Category: Threatened Birds

January 5, 2022

12 Days of Christmas – BirdsCaribbean Remix

This festive season we introduced 12 fascinating Caribbean birds in our twist on the classic carol The Twelve Days of Christmas. This English Christmas carol was first published in 1780, and presented without accompanying music, in a children’s book of poems and stories Mirth Without Mischief.

It is believed that The Twelve Days of Christmas was intended to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith. However, this theory has been widely contested. The origins of the carol are unknown but perhaps it was written as a memory game.

We are certain, however, that no other Christmas carol features birds quite as prominently as The Twelve Days of Christmas. The lyrics are from old Europe with birds that are not found in the Caribbean. We thought it was time for an upbeat version so we put the spotlight on some magnificent migratory and endemic birds of the Caribbean!

If you follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn), we shared a new bird every day or two for the last several weeks. (#12CaribBirdsOfChristmas) Here, we compile all the bird profiles into one blog in case you are not on social media, missed any, or would like to learn more about these amazing birds.

We really enjoyed curating posts for this series and had the pleasure of reading your lovely comments. Thank you for following along, bird after bird, with us. Let us know which bird was your favorite and why in the comments below .

And do sing along with us on our remix of this classic song! Any singers/ musicians out there—we would love to hear your recorded rendition of the song!!!

Photo credits: West Indian Whistling Duck by Ray Robles, Fernandina’s Flicker by Ken Pinnow, White-breasted Thrasher by Hank Tseng and Adams Toussaint, St Vincent Parrot by Nandani Bridglal , Golden Swallow by Francisco Alba, Jamaican Blackbird by Tom Johnson (ML890623210), Guadeloupe Woodpecker by Frantz Delcroix, Grenada Dove by Greg Homel, Bahama Oriole by Dan Stonko

Twelve Birds of Christmas – BirdsCaribbean Remix

An Oriole in a Pine Tree – Bahama Oriole

🎄On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, A Partridge in a Pear Tree.🎶 But wait, that doesn’t seem quite right for the Caribbean 🤔, so let’s turn up the heat ☀️, amp up the vibrancy, migrate south 🌎, and what do we get…. An oriole in a pine tree 🌲 . That is, of course, the Bahama Oriole. This striking bird stands bright at the tree tops boasting shiny black ⚫️ plumage on its head, back and chest, and bright yellow 🟡 plumage on its shoulders, belly, and rump. It can only be found on Andros Island in the Bahamas 🇧🇸 , where it nests in native pine forests. ⁠
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Unfortunately, this bird faces multiple threats, including brood parasitism from the Shiny Cowbird, depredation by free-ranging domestic cats 🐈 , and habitat loss due to logging and residential development 🏘. There’s also the looming threat of increasingly frequent and severe hurricanes that could easily wipe out the Bahama Oriole’s entire small population 📉. ⁠
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However, all hope is not lost! ✨ Our partners at the Bahamas National Trust and University of Maryland, Baltimore Maryland are doing exciting research to learn more about this species 🤓 and educating local communities on Andros about the importance of its pine forests. Click here for more facts ℹ️, to listen to its song 🎵, and free Bahama Oriole themed activities 🧩 for adults and children! ⁠

Two Grenada Doves

🎄The second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Two Turtle Doves 🎶. Those turtle doves are adorable ☺️, but come on down to the southern Caribbean 🌎 and we can do you one better – two Grenada Doves! ⁠
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As their name implies, these shy and elusive birds live only on the island of Grenada 🇬🇩. This somewhat plump dove has brown 🟤 upperparts, buffy cinnamon-colored chest and neck, and grayish forehead, face and crown, with bright pinkish-red 🔴 statement legs and feet. How can you tell you’re looking at the ultra-rare Grenada Dove and not another dove 🧐? Be sure to take a look at its belly where you’ll find a strip of white ⚪️ feathers that extends from its side up around the bend of the wing! ⁠
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The Grenada Dove prefers the coastal dry forests of deciduous thorn-scrub thickets and some emergent trees 🌳. Watch your step 👣 as these doves are typically found on the ground, searching for food; small seeds, fruits 🫐 and insects 🪱. IBut if you aren’t lucky enough to see this dove, keep an ear 👂 out for its characteristic call 🎶 which is a single descending note hooooooo that is repeated every 7-8 seconds. ⁠
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Two Protected Areas have been established for the conservation of the Grenada Dove, but habitat loss remains a major threat. Its coastal habitats are unfortunately prime areas for development by the tourism 🏝 and industry sectors 🏭. We have been working with our partners in Grenada to try and halt 🛑 these unsustainable developments as well as remove mongoose, invasive predators of the Grenada Dove. ⁠Click here to learn more about the Grenada Dove, listen to its song, and access free activities.
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With your support 🙌🏽, we can continue to protect the Critically Endangered Grenada Dove as we work to reverse the trend of habitat loss for this beautiful species. ✨Please consider making a donation.

Three French Peckers – Guadeloupe Woodpecker

🎄On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Three French hens 🎶. To be honest, that’s not a bad gift 🎁 at all, especially if those hens are good layers 🥚. But domestic fowl 🐓 pale in comparison to some of the wild French birds you can find in the Caribbean 😎, including the Trois Toto bwa —un oiseau magnifique found only in Guadeloupe 🇬🇵! In local French Creole the Guadeloupe Woodpecker is called Toto bwa for the tapping noise it makes.

It appears to be an all black bird ⚫️ however its head and upperparts actually have a blue glossy sheen. Their underparts are a sooty black except for a reddish 🔴 hue on the chest and their tail feathers are brownish-black with blue-black legs. Females look like the male, but are smaller 📏. Interestingly, there are size differences within the island—woodpeckers found on the peaks of Basse-Terre are slightly bigger than those of Grande-Terre!

These fine French birds inhabit all different forest types, including swamp forests and mangroves, but they rely on dead coconut palm trees 🌴 for nesting. They are monogamous and pairs remain in their territory throughout the year. Young woodpeckers will take about a month 📆 to fledge and afterwards juveniles spend several months with their parents. They might even hang around until the next breeding season.

Although considered a Least Concern species, this handsome woodpecker is restricted to the island of Guadeloupe and is threatened by hurricanes 🌀, habitat conversion 🏘 and the removal of dead trees which they depend upon for nesting. Continued protection of this species and conservation of its habitats will help ensure that this beautiful species survives for future generations to enjoy! ✨

For more fun facts about this endemic woodpecker click here!

Four Blackbirds – Jamaican Blackbird

🎄The fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Four colly birds 🎶. But you had no idea what those were 💬. Did you say “colly birds” or “calling birds”? Our basic research 💻 suggests both phrases are correct, though “colly” is the Old English word for coal while “calling” refers to birds that “call out” in song, or songbirds. Either way, it’s an odd gift, so today we’re featuring a Jamaican endemic that fits both versions; the Jamaican Blackbird 🇯🇲. ⁠
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High up in Cockpit Country and the Blue and John Crow Mountains ⛰ National Park lives the Jamaican Blackbird. It is Endangered, with the greatest threat to its populations stemming from Bauxite mining, agriculture 🌾 and human developments 🏘. This taxonomically and ecologically distinct bird is all black with a slight blue gloss, short bill, legs and tails. Unlike other blackbirds it is mostly found feeding high in the trees 🌳 in montane forest. It feeds by pecking, like a woodpecker, in bromeliads, lichens and mosses, but will also probe tree bark and cavities for beetles 🪲 and caterpillars 🐛 . This bird is more likely to be heard than seen. Its song is a wheezy whee-whee-oooo; common call is a squeaky wheet. 🎶⁠
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Learn more about this fascinating bird here. This species was also an inspiration for an amazing bird song album by our partner Shika Shika, undertaken to raise funds to protect endangered birds in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean – check out the project and songs here.

✨Together with our on-the-ground partners we work to protect incredibly unique birds like the Jamaican Blackbird that are threatened by habitat loss. Please consider making a contribution and give the gift 🎁 of birds to future generations. ⁠

Five Golden Swallows

🎄The fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me…Five gold rings 🎶. But you’re not a materialistic person, nor can you tolerate the environmental impact that comes with the extraction of precious metals 💍, so you looked your lover 💞 in the eye and said “Honey, I’d rather see gold in its natural form – take me birding for Golden Swallows!” ⁠
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The upperparts of male Golden Swallows often appear golden ✨ but are ever-changing as they fly around and catch the sunlight ☀️ at different angles. In a few seconds you might observe a blue-ish 🔵 sheen changing to a golden iridescence that then changes to an olive-green 🟢! Their underparts are white with dusky bronze-green wings and tail. The female on the other hand, is duller, with some gray-brown mottling on the chest. ⁠
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One can spend hours ⏳ watching and being entertained by these amazing birds as they twist 🔀, turn ⤴️ , and dive ⤵️ through the air with incredible grace and precision. They feed on airborne insects like beetles 🪲 and wasps. ⁠
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The Golden Swallow has disappeared from the island of Jamaica 🇯🇲 and is restricted to patches of montane pine forest🌲in Hispaniola. They have possibly disappeared from Jamaica due to lack of food. Insect populations have been steadily decreasing 📉 due to destruction of native habitats as well as the widespread use of chemicals to kill insects ☠️. The good news is that everyone can help by planting native plants 🌱 at home. Native plants attract native insects, and these insects provide lots of food for MANY different bird species 😃. ⁠
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Learn more about the Golden Swallow and access free activities and resources here. Read about our VP 👨🏻‍💼 Justin Procter’s quest to find the Golden Swallow in Jamaica’s Ram Goat Cave.

