the Collections Department of the National Museum of Natural History. 1988.
Recording bird songs with George Reynalds
Orlando and Ornithologist George Reynalds. Recording bird songs.
Orlando and Ornithologist George Reynalds. Recording bird songs.
Orlando recording bird songs.
With ornithologist Lester Short, entomologist Esteban Gutiérrez. Arachnologist Giraldo Alayón, Jennifer Horne, wife of South African ornithologist Lester Short
Zapata Swamp. 1982
Isla de Pinos, March 1984
With George Reynard March 1984
With George Reynard March 1984
Ornithologist George Reynard, Ornithologist from Kenya, South Africa, Mrs. Jennifer Horne, wife of North American ornithologist specialist in woodpeckers Lester L. Short and Orlando
Holguín – Guantánamo. 1 April 1986.
Holguín, Río Jaguaní
Holguín, Río Jaguaní
With Jorge de la Cruz
Key West Florida- 1993
Key West Florida-1993
Key West Florida-1993
Key West Florida-1993
Monte Verde, Costa Rica, Marzp 1994
With Florentino García Montaña, tourism specialist
With George Reynard, 1994
Puerto Rico. Orlando Garrido, Alberto Areces, Antonio Pérez Asso, Riberto Arencibia and Víctor L. González.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Caracas, Venezuela.
Caracas, Venezuela.
Orlando Garrido and Mario Llamas, former Mexican National Tennis Champion. Acapulco, November 1995
Tribute to Gilberto Silva Taboada. José Fernández Milera and Orlando Garrido Calleja. University of Havana
Tribute to Gilberto Silva Taboada. José Fernández Milera and Orlando Garrido Calleja. University of Havana
Tribute to Gilberto Silva Taboada. José Fernández Milera and Orlando Garrido Calleja. University of Havana
With Rogelio García, El Pelao, Orlando’s first guide in Zapata Swamp.
With Rogelio García, El Pelao, Orlando’s first guide in Zapata Swamp.
With bird watchers in Santo Tomás, Zapata Swamp.
With bird watchers in Santo Tomás, Zapata Swamp.
International Congress of Zoology. Topes de Collantes, Trinidad, 15th November, 2007.
International Congress of Zoology, with Luis Diaz. Topes de Collantes, Trinidad, 15th November, 2007
International Congress of Zoology, with Arturo Kirkconnell. Topes de Collantes, Trinidad, 15th November, 2007
International Congress of Zoology, with Luis, Arturo, Alayón, Silva, Ivonne y Esteban. Topes de Collantes, Trinidad, 15th November, 2007
International Congress of Zoology, with Luis, Arturo, Silva, Esteban y los otros. Topes de Collantes, Trinidad, 15th November, 2007
Group photo at the third NAOC Conference in Baton Rough, Louisiana, in September 2002. (photo by Mike Sorenson)
Victor Joseph (Antigua), Orlando Garrido, and Leo Douglas (Jamaica), At the third NAOC Conference in Baton Rough, Louisiana, in September 2002. (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
International Congress of Zoology, Trinidad, 15th November, 2007
International Congress of Zoology, Trinidad, 15th November, 2007
Orlando signing “The Birds of Cuba”. November 2014JPEG_420
Orlando Garrido in his Wimbledon sweater from 1958
Esteban Gutiérrez, Orlando Garrido, Arturo Kirkconnell and James Wiley
Group photo during the 21st International Conference of BirdsCaribbean, in Topes de Collantes, Cuba, July, 2017
From left to right: Vicente Berovides, Orlando Garrido and Nils Navarro. 21st International meeting of Birds Caribbean, in Topes de Collantes, Cuba, July, 2017.
From left to right: Vicente Berovides, Pedro Regalado, Orlando Garrido and Hiram González. 21st International meeting of Birds Caribbean, in Topes de Collantes, Cuba, July, 2017.
During the award ceremony for Orlando Garrido’s lifelong work and presentation of a documentary about his life and work. 21st International conference of BirdsCaribbean, in Topes de Collantes, Cuba, July, 2017. Maikel Canizares and Lisa Sorenson present a BirdsCaribbean Lifetime Achievement Award to Orlando.
Orlando Garrido, Nils Navarro and Herb Raffaele at the 21st International Conference of BirdsCaribbean, in Topes de Collantes, Cuba, July, 2017. Orlando was awarded a BirdsCaribbean Lifetime Achievement Award.
