Author: Aliya Hosein

BirdsCaribbean is pleased to announce the 2026 cohort of grantees under three prestigious named awards, the David S. Lee Fund for the Conservation of Caribbean Birds, the James A. Kushlan Research and Conservation Fund, and the Betty Petersen Conservation Fund.

These ten projects aim to advance the study and conservation of avifauna in five different Caribbean countries: Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Trinidad and Tobago.

In this article, you can read about the exciting plans proposed by each awardee. Stay tuned for results and accomplishments featured in future issues of the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology, blog articles, and presentations at our upcoming 25th BirdsCaribbean International Conference in Trinidad and Tobago this summer.

Congratulations to these outstanding researchers and conservationists from our BirdsCaribbean community!

David S. Lee Fund for the Conservation of Caribbean Birds

Comprehensive Study and Assessment of the Status of Cuba’s Endemic Quail-Dove Populations in Zapata Swamp

Abel Luis Simeón, Empresa para la Conservación de la Ciénaga de Zapata (ECOCIENZAP)

The Blue-headed Quail-Dove (Starnoenas cyanocephala) (Endangered) and the Gray-fronted Quail-Dove (Geotrygon caniceps) (Vulnerable) are two endemic species of Cuba with poorly studied biology and declining populations. The Zapata Swamp is home to key populations of both species, but the lack of up-to-date data on their density, habitat use, and specific threats hinders the implementation of effective conservation actions.

This project will assess the population status and characterize the critical habitat of both species in the Zapata Swamp using linear transects. This research will generate a robust baseline, identify direct threats to the species, and delineate the most important areas for protection. Additionally, the findings will be shared with protected area managers to update conservation strategies, published in the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology, and summarized in outreach materials for the local community, ensuring that science translates into tangible conservation.

Exploring the Persistence and Prevalence of Micro-dialects in Vervain Hummingbird Song

Katja Kochvar, Princeton University

This project aims to explore the remarkably complex song of the Vervain Hummingbird, an endemic species of Hispaniola and Jamaica that has received little scientific attention. Based on previous recordings obtained of singing males in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, the project aims to investigate evidence of micro-dialects: localized song variations where neighboring groups of males perform distinct repertoires of unique note types.

The project aims to build upon preliminary evidence that these micro-dialects are prevalent in Punta Cana and have persisted across years, although the composition of the repertoires has experienced significant turnover. Katja will return to Punta Cana to 1) gather conclusive evidence of the prevalence and persistence of all seven identified micro-dialects, and 2) pilot a study on the impact of urban development on song clustering patterns. Ultimately, these proposed studies will not only further our understanding of micro-dialects in an understudied species but also provide important insights into cultural evolution and the impact of urban development on animal behavior.

Ecology of Bare-legged Owl (Margarobyas lawrencii), an endemic strigid in Cuba

Jean Michel De Jongh, University of Havana

The charming Bare-legged Owl (Margarobyas lawrencii) is endemic to Cuba that relies on dense forests and natural cavities for nesting. Unfortunately, accelerating habitat loss has led to its recent inclusion on the IUCN Red List, highlighting an urgent need for conservation data.

Based in western Cuba, this study pursues three primary objectives: 1) evaluating the physical characteristics and preservation status of existing collections, 2) characterizing the species’ breeding behaviors and nesting requirements, and 3) comparing seasonal shifts in prey consumption over a full annual cycle.

Migratory connectivity of passerines in two key green areas in Havana, Cuba: Unraveling their journeys

Laura Arañaburo Acosta, Bird Ecology Group, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana

Migratory bird species are highly vulnerable, especially in the Caribbean, a critical region facing habitat loss and climate change. Effective conservation requires an understanding of “migratory connectivity”—how populations are linked across their breeding and non-breeding ranges. In Cuba, a key wintering site for migratory birds is Havana where urban green spaces provide refuge for these mighty travelers. However, the breeding origins of the birds using these sites are unknown, preventing an assessment of their conservation significance and vulnerability to local threats. To address this critical gap, Laura aims to determine the degree of migratory connectivity for passerine birds in two green areas in Havana: the National Botanical Garden and the Havana’s Botanical Garden Quinta de los Molinos.

Integrated methodology of systematic bird banding, stable isotope analysis of feathers to infer breeding origins, and the deployment of Motus nanotags for direct tracking will be used in this project. The findings will pinpoint the breeding regions of these populations, enabling a rigorous evaluation of the sites’ importance and establishing a scientific baseline to inform targeted conservation strategies for migratory birds in Cuba.

Functional composition changes across an island urbanization gradient after 20 years

Miguel J. Costas Sabatier, University of Puerto Rico

Urbanization is a global challenge, fundamentally reshaping landscapes and resources in ways that often lead to a loss of biodiversity. While some species struggle to survive in cities, others actually thrive. Understanding why certain animals succeed while others fail is now a top priority for conservation.

By analyzing bird sightings in northeastern Puerto Rico—comparing data from 2005 to new samples today—this project investigates how specific physical and behavioral traits (such as diet or nesting habits) help species adapt to city life. The study aims to: 1) determine if certain traits consistently appear as neighborhoods become more urban, 2) compare how functional diversity (the variety of roles species play in an ecosystem) differs between natural forests and urban centers, and 3) pinpoint which trait combinations missing from cities to help inform future urban planning and wildlife protection.

James A. Kushlan Research and Conservation Fund

Do the small urban wetlands of Havana city contribute to waterbird conservation in Cuba?

Alieny González Alfonso, Grupo de Ecología de Aves, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana

Wetlands are among the world’s most threatened ecosystems, directly impacting the waterbirds that depend on them for survival. While urbanization is a leading cause of wetland loss and fragmentation, small urban wetlands should not be dismissed as mere degraded remnants. Instead, these sites continue to support diverse bird populations and function as vital ecological corridors. As urban development escalates in Havana, maintaining up-to-date data on bird populations has become imperative.

This study aims to characterize waterbird assemblages across three urban coastal wetlands, describing their seasonal variations and using systematic surveys to assess the primary human disturbances affecting them.

Current status and dynamics of marine and coastal bird diversity elements in the Guanahacabibes Peninsula Biosphere Reserve in Cuba

Dalila Lezcano García, AMA-CITMA

The Guanahacabibes Peninsula Biosphere Reserve is a cornerstone of Cuban biodiversity and an Important Bird Area (IBA); its pristine condition and location support diverse bird assemblages and a steady increase in new species records. Despite its ecological importance, the aquatic component remains among the least studied at the Reserve. This project aims to conserve the Reserve’s marine and coastal birds and strengthen local management capacities.

Dalila will employ standardized seasonal monitoring via linear transects and fixed counting points to provide a detailed characterization of nesting colonies and demographic parameters for populations of these birds. These results will establish a vital baseline to identify population trends and inform specific conservation strategies for the National Park’s Management and Operational Plans. Ultimately, this work will fill existing knowledge gaps and provide the protection necessary for the future of Caribbean aquatic birdlife.

Betty Petersen Conservation Fund

Implementation of a Strategy in Vulnerable Communities to Reduce the Illegal Capture of Wild Birds in Gibara, Cuba

Ailen Anido Escalona, Museo de Historia Natural Joaquín Fernández, Gibara, Cuba de la Vara Pi

This project aims to mitigate the capture and illegal trade of wild birds in vulnerable rural and coastal communities of Gibara, Cuba, by expanding a community-based conservation strategy successfully implemented in 2024–2025. The initiative will cover eight priority communities, including areas severely affected by Hurricane Melissa, where bird trapping has increased as an immediate economic alternative. Through an integrated approach that combines environmental education, community participation, participatory monitoring, strengthened support from local government, and ecological restoration with 1,000 native plants, the project will empower citizens—especially children, teachers, caregivers, and youth—to become active defenders of bird conservation. Activities include training workshops, school programs, cultural and artistic initiatives, community patrols alongside the Forest Rangers Corps, festivals, media campaigns, and the development of digital and audiovisual educational platforms.