Six Songbirds Singing – Summer Tanager

🎄The sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Six Geese-a-laying🎶. While we often think of egg-laying as a beautiful, miraculous event (and it is), have you given any thought to the size of those eggs and the mechanics involved🤔? Needless to say, six geese-a-laying won’t be a peaceful scene, but rather a headache of hissing and honking 📣. Let’s reduce holiday stress where we can and consider down-sizing to six songbirds singing 🎶 instead.

‘Songbirds’ are beautiful passerine birds with melodious songs, a great example is the Summer Tanager. This neotropical migrant has strawberry 🍓 coloured plumage and is quite vocal. Its call is described as pi-tuck or pi-ti-tuck or ki-ti-tuck while its song is similar to that of an American Robin with a series of warbling phrases.

The Summer Tanager is one of many songbirds illegally captured 📦 in Cuba for the pet trade. Although it has a beautiful song, this bird is mainly captured for its ornamental beauty. Sadly, many migratory songbirds like the Indigo Bunting and Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and resident/ endemic birds like the Cuban Bullfinch and Cuban Grassquit, are targeted by trappers for their singing abilities.

Songbird competitions are very popular in Cuba 🇨🇺, Trinidad 🇹🇹, and Venezuela 🇻🇪 , with betting and cash prizes 💰 for the best singer. These birds are inhumanely trapped using cages with lures, perches covered with glue, and nets. Many die from the process or soon after due to improper care. The surviving birds are readily offered for sale on social media 📲 platforms reaching more potential buyers. The songbird trade is rampant in the Caribbean and is emptying our forests of both song and life 😞.

ℹ️ For more information about the alarming numbers of birds illegally captured in Cuba and our proposed strategies to combat this unsustainable and cruel trade please read our investigative report.

This crisis can end with your support 🙌🏽! Please consider making a contribution here. Your gift will help us in our appeals to local governments to enforce the laws mandated to protect birds, help our partners develop a national media campaign, and create other livelihoods like eco-tourism 🏞.

Seven Parrots Squawking – St. Vincent Parrot

🎄The seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Seven Swans a-Swimming🎶. Swans 🦢 are the universal symbol of grace and beauty🪞. But here in the Caribbean, Christmas is a time for noisy merriment and flocking together 🎊 so we present you with Seven Parrots Squawking! ⁠
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The striking Saint Vincent Parrot 🦜 is the national bird of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 🇻🇨 and is endemic to the island. If you look carefully, it has the yellow 🟡, blue 🔵 and green 🟢 colours of the national flag, making it extra special to Vincentians! ⁠
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There are two colour morphs for this uniquely coloured parrot: yellow-brown (more common) and green. Both have pale heads and bronze-colored underparts, a blue, yellow and orange tail, and green-and-blue flight feathers. ⁠
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The Saint Vincent Parrot can be found in mature rainforest 🏞 along western and eastern slopes of the island’s central mountain range and, occasionally, in nearby cultivated lands. They are loud birds with an impressive vocal repertoire, so listen for their call 🎶 in the early morning ☀️ or late afternoon when they are most active! Males and females look similar and are usually seen flying in pairs but have been observed in flocks foraging on fruits 🥭, seeds, flowers 🌺 and leaves. ⁠
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Its small population of around 850 birds has been slowly increasing however, this vulnerable parrot suffered devastating habitat loss and food scarcity after the La Soufriere volcanic eruptions 🌋 earlier this year. With assistance from BirdsCaribbean donors and other partners, the St Vincent Forestry Dept has been working hard to assess the status of the parrot and restore habitat. You can help to save this iconic bird from extinction. ✨.⁠
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Click here for more facts, to listen to its call, and free Saint Vincent Parrot themed activities 🧩 for adults and children! ⁠

Eight Thrashers Thrashing – White-breasted Thrasher

🎄The eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Eight Maids-a-Milking🎶. In 15th and 16th century England, the phrase “let’s go-a-milking” was a euphemism for “let’s get married.” 💍 We’re going to update this to the 21st century with a spunky yet elegant Caribbean bird and give you Eight Thrashers Thrashing! While you may not want these birds in your house at Christmas time, they certainly are dashing 🎩! ⁠
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The White-breasted Thrasher, with a chocolate brown 🟤 back, striking white chest, and piercing red 🔴 eye, was described by James Bond as “one of the rarest birds in the West Indies.” Not surprisingly, Bond was onto something! Found only in Saint Lucia 🇱🇨 and Martinique 🇲🇶, where it is known as Gòj Blan and Moqueur Gorge Blanche, respectively, there are fewer than 2,000 thrashers left. White-breasted Thrashers also display a unique behavior called cooperative breeding, where they delay independent breeding, and instead help their parents in raising their siblings – how lucky for Mom and Dad 😊!⁠
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The White-breasted Thrasher population is thought to be declining 📉 due to increased predation by non-native invasive species, such as rats 🐀 , domestic cats 🐈 , and mongoose. Our incredible partners in Saint Lucia safely continued their critical work throughout the pandemic and recorded a total of 19 White-breasted Thrasher nests in 2020 🏆⁠
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✨Learn more about this unique and endangered species here.
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For more information on the White-breasted Thrasher Species Recovery Plan and field work by our partners 📑, supported in part by BirdsCaribbean donors , click here.⁠

Nine Flickers Flicking – Fernandina’s Flicker

🎄On the 9th day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, nine drummers drumming🎶. But of course no drum sticks or snare drums 🥁 showed up, because your true love has style 😎, and appreciates nature’s real drummers – the woodpeckers! So pop some aspirin 💊 and get ready for the ensuing explosive sound of nine Fernandina’s Flickers tearing apart your house’s 🏠 new cedar wood siding.

The island of Cuba 🇨🇺 is home to one of the world’s most threatened flickers – the Fernandina’s Flicker. The male has a buff-cinnamon head with fine black ⚫️ streaking. It has a distinct black malar stripe, sometimes with a red tinge. This mark is absent ❌ in the female. Chin and throat are heavily but finely streaked black. Its bill is black, long, pointed and curved. Its body and tail are largely barred mustard yellow 🟡 and black.

Interestingly you’re likely to see this woodpecker foraging on the ground, in open woodlands and savanna-palm 🌴 habitats, for insects 🕷 , seeds, and worms 🪱 . Pairs nest in both live and old hollowed-out palms and share these breeding trees with other secondary cavity nesting birds such as the American Kestrel, and fellow-endemics the Bare-legged Owl 🦉 and Cuban Parakeet 🦜. During the breeding season, however, the West Indian Woodpecker and Fernandina’s Flicker fight for nesting sites 😠, even though the nesting holes were most likely excavated by the West Indian Woodpecker! The West Indian Woodpecker is very territorial, they will even destroy eggs 🥚 and remove chicks 🐣 of other secondary nesting birds, including those of the Fernandina’s Flicker!

Its population is estimated at no more than 400 pairs with the largest occurring in the Zapata Swamp. It was once common across Cuba but habitat loss due to logging and conversion for agriculture 🌱 have resulted in its patchy distribution. Another major driver is loss of prime nesting sites when dead palms are cut down to illegally collect parrots and parakeets for the pet trade 😞. Learn more about this Cuban endemic here.

Ten Plovers Piping – Piping Plover

🎄On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Ten Pipers Piping🎶. But we’re still in a pandemic 😷 and, where you are, gatherings might be restricted 🚫. Instead we present you with 10 Plovers Piping 😀. ⁠
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Small, chubby, and adorable ☺️, the Piping Plover is a sand-coloured shorebird with white underparts, a black ⚫️ neck band, orange 🟠 legs, and a short stubby beak. Most striking of all, its dark round eyes that give it that “I’m a good cuddler” look. They have a two-part piping whistle 🎵 that drops in pitch, pwee-doo.”
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The Piping Plover breeds in North America but heads south for the winter 🌎. They do not go as far south as other shorebirds, instead they stop off in The Bahamas 🇧🇸 , Turks and Caicos Islands 🇹🇨 and Cuba 🇨🇺 . You are most likely to find them on open sandy beaches, wetlands, and mudflats feeding on small invertebrates. It is also a pretty clever feeder. On the beach 🏝 , after a wave 🌊 rolls up and leaves a glassy film, the Piping Plover will extend one foot slightly forward and vibrate it against water-saturated sand bringing invertebrates in the sand to the surface before pecking 🍽. ⁠
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Developments on beaches 🏙 and lake shores mean Piping Plovers have lost some of their breeding habitats and are now far less common than they used to be 😔. Nesting areas on beaches are now often protected ⚠️ from disturbance to try to help the population grow.⁠
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Making sure they have safe places to feed and rest 💤 in the Caribbean during the winter is also important. Click here for some tips on how you can #ShareTheShore with these lovable little shorebirds. ⁠ And learn more about the Piping Plover and access free activities and resources here.