From left to right: Nils Navarro, Orlando Garrido and Esteban Gutiérrez. During Illustration event in Cuba, Antonio Núñez Jiménez Foundation for Nature and Man, April 2019.
From left to right: Orlando Garrido, Vicente Berovides, Alberto Estrada, Santos Cubilla, and Aslam Ibrahim Castellón, Garrido’s home.
From left to right: Orlando Garrido and Nils Navarro. During the launch of the Cuba Endemic Birds Field Guide. Felipe Poey Museum, University of Havana, 2015.
Visit with Orlando at his home in Havana (2016) – Lisa Sorenson, Jim Wiley (RIP), Orlando, and Ann Sutton.
Emeritus ornithologist and living legend, Orlando Garrido, sharing stories from the field while showing us his endemic bird collection; BirdsCaribbean Cuba Bird Tour. (Photo by Susan Jacobson)
Orlando Garrido regales our group with stories of his Cuban adventures as a biologist and tennis pro! BirdsCaribean Cuba Bird Tour (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Orlando Garrido and Herb Raffaele, at Orlando’s home in Havana, January 2017 (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Joanne Justo-Gaymes, Orlando Garrido, and Glenroy (Pewee) Gaymes at the BirdsCaribbean Conference in Topes de Collantes, Cuba, July 2017 (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Lisa Sorenson and Orlando Garrido – It’s always a delight to visit with Orlando, who is so vivacious and full of stories!
Group photo with Orlando at his home in Havana. BirdsCaribbean Cuba Bird Tour, January 2019.
Group photo with Orlando at his home in Havana. BirdsCaribbean Cuba Bird Tour, January 2020.
Tribute video to Orlando Garrido, presented at the BirdsCaribbean 21st International Conference in Topes de Collantes, Cuba, July 2017:
Presentation of a lifetime achievement award to Orlando Garrido, at the BirdsCaribbean 21st International Conference in Topes de Collantes, Cuba, July 2017:
Homenaje a Orlando H. Garrido en sus 90 años
Agradezco a los colegas de BirdsCaribbean por darme la oportunidad de escribir este homenaje al querido y admirado amigo y maestro Orlando Garrido Calleja, en sus primeros 90 cumpleaños. Y digo primeros, pues Garrido (a secas), como le llaman todos, es Historia y la historia simplemente sobrevive a los seres humanos por los siglos de los siglos.
Las ciencias naturales en Cuba tienen en Garrido a uno de sus hijos más ilustres, cuyos lauros han sobrepasado las fronteras nacionales para convertirse en símbolo para generaciones de naturalistas caribeños. Nadie como él ha sido capaz de adentrarse en cada paisaje y en cada entidad animal de este archipiélago y fuera de él, incursionando en una gran diversidad de grupos zoológicos, que va desde los coleópteros hasta los mamíferos. Y es en las aves y los reptiles, donde radican sus mayores aportes científicos. Todo en un contexto histórico donde no existían libros ni guías de campo como ahora, cuando se iba al campo casi “a ciegas”, solo con una mochila llena de la pasión y el espíritu de un “descubridor”, palabra que pudiera resumirlo como hombre de ciencia. Eran tiempos donde ni existía GPS, ni tecnología digital y menos se pensaba en la Internet. Sus revisiones bibliográficas son increíbles y aún hoy le pregunto, a menudo, como fue que las pudieron hacer en aquellos tiempos, a lo que él solo responde con su característica sonrisa.
Garrido es un ejemplo de grandeza, sencillez y humildad, como es típico de los grandes hombres de ciencia y, además, una persona con una gran perspicacia e irreverente sentido del humor. Garrido no escatima en compartir sus conocimientos y descubrimientos con otros colegas. Cuando lo conocí, hace ya muchos años, lo veía como algo inalcanzable. Recuerdo la primera vez, cuando Alfredo Rams, amigo común y antiguo director del Museo de Historia Natural de Holguín, me llevó a su casa. Ahí fue precisamente cuando comencé a interesarme más por la herpetología, en esa oportunidad Garrido, con esa espontaneidad que lo caracteriza, me brindó toda la información básica y necesaria para poder profundizar en lo que luego fueran nuevas especies que describiríamos juntos, desde ese momento ha sido mi mentor y consultor permanente.