Protecting the Pawi: Community Bird-Guide Training for Regenerative Conservation in Trinidad’s Northern Range

Giselle Ragoonanan, HADCO Experiences Ltd Department of Sustainability & Conservation

The Trinidad Piping-Guan (Pipile pipile), or locally called ‘Pawi’, is both Critically Endangered, and confined to Trinidad’s Northern Range. As a flagship and indicator species for the island’s montane forests, its presence reflects the health of one of the region’s most biodiverse ecosystems. This project will strengthen local stewardship of the Pawi by training ten to fifteen residents from the Brasso Seco and Morne La Croix villages as community bird guides and citizen scientists. Through hands-on field sessions led by Hadco Experiences’ Department of Biodiversity and Conservation, participants will learn bird identification, forest ecology, guiding interpretation, and wildlife documentation.

Trainees will use digital tools such as eBird to record observations and Merlin Sound ID to document Pawi vocalizations, linking local knowledge with global monitoring platforms. The training connects scientific observation with opportunity, equipping participants to develop community-run bird tours that generate income while protecting critical habitat. By coupling Pawi monitoring with ecotourism skill-building, the project creates a sustainable model for conserving Trinidad’s birds through informed, locally driven action.

Conservation of the CE Ridgway’s Hawk in Les Cayemites Islands, Haiti

Anderson Jean, Action pour la Sauvegarde de l’Écologie en Haïti (ACSEH)

Since rediscovering the Critically Endangered Ridgway’s Hawk (Buteo ridgwayi) in Haiti in 2019, field surveys, nest monitoring, and community engagement have been ongoing, thanks to funding from The Peregrine Fund and BirdsCaribbean. The estimated the current population is 40 individuals.

This project aims to work with local residents to find nests and better understand threats to the hawks from agriculture, charcoal production, and direct human persecution. To reduce these threats, the project aims to conduct education and outreach programs to create awareness in schools and communities, particularly among farmers who reside and farm near active hawk nests. To date, these efforts have reached 2000 people, or 40% of the local population.

Despite significant advances in collecting demographic data and working with local residents to reduce threats, much remains to be done to protect the hawks. The project has surveyed less than one-third of the potential nesting area, and hawks still face persecution. Additional funding aims to allow the project to continue and expand survey work and nest monitoring, while also expanding work with local communities to reduce threats to the species.

Are you working on or planning a research or conservation project with Caribbean birds?

The next call for proposals will be advertised in the fall of 2026. Members of BirdsCaribbean conducting research and conservation work are eligible to apply. Stay informed and don’t miss our announcements by subscribing to our monthly newsletter, joining our listserve, and following us on social media (@BirdsCaribbean on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn).

BirdsCaribbean thanks our generous donors for supporting these awards and encourages others to donate to these programs, as well as to consider endowments or other large awards to ensure that our vital grants programs can continue indefinitely. You can help us continue supporting these invaluable projects by making a donation here. You can select the specific Fund you would like your donation to go to by clicking on ‘Change’ under SELECTED FUND.

If you prefer to donate with a check, please make the check out to “BirdsCaribbean” and in the memo section, note the fund you are donating to. If you have questions or need to make other arrangements for donating, please feel free to contact Alexia Morales, BirdsCaribbean Operations Manager (alexia.morales@birdscaribbean.org). Checks can be mailed to: BirdsCaribbean, 841 Worcester St. #130, Natick, MA 01760-2076

February 20, 2026

Selector, Play Us a Birdsong! BirdsCaribbean Sound Recording Challenge

From February to July 2026, birders and nature enthusiasts across the Caribbean are invited to record bird sounds, strengthen the region’s bird sound collections, and help train automated audio identification tools such as Merlin Sound ID.

BirdsCaribbean, in partnership with the Grabando Aves initiative, is launching the Caribbean Sound Recording Challenge 2026, a regional call to record and share bird sounds from February through July 2026, anywhere in the Caribbean.

For the purpose of this challenge, the Caribbean region includes: Bermuda, The Bahamas, the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles, Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Trinidad and Tobago, Providencia, San Andrés, Swan islands, and offshore islands and cays of Venezuela.

What is the challenge?

Participants of all experience levels are invited to record bird sounds and upload them to eBird, contributing to the Macaulay Library—an open-access sound library used by researchers, conservationists, and automated identification tools worldwide.

To qualify for a special prize, participants must:

Upload more than 50 bird sound recordings (from any species) during the challenge period— February to July. Recordings may have been made previously; the key requirement is that they are uploaded during the contest period.
Include recordings of at least three Caribbean priority species identified by the initiative.

Two prizes will be raffled among participants who meet the challenge criteria.The drawing will take place during BirdsCaribbean’s 25th International Conference, taking place 23–27 July 2026 in Trinidad.

The prize

A BRAND NEW SOUND RECORDING KIT!

The kit includes a Zoom F1 recorder and field-friendly state-of-the-art shotgun microphone! Our eardrums are tingling just thinking of the crisp audio quality you can get with this fantastic combo.

TWO PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED!

To qualify, please ensure:

Files are uncompressed files (WAV type)
Each recording is longer than 10 seconds
include at least some basic metadata, such as age/sex (if known), additional species heard, behavior observed, equipment used, and any notable background sounds.

Why bird sound recordings matter

Bird sound recordings are essential for understanding species distributions, and ecology. They are also a cornerstone for training automated audio identification systems such as Merlin Sound ID.

Each well-documented recording helps improve the accuracy and regional coverage of these tools, making bird identification more accessible and engaging, while supporting long-term monitoring and conservation efforts throughout the Caribbean.

Participating is easy

Joining the Caribbean Sound Recording Challenge is simple:

Record bird sounds in the field—even recordings made with a mobile phone are welcome.
Upload your recordings to eBird following basic editing guidelines.
Keep recording throughout the challenge period and aim to include priority Caribbean species.

No specialized equipment or prior experience is required—just curiosity, careful listening, and a willingness to share what you hear.

Tips from the pros

Grabando Aves’ “Bird recording basics” blog.

February 19, 2026

2025 Retrospective: Weathering Financial Challenges and Climate Storms to Protect Caribbean Birds

February 18, 2026

BirdsCaribbean Earns a Four-Star Rating and Goes Platinum All in One Year!

When you support a cause, you’re placing your trust in its mission and its stewardship — and we take that responsibility very seriously. Today, we’re honored to share that BirdsCaribbean has earned two independent recognitions that affirm our commitment to integrity, impact, and responsible conservation.

The Reviews Are In for BirdsCaribbean…

We are proud to announce that Charity Navigator, the largest independent charity evaluator in the U.S., has officially granted BirdsCaribbean a four-star rating for excellence as a highly effective nonprofit conservation organization. This is the highest possible rating and signifies that we are meeting or exceeding standards and best practices across almost all areas evaluated.

What a Four-Star Rating Means for Donors

Charity Navigator answers the critical question “How do I know my charitable gift will be used effectively?” With this recognition, you can give with confidence, knowing your generosity is stewarded responsibly and translated into real, measurable conservation impact.