Eleven egrets dancing – Reddish Egret

🎄The eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, eleven ladies dancing 💃🏻. Your true love 💗 may have been trying to pull a fast one, knowing all too well that the men usually dance to get the ladies’ attention in the animal kingdom! In the spirit of gender equality, you both get in on the dancing 💃🏻🕺🏻, showing off snazzy moves inspired by Eleven Egrets Dancing. ⁠
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The Reddish Egret is a relatively large and elegant 🪞 bird known for its entertaining feeding behavior – often described as a ‘drunken dance’ 🍻 – running through shallow water with long strides, staggering sideways, leaping in the air ⬆️, raising one or both wings, and abruptly stabbing at fish 🐠 . Holding its wings over the water while hunting is thought to reduce glare and help the egret more accurately sight 👀 and spear its prey – or maybe it’s to regain its balance, we’re not sure! 🤔 ⁠
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During the 1800s this egret and others were hunted almost to extinction for their beautiful feathers 🪶, used to adorn ladies’ hats and other apparel! Thankfully, two women jump started a conservation movement which put an end to the slaughter. You can learn all about this fascinating history in our webinar: https://bit.ly/Killer-Fashion⁠
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Reddish Egrets come in two morphs: the dark morph, with shaggy reddish head 🔴 and neck and slate gray body (more common in the southern U.S. and Mexico); and the more rare white morph, with entirely white plumage ⚪️ (more common in the Bahamas 🇧🇸 and Greater Antilles). Breeding adults of both morphs have a two-toned bill, pinkish at the base and black at the tip.⁠
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The Reddish Egret is our rarest and least-studied Ardeid (Family of herons, egrets, and bitterns) – the total population is estimated at only 7,000 to 11,000 birds. It is a Species of Conservation Concern. ⁠
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✨ Learn more about the Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) here and show your support for our citizen science programs like the annual CWC, which gathers critical data to conserve the Reddish Egret and many other threatened birds. ⁠

Twelve Whistlers Whistling – West Indian Whistling-Duck

🎄On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, twelve fiddlers fiddling🎶. A kind gesture, but you’d think that after all this time your true love would have recognized your greater appreciation for acapella-style whistling. It’s an acquired taste that only a refined individual like yourself 😎 could truly appreciate. So redirect those fiddlers to the neighbor’s house 🏡 , and head over to a nearby pond to enjoy a musical production 🎭 of Twelve Whistlers Whistling! ⁠
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We thought it fitting to bring our 12 Birds of Christmas to a close with the grace of the West Indian Whistling-Duck 🦆 . You can only hear the hauntingly beautiful calls of this Caribbean bird at twilight 🌅, when the sun begins to dip toward the horizon. West Indian Whistling-Ducks often remain hidden during the day, roosting in mangrove trees 🌳 or other vegetation, and become active at sunset when they feed.⁠
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This gorgeous mostly-brown duck was once common, but populations are now very small 📉 and isolated on each island. Destruction of wetland habitats, illegal hunting, and invasive predators (like mongoose) have all contributed to the decline of this species. ⁠
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The West Indian Whistling-Duck is our flagship species for the conservation of mangroves and wetlands throughout the West Indies! We have a fun curriculum, “Wondrous West Indian Wetlands—Teachers’ Resource Book,” 📖with many hands-on activities 🧩 to learn 🧠 about wetlands and birds, and other resources available on our website. 😉⁠
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You can also visit our webpage for more facts, to listen to its song, and free West Indian Whistling-Duck themed activities for adults and children! 😃⁠

And now our 12 Caribbean Birds of Christmas Advent calendar is complete!

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December 23, 2021

BirdsCaribbean expresa su alarma por el aumento del tráfico ilegal de aves en Cuba

December 18, 2021

BirdsCaribbean Expresses Alarm at the Escalating Illegal Bird Trafficking Problem in Cuba

November 23, 2021

Training Opportunity: Landbird Monitoring Workshop

BirdsCaribbean is excited to invite applications to participate in a 5-day training workshop focused on the monitoring and conservation of landbirds in the Caribbean. Through a blend of classroom and field-based activities, this comprehensive workshop will cover landbird identification, monitoring techniques, eBird data entry, basic data analysis, and more. The workshop will take place at Rancho Baiguate in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic from February 16-20, 2022.

This training workshop is part of BirdsCaribbean’s new project that aims to build capacity to monitor and conserve landbirds in the Caribbean. The long-term goal of this project is to enhance full life cycle conservation of Caribbean landbirds. Working with our many partners, we will build regional networks to increase awareness and appreciation of our landbirds and enable on-the ground conservation actions, including protecting, managing, and restoring important habitats.

We know that this dream can become a reality. We have seen the impact of bird monitoring initiatives like the Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC), which has provided novel information and helped designate and protect sites that are crucial to the survival of bird populations.

About the workshop

This “train the trainer” workshop is designed for Caribbean wildlife professionals and volunteers who are interested in expanding or establishing a landbird monitoring program.

The purpose of the workshop is to:

Share information on landbirds in the Caribbean and the threats that they face
Provide participants with the knowledge and skills to train a monitoring team and institute a sustainable, local landbird monitoring program.
Inspire and facilitate landbird monitoring and conservation efforts, including raising public awareness, alleviating threats, and managing and restoring habitats
Build a regional network of people involved in standardized monitoring and conservation of our shared landbirds

Workshop participants will learn about the Programa de América Latina para las Aves Silvestres (PROALAS) Manual bird survey protocols. Developed in Latin America to target tropical habitats, this manual includes detailed guidance on designing and implementing multi-level survey methods. The manual also incorporates the use of eBird as a user-friendly data entry and storage platform, and outlines occupancy-based analysis of monitoring data.

During daily field trips, we will practice landbird identification and survey techniques. After the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to apply for a small grant (~1k to $10k) to implement or amplify their own landbird monitoring and conservation projects.

The Cape May Warbler a declining landbird that winters in the Caribbean. (Photo by Hemant Kishan)

Dominican field crew sets out to survey and capture Louisiana Waterthrush — Dominican field crew surveying Louisiana Waterthrush. (Photo by Steve Latta)

Broad-billed Tody perched in a tree. (Photo by Holly Garrod)

Topics to be covered in the 5-day workshop include:

Overview of the PROALAS Manual survey protocols
Guidance on how to design and implement a monitoring program
Field training to identify and count landbirds
Threats to landbirds and their habitats, and strategies to conserve and manage them
Case studies for successful landbird monitoring and conservation
Data entry and use of e-bird as a data storage platform
Basic analysis of monitoring data

In an effort to decrease the amount of time spent in the classroom, some workshop sessions will be held virtually prior to the in-person workshop. These virtual sessions will also be made available to a wider audience. Stay tuned for more information!

Funding and logistics

We are aiming to include approximately 24 participants in this workshop. BirdsCaribbean has limited funding to cover the cost of travel, meals, accommodation, and workshop materials. Participants who are able to contribute all or part of their costs can help us enhance the workshop content and allow us to include additional participants/trainers. Participants should plan to arrive in the Dominican Republic on February 15th and depart on February 21st.

COVID-19 Policy: BirdsCaribbean is committed to the safety of all workshop participants, trainers, and local communities. Proof of full vaccination will be required to participate in this workshop. Additional guidelines (e.g., negative tests, masks) will be provided to participants prior to the start of the workshop based on the most updated information.

If you are interested in participating in this workshop, please fill out this form by 5 PM EST on December 10, 2021.

English Version: https://bit.ly/WorkshopApplication-English

Versión Española: https://bit.ly/WorkshopApplication-espanol

About Rancho Baiguate

Rancho Baiguate is an eco-lodge in the Jarabacoa valley of the Cordillera Central of the Dominican Republic. At 500m elevation, Jarabacoa is known as the “city of eternal spring,” with warm sunny days and cool refreshing evenings. Rancho Baiguate is located on the Rio Baiguate, where participants can walk through restored riparian tropical forest and mixed edge habitat within sustainable agriculture. Birds abound in these varied habitats, and participants will easily see many of Hispaniola’s charismatic endemic bird species, including the two beloved todies (Broad-billed Tody and Narrow-billed Tody) and the national bird, the Palmchat. The town of Jarabacoa is an easy 5 minute drive from the lodge, and participants can visit any of the three stunning waterfalls nearby. Field trips may include visits to nearby reserves such as Ebano Verde. After the workshop, participants are welcome to extend their stay and try any of Rancho Baiguate’s adventurous activities including white water rafting, canyoning, or horse back riding. Come learn more about landbird monitoring with some of the Dominican Republic’s finest birds!

If you have any questions, please send an email to Project Manager Maya Wilson (Maya.Wilson@BirdsCaribbean.org).

BirdsCaribbean would like to thank J.C. Fernández-Ordóñez for Spanish translation.

We’re Launching a New Caribbean Landbird Monitoring Project!

November 17, 2021

Shorebirds Under Fire

Our new video, “Caribbean Shorebirds Under Fire,” is the fourth in our series on the plight of our shorebirds, which are facing a drastic decline in numbers. This video highlights the need for well-regulated, sustainable hunting on several Caribbean islands where it is a traditional way of life. It can be disturbing, but we are looking for the way forward. We owe it to our beautiful shorebirds. We hope you will watch, share, and help us find solutions. Content Warning: Birds that have been shot.

