Every two years, a powerful gathering of scientists, educators, students, conservationists, tour guides, and artists from across the Caribbean and beyond come together at BirdsCaribbean’s International Conference. This year’s conference—our Silver Anniversary!—will take place in Trinidad and Tobago at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad from 23-27 July 2026. More than 300 international delegates are expected to convene in the twin-island nation to share the latest advances in Caribbean bird science, conservation and education.
The stunning Trinidad and Tobago endemic, the Trinidad Motmot, can be seen on both islands. (Photo by Vayun Tiwari)
The theme for the conference is:
“Birds, People, Prosperity: Harnessing the Caribbean’s Natural Advantage.”
The Caribbean’s environment is not a resource to be exploited and depleted — it is our competitive edge to be invested in and protected. This theme frames Caribbean biodiversity as investable capital, positioning conservation and ecotourism as engines of shared prosperity. We challenge the outdated “development vs. environment” narrative and call for a bold recognition of our region’s true strength: proudly owning, protecting, and advancing the natural assets that can power a sustainable future.
This theme highlights the power of birds and nature as drivers of resilient economic growth. By investing in conservation and nature-based tourism, Caribbean nations can transform their extraordinary biodiversity into opportunity — strengthening local economies, supporting communities, and safeguarding ecosystems. It’s a call to value our natural heritage not only as treasures to protect, but as a foundation for long-term prosperity.
“For too long, we’ve been told that economic growth must come at the expense of the environment,” said Executive Director Lisa Sorenson. “This conference challenges that narrative. By focusing on ‘Birds, People, and Prosperity,’ we are building a future, grounded in science and community leadership, where the Caribbean’s natural assets drive both resilience and regional wealth. Join us as we harness our natural advantage and build a future where nature and prosperity grow together.”
Scarlet Ibises fly in by the hundreds at the renowned Caroni Swamp (Photo by Jerome Foster)
White-tailed Sabrewing (Photo by Jerome Foster)
Agenda highlights: What to expect
The 2026 program is designed to turn vision into action. From scaling the Caribbean Birding Trail and advancing landbird and seabird monitoring, to empowering communities to protect their iconic species, the agenda will feature dynamic symposia, hands-on workshops, and forward-looking discussions.
Just as important, this conference is a catalyst for professional growth. It’s where cross-island partnerships are formed, new collaborations begin, and the next generation of conservation leaders step forward. Whether you are a seasoned expert or emerging professional, this is where connections are made — and momentum builds.
We will also organize pre-, post-, and mid-conference field trips to some of Trinidad and Tobago’s most spectacular birding hotspots. Delegates will have opportunities to visit world-renowned sites, such as Asa Wright Nature Centre, Caroni Swamp, Nariva Swamp, Mt. Plaisir Estate Hotel (and the nearby Pawi Lodge!), and the oldest legally protected forest reserve in the Western Hemisphere — Tobago’s Main Ridge Forest Reserve —among many others. We’ll be offering a selection of unforgettable 1-,2-,3-day (and possibly even longer) trips over the 5 days before and after the conference — stay tuned, because you’ll want to book early!
The Tufted Coquette is a favorite sighting at HADCO Experiences at Asa Wright Nature Centre (Photo by Paul Tavares)
The Critically Endangered Trinidad Piping-Guan can be spotted the lush forest at Grand Riviere (Photo by Gareth Hughes)
Tobago’s Main Ridge Forest Reserve is the oldest legally protected forest reserve in the Western Hemisphere. (Photo by BBC Wildlife Magazine)
And what would a BirdsCaribbean conference be without our famous not-so-silent Silent Auction, the BirdsCaribbean Raffle (hello, brand-new spotting scope!), the Photo Contest (and new binoculars!), and the new crowd favorite: the Epic Caribbean Bird Song Showdown? Expect energy, laughter, and a whole lot of bird-loving fun.
Mark wins the bid! (Photo by Daniela Ventura)
David Lindo, The Urban Birder, inspired delegates with his keynote on connecting with nature in urban spaces. (Photo by Christel Mohammed)
It wouldn’t be a BirdsCaribbean Conference without dancing!
Daniela, Maya, Todd, and Saul at the poster session.
Planning is well underway. Our conference website (currently under construction) will soon feature details on the program, logistics, field trips, travel scholarships, and registration. We’ve also arranged preferred accommodation rates for our delegates and will be sharing those booking links soon! Watch for the upcoming Call for Keynote Speakers, Call for Proposals (Workshops, Symposia, Round-table Discussions), and Call for Abstracts for oral and poster presentations.
For now, spread the word and block the dates on your calendar.
If you haven’t already, sign up for the BirdsCaribbean listserv — the best place to receive conference updates and news about funding and training workshops. We also share all announcements on our social media so give us a follow (@BirdsCaribbean). Finally, subscribe to our monthly newsletter — we’ll send the latest news on exciting Caribbean bird research and conservation projects, as well as opportunities to get involved.
Sponsorship & Support
We’re thrilled to have HADCO Experiences — our Pawi-level sponsor and official Conference Co-Host — and the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism, Government of the Rebublic of Trinidad and Tobago already on board. Their leadership and commitment to regenerative tourism and sustainable Caribbean development are helping make this landmark event possible, and we are deeply grateful for their partnership.
HADCO Experiences, who were recently awarded the prestigious Green Key certification for the Asa Wright Nature Centre and Mt Plaisir Estate Hotel, champions environmental stewardship at the core of all their operations. This partnership reflects our shared vision of a Caribbean where conservation and sustainable tourism thrive together — benefiting both people and wildlife.
To ensure the conference’s success, we need your support. For every conference, we offer travel and attendance scholarships to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent deserving delegates from attending, contributing, and benefiting from the conference proceedings. We want to ensure that BirdsCaribbean conferences always remain accessible and inclusive spaces that foster the next generation of Caribbean conservation leaders. Your contribution can help bring frontline conservationists, students, and educators from across the region to share knowledge, build skills, and strengthen our collective impact.
Interested in sponsoring a delegate or becoming a conference sponsor? Please contact: Alexia Morales — Alexia.Morales@BirdsCaribbean.org Lisa Sorenson — Lisa.Sorenson@BirdsCaribbean.org
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.
A Scaly-breasted Thrasher calls in Guadeloupe. (Photo by Judd Patterson)
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.
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.
2025 will go down in BirdsCaribbean history as a year of profound challenges — met with incredible resilience, adaptability, grace, and collective action by the committed conservationists working to protect Caribbean birds. We faced major financial setbacks and catastrophic loss following Hurricane Melissa, yet we also witnessed the enduring strength of community and shared purpose across the region.
Even as recovery continues, BirdsCaribbean made meaningful progress toward our mission. Dozens of Caribbean birders were empowered and trained, legions of citizen scientists went into the field to collect vital data, and we advanced protection for some of our most threatened species. Together, we also raised thousands of dollars to keep critical conservation programs running and to deliver urgent hurricane relief where it was needed most.
Our deepest appreciation and thanks, as always, go to our donors, volunteers, and partners. Your support made this work possible — and it’s what keeps the momentum going as we head into 2026.
Here are our 2025 highlights
(Let’s get the hard part over with first!)
Our community kept the mission alive
Early in 2025, our mission hit a significant hurdle. Substantial federal funding was abruptly canceled, leaving our core programs in jeopardy. These funds supported essential bird research, capacity building for local conservationists, and education efforts that inspire the next generation to care deeply about birds and nature.
Throughout this uncertainty, our community stood by us. Your support ensured that our programs continued through the year — proving that while funding streams may falter, our collective commitment to protecting Caribbean birds does not.
Hurricane Melissa: Loss, impact, and ongoing recovery
On October 28, 2025, Hurricane Melissa — a late-season storm that rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane — made a direct hit on Jamaica’s south coast at peak strength. It became the third most intense Atlantic hurricane on record, causing catastrophic damage across the island and generating the highest wind gust ever recorded (252 mph).
Melissa tore through Jamaica and later struck eastern Cuba as a weakened but still powerful storm, causing flooding and landslides. Parts of The Bahamas and the Dominican Republic were also affected.
In Jamaica, where some areas had barely recovered from Hurricane Beryl in 2024, an estimated 51% of forest cover was destroyed. Storm surges overwhelmed coastal habitats, and more than 100 lives were lost, mostly in Jamaica and Haiti, with hundreds injured and many still missing. Damage in Jamaica alone is conservatively estimated at US$10 billion.
In response, BirdsCaribbean launched an emergency appeal. Thanks to the tremendous generosity of our donors, we raised over US$45,000 to provide urgent relief for our conservation partners, some of whom had themselves lost homes and livelihoods. To date, we have disbursed twelve recovery grants to partners in Jamaica and Cuba, supporting efforts such as clearing trails of fallen trees and debris, repairing and rebuilding infrastructure at parks and nature reserves, and providing food for starving birds.
We also shipped materials and supplies to rebuild damaged aviaries for birds receiving care and rehab at two facilities, Hope Zoo (Kingston) and Seven Oaks Wildlife Sanctuary. In addition, we shipped 2,000 pounds of specially blended Hurricane Melissa Energy Relief bird seed, generously donated by Lizzie Mae Bird Seed (Ohio); along with 400 hummingbird feeders to sustain famished birds. This aid is a critical lifeline for birds whose habitats were destroyed by Melissa’s devastating winds, leaving trees knocked down and stripped bare of leaves, flowers, and fruit.
Educational materials on how to help birds after the storm were produced and shared with BirdLife Jamaica members and the University of the West Indies. These resources reached broad audiences through radio, television, and social media.
Recovery will be long and challenging, but rebuilding has begun. Urgent habitat restoration efforts are vital to help birds, many of which have suffered terribly from total habitat loss and lack of food and shelter. A major tree planting initiative led by the Jamaican Forestry Department has just begun, and offers hope for the birds devastated by Melissa.
2025 was also a year of inspiring progress
Public education and skills training remain at the heart of our work — among our most powerful tools for helping Caribbean birds. By engaging young people and supporting experienced conservationists alike, our flagship programs continued to build momentum throughout the islands.
Sharing spaces with our beloved endemics
“It was such a fun day!” Regina, a young participant in BirdLife Jamaica’s Bring a Child Birding event.
“Look teacher, the tiny hummingbird flies super fast!” Preschool student Claudia Correa Ortíz, Cuba
The Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) sparked joy and engaged communities across eleven islands, from The Bahamas in the north to Margarita Island in the south. More than 7,000 people participated in in-person and virtual events, supported by 17 small grants from BirdsCaribbean.
Amina Blackwood-Meeks reads her book ‘Don’t Hurt That Bird’ for kids and their parents at the Bring A Child Birding event. (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Children display their completed Bee Hummingbird habitat with flowers for the bird to feed on and a water source. (Photo by TTBO)
Students and teachers of Bishop Michael Eldon School were thrilled to receive the bird bath. From l eft to right: (back row) Lucianna Gomez, Primary Eco-school Coordinator, Jill Cooper, Mrs Mira Lightbourne, Primary school Vice-principal, Delores Kellman, Sylvie Carey, Bridget Davis and Gail Woon. Front row: Laiyarose Jones, Mrs. Cheng Beee Selim-Dela Pena, High School Eco-school Coordinator, Adrianna Gabrielle Selim-Dela Pena and Mila Davies. (Photo by Grand Bahama Island Birders Club)
Sometimes all you need is a little creativity. A simple bird feeder made using a plastic bottle and wooden spoons. (Photo by Sherrel Charles)
Jemimah speaks to park rangers about birds and how to identify them during the workshop. (Photo by BioZoe)
From April to May, organisations and institutions interpreted the theme “Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities,” highlighting the growing importance of urban conservation. This was a call to action, and many of the activities during CEBF were hands-on projects — including tree planting, making bird feeders, habitat clean-ups, and installing bird baths. Along with arts and crafts, walks and talks, it was a busy and exciting month for all involved!
Group photo of students of Walter Park Primary School with their WMBD 2025 posters. (Photo by Delores Kellman)
Students planting trees in Laguna de Maya. (Photo by Adrian de Maya)
Students show off their decorated bird masks. (Photo by Maria Paulino)
Trading screen time for green time. (Photo by Maria Irizarry)
Learning took place not only in classrooms, but in “schools without walls” — parks, wetlands, coastlines, and urban gardens. In support, we printed and distributed a range of educational materials — including Animals of St. Martin, produced by our friends at Les Fruits de Mer, which is used by local primary schools; and hundreds of Birds of the West Indies coloring books for organizations in Puerto Rico.
Environment for the Americas honored four Caribbean Outstanding Educators in 2025, representing The Bahamas, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic, a well-earned recognition of their dedication to conservation education.
Counting confusing waterbirds
During the 17th Regional Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC), birders from seventeen islands recorded more than 86,000 birds representing at least 360 species — an impressive collective effort and a major boost to our long-term CWC database!
Surveying in San Juan estuary. (Photo by Emilio Font SOPI)
Pelicans seen during surveys at Cabo Rojo. (Photo by Nahira Arocho Hernandez)
EAG step up their CWC efforts with a training event. (Photo by Sherrel Charles)
Identifying waterbirds at CWC counts on Antigua. (Photo by Shanna Challenger)
In Antigua, the Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) took the opportunity to blend citizen science with capacity building by hosting a waterbird identification training program (Yes—experienced birdwatchers find waterbirds, especially shorebirds, tricky!) Read more here!
Our endangered seabirds: adding up the numbers
Launched in 2022 by BirdsCaribbean’s Seabird Working Group and Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC), the Caribbean Seabird Census marked a major first for the region. This monumental effort, involving numerous boat trips, drone surveys, and on-the-ground fieldwork, has now been officially completed.
Group photo of workshop participants and facilitators.
In September, 2025, researchers gathered for an important workshop in the Dominican Republic, supported by the Convention for Biological Diversity’s Bio-Bridge Initiative. Together, they reviewed and compiled census data, discussed protocols and systems moving forward, built skills in data processing and analysis — and committed to next steps.
As seabirds face mounting threats across the Caribbean, the takeaway from the workshop was clear: continued collaboration and information sharing are essential to safeguard seabird populations and their future in the region.
Breaking records on Global Big Day
On Global Big Day, we take the word “big” seriously — and last year was no exception. As usual, the competition among our 31 teams was hot, and it produced spectacular results!
Members of BirdersSKN birdwatching on Global Big Day.
A few members of Statia’s Golden Warblers in St. Eustatius, Global Big Day 2025. (Photo by Jethro van’t Hul)
On May 10, we shattered our previous records, with 895 eBird observers recording a whopping 559 West Indian species! These diligent birders went all out — submitting over 700 more checklists to eBird than in 2024. All told, including lists from our international birding teams (we deeply appreciate your support!), a total of 1,404 species were recorded, including 147 Caribbean endemics — an extraordinary show of teamwork, dedication, and birding chops!
Pro-tip: It’s never too early to start planning for Global Big Day 2026 — the time to rally your team is now! We’ll share more details soon.
Eleven projects in six countries – lucky birds!
In 2025, we awarded funding to eleven projects across six countries: Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Cayman Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, offshore Caribbean islands in Mexico, and the Caribbean coast of Venezuela. These were awarded under the David S. Lee Fund for the Conservation of Caribbean Birds, and the James A. Kushlan Research and Conservation Fund.
From seabird surveys on Venezuelan offshore islands to bird banding stations in Trinidad and Tobago and acoustic monitoring in Grand Cayman, grantees are hard at work — and birds are benefiting!
More Motus? Yes, please!
Motus work isn’t for the faint of heart — or those uncomfortable with heights. (A certain amount of climbing is involved!) Nevertheless, five Motus stations were happily installed last year.
There are now 23 active stations in the region, with even more scheduled to be installed this year. Migratory birds are more threatened than ever before. This growing network of stations is helping us to understand how our migratory species move across our islands — and where conservation action can have the greatest impact.
Focusing on our most endangered species
Several BirdsCaribbean grants in 2025 focused on research and conservation efforts for particularly threatened species, from doves and parakeets, to forest-dwelling birds that urgently need intervention.
Highlights included:
Taking action for the Grenada Dove
In October, a diverse cross-section of citizens, non-governmental organizations, government officials, and conservationists gathered to develop an urgent Conservation Action Plan for the Critically Endangered Grenada Dove. Fewer than 200 individual birds remain, restricted to two small pockets of habitat. This workshop laid the foundation for immediate collaborative action and much-needed hope for this precious species.
The faces behind the Conservation Action Plan for the Grenada Dove.
The now defunct Mt. Hartman Visitor Centre at Mt. Hartman National Park.
Word clouds exercise to identify the biggest threats in the Climate Change and Severe Weather category.
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)
Proposed actions for Research and Monitoring. (Photo by Zoya Buckmire)
Proposed actions for strengthening law and enforcement to protect the Grenada Dove. (Photo by Zoya Buckmire)
Actions to find the resources and capacity to carry out the work in the CAP.
Proposed action for restoring Grenada Dove habitat. (Photo by Zoya Buckmire)
Protecting St. Vincent’s threatened endemics
Two more endemics were the focus of a workshop in St. Vincent in July: the “Vincy Parrot,” the colorful St. Vincent Amazon, and the elusive Whistling Warbler. Building on recovery efforts after volcanic eruptions and hurricanes, a tremendous collaboration of organizations and individuals hammered out the details for a Conservation Action Plan for each species, to guide future management and conservation efforts.
St. Vincent Amazon Solutions Tree created by participants.
Whistling Warbler Solutions Tree created by participants.
Whistling Warbler spotted on La Soufriere Windward Trail. (Photo by Jonathan Slifkin ML621602299)
Group photo of the Conservation Action Plan Workshop facilitators and participants in front of the Anglican Pastoral Centre (Kingstown, SVG).
Five forestry officers from St. Vincent and the Grenadines strengthened their capacity to conserve native Caribbean parrots through hands-on training with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program. The exchange provided practical skills in captive breeding management, care and monitoring of wild and captive parrots, banding and radio telemetry, and essential parrot first-aid — directly supporting long-term conservation efforts for these threatened species.
On a learning curve…
The Caribbean Bird Banding Network has indeed been networking! Launched with a workshop in The Bahamas in 2022, it continues to grow stronger. Last year saw 14 conservationists trained in Puerto Rico, while 16 participants from nine islands were trained in the Dominican Republic. And the network is expanding! This year, a new session in Trinidad is set for March. And did you know we have our own Caribbean bird bands?
What do we do with all that data?
Field monitoring tells us what’s happening — but skilled analysis tells us what to do next. Our Caribbean Landbird Monitoring Program hosted their first Monitoring Data Analysis Training Workshop in the DR in November — equipping 12 researchers from eight Islands with the skills they need to interpret their landbird survey data and turn field observations into conservation action.
Participants learning how to analyse their landbird monitoring data in R. (Photo by Maya Wilson)
And to keep the momentum going:
We awarded five Monitoring Program Grants supporting new long-term landbird monitoring initiatives in Grenada, The Bahamas, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines — building essential data for conservation decision-making.
Rare birds and remarkable moments
At Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge in Barbados, a vital sanctuary for migratory and resident shorebirds and waterbirds, site manager Ian Alkins (AKA Bolt), spotted an unusual looking heron he was not familiar with. This turned out to be a Western Reef Heron! This bird is normally found in coastal areas of West Africa, but does make rare ‘visits’ to other parts of the world, including the Caribbean The Reserve, which was a field trip location for a Caribbean Bird Trail Guide Training Workshop in 2024, had suffered a complete loss of funding from USAID. BirdsCaribbean were able to support Woodbourne last year thanks to funding support from Actions@EBMF. We continue to look for sustainable support for this important and special site into the future.
Western Reef Heron. (Photo by Raghavendra Pai ML391580931)
Soon after Hurricane Melissa (in November), bird guide Ricardo Miller came across a large number of Yellow-billed Cuckoos in St. Thomas, eastern Jamaica. A most unusual sight, in a part of the island not seriously affected by the storm! He counted over 30 individuals.
Thank You for an Incredible Year
While 2025 brought immense challenges, it will be remembered for the way we came together to face them. We owe our successes to the unwavering support of our friends, members, partners, and donors. We are deeply grateful for your trust, generosity, and continued commitment to Caribbean birds.
Stay connected in 2026 — sign up for our monthly newsletter to receive the latest news from the field, program updates, and opportunities to get involved. Here’s to a hopeful and impactful year ahead!
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.
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—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)
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.
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.
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)
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.
Killdeer nest with the first chick to hatch. (Photo by Hartmut Walter)
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Blue-winged Teals take flight. (Photo by Sam Zhang, Macaulay Library-ML363398841)
In the Caribbean we are blessed with more than 30 species of ducks, with resident species joined by migratory visitors in fall and winter — with the occasional (exciting) ‘rare’ bird showing up too! Male ducks in breeding plumage typically sport colorful features that make identification easier, even when species look similar.
But, what about females, immatures, and males out of breeding plumage (known as ‘eclipse males’)? Fear not — we’re here to help you identify the tricky ‘brown ones’. Read on for some great tips!
In this guide we’ll focus on females of five common migratory ducks that pass through or winter in the Caribbean, with ‘bonus’ tips on four additional, less common species. We will also touch on some of the rarer species that visit the Caribbean which can be easily mixed up with the common ones.
Before you dive in — take a look and see how many of our five species you can already identify!
Blue-winged Teal
These are one of the most common duck visitors to the Caribbean! Even females are often unmistakable in flight thanks to the powder-blue on the wing. This is shared by Northern Shoveler (see next), but the blue for the shoveler is less extensive and they also have bold white on the wing — which the teals lack.
When swimming look for the dark eye-line and black bill. Males in eclipse plumage may also show a faint ‘ghost’ of the white ‘crescent’ mark behind the bill, seen when they are in breeding plumage.
While similar, Green-winged Teal females (see below) are a warmer brown, and have a cream stripe at the rear. You may also spot some of the green on the wing, even when they are swimming.
Northern Shoveler
This duck might be known as the ‘Hollywood Mallard’ for the male’s flashy looks — but females are more demure. Like many female ducks, they show heavily marked brown-buff plumage — but their large spoon-shaped bill is a dead giveaway.
You can also look for a wash of powder blue on the leading edge of the wing in flight, combined with a white stripe.
American Wigeon
Breeding male American Wigeons bring glamour to the wetland! With a green eye patch and white crown, males are hard to mis-identify. Females and non-breeding males are more subtle, but you can recognize these short-billed ducks from the rusty, warm brown tones of their body plumage.
Females look plainer and less mottled than other female brown ducks, with a gray-brown head with that dark smudge around the eyes. Look also for the pale bill with a black tip.
The similar Eurasian Wigeon is a rare visitor to the Caribbean and can cause confusion. Breeding male American and Eurasian Wigeons look quite different. The American Wigeon shows a striking green stripe behind the eye, has a gray brown head and white cap. In contrast Eurasian males have a chestnut head and buff cap. However, females can be hard to separate. Look for the grayer, ‘colder’ colored head in the American Wigeon — and in flight, American Wigeons show white under the wing, whilst Eurasians are silvery gray.
A Quick Feeding Tip!
The way ducks feed can also help narrow down your ID. The ducks above are all ‘dabbling ducks’ — you’re likely to see them in shallow water, tipping head down, tail up in the air.
The next two species are ‘diving ducks’ — they dive head-first underwater when feeding, completely disappearing beneath the surface.
Ring-necked Duck
Despite the name, the male’s chestnut collar across its black neck is hard to see in the field—so don’t rely on it! Females have a brown-gray body, and pale white feathers around the base of the bill. Their heads feature a brown cap that contrasts with its gray face and white eye-ring.
Their bills are also helpful: look for the distinctive white a white band across it near the tip. Males in eclipse plumage display a brown plumage with brown-black head, breast, and back. They can be distinguished from females by their bright yellow eyes and lack of an eye-ring.
Lesser Scaup
Female Less Scaups are a warm chocolate brown. Unlike the Ring-necked Duck, their head and face is almost entirely brown, with a white patch that varies in size just behind the bill, and yellow eyes.
Males have black heads with purple/green iridescence, a black neck and breast, white sides, and greyish marbled looking backs. Both sexes have a white wing-stripe, which runs half-way along the trailing edge of the upper wing, and is visible in flight.
This species is very similar to the far rarer Greater Scaup. The best way to tell them apart is by head shape — the Lesser Scaup’s head is narrower and egg-shaped with a peak near the back of the head, while the head of the Greater Scaup is more rounded. In addition, the sides and back of the Greater Scaup are lighter.
And the rest…
We’ve covered the five most common species of migratory ducks found in the Caribbean — let’s now consider a few less common but noteworthy species.
The Mallard is what most people think of when they picture a duck. Males have a distinctive glossy green head, yellow bill, and bright orange legs and feet. Females and young males are mottled brown, with a dark bill. They may resemble female shovelers but lack the massive bill! In flight, look for the blue wing-patch bordered with white.
Gadwalls are subtly patterned and can look dull at first glance. Females can resemble female mallards, but have a thinner, darker bill and no blue-wing patch. In flight, look for small, white wing patches that are a distinctive feature of this species .
Male Green-winged Teals have a green stripe behind the eye, similar to American Wigeons, but lack the white ‘forehead’ and are MUCH smaller. Females can look like female blue-winged Teals, but again are smaller (see above). Remember, you can look for the cream stripe at the rear of Green-winged Teals — and in flight, as the name suggests, they have green wing patches.
Finally, let’s consider the Northern Pintail. This duck has a distinctive elegant silhouette that sets both the males and females apart. They are long necked and long tailed. Even though the female is brown, her silhouette distinguishes her from other ‘brown ducks’. Whilst she does not have the VERY long tail of the male, she still appears longer in the tail than other ducks. She also has a chestnut-coloured face that is less patterned and plainer looking than other female ducks.
We hope this guide has set you on the path of duck ID enlightenment! There are of course several other species of duck that are found in the region, either as year-round residents or rarer visitors. We highly recommend using your field guide, taking photos when possible, and exploring resources like Birds of the World, which is free to access in the Caribbean thanks to our partnership with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. For trickier, rarer migrants, be sure to check out the All About Birds pages from Cornell, where you can compare similar species side-by-side.
Good luck and happy duck spotting!
You can view all the graphics, plus a ‘bonus’ quiz in this pdf booklet:
We’ve made an ID card that you can download, print as a two-sided 8.5×11 page, and laminate for easy reference in the field.
WMBD 2025 english poster. (Artwork by Annamaria Savarino Drago)
Every year, migratory birds traverse the globe, with many making the Caribbean their stopover or winter home. Under the 2025 theme, “Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities,” Caribbean islands dedicated the August-November period to celebrating these travelers. Read on for the creative ways our islands embraced World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) and took concrete steps to make our shared spaces safer and more welcoming for birds!
From bustling cities to tranquil coastal villages, the Caribbean sprang into action to explore challenges and solutions for protecting migratory birds in urban environments. Events spanned numerous activities: from birdwatching trips and habitat clean-ups, to bird fairs and tree planting. The enthusiasm shown by communities, bird lovers, and local organizations underscores a shared commitment to ensuring that our islands remain healthy havens for the thousands of migratory birds that depend on them annually.