Charity Navigator evaluates 501(c)(3) nonprofits using data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), information submitted by the nonprofit, and data from Charity Navigator partners. Organizations are then assessed across four categories: Impact and Results, Accountability and Finance, Leadership and Adaptability, and Culture and Community. In short, our four-star rating demonstrates that BirdsCaribbean is effective, accountable, and well-led — and that our results align with our mission.

BirdsCaribbean goes Platinum

We also earned our Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid (formerly GuideStar)! This is the highest level of recognition awarded by the sector’s leading authority on nonprofit data. Only 1% of U.S.-registered nonprofits achieved Platinum status in 2024 — and BirdsCaribbean is proud to be one of them.

This distinction reflects our strong financial health and commitment to openness. For our supporters, it provides clear assurance that our bird conservation initiatives are backed by credible, responsible management. You can view our BirdsCaribbean Candid profile here.

We earned the Platinum Seal by completing Candid’s rigorous four-stage reporting process . We began at the Bronze level by sharing verified mission and leadership information, advanced to Silver through detailed reporting on our bird conservation programs and the island communities we serve, and reached Gold by providing audited financial statements and board demographics to demonstrate fiscal integrity. Finally, we attained the prestigious Platinum Seal by reporting specific, quantitative metrics — such as birds monitored and local partners trained — demonstrating that our strategies are delivering tangible impact for Caribbean birds.

Our Commitment to Transparency and Impact

Our staff, partners, members, and donors across the Caribbean are deeply dedicated to our mission to empower local conservationists while protecting birds and their habitats. We value every donation we receive, as each one allows us to reduce threats to birds, advance research, expand education and outreach that foster a culture of respect for birds and nature, build local capacity, support communities, and strengthen Caribbean ecosystems for both birds and people.

We are grateful for these recognitions and extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our donors and supporters who helped make them possible.

We know choosing where to give matters. With an inclusive culture, strong leadership, impactful programs — and now with the independent validation through a four-star Charity Navigator rating and Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid — you can be confident that a gift to BirdsCaribbean will be put to work where it’s needed most.

To support our critical work protecting birds and their habitats, visit: https://givebutter.com/DonateBC

February 18, 2026

Our ETSWG Newsletter has Arrived!

The Endemic and Threatened Species Working Group (ETSWG) newsletter is now available, and it’s brimming with exciting updates and achievements! From celebrating conservation leaders to spotlighting critical challenges, this issue highlights the latest research, conservation, and education activities taking place across the region—available in English, Spanish, and French!

Your latest dose of Caribbean endemic bird news just got a lot more exciting—seriously! Alongside fascinating taxonomic changes that increase the number of Caribbean endemic species, this issue includes updates from the Caribbean Landbird Monitoring Programme, highlights from the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival, and conservation news from across the islands. From honoring local champions to calling for urgent action for our most threatened endemics, this newsletter showcases the dedication of our community to the iconic birds that rely on our care.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to view the newsletter in Spanish and French.

Across the Caribbean, conservationists are working tirelessly to better understand and protect the birds we love. In The Bahamas, students are creating artwork for a Young Artist’s calendar, while the One Eleuthera Foundation has completed a nature trail that brings the island’s endemics into closer focus for the public.

Nearby, in the Dominican Republic, plans are underway to remove invasive species from Isla Alto Velo, helping to restore habitat for the Black-capped Petrel. Meanwhile, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada, international and local researchers are finalizing Conservation Action Plans for the Whistling Warbler, St. Vincent Amazon, and Grenada Dove.

Grenada Dove side view showing cinnamon-brown plumage and white stripe in front of the wing, key field marks.

Grenada Dove—endemic to Grenada and Critically Endangered. The cinnamon-brown plumage and white stripe in front of the wing are key field marks to distinguish the Grenada Dove from other dove species on the island. (photo by Arthur Daniel)

Focused faces on Day 1 of the workshop. (Photo by Gaea Conservation)

St. Vincent Amazon Solutions Tree created by participants.

Habitat Restoration and Protection group.

Whistling Warbler spotted on La Soufriere Windward Trail. (Photo by Jonathan Slifkin ML621602299)

This issue also features recent conference presentations by local conservationists, both online and in person. If you’re craving even more endemic bird research, we’ve got you covered—including a list of recent publications on Caribbean endemic and threatened species. Most are free to access; when they’re not, we encourage you to reach out directly to the authors, who are usually happy to share their work. Lastly, be sure to check the ‘Save the Date’ section for exciting upcoming conferences in 2026.

Eastern Red-legged Thrush. (Photo by Dubi Shapiro ML500774021)

If you’re interested in getting involved with the Endemic and Threatened Species Working Group (we hope you are!) please sign up to our listserv to stay connected.

These highlights represent just a fraction of the vital work underway to conserve Caribbean endemics—and we want more! If you have projects or updates to share, please contact us. We’ve already begun gathering content for the 2026 edition.

– ETSWG co-chairs, Ellie and Howard

Past issues:

February 13, 2026

The Four Attachment Styles Explained Through Birds (So…Which One Are You?)

A fun look at secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized attachment styles — explained through Caribbean birds.

Are you a ‘green flag’ parakeet or a ‘broken-winged’ performer? We’ve enlisted the help of our feathered friends to decode the complicated human heart. After all, understanding the ‘why’ behind our behaviors is the first step toward breaking patterns that can hurt our relationships.

In the wild, survival depends on how an animal navigates its environment. Some birds thrive through constant connection, while others rely on stillness, deception, or independence to survive the day. Human relationships follow a remarkably similar blueprint—one defined by Attachment Theory, a psychological framework that examines how we connect with others.

With the rise of therapy-speak, you’ve probably heard about attachment styles. In case you haven’t, they are internal maps for how we seek — or avoid — intimacy. By drawing parallels between survival strategies in the bird world and human intimacy, we’ll break down the four attachment styles: Secure, Anxious, Avoidant, and Disorganized, using the unique behaviors of birds that mirror them.

Just a quick heads-up: this bird-to-human comparison is our own creative interpretation.

Secure—The Cuban Parakeet (looking for a lifelong flock mate)

People with a Secure Attachment style are the ultimate green (winged) flags of the human world. They should consider themselves the Cuban Parakeets of dating — they’re exceptionally social, quite the chatter-boxes (think their loud crick-crick-crick in flight), and in it for the long haul.

These parakeets, like many other Caribbean parrots, form lifelong pair bonds that keep their large flocks cohesive. Together they travel in search of seeds, juicy fruits, and sometimes flowers, leaves, or nectar. But they also understand that independence is healthy, opting not to clip their partner’s wings or panic when the other flies off to another tree while foraging. At sunset, each member of the flock returns to the same hollow tree trunk (a cavity) to roost together.

Photo of 3 Cuban Parakeets perched on a branch. Two are preening each other while the other is preening the feathers on its leg. — Cuban Parakeets preening each other. (Photo by Michael J Good)

This instinct to stick together is rooted in survival. As prey animals living in flocks — parrots can’t forage and watch for predators simultaneously. Usually, a few members act as guard while the others forage, and then they trade places.

Similarly, secure partners invest heavily in the health of the relationship. Just like a pair of Cuban Parakeets grooming each other in the canopy (known as allopreening), secure individuals prioritize fulfilling their partners’ emotional needs. This simple act of fixing feathers may seem small, but it’s rich in communication. It’s a non-verbal dialogue that says, “You’re a mess, let me fix that,” or “I’ve got your back while you rest.” It’s the avian equivalent of checking in after a hard day or offering a reassuring hug.