This video is also available in French and Spanish.

Hunting has a strong tradition in the Caribbean, with shorebird hunting being especially prevalent on the islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Barbados.

Map of the west Indies with Guadeloupe, Martinique and Barbados highlighted. These islands are important stopover and wintering sites for hundreds of thousands of migratory shorebirds, but many are killed by hunters during migration and winter. (map by Aly Ollivierre)

For example, the history of shorebirds harvest on Barbados dates back to the to the mid-seventeenth century, in the early colonial period when Barbados was settled. As shorebirds visit the region on their fall migration and during winter, they use Caribbean wetlands to rest and refuel, take refuge from adverse weather, and as a winter home.

Some hunters – for example in Barbados – provide such habitats, managing small wetlands (“shooting swamps”) to attract shorebirds. The habitat is vitally important for tired and hungry migrant shorebirds but its use comes at a cost to the birds, as many then become the targets of sport hunting. On the islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, however, wetlands are more abundant and the opportunities for hunting shorebirds are much broader. Targeted species include Lesser Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Greater Yellowlegs, Whimbrel, and American Golden-Plover. We know that these and other shorebird populations in the Atlantic Flyway and the entire planet have drastically declined in numbers (50-90%) over the past 3 decades.

The Sad Story of Machi and Goshen

Whimbrels using a wetland on Guadeloupe. (Photo by Anthony Levesque)

Machi and Goshen were two Whimbrels fitted with satellite tracking tags by scientists at the Center for Conservation Biology. We learned that these two sturdy birds took detours around the violent tropical storms of 2011 and made their way further south through the eastern Caribbean. Machi, in particular, had taken some extraordinary trips in his lifetime, clocking many thousands of miles since he was first tagged in 2009.

But in 2011 – just ten years ago now – a sad fate awaited them. News broke that Machi had been shot by hunters at a swamp in Guadeloupe. The news of Goshen’s death, in the same area, swiftly followed. They had weathered the storms, only to end their lives at the barrel of a gun.

A Flood of Letters, and a Change in Guadeloupe

A dead Hudsonian Godwit, part of a hunters bag on Guadeloupe. — A Hudsonian Godwit as part of a hunters bag on Guadeloupe. (Photo by Anthony Levesque)

At the time, hunting in Guadeloupe and nearby Martinique had few or no regulations on which species could be shot, how many could be shot, or the number of days hunting was allowed. With the spotlight on the issue of shorebird hunting, BirdsCaribbean (then the SCSCB – Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds) and partners organized a letter writing campaign. Letters went out in the hundreds – to decision makers in the environmental departments of the French Government, as well as to other key institutions and international organizations. Please, make the harvest of shorebirds more sustainable, the letters urged.

After this campaign, some positive progress was made to Guadeloupe’s hunting regulations. In 2012 and 2013 Red Knot and Solitary Sandpipers were removed from the list of shorebirds that could be hunted. Daily bag limits (20 shorebirds per hunter per day) were introduced and regulations set specific days when hunting was not permitted, giving shorebirds some respite.

On Martinique Red Knots were also removed from the hunting list. However, no bag limits or ‘days off’ were set. It was also clear that on both islands, many declining and threatened shorebird species were still being shot by hunters in numbers that might not be sustainable.

We Must Celebrate the Successes!

So…let’s look at the positives.

Each year in Guadeloupe and Martinique hunting regulations are set by decree (separately for each island). In 2021, besides previous restrictions, shooting of Whimbrels on Guadeloupe was not permitted and the hunting of Hudsonian Godwits was set at two per day. On Martinique shorebird hunting was still allowed for 206 days of the year, with no ‘days off’ from hunting. Although some bag limits were set on Martinique, most were deemed by conservationists to be too high to be sustainable.

shooting swamp on Martinique - a large wetland with makeshift wood path leading to a hunting blind. — A Shooting Swamp on Martinique. (Photo by Yves Aubry)

In the fall of 2021, an alliance of nature protection groups* came together to oppose the 2021-22 decrees in both Guadeloupe and Martinique. They requested the suspension of hunting of the Hudsonian Godwit on Guadeloupe—a species of conservation concern and rare on Guadeloupe. On Martinique, they requested the suspension of hunting of 10 shorebirds and four songbirds, all with poor conservation status on the island. Many BirdsCaribbean members and partners sent in emails (over 1,000) opposing the hunting decree.

Ruling on these requests, a judge banned the hunting of five shorebirds on Martinique (Whimbrel, Hudsonian Godwit, Short-billed Dowitcher, American Golden Plover, and Black-bellied Plover). Martinique also set a bag limit of 20 Lesser Yellowlegs per day per hunter in 2020/21, the first time a restriction has been put in place for this species! On Guadeloupe the hunting of Hudsonian Godwits was also stopped.

It was not an easy task, but the efforts and passion of non-governmental organizations, their members and supporters deserves a huge pat on the back. This was a “win” for shorebirds!

Some Positive Changes to Hunting in Barbados

Hunting decoys, used to attract shorebirds, at a swamp in Barbados. (Photo by John Webster)

Barbados is a small, low-lying island on the far eastern edge of the Lesser Antilles. Because of its rather far-flung position, many shorebirds land on the island to avoid severe storms. Hunting in the early years when birds were abundant provided an opportunistic harvest of shorebirds for food and sport. Over time, opportunistic harvest transitioned to managing land to make it more attractive to shorebirds.

With few remaining natural wetlands, the shooting swamps developed by hunters on the island provide excellent habitats for shorebirds and many non-target waterbird species, both resident and migrants. They will likely rely on these managed wetlands even more in the future as severe storms and drought increase with climate change.

The good news is that shorebird hunting in Barbados has been in decline since the 1990s. A number of shooting swamps have closed, with only five active today. By the late 2000s harvesting had declined from roughly 20– 30,000 to approximately 10,000 annually. Why is this? Well, this is partly because younger people have lost interest in hunting and the cost of hunting is rising. Also, the Barbados Wildfowlers Association, representing a number of shooting swamp owners, decided to self-regulate. The Association recommended voluntary measures to reduce daily and total harvest using suggested daily and seasonal bag limits.

Refuge from the Storm for Shorebirds on Barbados?

On a small island, land and water are precious commodities. Abandoned swamps get used for other purposes, such as agriculture, reducing wetland habitats for birds. So, to maintain such habitats, shorebird refuges came into being. In 2008, the first shorebird refuge was created: Woodbourne Shorebird Refuge as a haven for shorebirds. The greater awareness and appreciation of the value of these wetlands by some members of the hunting community has also contributed to preserving some non-active shooting swamps for shorebirds. They may not be large, but they are some of the best places to observe a wonderful diversity of shorebirds and waterbirds on the island.

Woodbourne Shorebirds Refuge, Barbados. (Photo by John Webster)

What Can We Do?

Here are two facts that are indisputable: Firstly, shorebirds are declining at an unprecedented rate. Taking the example of the Lesser Yellowlegs, its numbers have fallen by 60-70 percent since the 1970s!

Secondly, we believe that we can make a difference if conservationists and hunters work together to build a well-managed, sustainable hunting program. Historically, hunters have played an important role in conservation; for example, the nonprofit Ducks Unlimited has worked with landowners and federal and state agencies to conserve, restore, and manage millions of hectares of wetland habitats for ducks, other wildlife, and people. The dialogue among all stakeholders must continue. We all know that regulations and monitoring are essential, going forward, or the steady decline in shorebirds, most of which are migratory, will continue with disastrous results. So, enforcement of the laws that already exist, and development of future ones, is vital.

It is all doable!

Barbados Needs More Wetlands – Hunters Could Play a Role

As we have noted, Barbados does not have large natural wetlands. What they do have needs to be protected and maintained. Just as in Canada and the United States today, hunters can, and often do, play a vital role in conserving habitat. Now, will hunting become less popular as a pastime in Barbados? If so, the shooting swamps hunters created could become shorebird refuges. If a network of such wetland refuges, including former shooting swamps, could be gradually developed, how marvelous that would be for the shorebirds, for other wildlife – and for the people of Barbados. They could even be the basis for an expansion of eco-tourism, including birding trails for locals and visitors to enjoy.

Let’s Work Together

On Guadeloupe and Martinique, much work needs to be done to bring a sense of balance to the situation. Working together, conservation groups, the island governments and the hunting community can foster a less confrontational state of affairs. The work must continue, because we are all aware that this year’s ruling does not guarantee the same restrictions will apply to the 2022/23 shorebird hunting regulations.

A mixed flock of shorebirds taking off, including Willets and Short-billed Dowitchers, enjoying a Caribbean wetland. — A mixed flock of shorebirds, including Willets and Short-billed Dowitchers, enjoying a Caribbean wetland. (Photo by Ernesto Reyes)

Our shorebirds are under pressure like never before, and we must stop their precipitous decline. Shorebird hunting can be sustainable, with shorebirds thriving for everyone to enjoy. Please take a look at our latest video on shorebird hunting. We welcome your comments, suggestions and support, as we seek solutions. Please share and “like” our shorebird posts on social media.

We promise we will stay focused on this important issue for our precious shorebirds and will update you on any new developments as we go along.

It’s for the shorebirds of the Caribbean!