The theme, “Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities,” was particularly resonant for the Caribbean islands. Unlike larger continents, many of our cities and villages are directly adjacent to, or even within, critical natural habitats like coastal wetlands, mangroves, and forests — the very stopover and wintering sites these birds rely on!
Black-Throated Blue Warbler visiting a feeder in Jamaica (photo by Ahhh…Ras Natango Garden and Gallery in Camrose Montego Bay)
Rapid urban and tourism development on small islands leads to habitat loss and fragmentation, directly impacting the ability of migratory birds to find adequate food, shelter, and rest during their epic journeys. By embracing this theme, Caribbean communities recognized that every backyard, park, and green patch is indeed a piece of the regional flyway network — making local action against threats like habitat loss and pollution absolutely essential for the survival of migratory birds across the Americas.
7 simple actions you can take to make your community more bird-friendly. (Infographic created by Environment for the Americas).
Caribbean communities in action
WMBD events were held in The Bahamas, Jamaica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Anguilla, St. Eustatius, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Martin, Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago. Here are some highlights from across the region:
THE BAHAMAS
BirdsCaribbean’s very own Administrative Assistant Delores Kellman visited several schools in Grand Bahama — the Bishop Michael Eldon School, Holmes Rock Junior High School, and Walter Park Primary School — to talk to students about migratory bird species and how they can make their backyards bird-friendly!
Students of Bishop Michael Eldon School learn about migratory birds. (Photo by Delores Kellman)
Group photo of Delores and students of Bishop Michael Eldon School with their WMBD 2025 posters.
A teacher at Holmes Rock Junior High School speaks to students about WMBD’s 2025 theme ‘Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communites’ (Photo by Delores Kellman)
Group photo of students of Walter Park Primary School with their WMBD 2025 posters. (Photo by Delores Kellman)
Students of Walter Park Primary School reading the WMBD poster that has information on how to create bird-friendly spaces in communities. (Photo by Delores Kellman)
JAMAICA
The Mason River Protected Area in Clarendon transformed into a classroom without walls for World Migratory Bird Day! As part of their ‘Afternoon with a Scientist’ programme, the Natural History Museum of Jamaica, National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), and Jamaica Environment Trust, hosted an eye-opening birdwatching tour through the protected area.
Under the expert guidance of Ricardo Miller, NEPA’s Environmental Coordinator and one of Jamaica’s premier birders, the air was filled with gasps and excited whispers from children as stunning feathers came into sharp focus — for many it was their first time using binoculars. Here one can see endemics like the Vervain Hummingbird and Red-billed Streamertail, as well as winter migrants like Northern Parula and American Redstart. Beyond the birds, the trek through the wetland offered a ‘thrill-a-minute’ experience, revealing rare endemic insects and fascinating, insect-eating Sundew plants.
The community of Pastorita held a month-long celebration of migratory birds, led by Adrián de Maya, Wildlife Biologist at Empresa Flora y Fauna Matanzas, in a unified stand for these ‘mighty travelers.’ Throughout the month, students from local schools traded their desks for the outdoors, diving into interactive workshops and environmental games designed to bridge the gap between play and protection.
The undisputed highlight of the month was the series of guided field trips, where students practiced identifying birds in their natural habitats. To ensure these birds have a place to rest for years to come, students also participated in a restoration initiative, planting native trees throughout Laguna de Maya.
Each sighting served as a powerful reminder that these birds are a shared heritage, not a commodity. By connecting students with the beauty of birds, the program transformed every trip into an opportunity for the Pastorita community to learn, protect, and advocate for species conservation. This initiative is particularly vital in the effort to keep birds in the wild and combat the illegal songbird trade in Cuba.
Adrian and students with Cuban bird ID cards which came in handy while birdwatching at Laguna de Maya.
Northern Waterthrush spotted at Laguna de Maya, Cuba. (Photo by Adrian de Maya)
Students learn about migratory birds before heading to Laguna de Maya for a birdwatching trip. (Photo by Adrian de Maya)
Students planting trees in Laguna de Maya. (Photo by Adrian de Maya)
Birdwatching at Laguna de Maya, Cuba. (Photo by Adrian de Maya)
The city of Santiago de Cuba celebrated its second annual World Migratory Bird Day Festival, aptly titled ‘Alas Sin Fronteras’ (Wings Without Borders). This collaborative initiative, led by the Juan Cristóbal Gundlach Bird Banding Station (part of the Eastern Center for Ecosystems and Biodiversity) and the Tomás Romay Natural History Museum, kicked off with a mission to celebrate and support the epic journeys of Cuba’s migratory birds.
Group photo of Yessica, her team, and students who attended the WMBD event at the museum.
Students were drawn to the display table where Yessica and her team provided information on birds, temporary bird stamps, and stickers. (Photo by Yessica Blanco)
Birds migrate during the night too! Slide from Yessica’s WMBD 2025 presentation. (Photo by Yessica Blanco)
Yessica explains to students how to use a spotting scope.
“I know the answer!” Students excitedly answer Yessica’s questions on migratory birds to win stickers.
Guided by passionate educators like Yessica Blanco from the Tomás Romay Museum, the festival offered a diverse itinerary designed to engage the entire community. From the urban center of Santiago to the pristine reaches of the Baconao Biosphere Reserve, participants stepped into the roles of citizen scientists by recording and sharing the birds they saw at the Reserve via eBird. The program provided expert-led discussions, birdwatching trips, and habitat clean-ups. By focusing on bird identification, the mechanics of migration, the specific threats migratory birds face, and actions to make the community more bird-friendly, the festival empowered locals with the tools and knowledge needed to make Santiago de Cuba a safer sanctuary for migratory birds.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Grupo Jaragua encouraged residents across the Dominican Republic to discover the wonders of birdwatching right from their own windows. By sharing social media posts featuring migratory species commonly found in urban areas, they demonstrated that you don’t need to leave the city to connect with nature. These snapshots of urban birdlife served as a reminder that our cities are vital corridors for birds on the move.
Grupo Acción Ecológica’s mission to highlight the vital connection between birds and their environments remains a top priority. As part of their World Migratory Bird Day celebrations, they brought this message to the rural heart of Loma de la Joya with a special presentation at the Juliana Paulino Primary School. They shared with us that they are incredibly grateful to the students, faculty, and community members whose support made this event such a rewarding success.
Students show off their decorated bird masks. (Photo by Maria Paulino)
PUERTO RICO
EcoExploratorio hosted an educational event for families focused on the remarkable journeys of migratory birds and the vital role humans play in their protection. The day featured an insightful talk by biologist Emilio Font (Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña Inc.), supported by educational resources from Environment for the Americas and a special display of taxidermied migratory birds by the UPRRP Museum of Zoology.
WMBD 2025 presentation at EcoExploratorio.
Chatting about migratory birds in Puerto Rico. (Photo by EcoExploratorio)
Environmentally positive messages for protecting migratory birds shared by attendees. (Photo by EcoExploratorio)
In a hands-on introduction to ornithology, Alondra Norat of Pajareo Virtual led a dedicated group of undergraduates on an immersive birdwatching expedition across the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. The experience began with a foundational presentation by Alondra on bird identification techniques, equipping students with the skills needed before heading out to spot the birds they share their campus with.
Birdwatching on campus. (Photo by Alondra Norat)
Using the student-created bird ID guide for campus. (Photo by Alondra Norat)
Alondra and her small but determined group of birdwatchers.
For many participants, this was their first time using binoculars and navigating tools like the eBird app and traditional field guides. Alondra noted that seeing the birds with such clarity sparked a genuine thrill among the students, likely marking the beginning of a lifelong appreciation for birds.
Birdwatching on the beach. (Photo by Maria Irizarry)
Trading screen time for green time. (Photo by Maria Irizarry)
Materials from EFTA’s ‘Happy Kit’ for WMBD 2025. (Photo by Maria Irizarry)
Over in Guajataca, Maria Irizarry Gonzalez led a group of teenage nature enthusiasts on a scenic birdwatching expedition through the Guajataca Forest. This immersive journey allowed the young birders to observe various species in their natural woodland habitats before concluding their trek on a pristine beach. By connecting these two distinct ecosystems, the outing highlighted the diverse environments migratory birds rely on and inspired the next generation of environmental stewards to appreciate Puerto Rico’s unique coastal and forest landscapes.
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
The Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) took to social media to celebrate WMBD, inspiring the public to grab their binoculars and head outdoors. To make the adventure even easier, they highlighted prime birding hotspots across the island. Citizen scientists were reminded to make their sightings count by uploading their observations to eBird and sharing their checklists with local bird group ‘Wadadli Warblers.’
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Giselle Ragoonanan, Biodiversity Manager at HADCO Experiences at Asa Wright Nature Centre, offered a day of art and discovery through birds for adults and kids. The event focused on the Caribbean’s vital role as a “refueling station” for millions of birds traveling from the Northern Hemisphere.
Bird sculpting at the WMBD event at HADCO Experiences at Asa Wright Nature Centre. (Photo by HADCO Experiences)
Building bird-friendly habitats at the WMBD event at HADCO Experiences at Asa Wright Nature Centre. (Photo by HADCO Experiences)
Sketching at the WMBD event at HADCO Experiences at Asa Wright Nature Centre. (Photo by HADCO Experiences)
Participants were led through a creative blend of science and art, featuring guided bird identification, specimen displays, and hands-on workshops in painting and clay sculpting. In a nod to sustainability, Attendees also constructed bird-friendly communities using sustainability as their blueprint and relying natural and recycled materials. By linking local stewardship to global biodiversity, the initiative underscored our shared responsibility to protect the essential stopover habitats that ensure a safe landing for these incredible travelers across borders.
WMBD 2025’s Outstanding Educators
We applaud the tremendous efforts of all educators who plan and execute educational and fun activities to ensure an unforgettable WMBD and inspire a love for birds and birdwatching. For WMBD 2025, Environment for the Americas recognized the dedication of the following Caribbean educators: Deana Williamson (Social Studies teacher at Eight Mile Rock High School,The Bahamas), Coral Aviles (Puerto Rico), Yessica Blanco (Cuba), Rafael Osires Jimenez (Dominican Republic).
WMBD 2025 Outstanding Educator award recipients from the Caribbean.
We are also deeply grateful for the ambassadors, who selflessly deliver WMBD educational materials called ‘Happy Kits’ to Caribbean coordinators.
Environment for the Americas and BirdsCaribbean extend our greatest thanks to all of you and we look forward to seeing what you have planned for WMBD 2026!
Interested in supporting bird festivals across the Caribbean? Your contribution will help expand these invaluable efforts and inspire future generations of bird enthusiasts. Show your support here!(please select ‘Where the need is greatest’ under ‘Designate this donation for a specific purpose’)
Birds continue to connect our world
BirdsCaribbean celebrated WMBD by showcasing new migratory birds in our virtual campaign — Birds Connect Our World. Each bird profile was accompanied by a beautifully drawn image by Arnaldo Toledo, along with stunning high-quality photos, engaging videos, and bird calls. Fun, free and engaging activities were also provided for both kids and adults, including downloadable coloring pages, experiments, up-cycle crafts, and more.
WMBD 2026 theme reveal
World Migratory Bird Day poster. Artwork by Brazilian artist Luísa Lacerda.
Centering on the theme “Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter,” the 2026 campaign highlights community science as the backbone of migratory bird conservation. Whether through backyard sightings or coordinated global surveys, millions of individual observations provide the data necessary to track migration routes, population trends, and changing habitats across the world’s flyways. These collective contributions form the scientific foundation that directly informs conservation policies and protection efforts at every level.
Participating in community science does more than gather data; it deepens our personal connection to nature and the birds that connect our world. This year’s celebration holds extra significance as it marks the 60th anniversary of the International Waterbird Census, honoring decades of worldwide collaboration. Everyone is invited to join bird counts and monitoring programs throughout the year, working together to document the flyways and safeguard the future of these remarkable travelers.
If you are interested in celebrating WMBD in your country, or if you can deliver materials to a Caribbean country, we encourage you to visit the WMBD website for more information; or contact the Caribbean Regional Coordinator, Laura Baboolal, at lbaboolal@environmentamericas.org.
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!
Motus Stations in the Caribbean.
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.
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 withbird 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.
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 bicknellien 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.
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)
Just after sunrise, the dry forest of Mt. Hartman stirs to life with rustling leaves and, if you’re lucky, the soft, descending “hoooo” of the Grenada Dove. But that call is heard less and less each year. With its habitat shrinking and predators encroaching, Grenada’s national bird is hanging by a thread. Determined to change the dove’s fate, conservationists, government agencies, and community groups gathered this October for a workshop focused on creating a unified plan to protect the species and its last remaining habitat. Read on to find out what’s being done—and what still must happen— to secure a future for this iconic bird.
The Grenada Dove (Leptotila wellsi)—a shy, cinnamon-brown Critically Endangered national bird of Grenada—is perilously close to extinction. Fewer than 200 individuals remain, confined to just two pockets of dry forest on the island’s southwest and west coasts. Habitat loss, development pressure, invasive predators, and gaps in policy and enforcement continue to erode the species’ last refuges. Without decisive action, this iconic species could disappear forever.
A species on the brink
The most recent island-wide survey (2013) estimated the population at around 160 birds (range: 107–229), a level that has remained dangerously low since surveys began in the mid-1980s. The dove now survives in just two small areas: dry forest on the southwest coast (Mt. Hartman Estate, Petit Bouc, Woodlands, Lower Woburn) and on the west coast (Perseverance, Woodford, Beausejour, Grenville Vale Estates, and Black Bay). Once connected, these populations are now separated by nearly 9 km of urban development, including the capital, St. George’s. Mt. Hartman National Park has long supported nearly half of all remaining birds.
In 1996, the government legally established Mt. Hartman National Park and the Perseverance Dove Sanctuary. Management by the Forestry and National Parks Department has included patrols, boundary maintenance, rubbish removal, signage, and predator control. These efforts have reduced some local threats, but the protected areas cover less than 10% of the dove’s remaining range—leaving the species highly vulnerable to ongoing habitat loss and degradation.
Sign pointing the way to the Mt Hartman Dove Sanctuary.
The now defunct Mt. Hartman Visitor Centre at Mt. Hartman National Park.
Damaged bird sign at Mt. Hartman National Park Visitor Centre., Grenada.
Illegal dumping of rubbish at Mt. Hartman National Park and Dove Sanctuary..
Habitat destruction at Mt. Hartman.
Despite two previous recovery and action plans and a management plan for the Perseverance–Beausejour area, progress has been slow. Habitat at Mt. Hartman continues to be lost to development—sometimes even within areas assumed to be protected. Predator-control programs have been suspended due to staffing and funding shortages, allowing mongoose populations to surge. The dove’s limited genetic diversity, driven by its small population size, raises further concerns about long-term resilience and disease vulnerability.
Bringing stakeholders together
Workshop facilitator, Justin Springer, Re:Wild, introduces the agenda for our two days of workshop activities.
In response to this escalating crisis, more than 70 local and international experts, community members, conservation practitioners, government officials, and academics gathered in-person and online on October 8–9, 2025, for the Grenada Dove Conservation Action Planning (CAP) Workshop at St. George’s University. Organized by the Gaea Conservation Network and supported by American Bird Conservancy, BirdsCaribbean, and Re:wild, the workshop united diverse voices to assess threats, identify solutions, and chart a coordinated path forward for the dove’s recovery.
Honorable Andy Williams, Minister of Mobilization, Implementation, and Transformation, Parliamentary Representative for St. George South, gives Opening Remarks.
Wayne Smart, Executive Director of Gaea Conservation Inc. welcomes participants to the workshop.
Dr. Cristofre Martin, St. George’s University, gives his Opening Remarks at the workshop.
Dr. Patricia Rose giving her Opening Remarks at the workshop.
Ms. Aria St Louis, from the Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment, & Renewable Energy gives her Opening Remarks at the workshp.
Dr. Lisa Sorenson, Executive Director, BirdsCaribbean gives an opening presentation “Setting the Stage: Grenada Dove Conservation Challenges”
Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Climate Resilience, Forestry and National Parks Department, Grenada Fund for Conservation, Grenada Sustainable Development Trust Fund, Planning and Development Authority, Grenada Solid Waste Management Authority, St. George’s University, The Nature Conservancy, American Bird Conservancy, Re:wild, Fauna & Flora International, community and youth organizations.
Dillon Palmer, Grenada Forestry Department, talks about the Grenada Dove’s habitats, protection status, and current management challenges, including a lack of staff and resources to monitor and carry out predator control.
Facilitator Zoya Buckmire, Grenada Fund for Conservation, leads the icebreaker participant introduction activity.
Veterinarian, Dr. Kenrith Carter, has expertise in trapping invasive mongoose and will be leading trapping efforts on the island in 2026.
Jody Daniel, a Grenadian living near the island’s landfill adjacent to the Perseverance Dove Sanctuary talks about the issues caused by the dump.
Betty-Ann Lazarus shares about her experiences carrying out a Grenada Dove education campaign with Bonnie Rusk (Grenada Dove Conservation Programme) many years ago.
The breadth of participation reflected the growing national concern for the species’ fate.
A moral responsibility to protect the Grenada Dove
To frame the discussion, facilitator Justin Spring invited participants to answer one question: Why should we save the Grenada Dove? Their answers—rooted in ethics, ecology, heritage, and national pride—set a powerful tone for the workshop. Many emphasized the moral obligation to protect a species imperiled by human activity. “We have the responsibility to act on behalf of all species that do not have a voice,” and “Humans caused the problem – humans should fix it.”
Each participant shared why conserving the Grenada Dove is important.
Others spoke about the dove’s ecological role, its cultural and economic value, and the responsibility to future generations not to allow an endemic species and national symbol to disappear. “Everything on the planet is part of a complex system and has both purpose and inherent value,” and “It is important to prevent extinction because it is more than just a bird, but more so a representation of us as a people and being that it is only found in Grenada, it is necessary to preserve it for heritage and tourism values,” and “As a father of young kids, I would not like for the extinction of an endemic animal and national symbol to occur under our watch.”
The ecological, cultural and economical importance of the Grenada Dove highlighted by participants.
After a grounding session by Dr. Jody Daniel, President of Gaea Conservation Network, on dove ecology which covered identification, habitat needs, and current population status, participants engaged in a dynamic Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM) exercise. This visual, interactive tool helped stakeholders explore how threats overlap, amplify one another, and ultimately drive the species toward extinction.
Dr. Jody Daniel explains how environmental threats interact. (Photos by Gaea Conservation)
Major threats identified
Habitat Loss and Degradation emerged as the most urgent threat. Land sales within Mt. Hartman, unclear boundaries, unregulated development, quarrying, illegal dumping, farming, and cattle grazing continue to shrink and fragment dove habitat. The Perseverance Sanctuary is impacted by its proximity to the national landfill, including boundary encroachment and toxic fumes from persistent landfill fires.
Invasive Predators—particularly the small Indian mongoose—pose a major threat to eggs, chicks, and adults. Cats and rats add further pressure. Without consistent predator control, predation remains dangerously high.
Map of southwest Grenada showing the current and former distribution of the Grenada Dove and current (approximate) and proposed Protected Areas. Note that part of the dove’s habitat and national park were sold to a developer in 2022 (outlined in red) and habitat destruction and development are ongoing. (cartography by Alison D. Ollivierre)
Lack of Enforcement and Policy Gaps were identified as a critical barrier. Although protections exist, they are not being enforced, and boundaries of Mt. Hartman National Park have become unclear—especially after the sale of part of the park in 2022 for resort development, a decision that shocked conservationists and the public. There is concern that even more of the land will be sold. Participants stressed the need for transparency, accountability, and public engagement to prevent further losses.
Limited Public Awareness about the Grenada Dove and it’s Critically Endangered status was flagged as a serious threat. Participants agreed that it was vital to educate youth and communities to foster pride and stewardship—to help secure the future of the Grenada Dove.
Climate change and extreme weather was identified as a growing threat to the species’ survival. More frequent and severe hurricanes, fires, and periods of drought are expected to further degrade dry-forest habitat, reduce food and cover, and increase water scarcity for the dove. These escalating pressures will intensify the challenges already facing the species and make recovery even more difficult without swift, coordinated action.
Limited Monitoring and Insufficient Data—including outdated surveys and incomplete reproductive data—hinder effective conservation.
Finally, low genetic diversity due to the dove’s small population size increases vulnerability to disease and environmental change.
The Small Indian Mongoose was introduced to the West Indies to control rat populations in sugarcane plantations. (Photo by J.N Stuart)
Drone shot of unsustainable development around Mt. Hartman.
Word clouds exercise to identify the biggest threats in the Climate Change and Severe Weather category.
Top priority threats to the survival of Grenada Dove. (Photo by Gaea Conservation)
A roadmap for solutions
Participants then shifted to a Solutions Analysis, developing a “Solutions Tree” to match actions to each identified problem. These solutions formed the foundation of the 10-year goal, objectives, strategies, and actions of the forthcoming Grenada Dove Conservation Action Plan.
One of the highest priorities identified was improved legislation and enforcement to ensure the long-term conservation of the Grenada Dove and the protection of its habitat. Clarifying the boundaries and enforcing the protected status of Mt. Hartman National Park and the Perseverance Dove Sanctuary is essential for safeguarding remaining habitat. It’s also critical that no further dove habitat is lost to development. Participants also emphasized the need to expand protected dry-forest habitat, guided by recommendations in the Grenada Systems Plan, to increase the amount of habitat available to the dove.
Proposed actions for strengthening law and enforcement to protect the Grenada Dove. (Photo by Zoya Buckmire)
Participants proposed that by 2035, 50% of the Grenada Dove’s critical dry forest habitat is protected, restored, and effectively managed by strengthened enforcement. Restoring degraded dry forest and reconnecting fragmented patches were also key recommendations. Addressing uncontrolled grazing, illegal dumping, and unauthorized land clearing will help improve habitat quality and ecosystem resilience.
Proposed action for restoring Grenada Dove habitat. (Photo by Zoya Buckmire)
Reinstating invasive predator-control programs—particularly mongoose removal—was highlighted as essential to improving survival and reproductive success.
Proposed actions for eradicating invasive species. (Photo by Zoya Buckmire)
Education, empowerment, and local stewardship are essential. Participants recommended that targeted education and outreach programs should be developed to foster a culture of conservation and environmental stewardship, and to actively engage local communities, schools, and stakeholders in efforts to protect the dove and its habitat. Many community members expressed a desire to be more involved—especially youth groups eager to help protect their national bird.
Proposed actions for engaging the public. (Photo by Zoya Buckmire)
The group noted that the Forestry Dept and key public, private and civil society organizations will need to collaborate to secure the financial resources and human capacity required to conserve the Grenada Dove and its habitat.
Actions to obtain the resources and capacity to carry out the work in the CAP. (Photo by Zoya Buckmire)
Finally, participants agreed that research and long-term monitoring will be vital to the dove’s recovery. Regular population surveys, nest monitoring, and habitat-quality assessments will help conservationists track progress, assess the effectiveness of management actions, and identify emerging challenges. These data-driven approaches will support adaptive management and informed decision-making.
Proposed actions for Research and Monitoring. (Photo by Zoya Buckmire)
Participants vote with sticky dots on the highest priority actions for each objective.
A shared sense of urgency and hope
Meeting with the Honorable Lennox Andrews, Minister of Economic Development, Planning, Tourism, ICT, Creative Economy, Agriculture and Lands, Fisheries and Cooperatives to share information on the Grenada Dove CAP Workshop.
As the workshop closed, participants carried with them not only a sharper understanding of the dove’s precarious situation but also a renewed drive to act. The room was filled with a mix of urgency, excitement, and a growing sense of shared purpose—tempered by the recognition that saving the Grenada Dove will require sustained effort, collaboration, and significant resources.
As Lisa Sorenson, Executive Director of BirdsCaribbean, reminded participants: “The Grenada Dove is more than a rare bird—it’s a national treasure. Protecting it means defending the island’s dry forests, one of the most threatened ecosystems in the Caribbean.”
Jody Daniel, President of the Gaea Conservation Network, reinforced the power of partnerships: “Saving the Grenada Dove will take everyone—scientists, government, communities, and the tourism sector. We still have a chance, but only if we act decisively now.”
What comes next
A stakeholder committee—led by Gaea Conservation Network, the Ministry of Climate Resilience, Forestry and National Parks Department, BirdsCaribbean, and Re:wild—is now refining the workshop’s outcomes into a 10-year Conservation Action Plan (CAP). Once finalized and nationally endorsed, it will serve as Grenada’s roadmap for saving its national bird.
Group photo of the in-person participants at the Conservation Action Plan (CAP) Workshop for the Grenada Dove.
In the meantime, mongoose trapping will restart in January 2026, supported by the Mohammed Bin Zayed Foundation and UNDP. The committee is also working to raise funds for other high-priority actions, including education programs and monitoring to better understand current population status and reproductive ecology.
The Grenada Dove may be one of the world’s rarest birds, but its story is not yet finished. With united action, strong leadership, and community support, this gentle forest bird can still be pulled back from the brink.
Acknowledgements: The Grenada Dove Conservation Action Plan (CAP) Workshop was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors, including American Bird Conservancy, BirdsCaribbean, and Birding the Islands. The workshop organizing was led by Gaea Conservation Network, Re:Wild, Grenada Fund for Conservation Inc., St. George’s University, Fellows in Caribbean Academic Leadership, and BirdsCaribbean. We sincerely thank everyone who participated in the CAP Workshop—both in-person and online. Your time, enthusiasm, dedication, and numerous comments and insights were essential to completing the action planning process.
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Winner of the Grenada Dove Coloring Competition! Participants enjoyed coloring in the line drawing, beautiful artwork created by the talented Cuban artist, Arnaldo Toledo.
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)
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.
Get ready for the 17th annual Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) Region-Wide count! This year is extra special as we mark the 60thyear of the International Waterbird Census (IWC) — a global effort to collect waterbird data, of which the CWC is a part. From January 14th to February 3rd 2026, you can directly contribute to Caribbean Waterbird conservation.
Did you know that when you take part in our CWC regional count you are part of something much bigger? Since 1967, thousands of people around the world have headed to their local wetlands to take part in the International Waterbird Census (IWC). That’s 60 years of global citizen science efforts, all dedicated to tracking the health of waterbird populations and the wetlands they depend on! And our very own CWC has been part of this for the past 16 years! You can find out more about this special 60th anniversary of the IWC here.
Supporting over 185 species of waterbirds, Caribbean wetlands are great places to explore to discover amazing birds and habitats. You might see one of our Caribbean endemics like the West Indian Whistling Duck, or ones of the many globally threatened species that live there, including many migrants such as shorebirds like Lesser Yellowlegs and Short-billed Dowitchers. Our wetlands are threatened by coastal development, pollution and the impacts of climate change, so it’s critical that we protect these special places. The data you collect in this ongoing, annual, standardized survey is essential for helping us understand how to best protect these amazing habitats and protect these birds. CWC surveys are also critical in keeping up to date with the changes and threats to waterbirds and their wetland homes.