They build their relationships on a foundation of trust and clear communication. Thankfully, human communication usually involves fewer high-pitched squawks — but the principle is the same: staying connected is the best way to get through any challenge.

Anxious—The Yellow-crowned Night Heron (the master of observation)

If the Secure types are the Cuban Parakeets, those with an Anxious (or Preoccupied) Attachment style are the Yellow-crowned Night Herons of the dating scene. These individuals crave deep intimacy but often live in a state of “high alert,” scanning the horizon for any sign that their partner might be looking to fly the coop.

Just as a Night Heron stands perfectly still at the water’s edge, eyes locked on the slightest ripple, the Anxious person focuses on relationship cues. Why did they take longer than usual to text back? Why did they seem distracted?

The Yellow-crowned Night Heron is known for its distinctive hunched statuesque posture that says, “I’m paying very close attention.” By staying low and motionless, the heron can accurately judge the depth and position of crabs or crayfish without its prey realizing it’s being watched. To a crab looking up, the hunched heron looks more like a stump than a hungry predator.

For the Anxious type, this vigilance stems from a constant need for reassurance. Because the fear of abandonment feels like a predator lurking in the reeds, they might become “demanding” of their partner’s time or attention. It’s not that they want to be difficult; they’re simply trying to secure the bond — much like a heron trying to secure its catch.

Learn more about the Yellow-crowned Night Heron here:

Avoidant—The Shiny Cowbird (the nomad nester)

Representing the Avoidant Attachment style is the Shiny Cowbird. The male with its sleek, velvety-purple feathers looks polished and self-reliant while the females are an understated grayish-brown, closely resembling the Brown-headed Cowbird. The hallmark of the Shiny Cowbird is its brood parasitism. Rather than committing to the labor of building a nest, incubating eggs, and raising offspring, they drop their eggs in the nests of others and make a swift exit.

In this case, the brood parasite has essentially hacked the breeding system. She bypasses the grueling labor of parenthood entirely while ensuring her lineage continues. To pull this off, she acts as a surveillance expert, scouting host birds that are about to lay eggs. Once she identifies a target, she waits for the host to leave before sneaking in to deposit her own. If the host bird has already laid eggs, the cowbird sometimes punctures them before laying her own. If the parasitic egg isn’t rejected by the host parents, it hatches 2-4 days earlier than the host eggs,giving the Shiny Cowbird chick a head start in being fed and cared for.

Male Shiny Cowbird. (Brian Sullivan ML89283231)

Photo of female Shiny Cowbird perched in tree.

Female Shiny Cowbird. (Photo of Juan Esteban Salazar ML610641141)

Depending on the species, host parents deal with a cowbird’s intrusion in different ways. Many accept the foreign egg (including our endemic Jamaican, Puerto Rican, and Saint Lucia Orioles), leading to their own low reproductive success. Others take a more active stand: puncturing or tossing the egg out, or burying the entire clutch under a fresh layer of nesting material to start over. Others evict the cowbird chick after it hatches.

In the world of dating, Avoidant types often follow a similar script. They may enjoy the initial connection, but when things get “heavy” — like their partner requiring an answer to “What are we?” — they suppress their emotions and distance themselves, even appearing aloof or detached. This isn’t because they don’t have feelings, but because they’ve learned that vulnerability is risky business. After all, you can’t get kicked out of a nest if you never really moved in.

Disorganized—The Killdeer (the fearful performer)

If the cowbird flies away and the heron watches from a distance; the Killdeer screams: “If you get too close, I will break!”

Representing the Disorganized (Fearful-Avoidant) Attachment Style, these individuals are defined by a painful paradox: they want the warmth of the “nest,” yet they view the nest as a place of potential danger.

The Killdeer would probably win Best Actor if there were Oscars in the bird world. When a predator approaches its ground-level nest — a simple scrape lined with small pebbles — the bird performs an elaborate broken-wing display. It fans its tail, drags a wing as if it’s been shattered, and lets out a frantic cry. It’s a high-stakes gamble: the Killdeer deliberately makes itself look vulnerable and “broken” to lure the predator away from its eggs or chicks. Once the intruder is far enough from the nest, the Killdeer miraculously “heals” and flies away, leaving the predator confused and with a grumbling stomach.

Photo of Killdeer nest with 3 eggs and one chick.

Killdeer nest with the first chick to hatch. (Photo by Hartmut Walter)

Photo of Killdeer performing its broken wing display with both wings and tail feathers fanned.

Killdeer performing its broken wing display. (Photo by Hemant Kishan)

Note: While this display is fascinating, approaching to “see the show” forces the bird to waste vital energy and leaves its eggs dangerously exposed to the sun and real predators. Please keep your distance from all nesting shorebirds. More tips on sharing the shore with shorebirds can be found here.

In relationships, the Disorganized style mirrors this inconsistent performance. When a partner gets close, a Fearful-Avoidant person may “act out” to distract from the real issue. It’s a defensive performance designed to lead the perceived threat (their partner’s intimacy) away from their heart. Just like the Killdeer, their system tells them that showing “brokenness” is the only way to keep their most precious cargo safe.

Nature doesn’t judge the Killdeer for its theatrics or the Heron for its vigilance; these are simply survival strategies shaped by the environment. Our attachment styles are similar — they help us to navigate relationships.

Whether you find yourself performing a distraction display like the Killdeer or checking in with the steady crick-crick-crick of the Cuban Parakeet, awareness of your style is powerful! Once you recognize your patterns, you can begin working (if needed) toward shifting the ones that no longer serve you. With flexibility, thoughtfulness, and a willingness to give yourself grace as you grow, you can adjust your own behaviors to better cultivate the healthy dynamics you desire.

February 9, 2026

JCO Roundup: Volume 38 Features Research from across the Wider Caribbean Region

The Journal of Caribbean Ornithology (JCO) continues to publish peer-reviewed research that advances our understanding of Caribbean birds and ecosystems, providing critical insights for conservation. The latest issue of the journal serves as a vivid reminder that even in well-trodden landscapes, there is always something new to discover.

Volume 38 features a wide range of studies, including intraspecific and interspecific behaviors, exploration of avian physiology, and conservation-focused monitoring. This volume is particularly exciting because it challenges long-held assumptions whether that’s questioning the “silent” nature of female birds or re-evaluating the physical boundaries of a species’ range. Additionally, Steven Latta contributes another installment of “Recent Ornithological Literature” and one of two insightful book reviews.

We are deeply grateful to our dedicated team of editors, reviewers, copyeditors, translators, proofreaders, and production specialists, whose hard work ensures the continued excellence of our publications. We also extend our appreciation to the authors who entrusted JCO to share their open-access research. With the support of our non-profit partner, BirdsCaribbean, JCO remains committed to fostering early-career researchers, publishing content in three languages, and maintaining an open-access archive dating back to our very first volume in 1988. Join us in sustaining this vital resource—become a JCO supporter today!

RESEARCH ARTICLES AND NOTES

Intra- and interspecific agonistic behavior of two sympatric Hispaniolan Coccyzus cuckoos

Lucas H. Fink, Dora Donacik, Garrett Erickson-Harris, Bailey Guy, Jahan Okata Harrison, María Teresa Reinoso-Pérez, Kimberly Navarro-Vélez, and André A. Dhondt

Where two sister species overlap, interactions can be interesting, especially if the species are territorial, competitive, or have similar diets. The endemic Hispaniolan Lizard-Cuckoo and the widespread Mangrove Cuckoo co-exist in various habitats across Hispaniola, including in the lowland scrub forests of Punta Cana. To test the degree of interaction between these two species, Fink and colleagues used playback to assess the responses of the species to conspecifics and to each other. The authors present their results in this article, adding to our behavioural knowledge of these species and suggesting improvements to the study design for similar studies on other related species.

2. Primer registro de Florisuga mellivora (Colibrí Capucha Azul) en el Parque Nacional Isla Contoy, Quintana Roo, México

Jonathan R. Nochebuena Jaramillo, Marisol Gaytán Núñez and Alan Monroy-Ojeda

Along the Central American Caribbean coast, on a tiny island off of Mexico, researchers are making dazzling discoveries. At their banding research station within the Isla Contoy National Park, funded in part by BirdsCaribbean’s David S. Lee Fund for the Conservation of Caribbean Birds, Nochebuena Jaramillo and colleagues had a surprising visitor that had never before been recorded that far north. This research note describes their capture of a White-necked Jacobin (Colibrí Capucha Azul), a Central and South American native, and provides an important addition to our knowledge on the species and of understudied sites like Isla Contoy. You can also get the behind-the-scenes scoop in this blog from mid-2025.

3. Trends and seasonality of Ara ambiguus ambiguus (Great Green Macaw) and Ara macao cyanopterus (Scarlet Macaw) in the Tortuguero Conservation Area, Costa Rica

Emily S. Khazan, Lianne C. Woudstra, Morgan Hughes, and Charlotte Foale

Throughout the Caribbean, psittacid species are threatened by habitat loss and degradation, and related species in Central America face the same plight. In the Tortuguero Conservation Area along Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, the Great Green Macaw and Scarlet Macaw have begun a slow recovery, and the Caño Palma Biological Station is tasked with monitoring their populations. In this article, the authors describe the trends from 1,048 surveys over 4.5 years, highlighting the importance of food availability and landscape connectivity for far-ranging species, as well as the need for long-term monitoring. More details can be found in this blog we wrote in 2025.

4. Observation of female song in Chlorophonia sclateri (Puerto Rican Euphonia)

Miguel J. Costas Sabatier and Alejandro Ríos-Franceschi

The fact that male birds sing is common knowledge to many. But did you know that female birds can also sing? This behaviour is more common in tropical species, and underrepresented in the literature due to a temperate bias in scientific study. In Puerto Rico, the females of several species have been documented singing, including the now-endemic Puerto Rican Euphonia, formerly part of the Antillean Euphonia complex. In this article, Costas Sabatier and Ríos-Franceschi describe the intricacies of female song in this species, highlighting the importance of addressing biases in research and sound recording to get a fuller picture of avian communication. We also shared a blog about this article in 2025.

5. Observaciones del sitio de anidación y comportamiento del Astur gundlachi (Gavilán Colilargo) en el Jardín Botánico Nacional de Cuba

Randy Simón Vallejo, Jean Michel De Jongh González, and Nils Navarro Pacheco

For our understudied Caribbean endemics, any new life history information is a critical piece of the puzzle to figuring out how best to protect and conserve our species. For Gundlach’s Hawk (Gavilán Colilargo), a medium-sized hawk of Cuba, data on its breeding habitats were few and far between. In this research note, Simón Vallejo and colleagues describe their findings of a nest within the National Botanical Gardens in Havana, an important record showing the adaptability of the species and their ability to breed even in anthropogenic, semi-urban habitats.

6. First record of melanism in Myiarchus antillarum (Puerto Rican Flycatcher)

Scott T. Wieman

Melanism is a phenomenon where individuals exhibit darker (or even all-black) plumage due to increased pigment deposition. These plumage variations add to the overall variation in a population, and can affect how birds regulate temperature, hide from predators, and more. In this research note, Wieman presents his findings of a melanistic flycatcher in Puerto Rico and describes its significance in understanding the evolutionary pressures faced by our birds.

7. Shorebird and seabird nesting at two leatherback sea turtle nesting beaches in St. Kitts, West Indies, 2010–2013

Kimberly M. Stewart, Jeremy M. McKeever, Gary W. Buckles, Kathleen Clements, Jennifer Kishbaugh, and Terry Norton

What do sea turtles and birds have in common? They both have great taste in beaches! In St. Kitts and Nevis, the two main leatherback nesting beaches, Keys Beach and North Friars Beach, also host numerous bird species, including Wilson’s Plover, Black-necked Stilt, and Least and Royal Terns. The local Sea Turtle Monitoring Network conducted regular surveys during the turtle nesting season for 4 years, to not only identify the nesting birds but also to determine the fate of each of these avian nesting attempts. In this article, Stewart and colleagues present their findings, with recommendations to improve the management of these coastal sites for both sea turtles and birds.

8. A population estimate for Phoenicopterus ruber (American Flamingo) for the Turks and Caicos Islands with an assessment of current breeding status

Simon Busuttil, Agile LeVin, and Laura Watson

Flamingos are an unmistakable and distinctive part of the wetland landscape in the northern Caribbean, particularly in The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). Numerous historic records name the species as a resident breeder in TCI, but lacked both empirical and anecdotal evidence to back up this claim. To quantify the population and assess current breeding status across the territory, Busuttil and colleagues conducted small craft aerial surveys to get a literal bird’s eye view of the flamingos over two seasons in 2024. In this research article, the authors present their findings and settle once and for all the question of whether the American Flamingo breeds in TCI.

9. First observations of Limosa fedoa (Marbled Godwit) in Suriname, French Guiana, and Guyana

Arne J. Lesterhuis, Olivier Claessens, Brian J. O’Shea, Sean Dilrosun, Gini Dilrosun, Elie Monin, and Karel de Weerdt

The northern coast of South America is teeming with birds, often considered “one of the most important areas for migratory species in the Americas”. Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana, located south-west of the insular Caribbean, are especially important overwintering sites for species that may stopover on the islands en route. This research note describes the first records of the Marbled Godwit in each of these countries over the last 3 years.

10. Satellite tracking supports hypotheses of breeding allochrony and allopatry in the Endangered Pterodroma hasitata (Black-capped Petrel, Diablotin)

Yvan G. Satgé, J. Brian Patteson, Bradford S. Keitt, Chris P. Gaskin, and Patrick G.R. Jodice

Black-capped Petrels are unique for many reasons – they are the only Pterodroma petrel that nests in the Caribbean (on 5 suspected or probable islands), they nest in burrows, and they have marked physical variation from small and dark to large and pale. To test their hypothesis that these forms represent different breeding populations, Satgé and colleagues tagged individual petrels with satellite trackers before the breeding season to see what they got up to. This article describes their findings from two individuals tracked through the 2019–2020 breeding season.

11. First record of Bucephala albeola (Bufflehead) for the U.S. Virgin Islands

Victoria Mae Beasley

New records of species are always exciting, whether they are vagrants, pioneers in a range expansion, or new migratory visitors. In this research note, Beasley shares her observation of a Bufflehead on St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, the first record of the species for the entire territory. The individual overwintered from at least November to mid-February, providing new information on the species’ migratory routes and overwinter habitat.

12. An aberrant euphonia from St. Lucia, with observations on plumage variation in two Caribbean species of Chlorophonia

Daniel J. Lebbin, Willow Francois, Jorge Brocca, Jacob Saucier, and R. Terry Chesser

There is still so much we do not know about our endemic species, especially those more recently split from sister species or species complexes. The Lesser Antillean Euphonia, considered conspecific with the Hispaniolan and Puerto Rican Euphonias until 2023, is found only on 9 small islands in the Eastern Caribbean. It differs from its Greater Antillean counterparts by having less marked differences between male and female plumages, but a recent observation from St. Lucia is challenging this assumption. In this research note, Lebbin and colleagues describe a euphonia that looks nothing like it “should”, and evaluate numerous hypotheses about what this unique plumage could mean.