We thank Environment and Climate Change Canada, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Atlantic Flyways Shorebird Initiative, US Forest Service International Programs, film maker Esther Figueroa, talented photographers and videographers, and our partners, members, and donors for your generous support to create this video (fourth in a series!) and carry out Caribbean shorebird and waterbird conservation initiatives.

Please support out shorebird conservation work – thank you!

* Organizations asking for changes to hunting rules: AMAZONA, Association pour la Protection des Animaux Sauvages, Association pour l’Étude et la protection des Vertébrés et végétaux des petites Antilles, L’Association Francophone des Soigneurs Animaliers, Le Carouge, and Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux

To learn more about Caribbean shorebirds and our work to conserve them, check out the following articles and links therein:

Discover Caribbean Shorebirds this World Shorebirds Day—New Video!

Caribbean Connections: How Shorebirds Link the Boreal Forests of Canada to the Beaches of the Caribbean

A Year in the Life of a Lesser Yellowlegs

September 10, 2021

The Struggle is Real for the Bridled Quail-Dove on St. Eustatius

The Bridled Quail-Dove is a quiet, retiring bird. It has reason to be nervous, because it is facing a doubtful future on the Dutch-speaking island of St. Eustatius (Statia). Hannah Madden, a Terrestrial Ecologist in St. Eustatius, gives us an important update on how this special bird is faring.

Two years ago we shared the worrying news that the Bridled Quail-Dove population had suffered a significant decline on Statia. This was as a direct result of the powerful and destructive Hurricanes Irma and Maria, which followed each other closely, in September 2017. Four years on, has the situation improved?

The Bridled Quail-Dove (Geotrygon mystacea) is a ground-dwelling species that is endemic to the Caribbean. It spends its day foraging in the forest understory for fruits, seeds and the occasional gecko. Quail-Doves prefer undisturbed forests with a closed canopy. They are very sensitive to changes in their natural habitat. And those changes are happening. Unfortunately the impacts of human-induced climate change mean more intense and more frequent hurricanes, which could spell trouble for this vulnerable species.

The Quill – Before and After

I began surveying Bridled Quail-Doves in the Quill National Park in 2016. The Quill is a dormant volcano that rises to 600 meters with a large, accessible crater. It is the dove’s only home on Statia. Pre-hurricane, Quail-Doves were relatively common and observant birders could almost certainly spot one or two while hiking along the trails. The species breeds in May, when its mournful and unmistakable ‘whooooos’ can be heard echoing through the forest.

Then came Irma and Maria. In September 2017 the forest habitat of the Quill suffered extensive damage from the back-to-back hurricanes. Trees were stripped of leaves and fruits, branches were broken. Some trees did not survive. The hurricanes have left their mark – you can still see the evidence in some parts of the forest.

Hover over each image to see the caption; click on each photo to see it larger and to view images as a gallery

Hannah Madden during fieldwork in May 2021. Some 100 meter transects took up to 20 minutes to complete due to the steep and challenging environment (photo by Oliver Jones)

Overgrazed understory in the Quill National Park, St. Eustatius (photo by Hannah Madden)

Then there are the goats!

In addition, we have a very serious goat problem in the park—one that has been pervasive for decades. These are non-native, free-ranging goats that graze excessively in areas that are already damaged. This results in a limited food supply and reduced understory cover for the Bridled Quail-Dove (as well as other species that depend on the forest). There is nowhere for the birds to find food and shelter. Feral chickens disturb ground cover and compete for the same food source. Invasive black rats and feral cats, both of which are present in the Quill prey on nests and take eggs and chicks. The Bridled Quail-Dove’s survival rate – and its chances of bringing up a family – are slim. There is no evidence that adult birds have come in from nearby islands. The Bridled Quail-Doves of Statia are physically and genetically isolated. We became concerned for the welfare of the Bridled Quail-Dove. We were grateful for the funds from many generous donors, including BirdsCaribbean, allowing us to conduct our surveys.

In search of the Quail-Dove

I conducted surveys of the Bridled Quail-Dove in the Quill National Park, walking previously established transects (walking routes) within the dove’s range (~150 to 600 m). We surveyed during peak breeding season (May), so that we could hear as well as see the birds. Once I saw or heard a Quail-Dove, I measured the distance to the bird. I also recorded how high up they were, and the height of the forest canopy. Once surveys were complete, I pooled all data from 2016 – 2021 to obtain abundance and density estimates per year.

Map of St. Eustatius showing transects (red lines) in the Quill National Park (440 ha).

Greater effort, disappointing results

As shown in the graph below, we increased the extent of our survey from 1,200 m of transects in 2016 to over 15,000 m in 2021. Our coverage increased 13-fold, and yet we were able to find only around one third of the number of doves that were counted in 2016, before the hurricanes. It was challenging work. As you can imagine, repeating so many surveys is physically demanding.

Graph showing Quail Dove detections — Number of detections (left axis; red line) and survey effort (right axis; blue line) between 2016 and 2021 (no surveys were conducted in 2020).

Unfortunately, estimates of the numbers of Bridled Quail-Dove on St. Eustatius have declined significantly since 2016. The current estimate is just 123 individuals (somewhere between a minimum of 72 and a maximum of 210). This is less than half of the 2019 estimate, and less than 5% of the 2016 estimate. So, numbers have continued to dwindle since the hurricanes.

After assessing the influence of covariates (factors that might influence the presence or absence of the dove, like weather, time of day, elevation, condition of the vegetation, etc.) on Bridled Quail-Dove presence, I found that doves were more likely to be found at higher elevations in habitats with a higher canopy (such as inside the crater, along the rim, and on the upper outer slopes of the Quill). It became clear also that in the years following hurricanes Irma and Maria, doves were less and less likely to be present in the survey area.

graph showing abundance estimates of Quail Doves — Abundance estimates of the Bridled Quail-Dove on St. Eustatius between 2016 (pre-hurricane) and 2021 (post-hurricane). No surveys were conducted in 2020.

Urgent action is needed to save the Bridled Quail-Dove on Statia!

We are extremely worried about the Bridled Quail-Dove on St. Eustatius. This lovely bird’s ongoing decline is caused by a combination of two factors: the destruction of the places it calls home, and the invasive species that prey on it. Its long-term survival is now uncertain unless urgent action is taken to save it. Even if the dove does keep going, such a small and isolated population faces additional risks, such as inbreeding.

Climate change is here to stay, and this means that hurricanes are likely to become more frequent and more powerful. This could be catastrophic for the Statia population, and others in the region. Recently the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) proposed that the conservation status of the Bridled Quail-Dove be reassessed, based on our work on Statia. This means the classification could be changed from Least Concern to Near Threatened or Vulnerable. However, apart from Statia, data are still lacking from many islands. We encourage enthusiastic birders to conduct their own surveys so that local populations can be evaluated.

An Action Plan for a precious bird

We will be working with local conservation NGO St. Eustatius National Parks (STENAPA) to create an Action Plan for the Bridled Quail-Dove. To effectively protect the species locally, it is likely that we will have to take action on several fronts, Goats, cats and feral chickens will need to be removed from the park and rodent will need to be controlled. For this, we will need the support of the local government and the community.

Monitoring Bridled Quail-Doves on Statia is a tremendous effort. To make life easier, we are suggesting trying out passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) devices during the breeding season. How does this work? Recording units can be placed in the field for up to a month to record and interpret calls. Using these devices will allow us to collect data in less accessible areas, helping us to broaden our study.

The work will continue as we seek to find help for this iconic bird. Hopefully, by combining conservation efforts with field surveys and PAM, we will have better news in the coming years.

Thank you to BirdsCaribbean and all the generous donors who supported BirdsCaribbean’s Hurricane Relief Fund – my survey work on the Bridled Quail-Dove would not have been possible without your support!

Hannah Madden works with the Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute, based on St. Eustatius. She is also a member of the IUCN Pigeon and Dove Specialist Group. She also works as a bird and nature guide in her spare time, sharing the beauty and diversity of Statia with visitors. Hannah is an active member of BirdsCaribbean and has participated in several training workshops and conferences. She has published papers on different taxonomic groups, but especially enjoys working on birds.

Learn more about the Bridled Quail-Dove and download free activities, including a coloring page, for children.

September 6, 2021

Caribbean Connections: How Shorebirds Link the Boreal Forests of Canada to the Beaches of the Caribbean

On World Shorebirds Day, Benoit Laliberté, a Shorebird Biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Service, tells us about the connections between the shorebirds that breed in Canada and the Caribbean and shares his thoughts on the main conservation issues for shorebirds in the Caribbean.

Shorebirds are fascinating. Given their size, it can be hard to even try to imagine the incredible journeys they accomplish every year on migration. For example, Red Knots can fly more than 30,000 km annually! It is amazing that these birds weigh only 180g but can fly from the Canadian tundra to the tip of Tierra del Fuego, and back, within 10 months. Because these birds travel to (and stop over in) so many different countries, their conservation requires us to take a multi-national approach.

Enjoy our short video, created in honor of World Shorebirds Day 2021!

Conservation Across Borders

How do we address this cross-border challenge? To do this, the shorebird conservation community has developed flyway conservation initiatives. Flyways are major routes, like ‘migration highways,’ that shorebirds use to travel from breeding to wintering areas and back. Here in the Americas they are: the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Mid-continental Flyways. The Caribbean islands are located in the Atlantic Flyway

Migration routes of shorebirds on the Atlantic Flyway; many other migratory birds follow these same routes. (map courtesy of the Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative)

The Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative (AFSI) aims to conserve and protect the 30 or so species of shorebirds that use this route. These birds range from the small Plovers and Sandpipers to the large Whimbrels and Godwits. Unfortunately, the ongoing, ceaseless deterioration of our planet has led to large declines in shorebird populations. Across all shorebird species that occur in Canada – most of which also travel to the Caribbean – this decrease in numbers is estimated at -40% since 1970. However, the drop is much steeper for some species, like the Red Knot (-70% since 2000) or the Lesser Yellowlegs (-65% since 1970). In fact, many shorebirds are at the top of the list of ‘species of conservation concern’ worldwide.

Why are Shorebirds in Trouble?

Lesser Yellowlegs are a common migratory shorebird in the Caribbean; they are also one of the most hunted shorebirds in the Atlantic Flyway. (photo by Hemant Kishan)

The main threats to shorebirds in the Atlantic Flyway are hunting, predators, human disturbance, habitat loss and change, and climate change. Most of these occur in the Caribbean, but the threats of hunting, habitat loss, and climate change are the most relevant for the region.

We know that shorebirds are hunted on Barbados, Martinique and Guadeloupe. If we are able to address the threat of hunting, we in the conservation community can make rapid gains. This does not mean that hunting should be banned. In Canada and the United States, we have more than 100 years of experience working with hunters to develop sustainable hunting policies and working with the hunting community to conserve and restore bird habitats. We need to focus on raising awareness about this threat, measuring its impacts, and developing sustainable hunting policies that will allow birds to thrive and hunters to pursue their hobby – now, and in the future.

Habitat loss is more difficult for us to tackle. Shorebirds use a variety of habitats, whether it is beaches, intertidal sandflats and mudflats, mangroves, or salt, brackish, and freshwater ponds. This means that multiple types of developments and changes, for example those that alter the wetland’s hydrology, can threaten the shorebirds’ homes. Secondly, changes to habitat can ‘creep’ in slowly, with both human developments and the impacts of climate change gradually changing the places where shorebirds live – or removing those places altogether. Damaged habitats can take a long time to recover, so it is imperative to ensure that those that are still relatively intact are conserved for future generations.

What Can We Do the Help Shorebirds?

Red Knot in August molting from breeding plumage to plain winter plumage which is all gray. Red Knots have declined markedly in the last 25 years. Some Red Knots winter in the Caribbean; many use the islands as a refueling stop on their long journeys to South America. (photo by Hemant Kishan)

We need to make sure that key places for shorebirds are identified. To do this we need to carry out surveys such as the Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC). Information from these surveys can help identify and increase protection for vital shorebird habitats. Local communities have a key role to play. Anyone can carry out CWC surveys! BirdsCaribbean has provided training for people across the region on Shorebird ID and how to carry out surveys, both online and in person.

Shorebirds need safe habitats with clean water and abundant invertebrate food, when they stop during migration. As climate change increases the frequency and severity of hurricanes, it is possible that the Caribbean will play a bigger role for migrating shorebirds. Shorebirds are migrating through the region during the peak hurricane season. The wetland habitats on Caribbean islands should serve as refuge for these birds. This means local initiatives to restore and clean-up habitats can help shorebirds. Recent projects to restore mangroves in Puerto Rico and increase awareness of shorebirds in Montserrat, through community initiatives like beach clean-ups, will help both shorebirds and people!

Curbing the decline of shorebird populations needs global cooperation. It might seem like an overwhelming task, but every little step helps. To ensure future generations are in a good position to continue the work we start today, we need to spread the word. As a child, I was fortunate to get involved in activities that got me interested in nature and birds, and this inspired me to pursue a career in conserving biodiversity. Outreach and education programs, such as BirdsCaribbean’s BirdSleuth Caribbean, Wondrous West Indian Wetlands, World Migratory Bird Day, and the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival help to raise awareness and build a sense of responsibility in our communities. They do have long-term positive impacts, especially among our younger citizens.

As a final remark, I hope that as you read this post you have learned a little bit more about shorebird conservation and are reminded that small actions can make a difference. Learning is knowing. Knowing is loving. And loving is caring.

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)

Please enjoy and share our video!

Many thanks to Environment and Climate Change Canada, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Atlantic Flyways Shorebird Initiative, US Forest Service International Programs, film maker Esther Figueroa, talented photographers and videographers, and our partners, members, and donors for your generous support to create this video (second in a series!) and carry out Caribbean shorebird and waterbird conservation initiatives.

Learn more about World Shorebirds Day and watch our first video “Discover Caribbean Shorebirds” here.

Join the Global Shorebird Count – September 1-7, 2021 – learn more here!

We hope that you will be able to visit many areas across your island and invite local birders and/or birding groups to get involved. Note that shorebirds are a type of waterbird; any tallies you do, whether it is at wetlands, mangroves, mud flats, coastal areas or beaches, are also considered as Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) counts. To increase the value of your count to science, be sure to count ALL birds at your site, including seabirds, herons and egrets, land birds, and so on.

Complete instructions on how to do a Global Shorebird Count/ Caribbean Waterbird Census count are available here and here; Shorebird ID resources are available here. Before you head out, it might well be helpful to watch our webinars on Waterbird ID and Shorebird ID to bone up on your ID skills!

August 31, 2021

The Cuban Birder—A New Digital Magazine Aims to Encourage Birding in Cuba

Are you looking for a good birding read? We recommend that you log on to “The Cuban Birder,” a quarterly, digital, free magazine, published in English and Spanish. Richly illustrated and packed with information, it is a gem of a publication for birders in all walks of life, and the first of its kind in Cuba. An initiative of Birding Havana, its third issue was released in August 2021, and it is supported by BirdsCaribbean.

The magazine is more than just a substantial and fascinating read. The goal of the publication is simple: to get Cubans – especially the younger generations – excited about birds, so that they can take it up as a hobby. After all, Cuba has the highest number of recorded species in the insular Caribbean (397), of which around 262 are migratory. Once new devotees learn more and become engaged, this will lead to a deeper understanding of how the environment works, as well as a desire to protect and conserve the birds and the places where they live. In other words, it is hoped that the magazine will light a spark of awareness about Cuban birds and the serious, pressing challenges they face. The first issues have already received good readership.

The Cuban Birder has been a long-cherished dream of Birding Havana’s founding director Mr Vladimir Mirabal, former diplomat, lawyer, photographer and passionate birder. He says: “We have needed a magazine like this for a long time. There is great joy in birdwatching, and we want to express this through our publication. It is an educational tool that we hope will support our plans to rebuild a Cuban Birdwatchers Movement. Already, the Cuban Birders Club (Club de Observadores de Aves Cubanas) has experienced growth of over 3,000 new members in the past two months.” All who are seeking more information on Cuban birds and birding activities may join the Club’s Facebook page.

Helping to combat the caged bird threat

The magazine is especially timely as Cuba’s birds and nature face an uncertain future. The threats of climate change and habitat destruction loom large for Cuba, as they do for other Caribbean countries. Another significant threat is capturing and keeping wild birds to sell and keep as pets. Although illegal, this practice, long part of the culture, is growing among the Cuban population. Parrots, parakeets, grassquits, the Cuban Bullfinch, and many songbirds (residents, endemics, and migrants) are trapped, sold, and trained to compete in songbird competitions and kept as pets.

Fall migration is prime “hunting season” for the trappers and private Facebook groups in Cuba show off hundreds of migratory birds for sale, including Painted Buntings, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and dozens of warbler species. Even children are involved in the trapping. BirdsCaribbean will continue to assist with efforts to reduce these harmful behaviors by supplying birding gear and educational materials to help promote birding and develop Bird Clubs in each province. Bird watchers are a growing voice in Cuba. Vladimir commented, “With your support we will be able to reach out to a lot more people in our communities as part of our efforts to replace bird cages and traps with binoculars and field guides by increasing the appreciation for Cuban birds and supporting conservation efforts.” Many of our Cuban colleagues and partners have been working hard to educate and raise awareness about this issue for many years, but it remains a huge challenge. If you would like to donate to help us send binoculars and field guides to Cuba, please click here and select “Reducing bird trapping in Cuba” for your gift designation.

Northern Parula trapped in Cuba August 2021 — “The first bird of the season fell” – August 2021 Facebook post by a bird trapper in Cuba showing a migratory warbler, the Northern Parula.

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, a migratory warbler in a cage in Cuba, ready for sale on a private Facebook group. — Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, a migratory warbler in a cage in Cuba, for sale on a private Facebook group.

Cuban boy trapping wild birds, posted on Cuban social media.

Bird hunters in Cuba heading out with their traps. — Bird hunters in Cuba heading out with their traps, shared on social media.

Painted Buntings in cages in Cuba - this colorful bird is a popular species for the caged bird trade. — Painted Buntings in cages in Cuba – this colorful bird is a popular species for the caged bird trade.

The legacy of Juan Cristóbal Gundlach in Cuba

So what will you find, as you turn the digital pages of this third issue of The Cuban Birder? If you love science history, you will enjoy browsing through articles on the life and work of Juan Cristóbal Gundlach (1810 – 1896), who was born in Germany but left a rich legacy in Cuban scientific discovery. The author of the first major work on Cuban ornithology, among other studies, his name is included in the Latin names of no less than sixty animal species – among the birds he discovered, these included the Gundlach’s Hawk and the Cuban Vireo.

According to a 1915 account, the avid collector and descriptor of thousands of species did not drink and was a frugal eater, often departing in the morning with a biscuit and a sandwich in his pocket – which he forgot to eat during the day. He was tall and reportedly had a bit of a limp, but he was quiet and unassuming, traveling from one end of the island to the other. What a dedicated man! You will enjoy getting to know Juan Cristóbal Gundlach better in the pages of the Cuban Birder. This fascinating section of the magazine, about a significant figure in Cuban natural history is illustrated with photographs of some of the birds he discovered, accompanied by his own descriptions.

Don Juan, as he was known, was also the man who first discovered the smallest bird in the world – the Bee Hummingbird, which is the topic of another article in The Cuban Birder. Noting the tiny bird’s mating ritual, Gundlach noted, rather sweetly: “I have also seen the male when he is in love, go up perpendicularly with a non-progressive flight, sometimes singing, others not, stop, hover for a moment at the female, and then drop down.” Unfortunately, it is not as widely distributed as it was in Gundlach’s day, and is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. You can read a detailed description of this exquisite but endangered bird in the magazine. On another page, there is a very useful fact sheet on Hummingbirds; there are some 343 species identified in the Americas, and they are surprisingly aggressive for their size!

This is just a taste of what you can find in the latest issue of The Cuban Birder. It is an absorbing read that also includes helpful advice on the art of birdwatching and the best cameras for wildlife photography; as well as a gorgeous photo feature on the Alexander Humboldt National Park. A section on identifying hotspots using the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s eBird Caribbean includes how to determine the criteria for a hotspot, and how to navigate the website to suggest one. This section also emphasizes the importance of using the portal, which is specially designed for the Caribbean – especially on days when there are special “counts,” such as the eleven-year-old Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) established by BirdsCaribbean. Data on Cuban birds – and our island birds in general – is more important than ever!

Previous issues have featured interviews with well-known Caribbean scientists like the legendary Orlando Garrido, and artist and naturalist, Nils Navarro, author of Field Guide to the Endemic Birds of Cuba. The magazine is also packed with tips on how to photograph birds, how to identify them, and places to visit and stay to enjoy Cuba’s amazing bird life.

We warmly recommend this digital magazine to our BirdsCaribbean members, and to anyone who wants to learn about and protect Cuba’s birds. We congratulate the editorial team and all the contributors, and hope that readers will share the publication widely online – including, of course, on social media. We eagerly look forward to the next issue of The Cuban Birder!

Here are some readers’ reviews:

José Eugenio Martínez González:

I have been very excited about this idea. You have given us a nice surprise. As a birder, which I have practiced alone or in the company of my family, without equipment, but with a lot of desire, I take my hat off to this initiative.

Daniela Ventura del Puerto:

Excellent! I hope this magazine contributes to more people leaving the cages and changing them for cameras and binoculars. Success in that work!

Alejandro Padrón:

Excellent work for Cuban nature. Congratulations to all the members of this Club. I will follow you with attention.

Agustín Dimas López Guevara:

What good news! Graphic showcase and sample of the work of this great team that brings to light, with image, nature; fauna and flora, beauties to appreciate.

Lázaro Ramón Sosa Morell:

Great initiative, something very worthy of the culture of respect in our country and the effort that so many people have made for years to make it so! Congratulations!

To get on the mailing list for this quarterly magazine, write to: birdinghavana@gmail.com

Download the August 2021 Issue – English

Download the August 2021 Issue – Spanish

Download previous issues here.

August 27, 2021

Discover Caribbean Shorebirds this World Shorebirds Day—New Video!

World Shorebirds Day, on Monday, September 6, is just around the bend. In honor of this annual global event, BirdsCaribbean created a new video to celebrate Caribbean shorebirds. From plump plovers to wave-catching Sanderlings to stately Stilt Sandpipers, shorebirds are delightful birds to get to know and love. Enjoy our short video and learn more about how you can help to conserve these treasures of our beaches and wetlands.

It is prime time to learn about and celebrate the diversity of shorebirds in the Caribbean. During late summer and early fall, our resident shorebirds, like the Killdeer and Wilson’s Plover, are joined by long-distance migrants, such as the Lesser Yellowlegs, Willet, Spotted Sandpiper, and many more. These migratory birds have just completed their breeding seasons, hopefully with much success, in the northern U.S. and Canada. Now, many are passing through the Caribbean, stopping to rest and feed as they travel to wintering areas further south. Other bird arrivals may stay with us for the entire winter.

Shorebirds are a diverse group of wading birds that live close to water—you can find them on our beaches, mangroves, marshes, salt ponds, and mudflats. Many can be easily identified by their long legs or unique bills, which are especially adapted to their diet and habitat. For example, the long, thin, probing bill of the Black-necked Stilt is ideal for plucking worms and crabs from sticky mud; while the Ruddy Turnstone, with his short, stubby bill, is adept at flipping over stones and shells to find tasty insects on the beach.

Hover over each image to see the caption; click on each photo to see it larger and to view images as a gallery

Ruddy Turnstone in winter plumage on a beach

A Ruddy Turnstone in winter plumage. This shorebird is easy to identify from its short bright orange legs and stout ‘triangular’ bill. (Photo By Charles Sharp).

The Killdeer is one of our Caribbean residents, and can be found here year-round. (Photo By Lorie Shaull).

The striking Black-necked Stilt has long legs for wading into deep water to find food. (Photo by Dan Pancamo).

Migratory shorebirds make amazing journeys of thousands of kilometres! Beforehand, they need to store enough energy in the form of fat reserves to migrate. These small birds will eat until they are about double their normal weight. You may think that flying at their top weight would slow shorebirds down, but they are the marathon-winners of flight. Incredibly, this group of birds does not do any soaring, they are physically flapping the entire way!

Sadly, shorebird numbers have declined by roughly forty percent over the last 50 years, due to a number of threats. An increase in developments and various types of pollution have resulted in their habitats being degraded or even lost altogether. Human disturbance, hunting, and climate change…All these factors threaten shorebirds. Please join us this World Shorebirds Day to learn more about these fascinating birds and what you can do to help protect them.

Join the Global Shorebird Count, September 1 to 7 – every shorebird counts!

One of the main activities of World Shorebirds Day is the Global Shorebird Count. We encourage bird enthusiasts in the region to go out and count shorebirds from the 1st to 7th September 2021.

Leucistic (white) Willet, with two other Willets — Spot the difference! A leucistic Willet seen in Zapata Swamp, Cuba. (Photo By Ernesto Reyes).

Your counts will help us to understand which species (and how many) are stopping to rest and feed in the Caribbean. This allows us to assess the health of populations and to determine whether they are increasing, decreasing, or stable. The data you collect will also help scientists to coordinate follow-up research and conservation actions, such as protecting important sites – or even taking immediate action to reduce threats to shorebirds and their environments, if necessary.

So, grab your binoculars, hat, waterboots, and field guide and head to your favorite muddy, sandy, or watery birding spot! Yes, it might get messy. You never know what new birds you might see, and there have been some remarkable discoveries over the years. Since the beginning of the Global Shorebird Count and the Caribbean Waterbird Census, new species have been recorded in the Caribbean. For example, in 2016 Ann Sutton spotted the first Piping Plover ever seen in Jamaica on Pedro Pond, and in 2018 a BirdsCaribbean birding tour in Cuba came across a leucistic (white) Willet in the Zapata Swamp. In addition, we have also greatly expanded our knowledge and conservation of the habitats and sites that shorebirds use across the region, thanks to our many citizen science shorebirders.

Be sure to follow your country’s COVID-19 safety guidelines, have fun and definitely tag us, @birdscaribbean, in your photos on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. We look forward to seeing your amazing photos and reading your stories!

Please enjoy and share our video!

Many thanks to Environment and Climate Change Canada, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Atlantic Flyways Shorebird Initiative, US Forest Service International Programs, film maker Esther Figueroa, talented photographers and videographers, and our partners, members, and donors for your generous support to create this video (first in a series!) and carry out Caribbean shorebird and waterbird conservation initiatives.

July 27, 2021

“31 More Reasons to be Proud of Jamaica” – BirdLife Jamaica Launches its New Endemic Birds Poster and a Lovely New Logo

July 22, 2021

Join Us at this Year’s American Ornithological Society (AOS) Virtual Meeting, 9-13 August 2021

Flock together with us this August for the AOS 2021 Virtual Meeting! The meeting, August 9-13, features a fantastic line-up of keynote and plenary speakers, workshops, symposia, discussions, and social events. The meeting theme, Birds of Many Feathers Flock Together, aims to harness the power of all the individuals who study, conserve, and educate about birds. BirdsCaribbean is excited to be a part of the meeting through several events, including a symposium, and a meet and greet social hour. Mark your calendars, be sure to register, and read more about these events below!