How to be part of the bigger picture
As we mark our 17th year, you can play an important role in this global effort to protect waterbirds and wetlands! Anyone can participate in the CWC –— just head out to your nearest wetland, and record the birds you see — don’t wait, just wade right into the wonderful world of waterbirds!
Birding at Hellshire Wetlands, Jamaica. (Photo by Damion Whyte)
The Lesser Yellowlegs, a medium-sized shorebird widespread in the Caribbean, has suffered a population decline of 30 to 49%. Its IUCN threat level has been raised from Least Concern to Vulnerable. (Photo by Hemant Kishan)
The Cargill Salt Ponds site also supports other habitat types, like these mangroves. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
West Indian Whistling-Duck & Wetlands Conservation
For CWC, a wetland is any area where water is the primary factor controlling what lives there. These include any place where water is covering the land or is just below the surface. This wide definition includes coastal wetlands like mangroves, mud flats, lagoons and beaches, as well as inland wetlands like lakes, ponds, swamps, areas around rivers and streams and even some types of agriculture (e.g. rice fields). Of course, because this is the Caribbean Waterbird Census, you need to be in the Caribbean to take part! You can find more information about how to conduct surveys here.
Get with the project
Getting a CWC list on eBird. (photo by EAG)
All our CWC data is still stored on eBird, but earlier in 2025 CWC became a project in eBird. This means that you need to be part of the project on eBird to ensure that your counts contribute to our amazing database!
Here’s the good news—if you’ve ever submitted a checklist using a CWC protocol in the past—you’ve likely been automatically added to the project! Check out the CWC project pages here to confirm you’ve joined.
If you’re new to CWC or if for some reason you’ve not been joined, just visit the CWC Project Page and click “Learn how to join.” Review the info about the project, scroll to the end and then click “Join Project.” If you are not logged into eBird you will be prompted to “Login to Join Project.”
Once you’ve joined the CWC project, it’s easy to add your CWC lists to our database on the eBird app or on the website.
Here’s how:
CWC in the eBird Mobile App:
Tap “Choose projects” above the “Start checklist”’ button.
Select the CWC project, and, if you like, ask the app to remember this choice for future submissions. If you do this CWC will appear automatically above the “Start checklist” button next time you use App.
Tap “Continue” and do your count (it’s that simple!)
Next time you do a count at a Caribbean wetland, select “Caribbean Waterbird Census” above the “Start checklist” button.
CWC on the eBird Website:
Go to the Submit page.
Use the “Choose a Project” dropdown to check the box next to “Caribbean Waterbird Census.”
Then follow the steps below to add your list details as normal.
Now that CWC is a project there are no longer specific ‘CWC protocols’ in eBird, you just need to select the “Traveling” or “Stationary” protocol before submitting.
Remember that although these are waterbird counts, you should be sure to count all the birds that you see and hear during your survey visits, not just the waterbirds. If you need help with eBird submissions, have questions about which protocol to choose, or with setting up an eBird account, please contact Alex Sansom: waterbird.manager@birdscaribbean.org
You can learn more about the CWC project on eBird here. And if you’re completely new to eBird, start by looking at this page that will guide you through opening an account and adding data.
Reddish Egret at Las Salinas De Brito, Cuba (Photo Andrew Dobson)
Forget to choose the CWC project in eBird?
You went out in the field, you started your list in eBird and did your CWC survey and submitted the list…. THEN you realize that you forgot the “choose a project” step at the start! It happens! This means your list will not be ‘counted’ as part of the CWC- yet. But don’t worry it can be fixed, you just need add it to the project after you have submitted.
On the eBird app, go to “checklists”, then toggle to show your submitted lists. Next find the list that should have been in the CWC project and open it. Open the ‘edit checklist’ menu (click on the edit icon on the top right), then once in ‘edit’ mode, choose the ‘edit’ menu icon again (again in the top right). Here you will see a menu with the option to ‘choose projects’. Click on this and select the Caribbean Water Census from your projects (of course you need to have joined the project already to do this!). Then save your changes.
On the eBird website it’s slightly different. You can go to ‘My Checklists’, and choose the one you want to add to the CWC project. Once this list is open, you need to select the ‘Edit Location’ option. When you click on this you will see the ‘choose project’ option, at the top of the page under the ‘Where did you bird?’ heading. Just select the Caribbean Waterbird Census project and save the changes.
Surveying in San Juan estuary. (Photo by Emilio Font SOPI)
We’re here to help!
Never done a CWC survey before or need a refresher? Don’t worry! We’ve pulled together some amazing resources that will help you with your counts. To help you get started on your CWC survey journey or give you a reminder about how to take part check out our helpful YouTube webinar that takes you through the steps of how to participate in the CWC*!
*This is a great introduction to the CWC and how to plan your counts and carry out surveys, but the information on adding data to eBird has been updated since it was recorded. Please use the information provided above and here. Join the project, then remember to choose the project when making your eBird list to make sure your data gets included as CWC in eBird.
If you need a hand with your waterbird ID you’ve come to the right place—why not brush up on your ID skills using our helpful videos on YouTube! Part I covers herons, egrets, ducks, marsh birds, and seabirds. Part II tackles those tricky shorebirds! We also have even more ID, survey planning tips, and outreach resources that are available for you to use and download on this page. This includes information on what to do if you see a banded bird during your surveys as well as our handy ID Guide to Common Caribbean Shorebirds, which can print and take with you on your surveys.
Shanna explains bird ID at McKinnons Pond, Antigua, during the 2025 CWC Count. (Photo by Sherrel Charles)
Ajhermae White helps students of the Grade 5 class of Look Out Primary School with shorebird ID during their field trip at Marguerita Bay. (Photo by Stephen Mendes)
If you need more help with those troublesome shorebirds you can also check out our series of short videos. Each of these deals with ID-ing some of the shorebirds that are more difficult separate, even those tricky small sandpipers!
Have fun out there!
We hope you have a great time exploring your country’s wetlands and counting birds during the regional CWC count! Please remember to stay safe and carry out your counts responsibly. This means taking care not to disturb the birds or damage their habitats. Enjoy counting birds and see how many of your local wetlands you can visit during this three-week period! Finally, if you enjoy your CWC experience remember that CWC counts are not limited to the regional count. You can do a CWC survey at any time of year as long as you are in a Caribbean wetland and count all the birds you see!
Good luck! We look forward to hearing about your findings. If you need help with bird ID, or have photos and exciting observations to share, please post to our Waterbird Group Listserv (everyone is welcome to join) and/or on our BirdsCaribbean Facebook page. For sharing on social media, use hashtags: #CaribbeanWaterbirdCensus #CWC2026 #WaterbirdsCount and for this special IWC anniversary year #IWC60 AND please tag us: @BirdsCaribbean
The Caribbean Waterbird Census is an ongoing, long-term survey effort that provides important data that helps us keep track of the birds using Caribbean wetlands, understand the threats they face, and raise awareness. With 27,000+ CWC lists in our long-term database, we’re building an invaluable resource for bird conservation across the region. You can support the CWC here.
Promotional Social Media Graphics – Please feel free to download these graphics and use these to promote your Caribbean Waterbird Census surveys (just open the graphic you want to use right click and choose ‘save image as’) .
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.
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.
About the workshop
This workshop is the fifth annual Caribbean Bird Banding (CBB) Training Workshop. It will cover many of the same topics explored in our previous CBB Training workshops held in The Bahamas (March 2022) and the Dominican Republic (March 2023, February 2025) and Grenada (March 2024). This workshop will focus on banding landbirds, with an emphasis on Passerines. We hope to provide banding training opportunities for other bird groups in the future.
The purpose of the workshop is to:
Provide participants with a basic understanding of bird banding techniques and best practices.
Discuss what it takes to set-up and run a bird banding station.
Prepare participants for additional bird banding training and potential North American Banding Council (NABC) certifications (assistant, bander, trainer) in the future.
Share information about the other training opportunities, resources, and community available through the CBB Network.
NABC certified banders from TTBO, Giselle and Che Ragoonanan compare the ages of two Golden-headed Manakins looking at plumage pattern or molt limits in the wing. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Snapshot from the field from our 2025 CBB Workshop in the Dominican Republic. Andrys Gomez (from Dominican Republic) bands a Smooth-billed ani (Crotophaga ani) while Jennifer Valiulis (U.S. Virgin Islands) scribes the data. Other participants gather to watch. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
Several NABC-certified trainers will share their knowledge in the classroom, at the mist-net, and at the banding table, covering topics including:
Proper set-up and placement of a mist-net
Proper techniques for extracting birds from mist-nets
Starting a banding station
Bird first-aid and safety
Bird banding ethics and basics
Using bird banding for education and public demonstrations
Aging birds using both WRP and Howell-Pyle terminology
Molt patterns
In an effort to decrease the amount of time spent in the classroom, some content will be shared virtually prior to the in-person workshop. These virtual sessions will also be made available to a wider audience. Announcements will be made via our discussion group on the groups.io platform, which you can join here. Stay tuned for more information!
Is this Workshop for you?
This bilingual (English and Spanish) workshop is designed for Caribbean wildlife professionals and volunteers who are interested in gaining more experience with bird banding. Prior banding experience is not required. However, priority will be given to applicants who are likely to continue training to gain the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to contribute to or initiate avian research and/or banding programs on their home islands.
Snapshot from the field from our 2025 CBB Workshop in the Dominican Republic. NABC trainer, Juan Carlos Fernandez Ordoñez, explains to CBB participants how we can age a Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola) using molt limits. (Photo by Holly Garrod.)
Bird banding is a complex skill to learn. This workshop is intended to be a starting point, and participants should not expect to leave the workshop with the necessary qualifications to band birds independently. To become fully immersed and practice what was learned at the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to be considered for bird banding internships following the workshop.
Funding and logistics
We aim to include approximately 15 participants in this workshop. BirdsCaribbean has funding for a limited number of need and merit-based scholarships to cover the costs of travel and participation. Participants who are able to contribute all or part of their costs can allow us to include additional participants. We encourage applications from all candidates who are well-suited to make use of this training, regardless of their financial ability. Participants should plan to arrive in Trinidad by 19 March and depart on 25 March.
Applications
If you are interested in participating in this workshop, please fill out this form by 7 January 2026.
Oportunidad de formación: Taller de anillamiento de aves caribeñas
La llegada de las coloridas reinitas migratorias es un momento glorioso en el calendario de observación de aves del Caribe, pero ¿alguna vez te has preguntado cómo es la vida de nuestros vibrantes invitados? Por ejemplo: ¿regresan cada año a los mismos lugares del Caribe? ¿Cuánto tiempo viven? ¿Y cómo les va cuando visitan nuestras islas? Se ha demostrado que algunas de estas reinitas, como la encantadora reinita galana, viven entre 8 y 10 años y regresan fielmente a los mismos lugares del Caribe. Estos valiosos datos, que nos informan sobre la salud de nuestras aves y cómo podemos ayudarlas, se obtienen gracias al anillamiento de aves. Si te encantan las aves del Caribe y quieres aumentar tu capacidad para protegerlas, ¡quizás te interese aprender a ponerles un anillo!
¡BirdsCaribbean se complace en invitarte a presentar una solicitud para participar en un taller de formación sobre el anillamiento de aves en el Caribe, de 5 días de duración! Los participantes aprenderán los fundamentos del anillamiento de aves, desde la instalación de una red de niebla hasta el examen de los patrones de muda, mediante una combinación de actividades en el aula y sobre el terreno. También discutiremos y demostraremos los beneficios de unirse a la Red de Anillamiento de Aves del Caribe (CBBN, por sus siglas en inglés). Estamos muy emocionados de trabajar con nuestro socio local, el Observatorio de Aves de Trinidad y Tobago, para ofrecer esta oportunidad de formación en el internacionalmente reconocido HADCO Experiences en el Centro de Naturaleza Asa Wright, del 20 al 24 de marzo de 2026.
¿Por qué anillamos aves?
Los censos de aves, como los que se tratan en nuestros talleres de formación sobre seguimiento de aves terrestres en el Caribe, proporcionan información valiosa sobre la abundancia y la presencia de especies. Sin embargo, el anillamiento de aves es una metodología diferente que permite profundizar en el estado de las poblaciones de aves mediante la evaluación del estado de cada ejemplar.
Anillando un pitirre Tyrannus dominicensis con anillas de BirdsCaribbean. Foto de Holly Garrod.
Al marcar individualmente a las aves con un anillo y evaluarlas en la mano, podemos recopilar datos que nos informan sobre su demografía y salud, entre los que se incluyen:
Sus índices de grasa y peso, para evaluar el estado físico de las aves en diferentes hábitats y en diferentes épocas del año, lo que arroja luz sobre la calidad de los hábitats que utilizan las aves.
Determinación de la edad de las aves utilizando el plumaje para investigar patrones demográficos.
Utilización de registros de recaptura para obtener información sobre la supervivencia y la longevidad.
Evaluación de la presencia o ausencia de características reproductivas para comprender mejor el momento de la reproducción y el ciclo vital de muchas de nuestras especies endémicas del Caribe, sobre las que se dispone de poca información.
Descubrir cuáles rutas migratorias siguen nuestras aves comunes y comprender mejor los factores que influyen en la supervivencia y la longevidad de diversas especies.
A largo plazo, los datos obtenidos mediante el anillamiento de aves también pueden ayudarnos a comprender los patrones y tendencias de las poblaciones de aves, lo que contribuye a su manejo y conservación.
Acerca del taller
Este taller es el quinto taller anual de capacitación en anillamiento de aves en el Caribe (CBB). Abarcará muchos de los mismos temas tratados en nuestros anteriores talleres de capacitación de la CBBN celebrados en las Bahamas (marzo de 2022), la República Dominicana (marzo de 2023, febrero de 2025) y Granada (marzo de 2024). Este taller se centrará en el anillamiento de aves terrestres, con especial atención a los paseriformes. Esperamos poder ofrecer en el futuro oportunidades de capacitación en anillamiento para otros grupos de aves.
Los objetivos del taller son:
Proporcionar a los participantes conocimientos básicos sobre las técnicas y mejores prácticas en anillamiento de aves.
Debatir qué se necesita para montar y manejar una estación de anillamiento de aves.
Preparar a los participantes para recibir formación adicional sobre anillamiento de aves y obtener posibles certificaciones del Consejo Norteamericano de Anillamiento (NABC, por sus siglas en inglés) (asistente, anillador, entrenador) en el futuro.
Compartir información sobre otras oportunidades de capacitación, recursos y comunidades disponibles a través de la red CBBN.
Los anilladores certificados por la NABC de TTBO, Giselle y Che Ragoonanan, comparan las edades de dos Saltarínes Cabecidorados (Ceratopipra erythrocephala) observando el patrón del plumaje o los límites de muda en el ala. (Foto de Holly Garrod)
Instantánea de campo de nuestro Taller CBB 2025 en la República Dominicana. Andrys Gómez (de República Dominicana) anilla un Judío (Crotophaga ani) mientras Jennifer Valiulis (Islas Vírgenes de EE. UU.) registra los datos. Otros participantes se acercan para observar. (Foto de Holly Garrod)
Varios entrenadores certificados por el NABC compartirán sus conocimientos en el aula, en las redes de niebla y en la mesa de anillamiento, cubriendo temas como:
Instalación y manejo adecuado de una red de niebla.
Técnicas apropiadas para extraer aves de las redes de niebla.
Puesta en marcha de una estación de anillamiento.
Primeros auxilios y seguridad para las aves.
Ética y conceptos básicos del anillamiento de aves.
Uso del anillamiento de aves con fines educativos y para demostraciones públicas.
Determinación de la edad de las aves utilizando la terminología W-R-P y Howell-Pyle.
Patrones de muda.
Con el fin de reducir el tiempo que se pasa en el aula, parte del contenido se compartirá virtualmente antes del taller presencial. Estas sesiones virtuales también estarán disponibles para un público más amplio. Los anuncios se realizarán a través de nuestro grupo de debate en la plataforma groups.io, al que puedes unirte aquí. ¡Estad atentos para más información!
¿Este taller es para ti?
Este taller bilingüe (inglés y español) está diseñado para profesionales y voluntarios dedicados a la fauna silvestre del Caribe que estén interesados en adquirir más experiencia en el anillamiento de aves. No se requiere experiencia previa en anillamiento. Sin embargo, se dará prioridad a los solicitantes que probablemente continúen su formación para adquirir los conocimientos, las habilidades y la experiencia necesarios para contribuir o iniciar programas de investigación y/o anillamiento de aves en sus islas de origen.
Instantánea de campo de nuestro Taller CBB 2025 en la República Dominicana. El entrenador de la NABC, Juan Carlos Fernández Ordóñez, explica a los participantes del CBB cómo podemos determinar la edad de un reinita común (Coereba flaveola) usando los límites de muda. (Foto de Holly Garrod.)
El anillamiento de aves es una habilidad compleja de aprender. Este taller pretende ser un punto de partida, y los participantes no deben esperar salir del taller con las cualificaciones necesarias para anillar aves de forma independiente. Para sumergirse por completo y practicar lo aprendido en el taller, los participantes tendrán la oportunidad de ser considerados para realizar prácticas de anillamiento de aves después del taller.
Financiación y logística
Nuestro objetivo es incluir aproximadamente a 15 participantes en este taller. BirdsCaribbean dispone de fondos para un número limitado de becas basadas en las necesidades y los méritos, que cubrirán los gastos de viaje y participación. Los participantes que puedan contribuir con la totalidad o parte de los gastos nos permitirán incluir a más participantes. Animamos a todos aquellos candidatos que reúnan los requisitos a aprovechar esta formación y a que presenten su solicitud, independientemente de su capacidad económica. Los participantes deben planificar su llegada a Trinidad para el 19 de marzo y su salida para el 25 de marzo.
Solicitudes
Si estás interesado en participar en este taller, llena este formulario antes del 7 de enero de 206.
Global seabird populations are in serious decline, facing threats that span from habitat loss to climate change. These magnificent birds are essential indicators of ocean health and help maintain resilient coastal ecosystems like mangroves and corals. Their crisis is a crisis for our marine environment that strengthens Caribbean island economies through tourism and fisheries, and protects coastal communities from storms.
This urgency is what drove the Seabird Working Group (SWG) in May 2022 to launch the first-ever coordinated Caribbean Seabird Census (CSC).
Grenadines Guardians seabird survey. (Photo by Juliana Coffey)
The goal was simple: to improve knowledge of where seabirds nest in the region, and how many are in their breeding populations, providing them with the hard data needed for effective advocacy, protection, and management actions.
Now, a major milestone has been reached: researchers from across the region recently convened in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, from 23rd to 24th September, to analyze the rich dataset collected from 2023 to 2024.
What did they find? This report by the Seabird Working Group details how the CSC has progressed across the region and what the dataset reveals about the state of our Caribbean seabirds.
Setting the stage
The 2023–2024 Caribbean Seabird Census (CSC) marks a major step forward in conserving our seabird populations. Led by BirdsCaribbean and EPIC, this regional effort brought together more than 150 experts and volunteers from across more than 30 organizations representing 25 territories to gather the first comprehensive seabird data for the Caribbean in over a decade. These counts, done through boats, drones, and on-the-ground surveys, help understand how seabird populations are coping with challenges like invasive species, coastal development, and climate change. By mapping where seabirds still thrive and where they are disappearing, the CSC provides the science needed to guide urgent conservation action. Its findings will help shape recovery programs, and ensure that future generations will witness the vibrant seabird life of the Caribbean.
Brown Noddies with a Roseate Tern (photo by J. Coffey)
Following the success of the CSC, we shifted our focus in 2025 to sharing results and building regional collaboration. This continued effort led to a CSC workshop in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where 25 participants from 14 countries in and bordering the Caribbean worked together to strengthen seabird conservation across the region, along with four instructors from the UK, US, and Ecuador.
Our objective was to take a deep dive into the data collected during the 2023–2024 CSC. Specifically, we aimed to:
Collate and review seabird census data at national and regional levels.
Discuss and agree on methods to standardize, process, and analyze data for conservation use.
Provide training in tools for data processing and analysis.
Explore ways to identify conservation priorities and apply census data to management.
Identify next steps for coordinated regional seabird efforts following the baseline census.
Day 1: Diving into the data
We were warmly welcomed by Dr. Yolanda León, Executive Director of Grupo Jaragua, our local host and holder of workshop funds granted by the Bio-Bridge Initiative, a project of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Participants introduced themselves; we represented a wide range of experience—from those new to seabird monitoring to others with extensive expertise in data collection and analysis.
Yvan Satgé, researcher with Clemson University–South Carolina Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit (US) and long-time Co-Chair of the SWG, opened the sessions with an overview of Caribbean seabirds and the 2023–2024 CSC. Yvan highlighted how the CSC builds on previous regional efforts, described in Bradley & Norton (2009) and Lowrie, Lowrie & Collier (2012), and suggested the value of making regional censuses a recurring initiative. He emphasized the importance of data standardization for meaningful comparisons across sites, countries, and years—an approach modeled by the Caribbean Waterbird Census, coordinated by BirdsCaribbean.
Yvan giving an overview of the 2023-2024 CSC. (Photo by Jennifer Wheeler)
Dr Rhiannon Austin discussing key considerations in surveying seabird populations. (Photo by Jennifer Wheeler)
Next, Dr Rhiannon Austin, research associate at theUniversity of Liverpool, UK, another SWG Co-Chair, led sessions on Census Data Considerations. She reminded us that while the goal of a survey is to estimate population size accurately, challenges abound—no survey detects every bird, and factors such as method, behavior, habitat, and weather all play roles.
Then came our first hands-on exercises. Participants grouped into English- and Spanish-language tables, working on either their own data or example datasets from the Turks and Caicos Islands (where Rhiannon just wrapped up a two-year seabird monitoring project). We focused first on data cleaning in Excel—learning how small inconsistencies in date formats, coordinate precision, or file types can complicate regional compilations.
From there, we moved to GIS exercises using QGIS, exploring how to map, visualize, and compare data across years. While some found this a refresher and others a first experience, the peer-to-peer support made it fun and productive.
Red-billed Tropicbird. (Photo by Birding the Islands client, Keith Clarkson)
After dinner, we reconvened to enjoy videos from participants showcasing seabird conservation work across the region—proof that seabird monitoring in the Caribbean involves breathtaking landscapes, fascinating species, and some very dedicated (and tough!) fieldworkers.
Day 2: Assessing threats and setting priorities
The second day focused on interpreting data at the regional and global scale. Louise Soanes of the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science (UK) presented results from the 2023–2024 CSC, which covered 17 species, 18+ countries, 300+ sites, 30+ organizations, and 150+ observers. Louise compared these data with those from Bradley & Norton (2009), identifying monitoring gaps, challenges, and opportunities for future coordination.
Participants then tackled a practical exercise in threat assessment—evaluating major threats to key seabird colonies, rating their likelihood and severity, and noting current actions. This helped illustrate how site-level analysis can guide regional conservation priorities.
A young Brown Booby caught on a fishing lure. Many kinds of plastic are dangerous to Caribbean birds. (Photo by Michiel Oversteegen)
Next up was Gabriela (Gaby) Toscano from BirdLife International, who discussed Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) and how they relate to the earlier framework of Important Bird Areas (IBAs). She explained how BirdLife and partners have transitioned from bird-specific IBAs to all-taxa KBAs, harmonizing criteria to ensure globally consistent biodiversity site designations.
Gabriela Toscano speaks about KBAs in the Caribbean. (Photo by Jennifer Wheeler)
Today, the Caribbean region includes 429 KBAs in the World Database of KBAs—most designated before 2016 through the IBA “crosswalk” process. While 191 are globally confirmed, many remain “priority for update,” underscoring the need for renewed data collection like that generated by the CSC.
Hands-on exercises followed, where groups reviewed Caribbean seabird IBAs under the KBA framework. Participants assessed which species could trigger KBA designation, verified thresholds and population data, and discussed whether other taxa might qualify sites as KBAs.
Lillian Russell adds to the discussion on KBAs in the Caribbean drawing on her experience in The Bahamas. (Photo by Jennifer Wheeler)
A key issue emerged: many Caribbean seabird species are pan-tropical (distribution spans tropical regions of both western and eastern hemispheres), and individual colonies rarely exceed the global threshold (1% of the species’ population). Yet, given the historic decline in regional populations, nearly every colony holds conservation importance. Participants discussed the possibility of developing Caribbean-specific regional criteria to ensure that even smaller colonies receive recognition and protection.
Conclusions and Next Steps
We closed the workshop with reflections on the 2023–2024 CSC and ideas for the road ahead. Participants emphasized the importance of sustained regional collaboration, continued data sharing, and integration with broader biodiversity initiatives.
Group photo of workshop participants and facilitators.
Everyone agreed: building a long-term regional seabird monitoring and conservation program is both necessary and achievable.
Jethro van’t Hul, Terrestrial Parks Manager, St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA), Sint Eustatius emphasized, “It’s refreshed motivation and redrawn attention to the importance of our seabird colony and the work we need to do to protect them. Definitely good things to come!”
Ernesto Hernández Pérez, Lead Specialist, Flora and Fauna Company of Villa Clara, Cuba added, “For me, it was very educational to share with specialists who do the same work, and very useful to standardize methodologies and apply mapping in a practical way to achieve results.”
The next key step is the publication of a co-authored report in the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology. The report will share results of the CSC in a formal but accessible way that can be used as a reference across the region and for years to come. Looking ahead, we also plan to expand participation in the CSC, refine monitoring methods, and launch a follow-up census in 2030.
Three Caribbean bird-curated holiday menus, one winner. It’s the (un)official Caribbean Bird Thanksgiving Menu Showdown! No need to stream it, just read on to crown your favourite feathered chef.
Thanksgiving is built around gratitude, loved ones, and the shared pleasure of a communal meal. Across America, families gather to uphold beloved traditions like watching football games, giving back, and of course, catching up over roast turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, and more dishes from recipes passed down from generation to generation. It’s these classic dishes that form the foundation of our collective holiday memory.
But what if your favorite holiday tradition was dictated entirely by your natural environment and dietary needs? What if the feast you shared was perfectly adapted to your life, using only the foods you naturally forage?
Crazy? We know! Here are Thanksgiving menus that we think three fascinating Caribbean endemics would be serving, using of course only the foods naturally available to them. Forget the basic bird and stuffing; it’s time to see what happens when the predators and foragers design the menu.
Read the three wild menus and let us know in the comments: Which feathered chef are you crowning, and why did you choose their Thanksgiving feast?
The Cuban Kite’s Thanksgiving menu. (Bird illustrations by Arnaldo Toledo)
The Cuban Kite’s Spiral Feast 🐌
The Cuban Kite is one show-stopping raptor with a massive hooked yellow bill, broad wings, and barred tail. You’d think it has an appetite for birds, but its palate is more sophisticated. It feeds exclusively on tree snails. For its Thanksgiving Day menu, it opted for tantalizing all-snail dishes, proving that this Kite is aiming to give its dinner guests an escar-gourmet experience!
Learn more about the Cuban Kite here, while you slurp up tasty snails.