Es sorprendente como este hombre nonagenario devenido en científico desde el mundo del deporte, posee su mente aun tan clara y fluida. En lo personal, lo considero, como decimos acá, un “mataburro”, cuando tengo alguna duda simplemente lo llamo por teléfono. Garrido aún recuerda detalles de cualquiera de sus publicaciones y de expediciones de los años 60, describiéndolos con el mismo apasionamiento que en aquellos días. Cualquiera pensaría que Garrido es un excelente profesor, nada más alejado de eso, pues no le pidan que les dé una clase, su paciencia no se lo permitiría, sí, ni la de él ni la suya… Sin embargo, con Garrido se aprende, a su lado, con su ejemplo, Garrido es una escuela en sí mismo.
No voy a hacer la historia de su vida, sino que adjuntaremos su biografía completa para que esté disponible para todos. De aquel niño que criaba pollitos, hasta aquel muchacho que dejó la carrera de biología en la universidad para llegar a ser un tenista internacionalmente famoso, representando a Cuba en un sinnúmero de certámenes nacionales e internacionales de la más alta categoría y de ahí pasó a convertirse en gloria y orgullo de la ciencia cubana.
Quisiera resumir en un párrafo la grandeza de sus investigaciones. Garrido tiene en su haber el descubrimiento de cuatro taxones de mamíferos y la descripción de 58 taxones de insectos, 21 de aves y 90 de reptiles (37 de ellos a nivel de especie), ostentando el récord mundial en la descripción de especies del género Anolis. Ha realizado 78 nuevos registros entre aves, reptiles y peces coralinos; 23 taxones le han sido dedicados y en total posee 298 publicaciones.
Orlando, hoy quiero felicitarte de todo corazón por haber llegado a tan avanzada edad, con tal energía y claridad y además hacerlo extensivo a esa persona que estando a tu lado ha permitido que seas quien eres, a Gloria, tu esposa, ese ser dulce y amable que te ha “soportado” todos estos años, porque como dice la frase: ¡Detrás de todo gran hombre siempre existe una gran mujer…!
A título personal quisiera regalarte la dedicatoria de mi nuevo libro, para el cual tú eres y seguirás siendo inspiración y tu legado está ligado indisolublemente a cada una de sus páginas:
Querido Orlando, este es mi regalo por tus primeros 90 años. Te dedico esta nueva “Guía de campo de las aves de Cuba” en nombre de todos los que de una forma u otra aman y disfrutan de la naturaleza de Cuba y del Caribe. En sus páginas e ilustraciones están grabados tus incontables enseñanzas, aventuras, estudios y descubrimientos. A ti que has sido siempre nuestro ejemplo, con tu entusiasmo e infinita energía, tus inestimables aportes a la ciencia, tu sencillez y tu amistad. ¡Para ti que eres Grande entre los Grandes, con el orgullo de ser tu discípulo y amigo!
Nota: Hemos dispuesto un espacio para todos los colegas que deseen enviar mensajes de felicitación a Orlando. Los que lo conocen, saben que todos los que hemos interactuado con él tenemos siempre una anécdota que contar, ¡Bienvenidas sean entonces también sus anécdotas!
We are pleased to share with you the new edition of the Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Cuba, number 4, 2021, by Nils Navarro Pacheco.
The Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Cuba is an annual publication that constitutes the most complete and updated official list of Cuban avifauna. It is the result of a deep and thorough bibliographic review and updating from the field. It serves as a basis for generating regional and global listings and is standardized for use with eBird.
In this new issue Nils urges us to pay special attention to the final comments he always include, with the aim of clarifying important information, taxonomic status, as well as other information of interest.
This year the cover is rich with a beautiful photo of the Cuban Tody, aka Cartacuba, taken by Karlos Ross. The beautiful cover design by Scott Schiller. From 2021 on, each edition will be published in both Spanish and English, and available in PDF for free download from the BirdsCaribbean website (see below). The printed version is available on Amazon at a good price.
The 2021 edition includes details of the status of 398 recognized species on the main list, and for the first time, a list of the late Quaternary extinct birds of Cuba. It is not intended to be a field identification guide. It is a checklist, updated in accordance with the 60th supplement of AOS. Nils and the publisher, Ediciones Nuevos Mundos, hope this publication fulfills its role and is useful to all persons interested in Cuban birds and ornithology. Nils welcomes questions or suggestions about the checklist (Nils Navarro)
If you are looking for a Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba, you can purchase it here or on Amazon.Read about the first checklist published in 2017 here:
