There is a beautiful parallel between the tiny endemics that call Jamaica home and the children who came out to protect them in May: neither can be underestimated because of their size! As Jamaica’s green spaces slowly bounce back from Hurricane Melissa, a new generation of backyard birders is stepping up to prove that the future of bird conservation is in capable hands.
This inspiring spirit of action was on full display during this year’s Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF). Centered around the theme ‘Every Bird Counts—Your Observations Matter,’ BirdLife Jamaica hosted a Global Big Day event designed to help the next generation realize that their curiosity is paramount to tracking, understanding, and ultimately protecting Jamaica’s birds.
The perfect location for this was at the Hope Royal Botanical Gardens in Kingston. Often called the “green lung” of the city, these sprawling lawns, shaded forest trails, and vibrant flower beds serve as a sanctuary for Jamaica’s native wildlife and some of the country’s endemic birds like the Yellow-billed Parrot, Jamaican Woodpecker, Red-billed Streamertail and Jamaican Oriole. In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which stripped away nesting spots and food sources, urban green spaces like Hope Gardens have become more important than ever. It was here that eager young conservationists gathered to look at and give back to their feathered friends, spending the afternoon building and decorating custom bird feeders to help local populations recover and thrive.
Among the young nature enthusiasts was Malika Smith, a student from Red Hills Primary School. Her unforgettable encounter with one of our most spectacular endemic birds perfectly captures how a single observation can spark a love for conservation. Here is the delightful poem she wrote about her big day:
The Day I Met the Vervain Hummingbird
One sunny day we went away,
To Hope Gardens for a special day.
With smiles and laughter, full of cheer,
We knew a great adventure was near.
We walked the trails and looked around,
Listening carefully to every sound.
The birds were singing in the trees,
Their sweet songs floating on the breeze.
Then something tiny caught my eye,
A little bird zooming through the sky.
It was the Vervain Hummingbird, they said,
The smallest hummingbird in the world, we read!*
It hovered softly from flower to flower,
Showing its beauty and amazing power.
Though it was tiny, it moved so fast,
A wonderful memory that will surely last.
My favorite activity was making a bird feeder, too,
A fun and creative thing to do.
We decorated it with stickers bright,
Making it colorful and just right.
I learned that birds need food and care,
Clean homes, safe trees, and fresh air.
We can help protect them every day,
By treating nature in a thoughtful way.
The best part of the trip for me,
Was seeing the hummingbird flying free.
I hope to return another day.
*The Vervain Hummingbird is the second smallest bird in the world.
Relief efforts and feather-friendly DIYs
If you live in one of the western parishes, you can also contact BirdLife Jamaica via email at 📧 BirdlifeJamaica@gmail.com or call 📞 1-876-295-7766 to see if you qualify to receive hurricane relief bird feeders and specialized energy-mix bird seed.
Additionally, if you can help get bird feeders and seed to the western parishes, please get in touch with the organization today. Thank you! 🖤 💚 💛
For everyone else looking to lend a helping hand, crafting your own backyard bird feeder is a fantastic, simple project for the entire family! Using basic upcycled materials from around the house, you can create a welcoming haven for local endemics. Check out our DIY guides below:
Passion fruit cup feeder (can also use grapefruit or orange)
Malika’s story reminds us that looking after nature takes a whole community. As Jamaica’s forests and gardens continue to recover from the impacts of Hurricane Melissa, our unique birds need our help more than ever to find safe spaces, food, and care.
By supporting BirdLife Jamaica and BirdsCaribbean, you directly fund vital habitat restoration, community education programs, and essential resources for youth outreach events just like this one. Your generosity ensures that more children across the region can discover the joy of birdwatching and become the environmental stewards our islands need for the future.
Donate Today to Support Caribbean Bird Conservation
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