The Black-billed Amazon’s Thanksgiving menu. (Bird illustrations by Arnaldo Toledo)
The Black-billed Amazon’s Vegan Twist on Tradition 🥭
The Black-billed Amazon is a connoisseur frugivore endemic to the iconic Blue and John Crow Mountains, and Cockpit Country of Jamaica. Its menu is a vibrant, vegan tribute to its home. Its dishes replace all the traditional heavy, almost-coma-inducing holiday items with light, organic creations centered around its favorite foods: corn, nuts, and fruit. We’re almost certain dinner guests, vegan or not, will not hesitate to add one or more of these dishes to their future Thanksgiving Day menus.
The Great Lizard-Cuckoo’s Thanksgiving menu. ((Bird illustration by Arnaldo Toledo)
The Great Lizard-Cuckoo’s Sensational Savory Delights 🦎
The Great Lizard-Cuckoo is known for its quiet, stealthy movements and its appetite for lizards, grasshoppers, and caterpillars. It comes as no surprise that its Thanksgiving offering is surprisingly sensational, swapping turkey for a delectable, protein-rich feast that pays homage to its preferred prey species. Dinner guests are advised to leave their cranberry-sauce-dripping comfort zones and think of the dishes as an out-of-this-world culinary adventure.
Learn more about your lanky, lizard-munching host here.
So there you have it: three incredible, inspired-by-nature Thanksgiving menus! Whether you’re rooting for the snail-centric elegance of the Cuban Kite, the vegan brilliance of the Black-billed Amazon, or the cleverness of the Great Lizard-Cuckoo, we hope these menus inspire you to look at the natural world with a renewed sense of wonder and creativity—and serve as a reminder that protecting the habitats these birds rely on is essential for their survival.
From all of us at BirdsCaribbean, we wish you and your loved ones a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving Day! 🎃 🦃
Want to brush up your shorebird ID skills or learn how to conduct Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) counts? Keep reading for details about this exciting opportunity!
BirdsCaribbean is pleased to invite applications for a five-day training workshop focused on shorebird and waterbird identification and CWC survey methods. Participants will strengthen their ID skills, and learn counting and survey techniques through a blend of classroom and field-based activities. We’ll also explore key threats to shorebirds and wetlands and discuss conservation solutions.
We’re delighted to host this workshop at Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Puerto Rico, thanks to a partnership with JBNERR. from 23-27 February, 2026 — mark your calendars! JBNERR is on the Southern coast of Puerto Rico. With mangroves, salt flats, and seasonal lagoons it’s a haven for thousands of migratory shorebirds, and hosts a wonderful diversity of other waterbirds. It’s the perfect place to learn more about CWC and waterbird ID!
Why count shorebirds and waterbirds?
Wetlands across the Caribbean are critical for numerous resident and migratory waterbirds — yet they face mounting threats, from coastal development and pollution to land-use change and climate change impacts. In addition, migratory shorebirds are experiencing alarming declines over the last decades, and need our help. Protecting birds starts with understanding where they go and what habitats they rely on.
Out in Jobos bay doing CWC surveys by boat. (Photo by Carmen Maldonado)
Monti Cristi in the Dominican Republic is estimated to host 20,000+ migrating shorebirds per year—making it a regionally important site! (Photo by Maria Paulino)
Great Blue Heron, Blassina Puerto Rico. (Photo by Eliezer Nieves)
Systematic bird monitoring allows us to:
Identify key habitats and stopover sites
Understand migration patterns and threats
Prioritize areas for protection or restoration
Track the success of conservation and management actions
Critical data on shorebird migration, especially during fall migration, are still lacking in the Caribbean. Expanded monitoring across regional wetlands will help identify and safeguard priority sites—advancing Caribbean biodiversity goals and supporting global shorebird conservation efforts.
About the workshop
This will be the 6th CWC Training Workshop in the region — and the first in seven years! Like our 2019 event, it will cover essential topics in waterbird monitoring and conservation.
This bilingual (English and Spanish) workshop is designed for Caribbean wildlife professionals and volunteers interested in strengthening their waterbird and shorebird ID and survey skills. Prior experience is helpful, but not required. The workshop is open to anyone eager to learn more about waterbird monitoring techniques—especially those who wish to initiate or expand waterbird and wetland monitoring programs in their home countries. Preference will be given to individuals working in protected areas, wetland conservation, or bird monitoring with government agencies or NGOs in the Caribbean, as well as those committed to launching or growing a CWC monitoring program.
Field trip within Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
The goals of the workshop are to:
Increase awareness and appreciation of the Caribbean’ importance for shorebirds and waterbirds
Build confidence in identifying common Caribbean shorebirds
Share information waterbird ecology and the threats that they face
Provide participants with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to conduct CWC surveys and contribute to regional monitoring
Inspire and facilitate involvement in conservation action, including raising public awareness, alleviating threats, and restoring habitats that have been damaged
Grow our regional network of CWC monitors and stewards of our shared waterbirds
The workshop will be a mixture of classroom and field trip sessions, meaning there will be daily opportunities to practice survey and identification skills.
Topics covered
Participants will gain comprehensive training in:
A volunteer uses a Shorebird ID card at a Caribbean Waterbird Census count. (Photo by Dayamiris Candelario OPAS)
Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) overview: How to design and implement a monitoring program
Field training in shorebird ID, counting, and wetland habitat monitoring using standardized CWC monitoring techniques
Threats to shorebirds and their wetland habitats (e.g., dumping, habitat destruction and degradation, water mismanagement, invasive species, disturbance, etc.) and education, conservation, and management strategies to mitigate these threats
Engaging citizen scientists and sustaining long-term monitoring
Data entry and use of eBird
Sharing results with decision-makers and the public
By the end of the workshop, you will have received comprehensive training in both CWC survey techniques and field identification of Caribbean shorebirds. You will be equipped to monitor wetland sites (including changes in condition and threats), recruit and train new volunteers, and raise awareness about waterbird conservation in your community.
Funding and Logistics
We aim to include approximately 25 participants in this workshop. BirdsCaribbean has funding for a limited number of need- and merit-based scholarships to cover travel and participation costs. Specific funds are available for nationals of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, and we strongly encourage applications from these islands.
Please note: Participants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents will need to obtain the appropriate U.S. visa or travel authorization in advance. We strongly encourage you to check your national visa requirements and apply early to ensure entry to Puerto Rico. Find out more here.
Participants who are able to contribute part or all of their expenses will help us include more participants. We encourage applications from all candidates who are well-suited to make use of this training, regardless of their financial ability.
Participants should plan to arrive Puerto Rico by February 22 and depart on February 28.
Applications
If you’re interested in participating in this workshop, please complete the application form by November 25, 2025.
If you have any questions, please send an email to: Alex Sansom (Waterbird.Manager@BirdsCaribbean.org)
We are grateful to the US Forest Service International Programs and Cape Cod Bird Club for providing funding support and to the staff at Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve for kindly hosting this workshop.
Oportunidad de Capacitación: Conservación de los Humedales del Caribe- Taller de Identificación y Censo de Aves Acuáticas y Costeras
¿Quiere refrescar sus habilidades de identificación de aves playeras o aprender a realizar recuentos del Censo de Aves Acuáticas del Caribe (CWC)? ¡Siga leyendo para obtener más detalles sobre esta emocionante oportunidad!
BirdsCaribbean se complace en invitar a presentar solicitudes para un taller de capacitación de cinco días centrado en la identificación de aves playeras y los métodos de estudio del CWC. Los participantes reforzarán sus habilidades de identificación y aprenderán técnicas de recuento y estudio mediante una combinación de actividades en el aula y en el campo. También exploraremos las principales amenazas para las aves playeras y los humedales y discutiremos soluciones de conservación.
Estamos encantados de organizar este taller en la Reserva Nacional de Investigación Estuarina de la Bahía de Jobos en Puerto Rico, gracias a la colaboración con JBNERR. Del 23 al 27 de febrero de 2026: ¡apúntelo en su calendario! JBNERR se encuentra en la costa sur de Puerto Rico. Con manglares, salinas y lagunas estacionales, es un refugio para miles de aves playeras migratorias y alberga una maravillosa diversidad de otras aves acuáticas. ¡Es el lugar perfecto para aprender más sobre CWC y la identificación de aves acuáticas!
¿Por qué contar las aves costeras y acuáticas?
Los humedales del Caribe son fundamentales para numerosas aves acuáticas residentes y migratorias, pero se enfrentan a amenazas cada vez mayores, desde el desarrollo costero y la contaminación hasta los cambios en el uso del suelo y los efectos del cambio climático. La protección de las aves comienza por comprender adónde van y de qué hábitats dependen.
Out in Jobos bay doing CWC surveys by boat. (Photo by Carmen Maldonado)
Monti Cristi in the Dominican Republic is estimated to host 20,000+ migrating shorebirds per year—making it a regionally important site! (Photo by Maria Paulino)
Great Blue Heron, Blassina Puerto Rico. (Photo by Eliezer Nieves)
El monitoreo sistemático de las aves nos permite:
Identificar hábitats clave y lugares de parada
Comprender los patrones migratorios y las amenazas
Priorizar las áreas para su protección o restauración
Hacer un seguimiento del éxito de las medidas de conservación y gestión
En el Caribe aún se carece de datos críticos sobre la migración de las aves costeras, especialmente durante la migración otoñal. La ampliación del monitoreo en los humedales regionales ayudará a identificar y salvaguardar los sitios prioritarios, lo que contribuirá a avanzar en los objetivos de biodiversidad del Caribe y respaldará los esfuerzos mundiales de conservación de las aves costeras.
Acerca del Taller
Este será el sexto taller de capacitación de la CWC en la región, ¡y el primero en siete años! Al igual que nuestro evento de 2019, cubrirá temas esenciales sobre el monitoreo y la conservación de las aves acuáticas.
Este taller bilingüe (inglés y español) está diseñado para profesionales y voluntarios del ámbito de la vida silvestre del Caribe interesados en mejorar sus habilidades para identificar y estudiar aves playeras. Se valora la experiencia previa, pero no es imprescindible. El taller está abierto a cualquier persona que desee aprender más sobre las técnicas de monitoreo de aves acuáticas, especialmente a aquellas que deseen iniciar o ampliar programas de monitoreo de aves acuáticas y humedales en sus países de origen. Se dará preferencia a las personas que trabajen en áreas protegidas, conservación de humedales o monitoreo de aves con agencias gubernamentales u ONG en el Caribe, así como a aquellas comprometidas con el establecimiento o el crecimiento de un programa de monitoreo de la CWC.
Los objetivos del taller son:
Aumentar la concienciación y la apreciación de la importancia del Caribe para las aves playeras y acuáticas.
Fomentar la confianza en la identificación de las aves playeras comunes del Caribe.
Compartir información sobre la ecología de las aves acuáticas y las amenazas a las que se enfrentan.
Proporcionar a los participantes los conocimientos, las habilidades y las herramientas necesarias para realizar estudios de aves acuáticas y contribuir al monitoreo regional.
Inspirar y facilitar la participación en acciones de conservación, incluyendo la sensibilización del público, la mitigación de amenazas y la restauración de hábitats que han sido dañados.
Ampliar nuestra red regional de monitoreos de la CWC y guardianes de nuestras aves acuáticas comunes.
El taller será una combinación de sesiones en el aula y excursiones, lo que significa que habrá oportunidades diarias para practicar las habilidades de estudio e identificación.
Temas de Discusión
Los participantes recibirán una capacitación completa en:
Descripción general del Censo de Aves Acuáticas del Caribe (CWC): cómo diseñar y poner en práctica un programa de monitoreo.
Capacitación de campo en identificación de aves costeras, recuento y monitoreo de hábitats de humedales utilizando técnicas de monitoreo estandarizadas del CWC.
Amenazas para las aves costeras y sus hábitats de humedales (por ejemplo, vertidos, destrucción y degradación del hábitat, mala gestión del agua, especies invasoras, perturbaciones, etc.) y estrategias de educación, conservación y gestión para mitigar estas amenazas.
Participación de científicos ciudadanos y mantenimiento de un monitoreo a largo plazo.
Introducción de datos y uso de eBird.
Compartir los resultados con los responsables de la toma de decisiones y el público.
Al finalizar el taller, habrá recibido una capacitación completa tanto en las técnicas de estudio de la CWC como en la identificación de campo de las aves playeras del Caribe. Estará preparado para supervisar los humedales (incluidos los cambios en su estado y las amenazas), reclutar y formar a nuevos voluntarios y sensibilizar a su comunidad sobre la conservación de las aves playeras.
Financiación y Logística
Nuestro objetivo es incluir aproximadamente 25 participantes en este taller. BirdsCaribbean dispone de fondos para un número limitado de becas basadas en las necesidades y los méritos, que cubren los gastos de viaje y participación. Hay fondos específicos disponibles para los ciudadanos de Puerto Rico e Islas Vírgenes de los Estados Unidos, por lo que animamos encarecidamente a los residentes de estas islas a que presenten su solicitud.
Nota: Los participantes que no sean ciudadanos estadounidenses ni residentes permanentes deberán obtener con antelación el visado estadounidense o la autorización de viaje correspondientes. Le recomendamos encarecidamente que verifique los requisitos de visado de su país y lo solicite con antelación para garantizar su entrada a Puerto Rico. Más información aquí.
Los participantes que puedan contribuir con parte o la totalidad de sus gastos nos ayudarán a incluir a más participantes. Animamos a todos los candidatos que reúnan los requisitos para aprovechar esta capacitación a que presenten su solicitud, independientemente de su capacidad económica.
Los participantes deben planificar su llegada a Puerto Rico para el 22 de febrero y su salida para el 28 de febrero.
Solicitudes
Si está interesado en participar en este taller, complete el formulario de solicitud antes del 25 de noviembre de 2025.
Si tiene alguna pregunta, envíe un correo electrónico a: Alex Sansom (Waterbird.Manager@BirdsCaribbean.org)
Agradecemos al US Forest Service International Programs y al Cape Cod Bird Club su apoyo financiero y al personal de la Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve por aceptar acoger este taller.
The 60th anniversary of the International Waterbird Census (IWC) is coming up! We’d love for the Caribbean to contribute to the celebration that Wetlands International is planning. They are collecting waterbird survey stories from all around the world to share, showing the amazing breadth and enthusiasm for waterbird monitoring and conservation. You can make sure the Caribbean is showcased. Read on to find out how!
The Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) is one of five regional International Waterbird Census –which means counts from the CWC regional count contribute to this amazing global database! It also means that YOU can be part of the IWC 60th anniversary celebrations.
Wetlands International is sharing these ‘post cards from the field’ on a story map. Currently the Caribbean is looking a little bit empty but by adding your story you can change that!
Your ‘story’ can be very short (just one paragraph). You can share about who you are and where your do your counts; or about a memorable day in the field or an exciting bird you’ve seen during your counts or anything else you’d like to tell people about the birds and wetlands you do CWC counts in! If you need some inspiration for the type of story that might work, take a look at https://iwc.wetlands.org/postcards where you can see other people’s contributions.
Will you send a postcard from the field? All you need to do is:
Grab your fave photo from any CWC count
Write some short text about your CWC counts
Share them using the Google form (below)
You can share your story in English, French or Spanish, just chose your preferred language and click on the link to the form:
We’re thrilled to share that BirdsCaribbean’s 25th International Conference—our Silver Anniversary!—will be held in Trinidad & Tobago, July 23–27, 2026.
Prepare for a powerful gathering of the brightest minds in Caribbean ornithology. At BirdsCaribbean conferences, we don’t just talk about a future where birds and people thrive — we forge it together. Join us to explore cutting-edge conservation strategies, groundbreaking research, transformative education, and concrete actions that will protect the region’s extraordinary birdlife for generations to come.
Powerful keynotes from regional and global conservation leaders
Hands-on workshops to level up skills in monitoring, education, tech, and management
Latest research & case studies on avian ecology, habitat protection, monitoring, ecotourism, education, policy, and community engagement programs
Invaluable networking to power your career and spark collaborations
Immersive cultural experiences across the twin-island nation
Unforgettable field trips to world-class birding sites, such as Asa Wright Nature Centre, Caroni Swamp, Nariva Swamp, the Main Ridge Forest Reserve (Tobago), and many more!
Plus the fan favorites: our famously not-so-silent Silent Auction, the BirdsCaribbean Raffle (hello, brand-new spotting scope!), the Photo Contest (hello, new binoculars!), and our new crowd hit: the epic Caribbean Bird Song Showdown—all set against the lush, bird-filled landscapes of Trinidad and Tobago.
This is your official heads-up to hold the dates. More details will be shared in the coming weeks on the venue, costs, registration, field trips, workshops, call for symposia and workshops, abstract submissions, and travel scholarships.
Sponsorship & Support:
We’re thrilled to have the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and HADCO Experiences—our Pawi-level sponsor and official Conference Co-Host—already on board. Their leadership and commitment to regenerative tourism and sustainable Caribbean development are helping make this landmark event possible. HADCO’s partnership reflects our shared vision for a Caribbean where conservation and sustainable tourism thrive together—benefiting both people and wildlife.
To ensure the conference’s success, we need your support too. Your contribution can help us bring frontline conservationists, students, and educators from across the Caribbean to share knowledge, build skills, and strengthen our regional network for bird and habitat conservation.
Interested in sponsoring a delegate or becoming a conference sponsor? Please contact:
Note that the same proposal cannot be submitted for more than one award in a given year.
BirdsCaribbean’s general Grant Application Guidelines are available here.
Learn more about the eligibility criteria of each program by visiting their respective websites.
Seeking Donors
BirdsCaribbean encourages others to consider endowments or other large awards to ensure that our grants programs continue indefinitely. Or make a donation to support our work. BirdsCaribbean is a tax-deductible organization in the United States.
You can appreciate birds. You can love birds. You can be a birder. You don’t need to hike steep hills, keep a life list, own expensive binoculars, or even have sight to connect with the wonderful world of birds. But this is only true if we ensure that everyone of all abilities is included in the definition of what it means to be a birder. We must challenge the assumption that people with disabilities or chronic illnesses are not interested in, or able to, experience the joys of birdwatching. They are, and they care deeply about their birdwatching communities, birds, and their habitats.
Virginia Rose, disability rights advocate and founder of the non-profit Birdability, who has been a wheelchair user for over forty years knows how challenging it can be to enjoy nature as a disabled person. But her use of a mobility aid did not diminish her curiosity about the world around her. As she inspiringly shared, “the only thing that I felt really changed was that I had to manage getting around in a wheelchair.”
Founder and President of Birdability, Virginia Rose. (Photo credit: birdability.org)
It is this desire to explore and connect with the world that has fueled her dedication to increasing access to nature for people of all abilities — and to helping them find community. Inspired by movements like Latino Conservation Week and Let’s Go Birding Together, Virginia founded Birdability in 2020. Birdability’s vision is simple yet profound: birding is for everyone, regardless of ability.
Our partners in Antigua and Barbuda, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Margarita Island are exploring ways to make their birding events more welcoming and inclusive. And we would love to see more of these events taking place throughout the region, whether it’s allowing visually impaired participants to “see” birds by handling carved wooden birds, as done by Sociedad Ornitólogica Puertorriqueña, or learn to ID birds using bird songs, as done by Simón Guerrero.
A member of the Antigua and Barbuda Association of Persons with Disabilities birdwatching with staff from the Environmental Awareness Group. (Photo by Sherrel Charles)
In the coming weeks, we will be speaking with Caribbean bird educators who have successfully hosted inclusive events. Through their stories and advice, we will share what’s needed to plan and host such events — creating a practical roadmap for a more accessible birding community.
Stay tuned for their insights and a practical guide to planning your own accessible birding event by signing up to our mailing list.
Birdability Week (20th-26th October 2025) offers the opportunity for birding groups, non-governmental organizations, and groups of family and friends to host an accessible bird outing. With some thoughtful planning this event can be enjoyable for everybody. The 2025 theme is “You Belong Here.”
Birdability focuses on people with mobility challenges, blindness or low vision, chronic illness, intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental illness, and those who are neurodivergent, deaf or hard of hearing, or have other health concerns. So if you are looking for information and resources to help your organization be more mindful and inclusive of these birders please check Birdability’s website!
Watch the Birds or Follow the Birdsong — Birding is for ALL
Help Put Accessible Birding Locations in the Caribbean on the Map!
There is also a Birdability Site Map which allows you to share your accessible location, and to search for potential accessible sites near you. The majority of the locations are in North America and a few have been identified in Central America and South America. If you know of accessible birding locations on your island we encourage you to complete on-site, in-person Birdability Site Reviews and add them to the Birdability Map.
Birdability Site Map showing locations of nature reserves and parks with varying degrees of accessibility. (Photo credit: birdability.org)
Attend a Virtual Event and Connect with Differently Abled Birders
There are a number of virtual events already scheduled — from panel discussions about accessibility in conservation to nature journaling and field safety for Birdability Week 2025.
Together we can build a more welcoming community and ensure that the joy of birding is a shared experience for everyone, everywhere. The key is to remember that the birding community is strongest when it includes all of its members, and that a love for birds knows no bounds.
Ready, set—BIRD! It’s time to flock together for the season’s biggest day of birding!
Get ready for a spectacular October Big Day (OBD)! This annual event, falling on Saturday, October 11, 2025, coincides with World Migratory Bird Day(WMBD) and is a thrilling celebration of our feathered friends and the vibrant birding community.
At BirdsCaribbean, we eagerly anticipate October Big Day. This massive citizen science event is a wonderful opportunity for us to unite with fellow bird lovers to share in the joy of birdwatching and the beauty of Caribbean wetlands, forests, botanical gardens, and neighborhoods. This is our chance to celebrate Caribbean birds, support science, and strengthen our conservation efforts.
A group of Lesser Scaups at East End Pond. (Photo by Jacqueline A Cestero)
October 11 is truly the moment to puff out our chests and rack up those eBird checklists!
And there’s more! Global Bird Weekend runs from October 10 to 12, offering even more opportunities to engage and possibly set new world records. Last year, we saw record-breaking participation during Global Bird Weekend — more than 750,000 people from 202 countries submitted 99,317 checklists with eBird — and we’re aiming to surpass that achievement this year.
Let’s make birdwatching history together!
OBD guide for first timers
Welcome and we’re so happy you’re considering spending Saturday 11th October with the birds! Who knows, maybe this will be where your birdwatching lore begins? OBD is a citizen science initiative spearheaded by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Scientists team up with members of the public, called citizen scientists, to collect data on birds from midnight to midnight in their local time zone on October 11; or to bird anytime during the weekend of October 10-12 for the Global Bird Weekend.
Data sounds intimidating, doesn’t it? Luckily, it ab-so-lute-ly isn’t. Data here means the checklists of birds you see and hear. Spot a blackbird hopping along your fence? That’s data! Hear a bananaquit tsit tsit tsit-ing in your mango tree? You got it — that’s data too!
Bananaquits are found throughout the Caribbean. They have a sharp, curved bill, black head and upperparts with a white eyestripe, gray throat, and yellow underparts. (Photo by Dominic Sherony)
But your data must be submitted via the eBird app or website to count.If you do not already have a free eBird account,, it’s easy to sign up — and here’s a quick guide on how to use eBird. The handy mobile app allows you to seamlessly keep and submit lists, in-the-moment, all while you’re out birding — perhaps exploring nearby hotspots. It will even track how far you have walked while watching birds.
Remember to submit your eBird checklists before October 14, 2024 to be included in the initial results announcement!
Checklists for conservation
Every checklist submitted gives scientists at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and beyond real-time, worldwide insights into bird populations, migration patterns, and important habitats that might be at risk. Without the collective effort of birdwatchers like you, gathering such a vast and diverse dataset would be impractical, making your participation essential to understanding and protecting birds in the Caribbean and across the globe.
Entering data into eBird. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
The information you collect and share helps paint a clearer picture of how bird populations are faring in the face of devastating existential threats, like habitat loss and climate change. By identifying where birds are thriving or declining, conservationists can make informed decisions about where to focus their efforts, implement protective measures, and advocate for policies that safeguard these species. Ultimately, your observations translate to the protection and survival of birds — but they also form part of your legacy, part of the mark that you chose to make on the world. A legacy of care ensures that future generations can continue to enjoy the beauty and diversity of our beloved birds.
Some additional tips from the OBD veterans:
Check your checklists: By submitting complete checklists of the birds you see and hear you give scientists a comprehensive understanding of the bird community in your area. Counting birds is easy until you encounter a large flock…of mixed species of birds! Keep calm and check out eBird’s advice on how to count big flock of birds, multiple flocks, or big groups of mixed species here. You also want to keep multiple checklists throughout the day. The shorter the duration and distance of your checklist, the more valuable your data becomes. Long checklists that cover large areas make it hard to pinpoint exactly where and when birds were present.
Make connections: Birdwatching can be a peaceful solo activity, like a serene stroll through the forest punctuated by bird sightings. But it’s also a fantastic social experience, providing a great way to meet like-minded friends! And there’s so much to learn from fellow birders — they can help with spotting and identifying birds (especially those tricky warblers), and will even help you navigate the eBird app and submit your very first eBird checklist!
Connect with your local environmental or birding club — there’s a good chance someone is organizing a birding event for October Big Day on your island, and they’d be thrilled to have you join in!
Surfrider Foundation Puerto Rico’s small but dedicated birding group at Playa Table Rock for CEBF and GBD 2024. (Photo by Surfrider Foundation Puerto Rico)
Don’t wing it: Make a to-pack list and use a backpack. Remember to pack your field guide, stylish and functional BC buff, medicine, water, and food too! If you’re birding in an unfamiliar place, make a trip plan. Be sure to consider where you might park your car, the amount of time you plan to spend birdwatching, how far you want to walk, and tell your friends and family about your plans and where you will be.
Embrace being a beginner birder: If you’re a newbie don’t let anxiety keep you from discovering the wonderful world of birds. Early mornings are perfect for spotting warblers, while raptors soar as the day heats up. Seagulls and shorebirds are ever-present, and you might catch tanagers and bullfinches at their most active during the late afternoon.
Show off your bird sightings and let us in on the birding blast!
Don’t forget to share your birding stories and photos with us on social media. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @birdscaribbean and tag us in your posts. If social media isn’t your thing, join our discussion group with over 950 members to share your October Big Day experiences.
If you’re getting excited about soaring into the world of birds, we’d love to remind you that a BirdsCaribbean membership has so many benefits: you will receive discounts on our products, workshops, and conferences; meet and network with fellow birders, scientists, educators and conservationists across the region; and keep in touch with birding trends and news through our monthly newsletters (free sign-up here). Join us today to help protect Caribbean birds and their habitats.
Let’s make October Big Day 2025 unforgettable. Have a blast, remember to stay hydrated, and tag @BirdsCaribbean in all your birding adventures!
Nestled in the eastern Caribbean, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is more than a multi-island travel destination offering stunning coastlines. The lush peaks and valleys of mainland St. Vincent are home to rare wildlife, including two species of profound importance: the vibrant St. Vincent Amazon, localled called ‘Vincy Parrot,’ and the elusive Whistling Warbler. These birds, found nowhere else on Earth, are fundamental to the island’s natural heritage and national identity.