BOOK REVIEWS

Revoyage of the Mayflower: Societal Values—Conservation’s Driving Force

Book Author: Herbert A. Raffaele

Review by: Robert Askins

Front cover of the Revoyage of the Mayflower by Herbert Raffaele.

Wildlife of the Eastern Caribbean

Book Authors: Steve Holliday and Gill Holliday

Review by: Steven C. Latta

Front cover of the Wildlife of the Eastern Caribbean field guide.

RECENT ORNITHOLOGICAL LITERATURE (ROL) FROM THE CARIBBEAN

Steven C. Latta

This annual compilation, curated and annotated by Steve Latta, highlights the most important ornithological articles published in other journals. The Recent Ornithological Literature (ROL) section serves as a valuable resource for researchers, conservationists, and bird enthusiasts by summarizing key studies on Caribbean birdlife. This collection ensures that the latest scientific findings remain accessible to those working to protect and understand the region’s avian diversity.

Article by

Zoya Buckmire – Lead Copy Editor for the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology;

Stefan Gleissberg – Managing and Production Editor for the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology

The Journal of Caribbean Ornithology relies on donations to keep our publications free and open-access. Your support helps give a voice to Caribbean ornithologists and their critical research while ensuring that conservation knowledge is accessible to all. Join us in sustaining this vital resource—become a JCO supporter today!

January 17, 2026

Caribbean Communities Create the Ultimate Stopover for Migratory Birds

January 9, 2026

Training Opportunity: Motus Tagging Training Workshop in Puerto Rico

[OPRIMA AQUÍ PARA ESPAÑOL]

BirdsCaribbean’s Caribbean Motus Collaboration program is excited to invite applications for a 5-day Motus Tagging Training Workshop. In partnership with the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, this hands-on training will be held at the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Salinas, Puerto Rico, from 2-6 March 2026.

What is Motus?

The Motus Wildlife Tracking System is a global collaborative research network that uses automated radio telemetry to track the movements of small animals. The network is centrally managed by Birds Canada (motus.org), and consists of thousands of receiving stations worldwide that detect tagged animals as they move through the landscape.

Motus station at Holywell Park in the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, Jamaica; installed in collaboration with the Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust in March 2023 (Photo by Holly Garrod).

When the Caribbean Motus Collaboration (CMC) was launched in 2021, there were no permanent Motus receiving stations in the insular Caribbean. Thanks to the efforts of many regional and international partners, the Caribbean Motus network is growing rapidly—there are now 24 active stations in the region, with plans for many more!

Why do we need to tag birds in the Caribbean?

As this critical geographical gap in the Motus network is filled, migratory birds tagged outside the Caribbean are increasingly being detected at Caribbean stations and providing valuable new insights into migration routes, timing, and stopover use across the region. For example, this Red Knot—a species of conservation concern experiencing significant population declines—was one of many tagged in Argentina and later detected at a Caribbean station during its long journey to breeding grounds in the Arctic.

This Red Knot was tagged in Argentina and detected by a Motus station in Barbados while migrating back to its breeding ground in North America.

Red Knot stopping over in Barbados on its long migration. (photo by John Webster)

Tagging birds within the Caribbean allows us to better understand populations that depend on the islands for all or part of their life cycles. For migratory species, this includes information on movement patterns, stopover duration, departure decisions, and carry-over effects—how conditions in one part of the bird’s life cycle (such as the quality of non-breeding habitat) influence its health, survival, and breeding success later on. Motus tracking is being used to study overwintering populations of species of conservation concern such as Bicknell’s Thrush in the Dominican Republic. Motus can also fill important knowledge gaps for resident species, including movements within and between islands, dispersal distances, and habitat use.

Photo of various Motus tags held in the palm of a hand. — The various types of Motus tags that can be attached to animals to track their movement. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)

New Motus stations and tagging projects are continually being developed across the region, and we are only beginning to tap into the full potential of this powerful research network. Now is the time to build regional capacity to use Motus data and contribute meaningfully to collaborative tracking efforts.

About the workshop

Prairie Warbler wearing a new Motus tag, attached with a leg loop harness, in Puerto Rico. (Photo by Holly Garrod)

The Motus Tagging Training Workshop workshop is designed for Caribbean wildlife professionals who are interested in actively participating in Motus research on birds in the insular Caribbean, and have the capacity to apply this training through ongoing or planned projects.

This bilingual (English/Spanish) workshop will focus on tagging landbirds, with an emphasis on passerines. We hope to provide training opportunities for other bird groups in the future.

The workshop will provide hands-on training in:

Safely attaching Motus tags using approved harness methods
Activating tags in the field
Deploying tags within projects on the Motus network
Data management and best practices for collaborative tracking studies.

Because tag attachment requires careful handling and manipulation of birds in the hand, prior experience with bird handling and banding (particularly passerines) is required.

Who should apply?

This workshop is best suited for wildlife professionals, researchers, and conservation practitioners who are:

Based in the insular Caribbean (especially in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands)
Actively involved in existing or planned Motus projects, or have a clear pathway to becoming involved
Experienced with bird banding and handling, especially with passerines (priority will be given to applicants who have handled 300+ birds)
Committed to applying this training as well as networking with the Caribbean conservation community to support long-term research and conservation in the region

Funding and logistics

We anticipate selecting approximately 15 participants. BirdsCaribbean has funding available for a limited number of need and merit-based scholarships to help cover travel and participation costs. Applicants who are able to cover part or all of their costs help us to include additional participants, but financial ability will not determine selection.

Participants should plan to arrive in Puerto Rico by 1 March and depart on 7 March, 2026.

How to apply

If you are interested in participating, please complete the application form by 20 January 2026.

English Version: https://bit.ly/CMC-2026-Application-ENG

Versión en español: https://bit.ly/CMC-2026-Solicitud-ESP

If you have any questions, please send an email to:

Maya Wilson, Landbird Program Manager

Maya.Wilson@BirdsCaribbean.org

Holly Garrod, Caribbean Bird Banding Coordinator

Holly.Garrod@BirdsCaribbean.org

Oportunidad de capacitación: Taller de etiquetado Motus

El programa Caribbean Motus Collaboration de BirdsCaribbean se complace en invitar a presentar solicitudes para un taller de formación sobre el marcado con Motus de 5 días de duración. En colaboración con el Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales de Puerto Rico, esta formación práctica se llevará a cabo en la Reserva Nacional de Investigación Estuarina de la Bahía de Jobos, en Salinas, Puerto Rico, del 2 al 6 de marzo de 2026.

¿Qué es Motus?

El sistema de seguimiento de fauna silvestre Motus es una red de investigación colaborativa global que utiliza telemetría automática por radio para rastrear los movimientos de pequeños animales. La red está gestionada de forma centralizada por Birds Canada (motus.org) y consta de miles de estaciones receptoras en todo el mundo que detectan a los animales marcados a medida que se desplazan por el terreno.

Cuando se puso en marcha la Colaboración Motus del Caribe (CMC) en 2021, no había estaciones receptoras Motus permanentes en el Caribe insular. Gracias a los esfuerzos de muchos socios regionales e internacionales, la red Motus del Caribe está creciendo rápidamente: ahora hay 24 estaciones activas en la región, ¡y hay planes para muchas más!

¿Por qué necesitamos marcar aves en el Caribe?