St. Vincent Amazon. (Photo by Faraaz Abdool ML572563461)
However, their habitats face significant threats. The catastrophic eruption of La Soufrière volcano in 2021, after 40 years of low activity, followed by the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl in 2024, underscored the urgent need for focused conservation efforts. These events brought attention to the uniqueness of the island’s biodiversity and led to a renewed commitment to safeguarding its threatened species.
Dense and steep mountains in Silver Spoon, a well-known Whistling Warbler habitat. (Photo by Kaitlyn Okrusch)
Following the 2021 eruption, a conservation emergency group led by BirdsCaribbean quickly raised funds to assist the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Forestry Department (SVGFD). On-the-ground efforts included providing supplemental food to parrots, searching for injured parrots and administering first-aid, and repairing park infrastructure like observation decks and signs. The SVGFD also conducted a census of the St. Vincent Amazon at watch points across the parrot’s range.
Whistling Warbler spotted on La Soufriere Windward Trail. (Photo by Jonathan Slifkin ML621602299)
Over the last several years, projects funded by CEPF and UNDP were launched to research the ecology of the St. Vincent Amazon and Whistling Warbler, build local landbird monitoring capacity, and prepare Conservation Action Plans.
The primary goal of this workshop was to unite species experts, natural resource managers, environmental advocates, and other stakeholders to create strategic Conservation Action Plans for the Whistling Warbler and the St. Vincent Amazon. A wide coalition of partners, including BirdsCaribbean, Re:wild, the SVGFD, Science Initiative for Environmental Conservation and Education (SCIENCE), St. Vincent and the Grenadines Environment Fund (SVGEF), Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture, National Parks, Rivers and Beaches Authority, Amazona Nest, Sustainable Grenadines Inc., Wild Dominique, and researchers from Florida International University and Antioch University, convened in St. Vincent.
This collaborative effort is a pivotal milestone, leveraging existing partnerships and scientific insights to forge a unified strategy for the conservation of these birds. As Cuthbert Knights, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry, and Labour stated in his opening remarks, “This workshop is a demonstration of our shared purpose to protect the St. Vincent Amazon and Whistling Warbler. These birds are more than national treasures, they are living symbols of our natural heritage…there is an urgent need to understand and better protect the island’s rich biodiversity. ”
So what exactly is a Conservation Action Plan?
Each Conservation Action Plan is a unique roadmap tailored to conserve a species or habitat within specific ecological and social contexts. It provides a structured approach, outlining specific, measurable goals and objectives along with the actions, timelines, and resources required to achieve them. The plan guides all stakeholders, helping them work together to safeguard the future of the species or habitat.
Before we begin…
To set the stage for discussions during the workshop, BirdsCaribbean and partners from Florida International University, Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Antioch University hosted two webinars to equip registered participants with the latest research and findings on the Whistling Warbler and St. Vincent Amazon.
Post-Eruption Assessment and Habitat Associations of the Whistling Warbler: Insights for Conservation Action (Dr. Lisa Sorenson and Dr. Mike Akresh)
Spatial and Temporal Distribution of the St. Vincent Amazon (Amazona guildingii) Using Passive Acoustic Monitoring (Dr. Cristina Gomes and Dr. Vijay Ramesh):
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Three Days of Focused Conservation
The three-day workshop, held at the Anglican Pastoral Centre in Kingstown, explored the multitude of interconnected reasons to conserve both species, identified key challenges to their protection, and developed practical solutions to overcome these hurdles.
While most people agree that protecting threatened species secures healthy ecosystems and a better future for everyone, the reasons for conserving the St. Vincent Amazon are deeply personal.
Justin Springer welcomes participants to the workshop. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Day 1 of the workshop: Collaboration is in session!
When workshop facilitator and Re:wild’s Caribbean Program Officer, Justin Springer, asked the group why we should conserve the parrot, the response was immediate and unanimous: the parrot is an essential element of their national identity, heritage, and culture. The discussion also expanded to the parrot’s role as a plant mutualist, acting as a seed disperser, and its importance for avitourism. Participants agreed the parrot holds an inherent value independent of its use to humans, celebrated simply for its beauty.
SVG Forestry Officer Samuel Harry writes down his reason for conserving the St. Vincent Amazon. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
The ecological, cultural, and economic importance of the St. Vincent Amazon highlighted by participants. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Adding a moral dimension, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Wildlife BiologistDr. Thomas White offered a powerful call to action, sharing: “Humans are the main drivers of extinction. We have the ability to recognize the damage we have done and it is morally incumbent upon us to right that wrong.”
While the reasons for conserving the St. Vincent Amazon were rooted in identity and heritage, the discussion around the Whistling Warbler focused a bit more on its ecological role. Participants highlighted the need to protect the species because of its importance in controlling insect pest populations. They also noted the uniqueness of he warbler, being endemic to the island, and that it deserved to be similarly celebrated and conserved. The group also noted the lack of ecological information about the Whistling Warbler, with Forestry Officer III Leon Matthews noting, “We don’t know a lot about the Whistling Warbler.”
Forestry Officer Felicia Baptiste adds her reason for conserving the Whistling Warbler.
The ecological, cultural, and economic importance of the Whistling Warbler highlighted by participants. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Peril in Paradise
The workshop then shifted its focus to the challenges faced in protecting the St. Vincent Amazon and Whistling Warbler.
To tackle these complex challenges, Justin introduced a structured approach. He asked everyone to write down the various threats they had identified on individual sheets of paper. These were then used to construct a “problem tree” on a wall, with the core issue “extinction of the Whistling Warbler/ St. Vincent Amazon” at the crown of the tree and the various challenges forming the branches. This visual method offered several key benefits. It allowed the group to see the interconnectedness of the challenges, prioritize issues that need urgent attention, identify root causes of the problems, and build understanding and consensus among the diverse group.
Justin explains what is a Problem Tree before asking participants to list threats to the survival of the St. Vincent Amazon. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Justin uses the Asian Elephant extinction crisis to explain how a problem tree is created and then analyzed. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
The threats to the St. Vincent Amazon are numerous and complex. They include weak legislation and enforcement—first-time offenders caught possessing, harming, or killing a parrot often face minimal fines of only $2,000–$5,000 ECD, though penalties of up to $10,000 ECD are allowed by law. Other challenges include human–wildlife conflict, as parrots sometimes feed on crops such as passion fruit, an important export for small farmers. Poaching of eggs and chicks also persists, with birds occasionally trafficked overseas. Limited customs capacity and training make it difficult to detect and prevent illegal exports.
Adding to these concerns is a long history of controversy surrounding the Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots (ACTP), a private organization based in Germany. Over the past decade, investigative reports have raised serious questions about transparency, accountability, and financial motives behind international parrot transfers carried out in the name of conservation. Recent exposés by German journalists on ACTP’s expanded trade in rare and endangered wildlife highlight how protected species (including the St Vincent Amazon) are exploited for profit, renewing calls for stronger oversight, transparent permitting, and a genuine focus on in-country conservation to keep this iconic parrot safe in its natural habitat. Read more here.
The St Vincent Amazon Problem Tree created by workshop participants. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Habitat encroachment through agriculture and housing developments also emerged as a major threat, compounded by the escalating impacts of climate change. In a reflection on his 40-year career, recently retired Director of Forestry Fitzgerald Providence noted that while the threats have remained consistent, the intensity and frequency of storms and droughts impacting the island have increased, leaving little time for recovery between events. Interestingly, the group also agreed that many locals lacked knowledge about the parrot: where it lives, what it eats, the threats it faces, and actions that can be taken to protect it, suggesting that the parrot, whilst being the national bird, may be a symbol of the nation rather than a symbol for the nation.
With the threats to the St. Vincent Amazon laid out, the workshop turned its attention to the equally pressing challenges facing the Whistling Warbler.
The group identified several key issues, including deforestation from both legal and illegal agriculture. They also extensively discussed the lack of dedicated zoning for farming and housing, which contributes to loss of primary forest and healthy habitats for both species. Invasive species like rats and mongoose were noted as a potential threat, likely preying on the warbler’s eggs and chicks. A major concern raised by Dr. Joanne Justo-Gaymes (wildlife veterinarian and SCIENCE education officer) and Fitzgerald Providence was the rapid spread of elephant grass, which is already outcompeting native plants in the warbler’s montane habitats in places like Montreal.
The Whistling Warbler Problem Tree created by workshop participants.
Illegal entry and trail cutting by farmers and community members makes the problem worse, as it gives invasive species easier access to warbler nests. According to Bradford Latham of the Forest Law and Compliance Unit, a key reason for this is that local communities are unaware that entering protected areas without permission from the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Forestry Department (SVGFD) is illegal. Furthermore, even with a permit, people are not allowed to cut vegetation, clear new trails, or remove any plants or wildlife.
Climate change was cited as a serious threat, with both droughts and hurricanes impacting the warbler’s habitats. A crucial challenge underlying all of these issues is a lack of information about the species. As one Forestry Officer in the Forest Mapping Inventory Unit, Samuel Harry, succinctly explained, “We can’t protect what we don’t understand.”
Crafting solutions for St. Vincent’s birds
With the problems clearly defined and visually organized, the group tackled the development of solutions. Using their local knowledge and diverse expertise, participants worked together to propose practical and effective remedies for each challenge. Their ideas were then added to the “problem tree” to transform it into a “solution tree.” This exercise helped turn their collective concerns into strategies to safeguard St. Vincent’s endemic birds.
Justin explains how to develop a solutions tree using the conservation of Asian elephants as an example. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Drawing on their on-the-ground experience, participants then refined their suite of practical solutions, overlapping in some areas, for both the St. Vincent Amazon and Whistling Warbler. These included reforesting areas with native plants that provide food and shelter for wildlife. This includes thinning plantations of non-native Blue Mahoe and Mahogany, which were planted primarily for soil management. Participants also underscored the need for more research to better understand the parrot’s population size and seasonal movements, as well as the nature of crop damage to support farmers in mitigating any loss.
St. Vincent Amazon Solutions Tree created by participants.
Similarly for the warbler, it was highly recommended that more research be carried out on its habitat use, distribution, and nesting behaviour. Local environmentalist Marlon Mills stressed the importance of accurate data for proper resource management, emphasizing, “We need to take care of our own. If we don’t, we won’t be able to depend on them in the future. But first—we need to understand the needs of the species.“
Whistling Warbler Solutions Tree created by participants.
Other key strategies focused on improving land use planning to better protect the birds’ habitats, and fostering greater collaboration among various sectors, such as tourism and law enforcement.
The power of public education
While local NGO SCIENCE and the SVGFD have already done substantial work in educating the public about the St. Vincent Amazon and Whistling Warbler, the group agreed that this message now needs to be built into the national science curriculum. In support of this solution, Dr. Joanne Gusto-Gaymes delivered a powerful presentation on the impactful public education and outreach programs currently run by SCIENCE. The organization’s science camps, which were originally created for primary school students, were so popular that they had to expand their age limit to include secondary school students as well.
Dr Joanne Gusto-Gaymes speaks about SCIENCE’S education and outreach initiatives.
The success of these programs is evident: teachers now volunteer as activity leaders at the science camps to better connect with the national science curriculum, and a former student is even pursuing a degree in Conservation Biology at the university level. Through immersive field trips with visiting researchers and public wildlife exhibitions, SCIENCE instills in its students the core belief that “in order to preserve our heritage, we need to do the research to learn more about our species.” This dedication to hands-on learning and scientific inquiry should be a key component of the island’s long-term conservation strategy.
Students at Sandy Bay Primary School with a St Vincent Parrot plushie during CEBF celebrations. (Photo by Science SVG)
A Collaborative Effort
Following the identification of problems and solutions, the group moved on to setting clear goals for the action plans. Participants were asked to draft their own 10-year goals for both the St. Vincent Amazon and the Whistling Warbler. The facilitators then synthesized these ideas into a single, cohesive goal and several objectives for each bird. This draft was presented to the entire group, for their comments and revisions to ensure the final goals and objectives reflected the group’s shared vision.
Participants defining actionable steps to help them achieve their objectives.
After the goals and objectives were finalized, the group divided into break-out groups to outline specific actions to achieve the objectives, rating each action’s priority from low to high. This approach ensured that each objective had a clear pathway to being achieved.
Research and Monitoring group.
Legislation group.
The information gathered from the workshop is currently being compiled into a comprehensive draft Conservation Action Plan for each bird. These drafts will be shared with all stakeholders for an iterative editing process. Both the St. Vincent Amazon Conservation Action Plan and Whistling Warbler Conservation Action Plan are to be completed by fall 2025.
Habitat Restoration and Protection group.
Education and Outreach Group.
A Splash of Color and Creativity
The workshop also had a fun side that sparked creativity and connection among participants. They eagerly dove into a coloring competition, bringing to life St. Vincent’s spectacular endemic birds—the St. Vincent Amazon, the St. Vincent Wren, and the Whistling Warbler, beautifully drawn by Cuban artist, Arnaldo Toledo. This hands-on activity kept minds sharp and creativity flowing, helping everyone to stay engaged and contribute meaningfully. Of course, the atmosphere was also fueled by delicious coffee breaks and lunches, where lively conversations spilled over, allowing people to build relationships, and lay the groundwork for future partnerships.
St. Vincent Amazon colored artwork and line drawing are by Cuban ornithologist and scientific illustrator Arnaldo Toledo.
FIU Graduate student Kaylin shows off her colored in St. Vincent Amazon art. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Forestry Officer flex their creative muscles during the workshop.
FIU Graduate student Alyssa shows off her colored in St. Vincent Wren art. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Kisha McFarlene, Project and Community Officer for SusGren, with her colored in St. Vincent Amazon art. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Local environmental advocate Marlon Mills shows off her colored in St. Vincent Amazon art. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
In-person meetings are an excellent chance to share resources, and this workshop was no exception. We seized the opportunity to distribute more custom stickers created for use by NGOs and government partners during their outreach events carrying the message to “Protect & Love our Endemic Birds” and helping to inspire the next generation of conservationists. We also provided Fact Sheets for both the parrot and warbler, as well as notecards about St Vincent’s three endemics.
Conservation chat over coffee.
Delicious food catered and served by Snagg Cuisine.
Garry Auguiste (Wild Dominique) and Jodelia Simmons (SVGFD Forestry Officer) also received monitoring equipment and field guides. They will use these to continue monitoring of the parrot and warbler populations on the island.
A Heartfelt Thank You
We extend our deepest gratitude to the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund (CEPF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and BirdsCaribbean members and donors for their generous support which made this workshop possible. Special thanks to Re:wild, particularly Justin Springer, for support with workshop planning and facilitation, and to our project partners, including the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Forestry Department, SCIENCE, SVG Environmental Fund, Florida International University, Antioch University, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
We also want to express our sincere appreciation to all the participants for their invaluable contributions and enthusiastic engagement. A special thank you goes to the staff at the Anglican Pastoral Centre for their exceptional support in fulfilling all our venue requests and for their quick assistance with any issues that arose. We are also grateful to the caterers, Snagg Cuisine, for providing delicious meals that fueled our discussions. Finally, a huge thank you to Arnaldo Toledo for providing the beautiful artwork.
Building on the momentum and collaborative spirit of the workshop, the future of bird conservation on the island looks brighter than ever. We are proud to be a part of this journey and BirdsCaribbean looks forward to the successful completion and application of these conservation plans!
For all the latest news on this and other BirdsCaribbean programs, be sure to join our mailing list. We’ll deliver just the right amount of exciting Caribbean bird conservation news straight to your inbox. No spam. We promise. Click here to sign up!
WMBD 2025 english poster. (Artwork by Annamaria Savarino Drago)
What if instead of driving away birds, our cities could actually save them? This World Migratory Bird Day WMBD, join us as we answer that question by creating communities where birds and people can thrive together.
Our beloved migrants are winging their way south to the Caribbean, Central and South America. They have left their breeding grounds in North America before the weather there gets too chilly, and their favourite delicacies like insects become scarce. Some migrants, like elegant shorebirds touch down on our warm sandy shores; while debonair ducks (have you seen a Ring-necked Duck?!) seek ponds, swamps, and even agricultural fields; and others like warblers and tanagers make a beeline to bug-rich forests and gardens.
Wherever their weary wings lead them, we can ensure they find nutritious food and safe shelter. The WMBD 2025 theme “Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities” calls on cities and communities to flock together to accelerate life sustaining action for nature’s frequent fliers.
WMBD is celebrated every second Saturday in October (October 11th) in the Caribbean. Similarly, our neighbors in Central and South America join in the celebration as they too welcome back plump warblers, wading shorebirds, agile raptors, and other migrants. The event unites people across the Americas in a shared commitment to securing a bright and sustainable future for these marvelous migrants.
A beautiful Male Ring-neck Duck in striking black and white breeding plumage. In winter he will gray-brown sides, you can look for the distinctive peaked head.(Photo by Becky Matsubara)
Whimbrel.(Photo by Rick Evets)
Male Wilson’s Warbler. (Photo by Rick Evets)
This October, we’re urging Caribbean islanders to roll up their sleeves and join the global initiative to create healthier habitats for birds. Remember — if the habitat is healthy for birds, then it’s definitely going to be healthy for people! So let’s get to work and have a lot of fun while we’re at it!
The WMBD 2025 theme in other languages:
Espacios Compartidos: Creando ciudades y comunidades amigables con las aves
WMBD 2025 Spanish poster. (Artwork by Annamaria Savarina Drago)
Espaces partagés : bâtir des villes et des communautés amies des oiseaux
WMBD 2025 French poster. (Artwork by Annamaria Savarina Drago)
Shared spaces, shared benefits
Creating bird-friendly communities is vital for helping bird populations — and this is especially important on Caribbean islands where towns and cities are often directly adjacent to or even interspersed amongst forests, wetlands, and coastal ecosystems. Urban development on an island inherently leads to habitat loss and fragmentation, directly impacting birds’ abilities to find adequate food, and places to raise their families and safely hide from predators.
This urban sprawl is a significant driver of some of the major threats facing birds, with climate change creating another series of deadly threats. Rising sea levels, catastrophic hurricanes, and changes in temperature and rainfall patterns directly endanger coastal wetlands and other natural habitats that birds rely on.
Common Gallinule at Hope Botanical Gardens. (Photo by BirdLife Jamaica)
Group of students birdwatching at one of the man-made lagoons in the National Botanical Gardens. (photo by GAE)
The Grenada Flycatcher is a landbird that is endemic to both St Vincent and Grenada. These two were spotted at the Botanical Gardens of St Vincent and the Grenadines. (Mike Akresh)
This is why every patch of green space, whether it’s a park, a backyard, or a tree-lined street, becomes a critical part of the larger ecological network on each island.
These shared green spaces are a win-win: they protect birds while also providing cool, peaceful refuges for people, offering places to relax and improve mental health. Bird-friendly communities that incorporate green infrastructure like mangrove restoration and urban forests can provide a buffer against climate impacts like flooding and rising temperatures. By investing in these environments, we build a comfortable and sustainable future for all.
Lay out the welcome mat for birds
7 simple actions you can take to make your community more bird-friendly. (Infographic created by Environment for the Americas).
Creating bird-friendly spaces starts with you! It doesn’t have to be exhausting or expensive — there are ways that even the small actions in your day-to-day life can support birdlife — like choosing a cup of joe brewed from bird-friendly beans! But given that worldwide, 49% of all bird species are in declinewith migratory bird populations, particularly, showing a continuous decrease — you may find yourself determined to do even more to protect birds. Check the infographic below, created by Environment for the Americas (EFTA) for additional actions you can take.
You are cordially invited to join us to celebrate birds, explore nature, and make your community bird-friendly
Our amazing community of Caribbean educators and WMBD coordinators are busy preparing exciting events, including birdwatching trips, habitat clean-ups, all-day festivals, art competitions, presentations in schools, webinars, and so much more. At these events anyone can expect to learn about migratory birds, their incredible journeys, amazing adaptations, and challenges they face. Attendees also get to be hands-on in activities that help to reduce threats to migratory birds like tree planting, habitat cleanup, and installation of bird feeders and/or bird baths around community buildings. Check out this World Migratory Bird Day Events Map to see what’s taking place near you!
WMBD presentation to St Nicholas Primary school students. (Photo by Sherrel Charles/EAG)
Bird stickers for everyone! (Photo by Sherrel Charles/EAG)
The team after a fun two hour birdwatching tour at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, St. Croix.
Students birdwatching with Maria Paulino. (Photo by Grupo Acción Ecológica)
Gail Woon handing out fun bird-themed WMBD materials to students. (Photo by EARTHCARE Bahamas)
EFTA provides posters, stickers, fact sheets, and art and craft materials and more to coordinators hosting WMBD events across Latin American and the Caribbean.
Sabira’s students stops to take a photo with the colorful WMBD 2023 brochures. (photo by Sabira Ali)
We invite all who are interested in participating in or hosting WMBD activities to contact Laura Baboolal, the WMBD Caribbean coordinator at lbaboolal@environmentamericas.org.
If you are planning a WMBD event or two (and we hope you are!), you will find free digital resources in English, Spanish, and Portuguese on the World Migratory Bird Day Trello board.
BirdsCaribbean will also be featuring WMBD bird species that occur in the Caribbean on our Migratory Bird of the Day webpages (Birds Connect Our World). Our drawings this fall are featuring the art of Arnaldo Toledo — Cuban ornithologist, photographer, and scientific illustrator extraordinaire!
As in past years, we will provide free downloadable resources, including coloring pages, natural history information, puzzles, photos, videos and activity sheets — we invite you to check them out!
Meet Your 2025 Migratory Bird Ambassadors!
Every year, EFTA selects species as WMBD ambassadors. The eight focal species can be seen in the Americas Flyways and also in flyways in Europe, Africa, and Asia.
American Robin Turdus migratorius (Photo by Daniel Irons ML87243741)
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus* (Photo by Beth Hamel)
Red Knot Calidris canutus* (Photo by Dina Perry ML393980111)
American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla* (Photo by Hank Halsey)
Giant Hummingbird Patagona gigas (Photo by Alexander Montero ML537902961)
Graylag Goose Anser anser (Photo by Manuel Segura Herrero ML546664031)
Common Crane Grus grus (Photo by Sharif Uddin ML628746958)
Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola (Photo by Rui-Yang Ho ML562173221)
The species marked with an asterisk, occur in the Caribbean. Our region is critical for these traveling birds as they move to, from, across, and through our islands.
When bird migration and art take flight!
Annamaria Savarino Drago, the featured artist for World Migratory Bird Day 2025, brings a unique blend of scientific expertise and artistic talent to the role. After studying Biology and working with birds since 2014, including conducting research on the Serrano Sparrow, she spent five years in bird conservation at CONABIO, Mexico’s National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity.
World Migratory Bird Day 2025 Artist Annamaria Savarina Drago.
She has been drawing for over 20 years in many different mediums, and over the last decade, she has focused on using her nature illustrations for science outreach. An avid birder and teacher, Annamaria expressed her honor in combining her passions for nature and art for this important conservation initiative “I am very honored to participate as the DMAM [Día Mundial de las Aves Migratorias or World Migratory Bird Day] artist of the year. I love birds, nature and art, so I am very pleased to be able to collaborate with such important initiatives for the conservation of birds as EFTA does. Thank you!”
Annamaria’s artwork will be used throughout the Caribbean in this year’s WMBD events!
Interested in being considered for the artist for WMBD 2025? Contact Environment of the Americas at info@environmentamericas.org
Stretching from the Virgin Islands south through the Lesser Antilles, the 17 island groups of the Eastern Caribbean are a hotbed for biodiversity, boasting an astonishing array of plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth. Whether you delight in dragonflies, bask in the beauty of birds, or even harbour a fascination for land crabs, the Eastern Caribbean offers endless discoveries for every kind of nature lover. Yet despite its extraordinary richness, there hasn’t been an individual field guide that brought together the region’s birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, land crabs, dragonflies, and butterflies in one accessible volume —until now!
We are delighted to welcome Wildlife of the Eastern Caribbean—the first photographic field identification guide for the region. Conceptualized by husband-and-wife team Gill and Steve Holliday, after a 2000 visit to the region that sparked their curiosity, the guide grew from their search for exactly such a resource. When they couldn’t find one, they set out to create it themselves.
The result? A landmark book showcasing more than 420 species via 850+ stunning photographs. It highlights regional endemics, “don’t miss” wildlife for each island group, suggested sites to get the most out of your visit, and even practical notes on site accessibility. This indispensable guide is certain to become a must-have for travelers, naturalists, nature lovers, and residents alike.
In this interview, Gill and Steve share how their love affair with the Eastern Caribbean began, recount their most challenging photo expeditions, and reveal what it took to bring this monumental project to life.
Gill searching for mangrove crabs, Tortola. (Photo by Steve Holliday)
Gill and Steve on the Mount Scenery Trail, Saba.
Guided walk, Scrub Island, Anguilla. (Photo by Steve Holliday)
About the Field Guide
What inspired you to create this field guide? We first visited the Eastern Caribbean in 2000 and wanted to know more about the fantastic range of wildlife we came across. There were excellent field guides to birds of the West Indies, but books on bats, amphibians, reptiles, butterflies and dragonflies were either out of print, limited in scope, or not available in a handy guide. We knew the type of identification guide we wanted, which ideally would cover the groups of land animals you could most expect to see on the islands. We waited many years for someone to write it, but when no-one did, we decided to have a go ourselves! We were then fortunate to find support from Princeton University Press whose Wildlife Explorer Series was the perfect format for the guide.
What makes the Eastern Caribbean a unique and important biodiversity hotspot? The islands are volcanic in origin and formed over millions of years along lines of past and current volcanic activity. Today they span 500 miles from the Virgin Islands through the Lesser Antilles to Grenada and while some islands joined to form island banks during periods of fluctuating sea levels, most have remained isolated. Any plants and animals that crossed the ocean and reached the islands, have had time to evolve in relative isolation. This has led to high levels of endemism, especially among amphibians and reptiles. Of 578 species referred to in the guide, 30% are endemic to the Eastern Caribbean, most only found on a single island or island bank.
How long did it take to complete this guide? We’ve used notes and photos from our visits to the region spanning 25 years, but the main research, writing, editing and image sourcing was completed on and off over the past five years or so. Even then, it has only been possible thanks to the contributions from so many people; experts in their field, staff in local forestry departments, national parks and conservation organisations, local guides and enthusiasts, and especially photographers. The sections on dragonflies and butterflies took longer to compile as they needed much more research in the field.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned about birds in the Eastern Caribbean while creating this field guide? Distribution both on-island and between islands. While many species of bird can be found across the eastern Caribbean, every island is subtly different; each one having its own endemic species, sub-species or what we’ve called ‘speciality species’. Here’s a few examples: the Snowy Plover is more common on the Virgin Islands and northern Lesser Antilles where it is a real specialty; the Purple-throated Carib is a Lesser Antillean endemic and widespread in rainforests but absent in the dry forests of lower-lying islands. It was also surprising to find how rare and restricted some species are: the entire world population of the critically endangered Grenada Dove is found in just a few fragments of forest on Grenada.
Besides birds, what was a fascinating discovery you made about another group of animals (e.g., reptiles, amphibians, insects, marine life) in the Eastern Caribbean during your research for the guide? There are some amazing land crabs! We just fell in love with them and found them fascinating to watch. From the tiny, but so aggressive fiddler crabs around mangrove-edged lagoons, to the outrageous petrol-blue of the male Blue Land Crab. The latter is the largest of the land crabs; its burrows and untidy piles of excavated mud can litter the floor of mangrove swamps. We also fondly remember watching the endemic Yellow Land Crab (only found from Guadeloupe to St Vincent) along a stream high in a rainforest on St Vincent when a Common Black Hawk flew into a perch above us; the hawk is a main predator of this crab on the island!
Observing Fiddler Crabs, Martinique. (Photo by Steve Holliday)
About the Process
Creating a field guide is a monumental undertaking. How did you keep up the motivation to complete this field guide? Did you have specific routines or personal inspiration to help keep you on track? You’re right—it was a monumental undertaking, and we quickly realised why it had never been done before! We lived by the spreadsheet and the page plan to keep us on track and then it was down to putting the hours in: we tried to work most mornings. We focused on one section at a time, reading and rewriting until we were satisfied with every word. For inspiration we really enjoyed the challenge of keeping the species text succinct and accessible without compromising on key identification features.
How did you gather photos for the guide? We have our own extensive library of images, but some species are notoriously difficult to even see, never mind photograph! Our aim, which we largely achieved, was for as many photos as possible to have been taken in the region; each had to be of sufficient quality for publication and demonstrate key identification features. We are forever grateful to the numerous people who provided their images for us, including BirdsCaribbean members Mark Yokoyama, Anthony Levesque and Frantz Delcroix.
What was the most unexpected challenge you encountered? And how did you overcome this challenge? Data—especially for dragonflies and butterflies! There’s been a lot of work across most of the groups covered in the guide, but dragonfly and butterfly data are limited on some islands. With dragonflies we are particularly indebted to Dennis Paulson and Francois Meurgey who were so helpful with ID. We spent a lot of time in the field to fill distribution gaps for both dragonflies and butterflies, and we had to develop field identification criteria for some species. It was also challenging to keep up to date with changes to common names and taxonomic updates. For example, as the book was with the copy editor and designer, several new endemic bird species were recognized (four wrens and two thrashers), which had to be added to what was supposedly the final text and design!
Were there any particularly challenging photo expeditions? Any photographic expedition into a rainforest presents challenges, as any photographer will know; poor and shaded light, humidity, difficult trails, and biting insects! And forest birds are notoriously elusive and hard to see when high in the canopy. For these reasons, it’s just incredibly difficult to get good photos of some forest species. For example, we have been unable to find a usable upperwing image of the Dominican Leafwing butterfly, a species found only on Dominica, Martinique, and St Lucia.
What was the most rewarding experience while writing this field guide? We got to know some amazing people, both in person and online; some are renowned experts in their field, some enthusiastic amateurs, but all shared a passion for the wildlife of the Eastern Caribbean. We can’t thank everyone enough for their support.
About the Authors
What do you love most about the Eastern Caribbean? The friendliness and generosity of people on all the islands, alongside spectacular landscapes, amazing wildlife, beautiful seas, and the sense of adventure which we still get every time we set off to explore a forest trail or a small offshore island.
What’s one non-essential gear item you always bring with you when you’re out in the field? Thermal coffee mugs!!! When we’re out before sunrise, fresh coffee keeps us going!
Steve getting to grips with shorebirds on Martinique (Photo by Gill Holliday)
On the trail in Montserrat. (Photo by Gill Holliday)
Gill photographing Red-billed Tropicbirds, Statia. (Photo by Steve Holliday)
What do you hope readers will gain from using this guide? We really hope this guide will encourage people to take more interest in the region’s wildlife and enjoy the challenge of identifying and being able to put names to what they are seeing. The guide covers 420+ species, so there’s plenty to go at! We also hope that people gain some understanding of the conservation challenges of the region, including the devastating impact of invasive species such as Small Indian Mongoose and Cane Toad. Over 100 of the species in the guide are on the IUCN Red List of globally threatened species; looking after the amazing habitats that they depend upon and ensuring space for nature is essential for these species to survive for future generations to enjoy.
Sample pages from ‘Wildlife of the Eastern Caribbean’:
Front cover of the Wildlife of the Eastern Caribbean field guide.
What’s next for you? Are there any plans for future editions, companion guides, or other projects related to Eastern Caribbean wildlife? We will of course continue to visit the region and keep up to date with what’s happening that affects species in the region such as the recently produced AviList, a new unified global checklist with up-to-date taxonomy. It has been an incredible experience researching and writing this guide and we’ve learned so much about the whole process of book design and production. Hopefully we can put this experience to good use, so we’ll have to wait and see what’s next for us!
With so many islands to explore, each with their own special sights and surprises, Wildlife of the Eastern Caribbean is the perfect traveling companion for new adventures, or for seeing your local patch with fresh eyes. You can get your own copy of this fantastic guide here.
Steve Holliday has had a long career in wildlife conservation and Gill Holliday has provided images for several wildlife publications. They have been supporting conservation projects for more than 20 years and are lead authors/photographers of bird and wildlife guides for Anguilla and Montserrat.
Birding at Cherry Tree Hill, Barbados. (Photo by Alex Sansom)
Imagine helping scientists make amazing discoveries, all from the comfort of your own home or backyard. That’s the power of citizen science! You don’t need a white lab coat to contribute to real research, just a curious mind and a willingness to observe the world around you. We’ve got all the details in this blog to help you take simple yet concrete actions to protect our planet.
Ever wanted to make a real difference in your community—no, make that in the world? With citizen science you actually can! Citizen science is all about scientists teaming up with everyday people who are curious, concerned, and motivated to tackle real-world problems. These people are called citizen scientists. Science needs more eyes, ears, and perspectives than any single scientist possesses to protect threatened species, safeguard natural resources, and prevent the spread of diseases. Think about it—thousands of citizen scientists, each doing a small amount of work, focused on a single goal, can collect more data in a shorter period and for less money than can any researcher or research group. Additionally, citizen scientists can collect data from places like backyards or schoolyards that may be difficult for researchers to access.
Many names with the same aim
“Community science,” “participatory science,” “crowdsourced science,” “volunteer monitoring,” and “public participation in scientific research” are common aliases for citizen science. But whatever it’s called in your neck of the woods, all citizen science projects share these four key characteristics:
Anyone can participate no matter occupation, age, background, gender, or location. Seriously, if you’re curious and willing to help, you’re in!
Everyone uses the same method. This ensures the data collected is top-notch.
Your data makes a difference. It can help scientists make amazing breakthroughs.
It’s a two-way street. Scientists and volunteers openly share data and results so everyone, including the public, can see what’s happening.
Surfrider Foundation Puerto Rico’s small but dedicated birding group at Playa Table Rock for the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) and Global Big Day (GBD) 2024. (Photo by Surfrider Foundation Puerto Rico)
Citizen scientists commonly collect data. But they can also be involved in other phases of the scientific process like defining the research question, analysis, reporting, and sharing results. The work itself is also incredibly varied. Citizen scientists may be asked to watch and record birds, take photos of local streams and rivers, test water samples for pollutants, or survey marine debris on local beaches. Some projects are even as fun as playing online games to help advance health research. Whatever your interest, we’re certain there’s a project out there for you to make a difference!
The value of citizen science to YOU
Now, you’re probably wondering, “What’s in it for me?” Well, loads.
It’s a fantastic way to connect with a global community who shares your passions. Whether you’re tracking local wildlife with neighbors or collaborating on a global research project online, you’ll be part of a supportive community of volunteers and scientists. This shared purpose and teamwork can turn a solo activity into a meaningful and less daunting experience. Within this community, you’re encouraged to ask questions, share your unique viewpoint, and by doing so enrich a body of knowledge with your input.
BirdLife Jamaica members and guests take a bird walk at Source Farm. (Photo by Source Farm)
Becoming a citizen scientist also offers opportunities for hands-on learning. You’ll gain practical skills in data collection, observation, and critical thinking. You might learn how to identify different bird species, use scientific instruments to test water quality, or build your scientific literacy.
Painted Buntings, a gorgeous migrant to the Caribbean, feast at a backyard feeder in Grand Bahama, The Bahamas. (Photo by Erika Gates)
For example, you join a citizen science project like the Great Backyard Bird Count and notice a bird you’ve never seen before in your backyard. You snap a picture and share with your local birding group or through an online search or field guide to learn how to identify it. This bird now has a name! You’ve come this far, can’t stop now. You then learn what it eats, where it builds its nest, and that your backyard is providing it with food and shelter. Just like that, your backyard goes from being a small green patch to an important part of a local ecosystem—and now you’re actively participating in understanding and protecting it.
You’ve also unlocked the art of noticing your world deeply—increasing your sense of presence, and helping you be more connected to the everyday wonder that surrounds you.
Ultimately, citizen science is all about you. It’s a chance to put your curiosity to work on your own terms. You can choose a project that aligns with your interests, and set your own schedule—contributing as much or as little as you like, from your house, backyard, neighbourhood park, or nature reserve. This self-directed approach empowers you to be a part of something bigger while feeling a sense of ownership and pride in the work you do.
What a difference your data makes!
Entering data into eBird. (Photo by Holly Garrod)
It may sound implausible that simple actions like recording the birds you see or taking photos of rivers and streams can lead to big changes. But your data is a real-game changer in how we think about and conserve our natural resources.
When conservation efforts are steered by sound data, the results can be truly magnificent for birds, habitats and people!
Thanks to the collective power of citizen scientists—heading out, recording the birds they saw, then submitting those sightings to eBird—researchers were able to complete the first-ever Caribbean-wide assessment of shorebird use in the region, via the Caribbean Waterbird Census, now in its sixteenth year.
For ten years, volunteers continuously contributed more than 211,000 shorebird observations through more than 78,000 eBird checklists. This immense pool of data allowed the researchers to identify critical conservation hotspots that were previously unknown. This breakthrough is a huge deal, finally giving the Caribbean the recognition it deserves as a crucial region for North American shorebirds, so important given alarming declines in shorebirds in our region. The study highlighted that Humedal Sur de Pinar del Río in Cuba and Monte Cristi in the Dominican Republic should be priority areas for shorebird conservation. As these sites each support over 20,000 shorebirds annually like Short-billed Dowitchers, Black-bellied Plovers, Wilson’s Plovers, and Black-necked Stilts they are also candidates to be designated as WHSRN (Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network) sites of regional importance.
Over 20,000 shorebirds rely on the wetlands at Monte Cristi in the Dominican Republic during migration every year – making this a regionally important site and a critical lifeline for shorebirds. (Photo by GAE)
This study also pinpointed at least 15 additional sites that are crucial for shorebird populations and may now qualify for international designations. This massive effort by thousands of volunteers has provided the evidence needed to protect these habitats and ensure a safer future for migratory shorebirds. You can read the full article here!
With countless opportunities available, it’s easy to find and join a citizen science project. But before you begin your new adventure in science, here are some tips to get you started on the right foot.
Your first step should be to find a project that genuinely interests you. Do you love to hike? There are projects for tracking wildlife. Are you interested in birds? You can help monitor populations. Do you want to help your local community? You can help monitor water quality or noise pollution. It’s important to choose a project that aligns with your interests. This will make the experience more fun and rewarding.
Participants at bird walk led by Miguel A Landestoy and Grupo Jaragua team at Las Salinas, DR. (Photo by Grupo Jaragua)
Once you’ve zoned in on the type of project you’d like to join, ‘google it!’ A quick search will connect you with platforms that host thousands of projects. If you’re a bird lover, eBird is our absolute favorite. eBird offers projects, courses and news to help you get started and stay up-to-date with everything citizen science. We’ve also got some great longstanding citizen science projects in the Caribbean too, more on this below.
After selecting a citizen science project you’ll typically have to download a free app or visit a website, sign up, and follow the simple instructions to collect and submit your data.
If you’re completely new to the citizen science scene, here are some additional tips:
Start small and local. The good news is that you don’t have to be an expert or commit a lot of time. Many projects can be done in as little as 15 minutes, and every single observation helps. (There’s no bad news!) Also, follow the instructions. Each project has a specific set of instructions to ensure the data is high-quality. Reading and carefully following the instructions will make your contribution even more valuable. And of course, when in doubt, ask questions! The community is here to support everyone, from beginners to experts.
Looking for shorebirds for a CWC Count at Old Harbour mudflats, Jamaica. (Photo by BirdLife Jamaica)
Shanna explains bird ID at McKinnons Pond, Antigua, during the 2025 CWC Count. (Photo by Sherrel Charles)
Finally, and most importantly—have fun! You are helping to make ripples of impact while having an adventure of a lifetime so give yourself the space and time to enjoy the process of discovery, learning, and contributing.
Bonus tip: Citizen science is all about community. Invite a friend to be your fellow explorer!
A few members of Statia’s Golden Warblers in St. Eustatius, Global Big Day 2025. (Photo by Jethro van’t Hul)
Members of BirdersSKN birdwatching on Global Big Day.
Brendan Burns and Skyler Bol of Gavilán Guardians in Puerto Rico, Global Big Day 2025. (Photo by Brendan Burns)
Mirielle and Kathleen surveying birds at Anasco, Puerto Rico, 2025 Global Big Day. (Photo by Marisol Villanueva Mendez)
Ready to start your Citizen Science adventure with BirdsCaribbean?
If you’re ready to start your citizen science adventure, here are some great projects to join throughout the year:
Global Shorebird Count (September 2025): If you love plump adorable animals, then we think you’re going to love this project! Learn more about the Global Shorebird Count here and get the resources (for FREE) to help with your count here.
Shorebirds like the Short-billed Dowitcher and Stilt Sandpiper are long distance migrants that spend part of their year in the Caribbean. (Photo by Mark Yokoyama)
October Big Day (October 2025): A global event where you can join thousands of birders to find and report as many bird species as possible in a single day. And get this, you can watch birds right from the comfort of your backyard or balcony! However, if your feet are itching to cover more ground, birders also head to botanical gardens, wetlands, and nature reserves. Learn more here.
Caribbean Waterbird Census (January- February 2026): For over 16 years, BirdsCaribbean has been monitoring waterbird populations thanks to the efforts of a region-wide network of amazing birders and bird lovers! While the official count happens in January, you can submit waterbird observations throughout the year to this important program. Click here to learn more about this incredible citizen scientist project and access free resources like webinars, bird ID guides and more.
Counting shorebirds on Turks and Caicos. (Photo by Simon Busuttil)
Global Big Day (May 2026): Join birders from around the world to find and count birds on a single day in May. Be sure to check out this year’s recap of the event and get ready to participate, wave your country flag high, win fabulous prizes, show off your best shots and raise funds to protect Caribbean birds and build local conservation capacity, next year!
You’ve got the tools. You’ve got the drive. Now go make history! Your observations are the building blocks of a better world. The projects are waiting for you, and so are we. The only thing missing is you!
The White-necked Jacobin that was caught at a migratory bird banding station on Isla Contoy, Mexico. (Photo by Jonathon Nochebuena)
Colourful, vibrant, and so charismatic—birds are easy to love and fascinating to study. Amidst the ever-present threats of climate change, deforestation, invasive species, and more, our feathered friends are persevering, aided by targeted research, conservation actions, and habitat protection.
From hawks in Cuba, to hummingbirds in Mexico, and parrots in Costa Rica—this blog, by Zoya Buckmire, Lead Copy Editor for the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology (JCO), highlights some of the findings recently published in Volume 38 of the JCO, with the behind-the-scenes scoop from the authors themselves. All three studies were conducted in Spanish-speaking countries, and two were published in Spanish (the JCO is trilingual!), so this blog article is available in Spanish as well. [Click here if you would prefer to read it in Spanish.]
Observations of a nesting endemic hawk in Cuba
Cuba is the largest and most biodiverse Caribbean island. Adding to this biodiversity are almost 30 species of endemic birds, including the widespread but Endangered Gundlach’s Hawk (Astur gundlachi). 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. A nest found within the National Botanical Gardens in Havana in 2022 is filling some of that knowledge gap. Randy Simón Vallejo and colleagues describe their findings of the nest in a research note, an important record showing the adaptability of the species and their ability to breed even in anthropogenic, semi-urban habitats.
Gundlach’s Hawk (Photo by Michael J. Good)
How did you first conceive of this study, and what motivated you to conduct this research?
What made us initiate this study is knowing about the pair of Gundlach Hawks at the National Botanical Garden and that we are already conducting literature reviews of the species.
Tell us about a memorable moment during field research or data analysis.
There was a day when it rained that we saw an unexpected behavior—the father spread his wings over the chicks to protect them while the mother was on the defense perch.
Tell us about a challenge you had to overcome.
It was really a job that we enjoyed very much. What was most difficult was that the mother was very aggressive all the time.
What are your hopes of what your research will lead to? Will this work impact your own research agenda going forward?
This work is a driving force for a master’s research project on this bird of prey in a protected area.
Gundlach’s Hawk is locally known as “Gavilán Colilargo” or “long-tailed hawk.” Adults are dark gray above and white-to-rufous below, while younger hawks are brown overall and streaked in their first year. An agile predator, Gundlach’s Hawk feeds almost exclusively on birds, including many local passerines, near-passerines, and fowl. The species is widespread but not common throughout Cuba, and habitat loss and disturbance are the main factors contributing to its Endangered status.
On a tiny island off the coast of Mexico, research is also ongoing—this time using bird banding as the method of choice. The migratory bird banding station is located on Isla Contoy within the Isla Contoy National Park, and operates using the MoSI protocol to study migrating and overwintering bird populations. During their second MoSI pulse in December 2022, Jonathan Nochebuena Jaramillo and colleagues caught a very unexpected White-necked Jacobin (Florisuga mellivora). These dazzling little gems are native to Central and South America—and Trinidad and Tobago—but had never been recorded that far north in Mexico.
Such records can occur for a variety of reasons: dispersal by young or inexperienced birds, natural range shifts potentially linked to climate change, navigational errors during migration, or severe weather blowing birds off course. Whatever the cause, this record is an exciting and important addition to our knowledge of the species and highlights the value of monitoring efforts at understudied sites like Isla Contoy.
White-necked Jacobin. (Photo by Rio Dante ML222384231)
How did you first conceive of this study, and what motivated you to conduct this research?
The banding station in Isla Contoy National Park was a personal initiative that arose from the need to help birds that cross the Mexican Caribbean. When I visited Isla Contoy for the first time I realized the large number of birds that cross the Caribbean so I said to myself, “There must be a station here that is dedicated to the conservation and protection of migratory birds.”
Tell us about the memorable moment when you captured the rare hummingbird.
Everything happened around 9:30 am when tourists arrived on the island—when they begin to arrive it is time to close the nets. We were working normally at the banding station when suddenly we heard a boat and said, “They’re tourists, runnn!”
We started to close the nets, when suddenly someone shouted “Look, a bird!” and we all ran! When we saw it we said to each other, “This isn’t normal—it is a very large hummingbird, keep it!” When we took it out of the bag, we exclaimed, “Wow, it’s beautiful!”
The team’s quick response was a matter of prioritizing the birds’ safety. As soon as tourists arrive, the area becomes a popular spot, and the increased activity could disturb the birds. By quickly closing the nets, the researchers ensure a stress-free environment for the birds.
What are your hopes of what your research will lead to? Will this work impact your own research agenda going forward?
Isla Contoy hides many mysteries as it is a buffer zone for many species, not just birds. We are sure that there are many birds that have not yet been recorded that use the island at some point in their lives. We are also confident that this information will greatly assist with the island’s conservation programs and the development of sound management plans in the future.
We are grateful to BirdsCaribbean for giving us the opportunity to share this great experience. We truly believed that we would never see this species in person, unless we traveled to South America where it is found.
The Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus) and Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) are two gorgeous psittacid species native to Costa Rica and whose populations are threatened by habitat loss throughout Central America. In fact, before 2014, they were considered rare and extirpated, respectively, in the Tortuguero area on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. Despite habitat protections in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, the status of the two macaw species was still unclear, especially as macaw populations are known to be highly mobile and seasonal based on food availability.
Scarlet Macaw in flight. (Photo by Jeff Haperman ML518746041)
A Scarlet Macaw feeding on a beach almond. (Photo by Blair Dudeck ML131074401)
Enter the Caño Palma Biological Station, a small field research station established in the ‘90s to drive biological research and give budding scientists real experience. In 2017, Caño Palma began a targeted macaw survey program, doing point counts at lookouts throughout the Tortuguero Conservation Area every week for four and a half years. In their article, Emily Khazan and colleagues describe the trends from over 1,000 surveys of Great Green Macaw and Scarlet Macaw populations in Tortuguero.
Great Green Macaw. (Photo by Fernando Burgalin Sequeria ML135445121)
How did you first conceive of this study, and what motivated you to conduct this research?
We conduct a number of long-term monitoring programs and when we were in the field for other surveys, noticed an increase in the number of green macaws in the area. We also started to see a marked increase in the number of months we were observing them. Being aware of their fragile status, we wanted to better understand the importance of Tortuguero National Park to the health of the species.
Tell us about the memorable moment during field research or data analysis.
While we were waiting for our permits to come through, we saw a flock of 56 green macaws feeding in the village of San Francisco (at that time the biggest group we’d seen), and it was mind-blowing. It was frustrating as we hadn’t started surveys yet, but we went back every day to watch them, along with all of the kids from the local primary school, and it really energized us to move forward.
Emily conducting macaw surveys in Costa Rica. (Photo by Sebastian Putz)
Tell us about a challenge you had to overcome.
The greatest challenge is staying motivated during periods when very few macaws are present during surveys. We know that “no data” is still good data, and being surrounded by a wealth of bird diversity helps us to get through the 4-hour shifts.
What are your hopes of what your research will lead to? Will this work impact your own research agenda going forward?
We have broadened our research to look at the phenology of key local food sources (Dipteryx panamensis and Terminalia catappa) to understand the role they play in the macaw movements and to determine if there is sufficient food here during the nesting season to support a breeding population. Understanding the distribution of Dipteryx in particular, will help us to determine if local rumours about nesting are true, by enabling us to focus observations on areas with the greatest potential for suitable nest-site availability. If the area is being used for nesting, we’d be interested in exploring options to shift our focus from just monitoring, to active conservation, potentially teaming with others to explore the option of nest-boxes, to increase the availability of nesting sites. We have participated in national and international macaw counts and hope to continue communicating with interested groups across the Great Green Macaw’s range, to better understand and contribute to the conservation of this population.
Altogether these articles showcase the inspiring regional nature of BirdsCaribbean’s work and network. Across taxa and across borders—even across large bodies of water!—the similarities in our passions, our scientific interests, and our conservation actions shine through. We hope these findings inspire you to explore how you too can better help Caribbean birds. There is still so much we are still learning about our species’ habits, and there is always more to be done to strengthen habitat protections and improve our coexistence with birds. There is also always a need for additional funding, especially for small scale research and conservation efforts. In 2025, BirdsCaribbean is supporting several projects throughout the region, and in fact, the bird banding station in Isla Contoy, Mexico, by Nochebuena and colleagues was funded in part by our David S. Lee Fund for the Conservation of Caribbean Birds. Support the grants program and help fund future avian research and conservation work here.
Nuevas perspectivas ornitológicas desde Cuba y el Caribe: Publicaciones JCO, volumen 38
El colibrí de cuello blanco que fue capturado en una estación de anillamiento de aves migratorias en Isla Contoy, México. (Foto de Jonathon Nochebuena)
Coloridas, vibrantes y carismáticas: las aves son fáciles de amar y fascinantes de estudiar. En medio de las amenazas siempre presentes del cambio climático, la deforestación y las especies invasoras, entre muchas otras, nuestros amigos emplumados son perseverantes, ayudados por investigaciones específicas, acciones de conservación y protección del hábitat.
Desde halcones en Cuba hasta colibríes en México y guacamayos en Costa Rica. este blog destaca algunos de los hallazgos de los artículos publicados recientemente en el Volumen 38 de la JCO, con la primicia detrás de escena de los propios autores. Los tres estudios se realizaron en países hispanohablantes y dos se publicaron en español (¡la JCO es trilingüe!), por lo que este artículo de blog también está disponible en inglés.
Observaciones de un gavilán endémico anidando en Cuba
Cuba es la isla caribeña más grande y biodiversa. A esta biodiversidad se suman casi 30 especies de aves endémicas, incluido el Gavilán Colilargo (Astur gundlachi), muy extendido, pero en peligro de extinción. Para nuestras endémicas caribeñas poco estudiadas, cualquier nueva información sobre su historia natural es una pieza fundamental del rompecabezas para descubrir la mejor manera de proteger y conservar nuestras especies. Un nido encontrado en 2022 dentro del Jardín Botánico Nacional en La Habana rellena parte de ese vacío de conocimiento. Randy Simón Vallejo y sus colegas describen sus hallazgos del nido en una nota de investigación, un registro importante que muestra la adaptabilidad de la especie y su capacidad para reproducirse incluso en hábitats antropogénicos semiurbanos.
Gundlach’s Hawk (Foto de Michael J. Good)
¿Cómo concibió por primera vez este estudio y qué le motivó a llevarlo a cabo?
Lo que nos hizo iniciar este estudio fue conocer sobre una pareja de Gavilán Colilargo que había en el Jardín Botánico Nacional y que ya estábamos realizando una revisión bibliográfica de la especie.
Háblenos de un momento memorable durante la investigación de campo o el análisis de datos.
Hubo un día en el cual llovió que observamos un comportamiento inesperado para nosotros: que el padre extendió las alas sobre los pichones para protegerlos mientras la madre estaba en la percha de defensa.
Háblenos de un reto que haya tenido que superar.
Realmente, este fue un trabajo que disfrutamos mucho. La mayor dificultad estuvo en que la madre era bien agresiva todo el tiempo.
¿A dónde espera que conduzca su investigación? ¿Influirá este trabajo en su propia agenda de investigación en el futuro?
Este trabajo es motor de maestría de un proyecto de investigación de esta ave rapaz en un área protegida y también servirá como base para una tesis de maestría.
La especie es conocido localmente como “Gavilán Colilargo”, un nombre que se explica por sí mismo. Los adultos son de color gris oscuro en la parte superior y blanco a rojizo en la parte inferior, mientras que los jóvenes son marrones en general y tienen rayas en su primer año. Un depredador ágil, se alimenta casi exclusivamente de aves, incluyendo muchas especies locales, de paseriformes, casi paseriformes y aves de corral. Su distribución está muy extendida, pero no es común en toda Cuba, y la pérdida y alteración de su hábitat son los principales factores que contribuyen a su estado de peligro de extinción.
Captura inesperada de colibrí en el oriente de México
En una pequeña isla frente a México, también se están llevando a cabo investigaciones, esta vez utilizando el anillamiento de aves como método de elección. La estación de anillamiento de aves migratorias está ubicada en Isla Contoy, dentro del Parque Nacional Isla Contoy, y opera aplicando el protocolo MoSI para estudiar las poblaciones de aves migratorias e invernantes. Durante su segundo pulso de MoSI en diciembre de 2022, Jonathan Nochebuena Jaramillo y sus colegas capturaron un ejemplar muy inesperado: un Colibrí Capucha Azul (Florisuga mellivora). Esta pequeña joya deslumbrante es nativa de América Central y del Sur, y de Trinidad y Tobago, pero nunca antes se había documentado tan al norte de México.