A medida que se va llenando este vacío geográfico crítico en la red Motus, las aves migratorias marcadas fuera del Caribe se detectan cada vez más en las estaciones caribeñas y proporcionan nuevos y valiosos conocimientos sobre las rutas migratorias, los tiempos y el uso de las escalas en toda la región. Por ejemplo, este Calidrus canutus, una especie de interés para la conservación que está experimentando un importante descenso de su población, fue uno de los muchos marcados en Argentina y posteriormente detectados en una estación caribeña durante su largo viaje hacia las zonas de reproducción en el Ártico.

El marcado de aves en el Caribe nos permite comprender mejor las poblaciones que dependen de las islas durante todo o parte de su ciclo de vida. En el caso de las especies migratorias, esto incluye información sobre los patrones de movimiento, la duración de las escalas, las decisiones de partida y los efectos de arrastre, es decir, cómo las condiciones en una parte del ciclo de vida de las aves (como la calidad del hábitat no reproductivo) influyen en su salud, supervivencia y éxito reproductivo posterior. El seguimiento con Motus se está utilizando para estudiar las poblaciones invernantes de especies de interés para la conservación, como Catharus bicknelli en la República Dominicana. Motus también puede llenar importantes lagunas de conocimiento sobre las especies residentes, incluidos los movimientos dentro y entre las islas, las distancias de dispersión y el uso del hábitat.

Se están desarrollando continuamente nuevas estaciones Motus y proyectos de marcado en toda la región, y apenas estamos empezando a aprovechar todo el potencial de esta potente red de investigación. Ahora es el momento de desarrollar la capacidad regional para utilizar los datos de Motus y contribuir de manera significativa a los esfuerzos de seguimiento colaborativo.

Acerca del taller

El taller de formación sobre el marcado con Motus está diseñado para profesionales de la fauna silvestre del Caribe que estén interesados en participar activamente en la investigación de Motus sobre las aves en el Caribe insular y que tengan la capacidad de aplicar esta formación a través de proyectos en curso o previstos.

Este taller bilingüe (inglés/español) se centrará en el marcado de aves terrestres, con especial énfasis en los paseriformes. Esperamos poder ofrecer oportunidades de formación para otros grupos de aves en el futuro.

El taller proporcionará formación práctica sobre:

La colocación segura de etiquetas Motus utilizando métodos de arnés aprobados.
La activación de etiquetas sobre el terreno.
El despliegue de etiquetas en proyectos de la red Motus.
La gestión de datos y las mejores prácticas para estudios de seguimiento colaborativos.

Dado que la colocación de las etiquetas requiere un manejo cuidadoso de las aves en la mano, se requiere experiencia previa en el manejo y anillamiento de aves (en particular paseriformes).

¿Quiénes pueden inscribirse?

Este taller es ideal para profesionales de la vida silvestre, investigadores y conservacionistas que:

Residan en el Caribe insular (especialmente en Puerto Rico y las Islas Vírgenes de los Estados Unidos).
Participen activamente en proyectos Motus existentes o previstos, o tengan una vía clara para participar.
Tengan experiencia en el anillamiento y manejo de aves, especialmente de paseriformes (se dará prioridad a los solicitantes que hayan manejado más de 300 aves).
Estén comprometidos con la aplicación de esta formación, así como con la creación de redes con la comunidad conservacionista del Caribe para apoyar la investigación y la conservación a largo plazo en la región.

Financiación y logística

Prevemos seleccionar aproximadamente 15 participantes. BirdsCaribbean dispone de fondos para un número limitado de becas basadas en las necesidades y los méritos, con el fin de ayudar a cubrir los gastos de viaje y participación. Los solicitantes que puedan cubrir parte o la totalidad de sus gastos nos ayudan a incluir a más participantes, pero la capacidad financiera no determinará la selección.

Los participantes deben planificar su llegada a Puerto Rico antes del 1 de marzo y su salida el 7 de marzo de 2026.

Solicitudes

Si estás interesado en participar en este taller, llena este formulario antes del 20 de enero de 2026.

Versión en inglés: https://bit.ly/CMC-2026-Application-ENG

Versión en español: https://bit.ly/CMC-2026-Solicitud-ESP

Si tienes alguna pregunta, envía un correo electrónico a:

Maya Wilson, Gerente del Programa de Aves Terrestres

Maya.Wilson@BirdsCaribbean.org

Holly Garrod, Coordinadora de la Red de Anillamiento de Aves del Caribe

Holly.Garrod@BirdsCaribbean.org

December 23, 2025

Uniting to Save the Grenada Dove: Conservation Leaders Gather for Urgent Action Planning

December 22, 2025

Updates to Caribbean Bird Taxonomy You’ll Want to Know About

Break out your life lists — the 66th supplement to the American Ornithological Society’s (AOS) Checklist of North and Middle American Birds, published in August 2025, brought several taxonomic changes that Caribbean birders will want to be aware of. We’re taking a closer look at the updates that matter most for our region.

Taxonomy — the science of naming and classifying organisms — is always evolving. The AOS maintains the official checklist for birds from the Arctic down to the Panama–Colombia border, including Bermuda, the West Indies, and the Hawaiian Islands. Each year, ornithologists review the list and evaluate proposals for taxonomic revisions.

Usually, the most attention-grabbing changes involve species level shifts: “splits,” where one wide-ranging species is divided into two or more localized ones; or “lumps,” where similar species are combined. But in this supplement, many changes affecting the Caribbean occur at higher taxonomic levels, offering new insights into evolutionary relationships rather than altering species counts.

Taxonomy 101

To understand what these AOS updates mean, let’s take a quick refresher on how taxonomy works!

When we’re birding, we usually rely on common names—think “Killdeer” or “Carib Grackle.” Depending on where you are in the Caribbean, you may even hear different local names for the same species. Bananaquits, for example, are called “sugarbirds” in Trinidad, “beeny birds” in Jamaica, and “see-see birds” in Grenada! But every species also has a universally recognized scientific name made up of two parts: the genus and the species epithet. These names are always italicized, a convention going back to Swedish biologist Carl Linnaeus, who wanted scientific names to stand out clearly in manuscripts.

When categorizing organisms, the genus groups very closely related birds together; the species epithet distinguishes one species from another within that genus. When we zoom out, genera (the plural of genus) are grouped into families. Closely-related families are grouped into orders. And one level above that is the class, where all birds fall under Aves.

So the main taxonomic categories look like this:

Species – a single, distinct type of bird
Genus – a small group (sometimes just one!) of closely related species
Family – a group of related genera
Order – a group of related families
Class – the broad category that includes all birds (Aves)

A cool tip: In animal taxonomy, all family names end in “-idae”, and all bird orders end in “-iformes.” Once you spot those endings, you’ll know exactly where you are in the taxonomic hierarchy.

To illustrate further..

Let’s look at a familiar Caribbean species: the Least Tern or Sterna antillarum. The genus Sterna contains several tern species, but the species epithet ‘antillarum’ tells us we’re talking specifically about the Least Tern.

Least Tern in flight. (Photo by Sam Miller Macaulay Library-ML161558471)

If we think about birds similar to terns, gulls, noddies, and skimmers might come to mind — all of which belong to the avian family Laridae. And if we think further about birds similar to gulls and terns, other beach-going birds might come to mind, like shorebirds or plovers, and maybe other seabirds like skuas. All these birds (plus a few others) are grouped together within the avian order Charadriiformes. If you’re ever unsure where a bird fits taxonomically — just flip through your favorite field guide—most are arranged first by order, then by family.

Primer complete — and you passed with flying colors!

With that foundation, let’s turn back to the AOS checklist update. The changes in this supplement include moving species from one genus to another more closely related genus, shifting species between families, and revising the order-level placement of certain bird groups. These updates are almost always based on new genetic research — and they help refine our understanding of how birds are truly related.

Black morph of the Bananaquit in Grenada. (Photo by Paul Des Brisay)

Normal morph of the Bananaquit, photo from Jamaica. (Photo by Stuart Reeves)

In the Caribbean, many species remain understudied, so each AOS supplement often brings valuable new insights. Sometimes a species that appears widespread across multiple islands turns out to comprise several distinct island endemics — especially if birds rarely move between islands and can no longer interbreed. Over time, isolated populations can evolve unique traits, such as the melanism seen in Bananaquits from the Lesser Antilles.

Just last year, two major taxonomic splits added six new endemic species to the Caribbean, underscoring the region’s extraordinary biodiversity. And, as always, continued study will undoubtedly reveal even more.

So — with your refreshed understanding of taxonomy, are you ready to explore the latest in Caribbean bird updates?

Breaking news — our Caribbean tanagers are more related than we thought!

These endemic tanagers have all been lumped into the Phaenicophilidae family.

Until now, Caribbean tanagers were split across three different families: the Spindalidae (Spindalis), Phaenicophilidae (Hispaniolan tanagers such as the Gray-crowned and Black-crowned Palm-Tanagers, White-winged Warbler, and Green-tailed Warbler), and Nesospingidae (Puerto Rican Tanager). But new genetic research shows they are much more closely related than previously believed. All of these species are now united under one family: Phaenicophilidae, also known as the Greater Antillean Tanagers.

Don’t worry — they haven’t lost all their individuality. Spindalis species and the Puerto Rican Tanager now form the subfamily Spindalinae, while the Hispaniolan tanagers fall within Phaenicophilinae. Subfamilies group genera that share more characteristics than the broader family, so this nuance helps keep their evolutionary story intact.

Importantly, our Caribbean tanagers remain a family entirely endemic to the Caribbean, and still very much distinct from the New World tanagers in the large and diverse family Thraupidae.

In short: while we originally thought all the Greater Antillean Tanagers were distinct enough to reside in their own families, this new genetic data shows that they are actually one happy Caribbean family!

What are you hawking about?

Next up: hawks. We also have a division within the familiar hawk genus, Accipiter. Accipiters are known for their long tails and shorter wings, making them agile forest predators who often seek out small songbirds for lunch. While Accipiter hawks were all thought to be closely related, new research has revealed that there’s more to the story — and a new genus of hawks, Astur, has emerged.

Cuban Sharp-shinned Hawk. (Photo by Roberto Jovel)

Photo of Sharp-shinned Hawk perched on a branch.

Sharp-shinned Hawk in Puerto Rico. (Photo by Skyler Bol ML559082281)

For those familiar with birding in North America, you may have struggled telling apart Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks due to their similarities. But these similarities have actually arisen not due to them being closely related — but through convergence. This is an evolutionary process where unrelated species evolve to be very similar, usually attributed to them filling a similar ecological niche. Cooper’s Hawks have now been reassigned to the genus Aster while Sharp-shinned Hawks remain in the Accipiter genus.

What does this mean for the Caribbean? Our own Gundlach’s Hawk, long considered an Accipiter, has also now been moved in the Astur genus. No split (yet!) for our Caribbean Sharp-shinned Hawks—but there’s always next year’s supplement. . .

Gulls just want to have fun!

And now gull enthusiasts get a treat: the old, widespread Herring Gull has been split into four species — American Herring Gull, European Herring Gull, Vega Gull, and Mongolian Gull. We’ll be seeing the American Herring Gull around our Caribbean seas, but be sure to look out for the others!

Around the Caribbean, you’ll most often see the American Herring Gull, but keep your eyes open — winds and weather occasionally deliver surprising visitors from across the ocean.

Within the gull family Laridae, there’s more movement. Brown Noddies have been shifted out of the tern subfamily Sterninae and into their own distinct grouping, Anoinae, alongside White Terns . Physical traits, vocalizations, and even archaeological evidence show these birds stand apart from the classic tern lineage.

American Herring Gull spotted in the Cayman Islands. (Photo by Denny Swaby ML629237235)

In summary, this year’s updates bring some fascinating shifts:

Greater Antillean tanagers are now united into a single Caribbean-endemic family, Phaenicophilidae.
Gundlach’s Hawk is finds its new home in the genus Astur, refining our understanding of its evolutionary relationships.
Herring Gull is now four species, with one regular Caribbean visitor, American Herring Gull, with eyes on the lookout for transatlantic surprises.

While this supplement didn’t add new endemic species to the Caribbean, it did deepen our understanding of how unique — and evolutionarily distinctive — our birds truly are and how they fit within the larger ornithological world. And there’s still more to be discovered! Our Caribbean avifauna, including taxonomy, remains understudied. Only through more research and observations, can we gain a deeper knowledge of how remarkable our island birds really are, and how best to protect and conserve them.

Please consider making a contribution to our research and grants programs here. Your support makes critical Caribbean bird research and conservation possible.

Meet the Caribbean’s Six New Avian Endemics!

December 8, 2025

Training Opportunity: Caribbean Bird Banding Training Workshop

[OPRIMA AQUÍ PARA ESPAÑOL]

The arrival of brightly colored, migratory warblers is a glorious time on the Caribbean birding calendar—but have you ever wondered about the lives of our vibrant guests?? Like: do they come back to the same spots in the Caribbean every year? How long do they live? And how are they faring when they visit our islands? Some of these warblers, like the delightful Prairie Warbler, have been shown to live for 8-10 years, returning faithfully to the same spots in the Caribbean! These valuable insights—the kinds that tell us about the health of our birds and how we can help them—are gained from bird banding. If you love Caribbean birds, and want to increase your ability to protect them—maybe you want to learn to put a ring (or band) on them!

BirdsCaribbean is excited to invite applications to participate in a 5-day Caribbean Bird Banding Training Workshop! Participants will learn the basics of bird banding, from setting up a mist-net to examining molt patterns, through a blend of classroom and field based activities. We’ll also discuss and demonstrate the benefits of joining the Caribbean Bird Banding Network. We’re very excited to work with our local partner, the Trinidad and Tobago Bird Observatory, to provide this training opportunity at the internationally renowned HADCO Experiences at Asa Wright Nature Centre from 20-24 March, 2026.

Why do we band birds?

Bird surveys, like those covered in our Caribbean Landbird Monitoring Training Workshops, provide valuable information about abundance and species presence. But bird banding is a different methodology that takes a deeper dive into how bird populations are doing by assessing the condition of individual birds.

Photo of a Gray Kingbird being held in the hand while is band is placed around its leg. — Banding a Gray Kingbird Tyrannus dominicensus with BirdsCaribbean bands. Photo by Holly Garrod

By individually marking birds with a band and assessing them in the hand, we can collect data that tell us about their demography and health, including:

Their fat scores and weights, to assess the body condition of birds in different habitats and at different times of the year, shedding light on the quality of the habitats the birds are using.
Aging birds using plumage to investigate demographic patterns.
Using recapture records to learn about survivorship and longevity.
Assessing the presence or absence of breeding characteristics to better understand the timing of breeding and life history for many of our understudied Caribbean endemics.
Finding out which migratory routes our shared birds are taking, and gaining a better understanding of the factors influencing survival and longevity of various species.

Over the long-term, bird banding data can also help us understand patterns and trends in bird populations, to aid in their management and conservation.