Estos registros pueden ocurrir por diversas razones: dispersión por aves jóvenes o inexpertas, cambios en el rango natural posiblemente relacionados con el cambio climático, errores de navegación durante la migración o condiciones climáticas extremas que desvían a las aves de su ruta. Sea cual sea la causa, este registro constituye una aportación emocionante e importante a nuestro conocimiento de la especie y resalta la importancia de los esfuerzos de monitoreo en sitios poco estudiados como Isla Contoy.
White-necked Jacobin. (Foto de Rio Dante ML222384231)
¿Cómo concibió por primera vez este estudio y qué le motivó a llevarlo a cabo?
La estación de anillamiento en Parque Nacional Isla Contoy fue una iniciativa personal que surgió de la necesidad de ayudar a las aves que cruzan por el Caribe mexicano. Yo cuando visité por primera vez Isla Contoy me di cuenta de la gran cantidad de aves que cruza por el Caribe, así que dije: “Aquí debe existir una estación dedicada a la conservación y protección de las aves migratorias”.
Cuéntenos sobre el momento memorable en el que capturó al raro colibrí.
Todo giro alrededor de las 9:30 am cuando los turistas llegan a la isla y, por tanto, debíamos cerrar las redes. Estábamos trabajando normal en la estación de anillamiento cuando de repente escuchamos una lancha y dijimos: “Son turistas, ¡corraaan!”
Así que empezamos a cerrar las redes, cuando de pronto alguien gritó: “¡Cayó un ave!”, y todos corrimos. Al observarlo dijimos: “¡Esto no es normal, es un colibrí muy grande, guárdenlo!” Al sacarlo de la bolsa exclamamos: “¡Wow, está hermoso!”
¿A dónde espera que conduzca su investigación? ¿Influirá este trabajo en su propia agenda de investigación en el futuro?
Isla Contoy esconde muchos enigmas, ya que es una zona de amortiguamiento para muchas especies, no solo aves. Estamos seguros de que aún quedan muchas especies de aves que no han sido registradas y que usan la isla en algún momento de su vida. También estamos seguros de que esta información ayudará mucho en los programas de conservación de la isla y en la elaboración de buenos planes de manejo en el futuro.
Agradecemos a BirdsCaribbean por abrirnos la oportunidad de poderles compartir esta gran experiencia. Sinceramente, jamás creímos conocer a esta especie personalmente, a menos que viajáramos al sur de América, y miren en dónde la encontramos.
Recuperación de dos guacamayas en el noreste de Costa Rica
Ara ambiguus ambiguus (gran guacamaya verde) y Ara macao cyanopterus (guacamaya escarlata) son dos hermosas especies de psitácidos nativas de Costa Rica, cuyas poblaciones están amenazadas por la pérdida de hábitat en toda América Central. De hecho, antes de 2014, se consideraban rara y extirpada, respectivamente, en la zona de Tortuguero, en la costa caribeña de Costa Rica. A pesar de las medidas de protección del hábitat en Costa Rica y Nicaragua, el estado de las dos especies de guacamayas aún no estaba claro, especialmente porque se sabe que sus poblaciones son altamente móviles y estacionales según la disponibilidad de alimentos.
Scarlet Macaw in flight. (Photo by Jeff Haperman ML518746041)
A Scarlet Macaw feeding on a beach almond. (Photo by Blair Dudeck ML131074401)
Ingresé a la Estación Biológica Caño Palma, una pequeña estación de investigación de campo establecida en los años noventa, para impulsar la investigación biológica y brindar a los científicos en ciernes una experiencia real. En 2017, Caño Palma comenzó un programa específico para el estudio de guacamayas específicas, realizando conteos semanales de puntos en miradores en toda el Área de Conservación Tortuguero durante 4.5 años. En su artículo, Emily Khazan y colaboradores describen las tendencias de más de 1 000 monitoreos de las poblaciones de guacamayas verde y escarlata en Tortuguero.
Great Green Macaw. (Foto de Fernando Burgalin Sequeria ML135445121)
¿Cómo concibió por primera vez este estudio y qué le motivó a llevarlo a cabo?
Llevábamos a cabo una serie de programas de monitoreo a largo plazo y, cuando estábamos en el campo para otros monitoreos, notamos un aumento en el número de guacamayas verdes en el área. También empezamos a ver un marcado aumento en el número de meses en que los observábamos. Conscientes de su frágil estado, quisimos comprender mejor la importancia del Parque Nacional Tortuguero para la salud de la especie.
Háblenos de un momento memorable durante la investigación de campo o el análisis de datos.
Mientras esperábamos que nos dieran los permisos, vimos una bandada de 56 guacamayas verdes alimentándose en el pueblo de San Francisco (el grupo más grande que habíamos avistado hasta entonces), y fue alucinante. Aunque fue frustrante porque aún no habíamos comenzado los monitoreos, regresábamos todos los días para observarlos junto con los niños de la escuela primaria local, lo que realmente nos llenó de energía para seguir adelante.
Emily realizando estudios sobre guacamayos en Costa Rica. (Foto de Sebastian Putz)
Háblenos de un reto que haya tenido que superar.
El mayor desafío fue mantenernos motivados durante los períodos en que hay muy pocos guacamayos presentes durante los monitoreos. Sin embargo, sabemos que la ausencia de datos también aporta información, y estar rodeados de una gran diversidad de aves nos ayudó a superar los turnos de 4 horas.
¿A dónde espera que conduzca su investigación? ¿Influirá este trabajo en su propia agenda de investigación en el futuro?
Hemos ampliado nuestra investigación para analizar la fenología de las principales fuentes de alimento locales (Dipteryx panamensis y Terminalia catappa), con el fin de entender el papel que desempeñan en los movimientos de los guacamayos y determinar si existe alimento suficiente durante la temporada de anidación para mantener una población reproductora. En particular, comprender la distribución de Dipteryx nos ayudará a determinar si los rumores locales sobre la anidación son ciertos, al permitirnos centrar las observaciones en las áreas con el mayor potencial para la disponibilidad de sitios de anidación adecuados. Si confirmamos que el área está siendo utilizada para la anidación, nos interesaría explorar opciones para cambiar nuestro enfoque de sólo monitoreo a la conservación activa, potencialmente asociándonos con otros investigadores para instalar cajas nido y así aumentar la disponibilidad de sitios de anidación. Hemos participado en conteos nacionales e internacionales de guacamayas y esperamos continuar comunicándonos con grupos interesados en todo el rango de Ara ambiguus para comprenderla mejor y contribuir a su conservación.
En conjunto, estos artículos muestran el carácter inspirador y regional del trabajo y la red de BirdsCaribbean. Entre taxones y fronteras— ¡incluso a través de grandes masas de agua! — las similitudes en nuestras pasiones, nuestros intereses científicos y nuestras acciones de conservación brillan con luz propia. Esperamos que estos hallazgos le inspiren a explorar cómo usted también puede ayudar mejor a las aves del Caribe. Todavía nos queda mucho por aprender sobre los hábitos de nuestras especies, y siempre hay más por hacer para fortalecer la protección de los hábitats y mejorar nuestra coexistencia con las aves.
También siempre se necesitan fondos adicionales, especialmente para la investigación y los esfuerzos de conservación a pequeña escala. En 2025, BirdsCaribbean apoya varios proyectos en toda la región y, de hecho, la estación de anillamiento de aves en Isla Contoy, México, de Nochebuena y sus colegas, fue financiada en parte por nuestro Fondo David S. Lee para la Conservación de las Aves del Caribe. Apoye el programa de subvenciones y ayude a financiar futuras investigaciones y trabajos de conservación de aves aquí.
Ansaki uses a handheld antenna to track parrots fitted with radio transmitters.
It has been four years since La Soufrière Volcano roared to life on the island of St. Vincent, after being dormant for decades. Explosions and heavy ash falls blanketed wildlife habitats, further threatening endemic species like the Vulnerable St. Vincent Amazon (Amazona guildingii) and Endangered Whistling Warbler (Catharopeza bishopi). Since this disaster, BirdsCaribbean and partners have been working with the St. Vincent Forestry Department to strengthen conservation capacity through monitoring and research on forest birds and their habitats, as well as outreach and education.
In May 2025, a vital training opportunity arose.
Five forestry officers traveled to Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. There they received technical training in the conservation and management of native Caribbean parrots. This exchange was with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program and, supported by a grant from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Over five days spent at the captive rearing and release facility in El Yunque National Forest, the trainees learned how to operate captive breeding facilities, techniques involving the care, monitoring and release of captive and wild parrots, banding and attaching radio transmitters and, critical “parrot first-aid.”
The foresters intend to put to use the valuable lessons learned in current and future efforts to protect the St. Vincent Amazon, their National Bird. Please enjoy this lively account in the words of Leon Matthews (Forestry Officer 3), Ansaki Roberts (Technical Aide) and Felicia Baptiste (Forestry Officer 1), which they describe as “wonderful, nerve-racking, and informative.” They were accompanied by Technical Aides Quasim Roban and Fabian Young, who also added their comments. Enthusiasm was high!
Puerto Rican Amazon. (Photo by Dubi-Shapiro ML490544571)
St. Vincent Amazon. (Photo by Faraaz Abdool ML572563461)
Our Fun and Interesting Experiences on the Island of Enchantment
St Vincent and the Grenadines is home to the St. Vincent Amazon. Our National Bird’s habitat is the interior of the lush mountainous forest in the Jennings-Congo Valley, South Rivers, Vermont, Hermitage and Richmond. Apart from natural disasters like catastrophic hurricanes and volcanic eruptions, this endemic bird’s long-term survival has faced serious threats, including illegal trafficking and conflicts with farmers.
Coming to Puerto Rico
Ansaki: Anyone can dream all they want to visit America—however Caribbean nationals can’t enter without a nonimmigrant visa. A team of five were selected to take part in a training in Puerto Rico, but guess what? None of us had a visa! So on 9th April we traveled, with high hopes, to the U.S. Embassy in Barbados for an interview on the 10th. Thankfully we were all granted visas which meant we could continue with our plans to travel to Puerto Rico.
Leon: The Embassy was a bit intimidating with all the security, but our mission was complete.
Felicia: Our travel date was soon after—27th April. We packed our carry-ons and headed to Argyle International Airport, eager to get to the aviary at the El Yunque National Forest. The boys decided to walk around the airport to kill time and look for food. Ansaki, being the smart one, brought her own food. We sat there and waited for our turn to board the plane, and oh! Were we in for a long wait…
Ansaki: I got to the airport around 10 a.m., and was awaiting the arrival of my other colleagues—just to hear the flight was delayed. We finally boarded our flight at 4:15 p.m. instead of 1:15 p.m. During the flight delay, we appreciated the constant support of the excellent team via Whats App. “Welcome to the world of international air travel!” joked U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Wildlife Biologist Dr. Thomas White (Tom), our host and Head of the Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.
Finally, we’re in Puerto Rico!
Felicia: We were finally on our way. Now you would think, “We are just going to one of our Caribbean islands, it shouldn’t take too long.” But we were wrong. The two flights took a total of nine hours! The first leg of the journey to JFK International Airport in New York City was five hours, and the second leg to San Juan was another four hours. By the time we arrived in New York, we were officially tired and hungry (time didn’t allow us to grab food at JFK)—and we weren’t even at our destination yet!
Navigating new shores
Ansaki: We arrived in Puerto Rico on 28th April at 3:02 a.m., and were kindly escorted by BirdsCaribbean Operations Officer, Alexia Morales, and her partner, Mario, (our saviours) safely to our Airbnb in Rio Grande. We quickly settled in and rested for a while.
Leon: As the senior officer, I had to take on the driving responsibility. It was an experience! Driving a left-hand drive vehicle for the first time, paired with the task of driving on the right side of the road was scary as I had to adapt immediately. Nerves got the better of me—but I had to do it for the team. I was so happy to get to the Airbnb. My fingers cramped from holding onto the steering wheel so tight like my life depended on it—and yes, it did!
Ansaki: Our team met up with Tom and his beautiful wife Arelis at “El Patio de Lola” for dinner later that evening. Then we headed to the supermarket to buy groceries, because we hadn’t had a good home-cooked meal since the day before. With its size and huge variety, Famcoop Supermarket became our favorite choice for shopping almost every evening.
Cheers to an exciting week ahead! The team with Tom and Arelis at El Patio de Lola.
Felicia:Tom and Arelis were our guides to the supermarket. They led us to the parking lot and then waved “goodbye.” We were happy we found food to cook to our hearts’ content. We shopped, comparing prices back home (it’s a bit cheaper in PR), wandered around the supermarket, and proceeded to the parking lot. It was then we realized we had a small problem—we didn’t really know our way back to the Airbnb! Leon said, “We’ll figure it out—we will count the traffic lights.”
And so we started back home, counting traffic lights, until at the first traffic Ansaki shouted, “Turn left!”
The others insisted, “ No, keep straight, we’re not there yet.”
Fortunately Quasim remembered and guided, “Look out for the big restaurant sign at the next traffic light.”
Leon said, “Ansaki, stop talking, you’re giving wrong directions!”
In spite of everything we got back to the Airbnb safely, with the confidence that we could find our way to and from the supermarket when needed.
A home cooked meal in a foreign country.
The team shopping in their favorite PR supermarket.
Inside the aviary
Ansaki: The next day we packed our lunch and headed out with our ‘trusty’ driver Leon, who drove us to the USFWS compound in El Yunque. The drive took us through the forest. The main highway in St. Vincent is located along the coast of the island, so having a drivable road through a forest was interesting.
Leon: It was time for me to shine again and the nerves kicked in. I had to drive in a strange country, through three-lane highway traffic, heading to somewhere I didn’t know, and all I could think about was Tom’s statement, “It’s so easy to find, even a blind man from St. Vincent can find it.” He was correct! It took us just over 30 minutes to get to the USFWS compound.
Ansaki: We arrived at the El Yunque Parrot Recovery Aviary, where we were greeted and introduced to the Aviary staff. We received a brief history of the Puerto Rico Parrot Recovery Program from Tom. I accompanied Iris to take the baby chick to the foster parent cage. After, Felicia and I assisted Arelis with feeding the parrots. We also looked at live videos of parrot nests. In the evening, we visited the El Yunque National Forest Visitor Center and learned about forest management practices and their application to parrot conservation.
The team received a warm welcome from the USFWS Forestry Officer Laura at El Yunque National Forest Visitor Center. (Photo by Tom White)
3D model of El Yunque National Forest.
Dr Tom White inside the parrot aviary.
USFWS Forestry Officer Laura takes the team on a tour of the nursery.
Testing of egg to know when it is fertile
Ansaki:During our time in the incubator room Iris showed us how to check for fertile eggs. “Lights out,” said Iris. In the darkened room she turned on a flashlight and gently placed it under the large end of an egg taken from the incubator; we were able to see the live embryo within the egg shell. Eggs that are not fertile look glossy. An incubator is used to help with the hatching process, especially for parrots that are inexperienced. I didn’t know it was that easy to confirm when an egg is fertile.
Felicia: On day two we learned how to prepare food for the parrots. The bowls, knives, and cutting board were washed in warm water and sterilized. Fruits and vegetables were cut into small pieces, mixed with bird feed, nuts, calcium, and vitamins (given to parrots with chicks).
Leon and Felicia cut up veggies and fruits for the Puerto Rican and Hispaniolan Amazons. (Photo by Ansaki Roberts)
Meal prep for the parrots was truly a team effort!
Another exciting task lay ahead of us that day:
Practicing how to attach radio transmitters on the parrot
With assistance from Iris, Tom demonstrated how to attach the first radio transmitter on the parrot. He then guided each member of the team on how to do it. Firstly a parrot was selected to practice on with a dummy transmitter. Two people worked together as a team, with one holding the parrot in the correct way, while the other prepared to place a dummy radio transmitter on the parrot.
Many Amazona species favor dense tropical forest canopies. Radio telemetry allows researchers to obtain location and movement data of these birds that would otherwise be extremely difficult to obtain. This technique helps researchers track parrot movement and behaviour throughout the habitat over time which is valuable for the species management and conservation.
Ansaki cuts off the excess wire after she and Leon attached the radio transmitter to a Puerto Rican Parrot.
Iris helps Fabian attach a radio transmitter to a Puerto Rican Parrot.
Quasim and Felicia practice attaching a radio transmitter to a Puerto Rican Parrot.
The dummy transmitter is placed around the neck of the parrot, then secured, and tightening off is completed using an instrument to clamp both ends together. One finger space is left between the parrot neck and the radio transmitter, before cutting off the excess wire of the radio transmitter.
On day three, we practiced using telemetry equipment to locate the parrots in the wild that have been equipped with radio transmitters. We hiked along a narrow trail to identify wild parrot nests.
Ansaki learns how to use the handheld antenna to locate parrots in the forest, as Tom looks on.
Afterwards, we headed to the “parrot hospital” where Dr. Tony, the veterinarian, imparted a wealth of knowledge on how to care for sick parrots before the vet can arrive. The consistency of the meal prepared and the instrument used to feed the sick parrot was an eye-opener for me.
Felicia was intrigued with every aspect of the experience in the hospital.
Felicia: On day three, we met Dr. Tony again, who took us through various tools and procedures in caring for sick birds. One of the first procedures was inserting a nasogastric (NG) tube to feed a sick bird. Dr. Tony showed us how to properly position the tube and the parrot for tube placement. This part of the demonstration had to be handled with care as the membrane in the parrot’s throat can easily tear or be damaged. When placing the tube, Tony showed us how to feel and separate the trachea from the esophagus so as to not accidentally push the tube into the parrot’s lungs. Each person was given a chance to practice the placement.
The second procedure took place in the nursery’s hospital. Dr. Tony anesthetized a parrot and demonstrated how to locate and stop bleeding from a blood feather. He explained that feathers, like human hair and nails, are keratinized, and have no blood supply or nerve endings once fully developed.However, growing feathers—called pin feathers—contain a blood supply that nourishes their development. If a pin feather is broken prematurely, it becomes a “blood feather” and can bleed heavily. If not treated quickly, this bleeding can be fatal. This demonstration emphasized just how critical proper handling and monitoring are for the health and safety of the birds.
Dr. Tony also reminded us that as foresters we are the first responders for the parrots. According to Doc, “If you call the vet and he takes more than 30 minutes to get there and your bird is still alive when re arrives, it was never an emergency.” The demonstrations were done on the Hispaniolan Amazon.
Leon: My main interest was the veterinary component of the workshop, mainly because we lack an avian/wildlife specialist on our island. The training was well received by the team and concluded with some nicely cooked and delicious lunches prepared by the members of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The cheesecake was savored in my mouth so much that I had to take some back home. Also, we got to sample a few of the locally made beers.
Lunch is served! (Photo by Felicia Baptiste)
Ansaki: On our final day at the pristine Puerto Rico Parrot Recovery Aviary, we visited a wild parrot nest that had baby chicks. The very skilled climber, Sebastian, put on his climbing gear to retrieve the baby parrots from their nest in a tall tree. During the climb Sebastian removed the old messy nesting material and replaced it with fresh ones, to keep the parrots with baby chicks cozy and prevent the spread of bacteria. We learned how to band parrot chicks. I was given the privilege of holding a parrot chick. We ended our training with a big family lunch where Tom prepared his specialty of Tennessee hickory smoked chicken.
Arelis shows the team how to carefully and correctly band parrot chicks. (Photo by Felicia Baptiste)
Arelis shows Quasim how to attach a bird band to a parrot chick.
Banded Puerto Rican Parrot chicks. (Photo by Felicia Baptiste)
Note: Parrot chick banding was performed by trained and certified banders only. No SVG Forestry Staff participated in the actual banding; their involvement was for demonstration purposes.
Final comments from all participants:
Ansaki: My training experience at the Puerto Rico Parrot Recovery Program Aviary was fun and enriching. This is what stood out for me: testing to know when an egg is fertile, monitoring the parrot on live camera, caring for a sick parrot before the vet arrives—and the success story of how the forest bounced back after devastating Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. And, most of all—the truly remarkable parrot recovery program. It rained every day, but nevertheless I looked forward to gaining new knowledge each day. We certainly look forward to more collaboration in the future.
I can attest that the training was well received by each participant. We will continue our public outreach and education program by raising awareness island-wide among our schools and communities, teaching about the importance of our National Bird, the St Vincent Parrot, and its habitat. SVG Forestry Services could benefit from this experience, developing and enhancing our own captive breeding program, increasing the captive population with the aid of an incubator, and also monitoring nesting boxes via live camera. We will develop an action plan on how to manage and monitor the wild population with the use of radio transmitters; collaborate, and build partnerships with other international organizations; and seek training for an avian vet to care for our St Vincent Parrot.
Felicia: Having the opportunity to learn new things every day is always a wonderful experience. This trip allowed us to see what can happen when a wild population is decimated. Only because of the foresight and hard work of individuals was the survival of the species ensured.
We live on a tropical island where natural disasters are a norm. There exists a possibility that we could lose our wild population at any time. With a program like this, we can be ready if a catastrophe occurs in St Vincent, resulting in the loss of our Amazona guildingii.
My take-away points are as follows:
We have seen a better and more durable way to build our nesting boxes.
We learned what we can use to prevent our nesting materials from developing mold or fungus.
We learned how to set up food in flight cages.
We learned about administering first aid to ill birds.
We also learned how to tag and monitor released birds
The St. Vincent Forestry Services can adapt and tailor a program like this to fit our Amazona.
Quasim: It was the first time that I was exposed to tagging and feeding parrots/birds. This was very interesting, especially experiencing the strength of the birds. They may be on the smaller side but they are very strong. The telemetry device is great for keeping track of the birds, enabling you to know their movements. The man-made nests are very practical, with a great workable design. The vet section was quite satisfying—and we sure know how to save the life of a bird. The simplicity of the method used for testing eggs was surprising. It was a great experience and I’ve learned a lot. We had quite an experience and had lots of fun. Thanks to everyone who made the training possible. Special thanks to Tom and his crew. We highly appreciate everything.
The faces behind a successful exchange! This program was a testament to collaboration, cultural understanding, and professional growth. (Photo by Felicia Baptiste)
Leon: The friendly and welcoming aura by everyone at the complex made our time comfortable. We blended as a loving family immediately after. We learned the success story of what had transpired some years ago with the Amazona of Puerto Rico up until now, and how everyone contributed to ensuring the existence of a continuously growing population.
Fabian: Our trip to the Luquillo Aviary in El Yunque National Forest was an incredible experience! The staff were absolutely fantastic, providing us with hands-on learning about everything from food preparation for the birds to the ingenious construction of their wild nest boxes. We even learned valuable first aid techniques for assisting sick birds.
The bird hospital was absolutely breath-taking! I was truly amazed to see such advanced equipment available to help these precious birds. But what made it even more special, I made a new friend there. A parrot was recovering from a broken leg, and I was so happy to be able to help him by holding him while Iris cleaned his cage.
After we left the hospital area, I thought it couldn’t get any better! Then, BAM! We were just about to enter the Incubator Lab, and I was completely blown away. I was thinking to myself, ‘This place is truly awesome!’ And to top it off, my colleagues and I were fascinated by the flashlight method used to check the eggs for fertility. Although my team and I at Nicholls Wildlife Complex are familiar with that practice, it was incredibly beneficial for my colleagues to experience it first-hand, especially since they spend so much time out in the wilderness.
I’ll never forget my first time attaching the dummy transmitter to the birds; that was simply unforgettable!.
You know it’s an excellent learning adventure, when even the bird expert gets a taste of the action! I got pecked and for a person who deals with birds on a daily basis—I was the one who got the surprise nibble! The laughter was non-stop, but honestly, it really showed just how much we enjoyed that trip to Puerto Rico. Talk about an endorsement!
It was a truly informative and rewarding trip—highly recommended!
A heartfelt thank you to all who made this trip possible and a success: St Vincent and the Grenadines Forestry Services, BirdsCaribbean, U.S Fish and Wildlife, and UNDP.
Think you know everything about birds? What if we told you that every year, there are birds (some small enough to fit in the palm of your hand!) that fly thousands of miles, just to reach our sunny Caribbean beaches? Sounds like a fantastic feat of endurance right? But what if we also told you that those same long-distance athletes, with their amazing survival skills, are actually in big trouble? Get ready to dive into the strange and surprising world of shorebirds—where there’s more to these sandy-toed travelers than meets the eye!
Despite their name, shorebirds are more than just beach bums! They’re a diverse group of over 220 species of birds—adorable sandpipers, stunning avocets, and dazzling oystercatchers are all shorebirds! These amazing birds live everywhere—from the beach, to mangroves, and even on farmland. Shorebirds come in a collection of shapes and sizes, sporting an array of different beaks and legs, each specially designed to capture their favorite prey like crabs, worms, and bugs.
A vibrant splash of color on the shore: American Oystercatchers, with their unmistakable red-orange beaks, foraging for their next meal. (Photo by Matthew Paulson)
What’s even more intriguing? Many shorebirds make epic long-distance migrations, flying thousands of miles—sometimes through severe weather and cities—between their Arctic breeding grounds and South American wintering areas, every year! Heads up though: shorebirds and their habitats are under threat from habitat loss, hunting, pollution, and climate change, making it tough for them to find safe places where they can rest and refuel.
The good news: people just like you (more about this at the end of the blog) are working hard to protect shorebirds and their habitats! And learning about shorebirds is a great first step to helping them thrive.
Looking for shorebirds, Campaña, Vieques (Photo by Daphne Gemmill)
We know school’s out and you need to have some fun—so let’s get to know these incredible birds via a brain-teaser: below are six statements about shorebirds—five are true (for at least one shorebird species), but one is a total lie! Be warned though—shorebirds do some pretty unexpected things—so statements that seem unlikely may actually be true!
Can you spot the imposter?!
Thankfully our gracious Waterbird Manager has decided to make it an “open book” quiz, so you can share this blog with friends to help you choose your answer before checking if you got it right.
Shorebirds ‘cough up’ pellets, just like owls.
Shorebirds nest in trees.
Shorebirds are important pollinators.
Shorebirds use their bills to find prey without actually touching it.
Shorebirds are found on every continent except Antarctica.
Shorebirds live on the open seas.
Got your final answer? There are no take-backsies beyond this point…Alright,scroll down to find out if you were right and to discover what’s fact—and what’s a sneaky lie!
Bone and fur in the pellet of a Barred Owl. (Photo by Jason Ondreicka)
Shorebirds ‘cough up’ pellets, just like owls…. TRUE! Yes, that’s right—some shorebirds really do produce pellets. This behavior known as ‘pellet casting’ is actually done by lots of ‘non-raptor’ birds. When shorebirds eat prey, such as insects, crustaceans, and small fish, they compress the parts they cannot digest, like bones and shells, in their gizzard into a pellet. That pellet then travels back up the digestive tract and is expelled through the beak!
A Sanderling regurgitates a pellet. (Photo by Tejas K. Rao ML369149071)
Shorebirds nest in trees….TRUE! Whilst you might be familiar with shorebirds as ground nesting birds (if you can call the small depression or ‘scrape’ they use a ‘nest’!); some shorebirds prefer to take to the trees during nesting season. For example, one Caribbean visitor, the Solitary Sandpiper, actually ‘re-cycles’ old songbird nests during breeding! For some shorebirds nesting off the ground might provide better protection from predators.
Solitary Sandpiper nest. (Photo by Réjean Deschênes ML136371501)
Solitary Sandpiper. (Photo by Robin Besançon ML271907411)
Tuamotu Sandpiper. (Photo by Brian Gibbons ML186378841)
Shorebirds use their bills to find prey without actually touching it…. TRUE! Yes, they can probe their bills into the sand and mud and detect where mollusks are without touching them! They have special sensory organs in their bills that give them a ‘clam super sense’! Read more about how they do this in this study on Red Knots.
Red Knot. (Photo by Dina Perry ML393980111)
Shorebirds are found on every continent except Antarctica….FALSE!Of course this one is the lie—shorebirds are EVERYWHERE! (And we’re really happy about that!) Say hello to the Snowy Sheathbill—the shorebird that has made Antarctica its home. This bird might look like a strange white pigeon, but we promise it IS a shorebird. They also have some very interesting feeding habitats, including feasting on regurgitated krill, which they get by harassing penguin parents; scavenging on carcasses, and seal blood and feces—delicious. In such a harsh environment, being opportunistic and unfussy is a matter of survival!
Snowy Sheathbill. (Photo by Brendan Murtha ML613703268)
Female Red-necked Phalarope in breeding plumage. ( Photo by Dorian Anderson ML247070261)
Nonbreeding Red-necked Phalarope. (Photo by Eric Ellingson)
We’re dying to know, did you get it right? Drop us a comment below.
So, you learned some amazing facts about shorebirds and spotted a fib, but here’s the most important fact: even with their quirky charms, shorebirds are in trouble. Roughly half of all species are declining, and their habitats are vanishing fast. These amazing birds rely on Caribbean spots like mangroves, salt ponds, beaches, and mudflats for vital rest and refuel stops during their epic migrations, with some even wintering here!
Photographing birds during the Global Shorebird Count. (Photo by Daniela Ventura)
To ensure these rest stops are protected, and remain “open for business,” we need to know where shorebirds go and how many there are. You can help us do this by getting out and participating in the Global Shorebird Count! Taking part is simple, just head out, do Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) counts between 1-7 September, and share your lists with ‘worldshorebirdsday’. This is a fun and fantastic way to help scientists gather this data. Find out more about taking part here.
Want to make a bigger impact? You can contribute even more by counting shorebirds during the whole migration season (August to October). The best way to do this is to head to your local shorebird hotspots and carry out two, three, or even more counts at the same sites! Ideally counts should be repeatedevery week to 10 days, as these more frequent counts help us better understand important aspects of shorebird migration in our region! This citizen science data is key to identifying and safeguarding their essential habitats, which in turn provide clean water, food, and storm protection for us. It’s a win-win for birds and people!
Giselle Ragoonanan, co-founder of the Trinidad and Tobago Bird Observatory and Research Centre, and Rafael Partap learn about the endemic Trinidad Piping-guan, locally called Pawi.
For one month, from April to May, environmental and community organizations across the Caribbean unite to celebrate the region’s 185 endemic birds and transform our islands into havens for them. Many of these unique birds are found on single islands! Relive the fantastic celebrations of our iconic Caribbean birds with us and learn how—through workshops, reforestation, habitat cleanups, field trips and even art—we’re actively building bird-friendly cities and communities throughout the Caribbean. From island to island, we’re creating shared spaces where both people and birds thrive!
This year, the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) celebrated the theme “Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities.” Rapid urbanization across the globe has changed natural landscapes and reduced the availability of food, water, and shelter for wildlife. The call to share spaces underscores the urgency of taking action to counteract these deleterious impacts and make urban areas more hospitable especially for birds.
Green spaces with healthy native plant populations—think well-planned community gardens and urban parks, and preserved woodlands—can provide birds with essential food. Similarly, clean blue spaces, like ponds, canals, and rivers, can attract birds seeking shelter or places to nest and raise their chicks. Both types of spaces also offer pleasant places for people to socialize, interact with birds and nature, and simply escape the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Bird-centered festivities took flight from April to May, with some organizations hosting multiple events throughout the entire month! Across the Caribbean, our dedicated CEBF coordinators rallied their communities, igniting pride for endemic birds and empowering people to take tangible action. From planting native trees to installing bird baths and so much more, communities embraced the call to make their local environments more welcoming to birds.
A Cuban Blackbird enjoys a feeder. (Photo by Rosie Howard, Macaulay Library-ML172657491)
This collective effort is exactly what BirdsCaribbean strives to cultivate with each CEBF, by strengthening capability to understand and value the interconnections within our environment and facilitating collaboration to create healthy, vibrant habitats for birds and people.
Honoring Simón Guerrero’s legacy
Last year our community mourned the loss of a Dominican conservation champion. Simón Guerrero was an outspoken and extraordinary environmental educator whose research on urban ecology focused on making cities more habitable for wildlife, including birds. He ensured that his bird conservation education and outreach always included the planting of native trees around schools he visited and the university he worked at. Simón explained, “I always plant some trees to be sure birds will know we are doing something real for them, not just talking.”
Students plant the Hamelia patens shrub, AKA ‘firebush’ in their school’s garden. (Photo by Simón Guerrero)
Firebush is a native plant that’s good for birds. These Dominican highschoolers, organized by Simón Guerrero, planted the shrub in their school garden.
The Academy in the Dominican Republic has also planted firebush as part of CEBF activities. This native is especially good for hummingbirds! (Photo courtesy of Simón Guerrero)
We wholeheartedly agree with this approach! In his honor, we made it a requirement for anyone wishing to join this year’s CEBF celebrations to do “something real for the birds.” Whether it was planting a native tree, installing a feeding platform or bird feeder, or adding a bird bath to school yards and backyards, these actions gave life to our theme of “Shared Spaces”. As always, our phenomenal crew of CEBF coordinators enthusiastically responded!
Making cities and communities bird-friendly across the region
Grenada
This year’s festival was especially significant for Grenadians, who celebrated the official recognition of a new endemic bird species—the Grenada Wren! Our partners at the Belmont Estate, Gaea Conservation Network, and the Grenada Fund for Conservation collaborated to host a suite of events for bird and nature lovers, students, families and members of the tourism community. Highlights included a live reading of the children’s story “Wrennie Takes Flight: A Grenadian House Bird on A Big Adventure” by the author Kimberley Wetten, an opportunity to meet and chat with local conservationists, and educational activities and games about the Grenada Wren.
3D models of four wren species, from left to right Grenada Wren, St. Vincent Wren, Southern House Wren, and Northern House Wren. (Photo by Grenada Fund for Conservation)
Primary School students learn about bird nests at Grenada’s Bird Festival. (Photo by Grenada Fund for Conservation)
Amonie Holas answers questions from Primary school students about the Grenada Wren. (Photo by Grenada Fund for Conservation)
Kingston is becoming more bird-friendly, thanks to the incredible efforts of the Natural History Museum of Jamaica (NHMJ). The NHMJ’s CEBF events aligned perfectly with our theme and brought bird conservation right into the heart of Jamaica’s bustling capital!
The museum came alive with the energy of 38 participants—students from Higholborn Street Basic and Kingston Technical High, members of the public, and Birdlife Jamaica representatives—all eager to learn how to be a better neighbour to the birds. Dr. Suzanne Davis of NHMJ kicked things off with a captivating presentation on bird feeders, covering everything from their importance and types, to care instructions and common challenges. The star of the agenda was a DIY bird feeder workshop, led by NHMJ’s Teona Rattigan. Twenty handcrafted seed and nectar feeders now hang in the museum garden, schools, and homes—ready to provide a scrumptious buffet for Kingston’s birds!
Ms. Michelle Roberts from Birdlife Jamaica then led an immersive bird tour through the museum’s newly renovated Exhibition Gallery. Participants explored dioramas of Jamaican environments while learning about the unique endemic and native birds that inhabit them.
The day ended with a bird-themed ‘Make & Take’ art session, led by NHMJ’s Eartha Cole, where 10 students and two teachers from Higholborn Street Basic School crafted delightful bird-shaped necklaces and decorated bird masks.
BirdLife Jamaica (BLJ) broadcasted the “Shared Spaces” call to action through a series of webinars. “An Introduction to CEBF” set the stage, diving into the history and theme of the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival and highlighting the exciting lineup of upcoming activities, while the second webinar “Sip and Share—Connecting with Protected Areas” offered a unique opportunity to explore nature beyond backyards. Jamaican naturalists and photographers shared their personal, inspiring experiences from the Palisadoes Port Royal Protected Area deepening participants’ connection with this protected area by emphasizing its importance as a habitat for a variety of birds including beloved Vervain Hummingbird, Greater Antillean Grackle and Loggerhead Kingbird.
Loggerhead Kingbird. (Photo by Dave Curtis)
Returning for CEBF 2025 was BLJ’s popular “Bring-a-child birding” event, an outdoor event that connects city dwellers with nature. Kids and adults alike enjoyed an interactive bird walk, followed by a captivating reading session with local author Amina Blackwood-Meeks of “Don’t Hurt That Bird.” The day wrapped with a delightful arts-and-crafts session led by Michelle Roberts, where children transformed toilet paper rolls into their own quirky bird creations!
Kids birdwatching at Hope Gardens, Kingston. (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Even toddlers are intrigued by Jamaica’s birds. (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Amina Blackwood-Meeks reads her book ‘Don’t Hurt That Bird’ for kids and their parents at the Bring A Child Birding event. (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Another successful Bring A Child Birding event! (Photo by Stuart Reeves)
Kids creating their own birds from toilet paper rolls. (Photo by Michelle Roberts)
Intent on making gardens prime real estate for birds, the BLJ team hosted a “Birdify Your Backyard” workshop for the general public. The workshop started with an eye-opening discussion on how built areas are also home to birds and how gardens and backyards can not only look beautiful—but also support the birds, insects, reptiles, and other wildlife that provide essential ecosystem services like pollination and pest control.
Participants then got their hands dirty in a practical plant propagation session where they learned to generate new plants from cuttings and safely separate compound plants with multiple shoots. They also received step-by-step instructions to safely transfer and repot plants—giving them the skills to start their own bird sanctuaries at home!
The Bahamas
Every bird-friendly area needs a good water source for birds to rehydrate, keep cool on hot days and, to keep their feathers clean and in top shape. In recognition of CEBF 2025, Grand Bahama Island Birders presented bird baths to two schools on the island: Walter Parker Primary School and Bishop Michael Eldon School.
Students and teachers of Bishop Michael Eldon School were thrilled to receive the bird bath. From l eft to right: (back row) Lucianna Gomez, Primary Eco-school Coordinator, Jill Cooper, Mrs Mira Lightbourne, Primary school Vice-principal, Delores Kellman, Sylvie Carey, Bridget Davis and Gail Woon. Front row: Laiyarose Jones, Mrs. Cheng Beee Selim-Dela Pena, High School Eco-school Coordinator, Adrianna Gabrielle Selim-Dela Pena and Mila Davies. (Photo by Grand Bahama Island Birders Club)
The bird bath is the latest bird-friendly addition to the Walker Parker Primary School. From left to right: (back row) Sylvie Carey, Jill Cooper, Delores Kellman, Principal, Mrs. Remelda Been, Eco Club Advisor, Mrs. Lashawnda Jones and Bridget Davis. Front and middle row: students of the Eco Club. (Photo by Grand Bahama Island Birders Club)
Just a quick pause before we continue with the CEBF highlights…
This year, we lost significant funding for our bird conservation education and outreach programs, which the CEBF falls under—and we need your support to help ensure that bird education remains accessible to all in the Caribbean.
Binkie van Es leads an eager BirdSleuth group in the classroom on St. Maarten.
Your donation will be an invaluable investment in the future of Caribbean bird conservation and will help us provide materials and access to capacity-building programs to early-career Caribbean conservationists. These passionate individuals are committed to advancing bird conservation on their islands through engaging outreach events, like those listed in this blog, that inspire communities to embrace bird-friendly practices. Your support will help amplify their efforts, fostering a deeper connection between people and the incredible wildlife that surrounds them.
Their dedication ensured these events were both unforgettable and made a real difference for birds across Cuba. From kids to adults, everyone got in on the action! Participants dove into birdwatching, games, art contests, discussions with Cuban ornithologists and conservationists, and of course rolled up their sleeves to make their communities more bird-friendly. There were habitat clean-ups, tree planting, and workshops dedicated to building bird feeders and water baths. A particular highlight was the sheer joy of discovering birds right in their own neighborhoods, schoolyards, and lush nature reserves. We absolutely enjoyed seeing all of the social media posts and joining the live events whenever we could. You can relive the excitement and see the incredible impact by searching for #FAEC2025 on Facebook and Instagram!
St. Martin
Every year Les Fruits de Mer hosts the Endemic Animal Festival and every year attendees show up despite the hot dry season weather which—let’s be honest—makes you want to stay sat in front of a fan! The festival drew over 80 people looking for challenging and fun scavenger hunts, bird bingo, art and craft activities, and free cool nature and wildlife books. These activity and coloring books, written and edited by the dynamic duo of Les Fruits de Mer—Mark and Jenn—feature the incredible plants, insects, mammals, fishes, reptiles, and birds of St. Martin. This year they added another brand new coloring and activity book, “St. Martin Unique Nature,” available for free download here from their growing library of publications.
Endemic Animal Festival announced in the local press.
Front cover of the bilingual coloring and activity book ‘St. Martin Unique Nature.’
Attendees were invited to decorate their own canvas pouches with endemic animal designs during the festival. (Photo by Mark Yokoyama)
Haiti
On the Les Cayemites Islands where Hispaniolan Parrot chicks are snatched from nests for the pet trade, the Critically Endangered Ridgway’s Hawk is persecuted as a pest, and birds in general are hunted for sport by adults and children; Anderson Jean of Action pour la Sauvegarde de l’Ecologie en Haiti leveraged the CEBF to educate communities about the devastating impact of these harmful practices.
The Ridgway’s Hawk is one of the most critically endangered raptors in the world and is endemic to Hispaniola. (Photo by Dax Román)
Anderson and his team introduced 200 primary school students to the wonderful world of birds through a riveting presentation. The team spoke about the importance of wild birds to the environment and people, and the endemic birds of Haiti—covering their calls, behaviours, habitat needs, and threats. They also took the opportunity to bust harmful myths about birds, such as the belief that a Ridgway’s Hawk nesting on a farm extends the dry season.
After the presentation, it was time to power up the students’ observation skills with a school yard birdwatching session—an absolute hit with the students!. Anderson shared that, “the students really enjoyed watching and trying to identify the birds…some even complained that the time spent birdwatching was too short!”
Trinidad and Tobago
The third annual Brasso Seco Bird Festival, organized by the Trinidad and Tobago Bird Observatory and Research Centre TTBO, was designed to teach children about their local environment. Through hands-on activities, art, and community involvement, the festival made nature exploration a multi-sensory experience for all in attendance! Children were grouped into three teams—each named after a native bird species and led by an adult team leader—team Bay-headed Tanager, the Turquoise Tanagers, and the Purple Honeycreepers. Each team then visited four educational stations: biodiversity exploration, poetry, habitat modeling and mask painting, and bird species identification.
At the biodiversity table children got hands-on, exploring local plants and animals using real items like feathers, nests, pods, and dried leaves. They were encouraged to ask questions, identify specimens, compare them, and think about how different species interact with each other. The poetry station built on this sensory exploration, giving children the space to write cinquain and haiku poems, incorporating what they saw and felt at the biodiversity table. The session ended with an open-mic spoken word activity, where they shared their experiences through guided poetic expression.
Dan Jaggernauth teaches children about the different plants birds feed upon in the forest at the biodiversity station. (Photo by TTBO)
A young boy proudly shares his bird poems after visiting the poetry station at the TTBO’s bird festival. (Photo by TTBO)
The habitat modeling station was buzzing with excitement as children worked together to create miniature bird-friendly habitats for a variety of endemic birds. They often yelled out what needed to be added to their habitats to help the birds survive, shouting things like, “clean water!” and “lots of flowers!” for the Bee Hummingbird, or “parrots eat fruits so we need to add fruits!” for the Imperial Amazon, and of course, “trees to sleep in!” One of the participants, Rafael, shared with the TTBO how he made his garden bird-friendly for the birds in central Trinidad. Check out his amazing garden in the video below!
The mask-making and bird ID station offered a fun and educational activity. Participants chose a native bird, then learned about its ecological role, habitat, and a unique fact using a guided worksheet. Finally, they painted a wearable mask of their chosen bird, connecting art with biology and identity.
Mask painting and bird identification station at the TTBO bird festival. (Photo by TTBO)
Children display their completed Bee Hummingbird habitat with flowers for the bird to feed on and a water source. (Photo by TTBO)
Dominican Republic
Grupo Jaragua, a local environmental powerhouse, shared valuable information via social media on native plants that can be planted to make Dominican backyards more welcoming for birds. The team handpicked species for their outstanding ability to provide food for birds.
Beyond plants, Grupo Jaragua also shared the story “El ladrón de cotorras” (The parrot thief) of a pet Hispaniolan Parrot as part of their “Mangrove Stories” social media series. The Hispaniolan Parrot is an endemic parrot to Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti) that is illegally captured and sold as a pet. The graphic story, with illustrations created by Cua Conservacion, explains how pet parrots are caught and why this is problematic, calling on Dominicans to leave parrots in the wild.
Margarita Island
The Laguna La Restinga National Park, a designated Ramsar site, holds a unique position on Isla Margarita. It sits squarely between the bustling eastern half and the relatively deserted Macanao Peninsula to the west. Despite its location and Ramsar designation, the park rangers initially had very little knowledge of just how important this area is to its many resident, endemic, and migratory birds.
That changed when Jemimah Rivera, founder of the local NGO Bio Zoe and CEBF Coordinator for Margarita Island, stepped in. She led two workshops designed to educate the rangers about the park’s incredible bird diversity. The training also provided them with basic field skills in birdwatching, bird identification, and locating nesting and feeding areas within the park.
Jemimah speaks to park rangers about birds and how to identify them during the workshop. (Photo by BioZoe)
Time to practice. Park rangers practice using binoculars to watch and identify birds in Laguna La Restinga National Park, Margarita Island. (Photo by BioZoe)
Birdwatching wasn’t just for the adults; Jemimah also headed to the fishing village of Tirano to educate and connect kids to nature. Local conservationists joined her, sharing insights about the island’s birdlife before taking the group on an exciting birdwatching trip. To further help, they also held a beach cleanup, making the area tidier for birds and other wildlife.
Children from El Tirano village in Margarita Island enjoy trying birdwatching. (Photo by BioZoe)
We’re incredibly proud to share that Jemimah made her CEBF events inclusive, welcoming differently abled children. She found it challenging but highly rewarding helping them learn about the fascinating lives of birds and working with them to complete various art and craft activities. Look out for an upcoming blog post where we’ll share more about this heartwarming event. If you’re interested, be sure to sign up for our newsletter here!
Jemimah with her birdwatching crew at Laguna de Raya, Margarita Island. (Photo by BioZoe)
Antigua and Barbuda
The Environmental Awareness Group EAG and agricultural science students at the Princess Margaret School proved that formal institutions, not just backyards and gardens, can be bird-friendly too! What’s more, they also proved that achieving this does not require oodles of money. Together they designed and built five bird feeders and five bird baths using materials they already had on hand like water bottles, wooden spoons, chicken coop wire, and shallow bowls.
Sometimes all you need is a little creativity. A simple bird feeder made using a plastic bottle and wooden spoons. (Photo by Sherrel Charles)
Shanna and students birdwatching at the Princess Margaret School. (Photo by Sherrel Charles)
The students then enjoyed a guided birdwatching trip across the school grounds, a skill that will undoubtedly come in handy when identifying visitors to their new bird baths and feeders. The event garnered media attention and was covered by the Antigua and Barbuda Broadcasting Services (ABS). It was featured in a special International Biological Diversity Day segment during their morning TV show. For this segment, Shanna Challenger of the EAG and CEBF coordinator for Antigua, along with our Caribbean Bird Banding Program Manager Holly Garrod, were in studio sharing the importance of bird conservation work on the island and wider region.
Shanna and Holly at the Antigua Broadcasting Services studio.
On Global Big Day, the EAG, Wadadli Warblers Bird Club, and Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force joined forces to observe and record as many bird species as possible in Christian Valley, an Important Bird Area. For many, it was their first time birdwatching, and they were absolutely thrilled! Check out their video below.
Bird conservation education and outreach continued throughout the month. Shanna and Sherrel Charles, the EAG’s Science Communications Officer, captivated members of the Antigua and Barbuda Ocean Trust and students at Jennings Primary School and Buckleys Primary School with their interactive presentations. These sessions weren’t just talks—they included brain-busting quizzes, fun games with fantastic prizes like CEBF-themed stickers and bookmarks up for grabs. To top it all off, every session wrapped up with a fun birdwatching adventure, sparking curiosity and fostering an appreciation for nature.
Puerto Rico
Alondra Norat of Pajareo Virtual took a small but dedicated group of undergraduates on a birdwatching trip across the University of Puerto Rico Río Piedras Campus. For several of the students, this was their first time being on a birding tour and using binoculars. Alondra is confident that the birds, clearer than ever before, sparked a thrill in them as they peered through the lenses. The group used their observations from this trip to put together an (unofficial) guide to the common plants and birds on the campus for other first-time student birdwatchers on campus! This practical resource was particularly valuable as it was their first foray into birdwatching and their initial experience with both the eBird app and field guides.
Birds are everywhere, even at your university campus — and certainly at the University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras campus. (Photo by Alondra Norat)
Common birds and plants of Rio Piedras campus ID cards created by Alondra and Steve Maldonado Silvestrini. (Photo by Alondra Norat)
Roots and Shoots Puerto Rico, and our Operations Manager Alexia Morales, headed to Punta Cucharas Nature Reserve in Ponce for a bird count where they recorded 44 species, five of which were endemic birds!
Rainy weather couldn’t stop this enthusiastic birding crew at Punta Cucharas Nature Reserve.
Members of the Library Club at the Ramón Emeterio Betances School, Adult Education Program (Cayey), and Alfonso Díaz Lebron Middle School (Juncos) ditched the blackboards and desks and took the learning to a small forest near the school. Throughout the event, creativity and learning bloomed. Participants enjoyed reading the “Birds of Puerto Rico for Children” book, written by our President and founder of the CEBF Dr Adrianne Tossas, and other bird stories, sparking lively discussions filled with anecdotes, fables, songs, and local folklore about Puerto Rican birds.
Everyone got hands-on, coloring endemic birds from the “Endemic Birds of the West Indies” coloring book that are abundant in their own communities, and even delved into research using their phones. There were important group discussions about the significance of birds to the environment , and a local farmer from Finca Los Pellos shared fascinating insights into pollinator gardens and their role in agriculture. Two beautiful Flor de Maga trees (Puerto Rico’s national flower) were planted, generously donated by the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and the area dubbed, “The Green Library.” Students took home cilantro, chili pepper, and lettuce plants to cultivate their own kitchen gardens!
It’s story time in The Green Library. (Photo by Rosalina Alvarado)
The Puerto Rican Parrot joins the endemic birds coloring session. (Photo by Rosalina Alvarado)
Thanks to the Department of Natural Resources staff for donating the Flor de Maga plants. (Photo by Rosalina Alvarado)
CEBF event coordinator Rosalina wearing her fabulous hand made bird crown.
Junta Innovadora Comunal Villa del Carmen, Inc. seamlessly blended personal well-being with the joy of celebrating birds and being in nature. Participants prioritized their health checks with services from the MedCentro mobile unit and NUC students, alongside various informative health booths. Some were also treated to a birdwatching and identification trip led by our Co-Regional CEBF Coordinator Eduardo Llegus, while others joined a beginner’s fishing workshop. Native tree plants were also given to participants to help them make their backyards and gardens more bird-friendly!
Eduardo Llegus leads a birdwatching trip with participants. (Photo by Junta Innovadora Comunal Villa del Carmen, Inc.)
Native tree saplings were given to participants to help them make their backyards and gardens more bird-friendly. (Photo by Junta Innovadora Comunal Villa del Carmen, Inc.)
Beach cleanup in Villa del Carmen, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Junta Innovadora Comunal Villa del Carmen, Inc.)
It’s time for a check-up! Nurses stationed at the MedCentro mobile clinic. (Photo by Junta Innovadora Comunal Villa del Carmen, Inc.)
For the 2025 CEBF, Guaynabo Elementary School came alive with a birdwatching adventure right on the school’s compound! Students also enjoyed story time with Lourmarie García who read “El Arbol Solitario Y El Pajaro Carpintero” by Milagros Keppis, while Ingrid Flores enlightened them about Puerto Rico’s endemic birds and the importance of protecting our shared green spaces.
Ingrid explaining to kindergarteners how gardens can be bird-friendly. (Photo by Escuela Nueva Elemental Urbana de Guaynabo – Montessori)
Our Endemic Birds of the West Indies Coloring Book is still a hit among children. (Photo by Escuela Nueva Elemental Urbana de Guaynabo – Montessori)
Story time with Miss Garcia. (Photo by Escuela Nueva Elemental Urbana de Guaynabo – Montessori)
Feathery facts and free resources for classrooms and homes
Each day, we featured a new Endemic Bird of the Day on our website and across BirdsCaribbean’s socials, sharing 15 new species in 2025. The species were carefully selected to showcase the vast breadth of the endemic wonders of the Caribbean—highlighting truly unique birds, like the Hispaniolan Nightjar; clever species like the Cuban Palm-Crow; and endemic crooners, like the St. Vincent Wren. You can find the complete library of 173 endemic birds covered thus far here.
Each endemic bird profile was accompanied by a beautifully drawn image by award-winning Cuban artist Arnaldo Toledo, stunning high quality photos and videos, online puzzles tailored for different levels (between six and 1,024 pieces), and bird calls. Fun, free and engaging activities were also provided for both kids and adults, including downloadable coloring pages, experiments, up-cycle crafts, and more.
This year’s CEBF is over—but don’t worry, we still have plenty of bird content for you to enjoy! Make sure you are following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and have joined the BirdsCaribbean mailing list, to ensure you are kept up to date with our latest news via our monthly newsletter.
Acknowledgements: A massive THANK YOU to the island coordinators for your enthusiasm and dedication to making this another memorable CEBF! Each year we see a growing number of participants committed to increasing their knowledge of Caribbean birds and actively working to protect their habitats. We also extend our gratitude to our donors and members who help us provide the coordinators with the support and resources they need to educate and inspire future generations of bird and nature loving communities.