BirdsCaribbean Symposium Will Showcase Caribbean Research and Conservation

On August 11th and 12th, BirdsCaribbean will host a three-part symposium entitled, “Resilient Caribbean Birds—Surviving and Thriving in a Challenging World.” This symposium will highlight lessons learned from recent avian research and conservation projects in the Caribbean that focus on the resilience of birds and people to cope with numerous threats, including storms and hurricanes, invasive species, habitat destruction, and more. Sixteen ornithologists and conservationists will share their work and there will be time for Q&A and discussion. See the full abstract below; the AOS Meeting program and abstracts are available for download here.

Get Social with Us!

BirdsCaribbean will host a Meet and Greet Social Hour on Tues Aug 10 from 4-5pm EDT. We all miss live events and getting to catch up in person. We’re hoping you’ll join us on Zoom, where we can all grab our favorite Caribbean cocktails and see your smiling faces! Our Meet and Greet is a fantastic opportunity for BirdsCaribbean members to reconnect and for new recruits to meet some friendly colleagues. Come mingle with our amazing community and hopefully get inspired to learn more during our three-part symposium over the following two days. We’ll be starting out with some ice breakers (think favorite Caribbean bird and Caribbean cocktail), followed by a fun bird trivia quiz to test how well you know your Caribbean birds (studying encouraged!).

BirdsCaribbean Symposium Abstract: Resilient Caribbean birds: Surviving and thriving in a challenging world

Organizers: Lisa G. Sorenson and Adrianne G. Tossas

The insular Caribbean is recognized as one of the top five global biodiversity conservation hotspots, yet this important region’s wildlife face numerous threats, from destruction of habitats for development to more frequent and extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. The region is of exceptional importance to birds, hosting 171 endemic species. It also serves as a key migratory route for more than 100 migrants, whose journeys between the North and South American mainlands depend on quality habitat throughout the islands. BirdsCaribbean and its wide network of partners across the Caribbean have recognized that in order for birds and their habitats to survive and thrive during these times of rapid change, conservationists and communities must share resources, collaborate, and flock together to stem the tides of avian loss.

During our symposium, members of the BirdsCaribbean community—scientists, conservationists, students, and volunteers—will share their work and lessons learned on building resilience for the region’s resident and migratory bird species. The diversity of research and accomplishments showcased in this symposium is a testament to the region’s tenacious spirit, camaraderie, resourcefulness, and inherent passion for their natural world. It is also a testament to the resilience of birds, demonstrating that many species of birds can survive if we give them the chance to do so, by alleviating threats, protecting habitats, and engaging communities in conservation.

July 8, 2021

The Caribbean has Two New Bird Species . . Sadly, They May Both be Extinct

The American Society of Ornithology (AOS) recently announced the newest taxonomic changes for North American birds in the Sixty-second Supplement to the American Ornithological Society’s Check-list of North American Birds. There is some exciting news, but it is bittersweet. Read on for more details.

Bahama Nuthatch declared a full species

The Bahama Nuthatch (Sitta insularis), formerly considered a subspecies of the Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla), has finally been split from the Brown-headed Nuthatch. This elevates the Bahama Nuthatch to a full species, meaning we now have a new Caribbean and Bahamas endemic!

⁠The Bahama Nuthatch was split from the Brown-headed Nuthatch due to research showing differences in vocalizations. The calls of the Bahama Nuthatch are strikingly different from those of the Brown-headed Nuthatch, including a unique, rapid, high “warble.” In addition, there is a weak response of each species to playback of vocalizations of the other species. In other words, each species does not recognize the other as members of the same species. Additionally, there are some physical differences that distinguish the Bahama Nuthatch such as a much darker brown facial stripe, much longer bill, and considerably shorter wings.⁠

Sadly, this species may now be extinct. Found on only ONE island in the Bahamas – Grand Bahama- it was exceedingly rare after Hurricane Matthew pummeled Grand Bahama in 2016 followed by Hurricane Irma in 2017. Only 5 birds were found after intensive surveys in 2018. It has not been seen since the Category 5 Hurricane Dorian caused catastrophic damage and massive flooding of its pine forest habitat in September 2019.

Bahamian Biologist, Scott Johnson commented, “After many years and a lot of research, the Bahama Nuthatch has been elevated to full species status (although many of us knew and recognized it as such for a while now). Sadly, we are not sure if it is still alive. Hurricane Dorian destroyed the only place on Grand Bahama where it was found. I will be keeping an eye and ear out for this species during my next trip to GB.”

More surveys are urgently needed. We hope we can still find this incredibly special bird and find a way to bring it back. In the meantime, conserving its pine forest habitat is paramount! ⁠

St. Kitts Bullfinch granted full species status

Since it was first described by George Lawrence in 1881, the St. Kitts Bullfinch was considered a sub-species of the Puerto Rican Bullfinch (Milopyrrha portorinsis). This bird, locally known as the St. Kitts Bullfinch (Melopyrrha portoricensis grandis), was living in St. Kitts with a restricted distribution on the upper slopes of Mt. Misery.

However, the AOS have formally amended the status of the St. Kitts bird from a subspecies to a distinct full species, now officially named the St. Kitts Bullfinch (Milopyrrha grandis). This gives St. Kitts its first and only endemic bird! The catch – this bird has been extinct for almost 100 years!

The last official sighting (a collected bird) was in 1929. . . but there’s hope. There have been two reported sightings without photographs in 1993 and 2012. And in 2021 a sonagram (bird song recording) experiment may have recorded the St. Kitt’s Bullfinch; results are still being analyzed. It is likely that the St. Kitts Bullfinch is an elusive species and difficult to see, like the Puerto Rican Bullfinch. So maybe it is still alive and hiding in the remote high forests of St. Kitts, holding on precariously to life, and waiting to be rediscovered!

Thanks to a few specimens and a PhD study on this unique bullfinch, the St. Kitt’s Bullfinch was differentiated from the Puerto Rican Bullfinch by a larger size of about 25%, bigger and heavier beak, and differences in coloration. The St. Kitts Bullfinch has consistent black markings on the undertail coverts that the Puerto Rico birds do not have. In addition, the plumage of St. Kitts birds is more glossy black and the throat and upper breast patch is more extended and darker reddish-brown.

What caused the extinction of this species? It’s hypothesized that the St. Kitt’s Bullfinch likely existed with a very restricted range on Mt. Liamuiga. It was thought to be common in the 1890s but when two large hurricanes struck in 1899, the bullfinch disappeared. You can read more about the St. Kitt’s Bullfinch here and here.

Museum-specimens-male-St Kitts-Bullfinch-and-Puerto-Rican-Bullfinch-Douglas-Wechsler — Museum specimens showing the marked difference in size between a male St. Kitts Bullfinch (upper) and male Puerto Rican Bullfinch (lower). (photo by Douglas Wechsler)

Mounted-specimen-St Kitts-Bullfinch-Naturalis-Zoology-and-Geology-catalogues — Mounted specimen of a St. Kitts Bullfinch. (Naturalis Zoology andGeology catalogues)

Other Caribbean taxonomic updates

Additionally, there were a few interesting broader reclassifications published in the AOS Supplement. The Antillean Piculet (Nesoctites micromegas) is reclassified as no longer belonging to the Piculet subfamily. Recent genetic evidence shows that these unique Caribbean picids are more closely related to woodpeckers (subfamily Picinae) than to the smaller South American piculets. However, the Antillean Piculet still lacks some classic woodpecker features such as stiffened rectrices (tail feathers) and adaptations for drilling, making it unique among both piculets and woodpeckers.

Antillean Euphonia, Puerto Rican Subspecies (Photo by Aldredo Irizarry)

Another Caribbean classic, the Antillean Euphonia (Euphonia musica), has been reclassified with the genus name—Chlorophonia musica. Recent genetic analyses have distinguished Antillean Euphonia as well as its cousin, the Elegant Euphonia, as more closely related to the Chlorophonia finches than the Euphonias (all within Family Fringillidae).

Another generic change—Jamaican Owl has been moved from Pseudoscops grammicus to Asio grammicus.

Finally, Crested Caracara (Caracara cherway) and Southern Caracara (Caracara plancus) have been lumped into a single species Caracara plancus.

We are excited to welcome the two new species of endemics to the BirdsCaribbean family, and hope beyond hope that they somehow still survive. Caribbean birds remain understudied and we hope future research will help us solve some other taxonomic mysteries in the Caribbean.

Thanks to Michael Ryan and his blog article about the St. Kitts Bullfinch on the Birders of St. Kitts & Nevis website for further information and context.

July 7, 2021

And the Winners Are…The BirdsCaribbean Zine Contest Produces Beautiful Work!

BirdsCaribbean hosted its first Bird Zine (pronounced zeen) Contest during the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival. Now, what is a Zine, you may ask?

A zine is a self-published booklet. Zines tend to be a collage of different images, text, and messages put together by writing, drawing, and/or cutting and gluing content into a booklet. In other words, it’s a hands-on creation utilizing various techniques that showcase informational content. We recognize the value of encouraging this form of expression and acknowledging the talent and knowledge of both novice and experienced birders.

The contest was presented as an opportunity for anyone with a love for birds to dig deep into one of the following topics that fascinates them: Bird Sounds; Bird Flight; Caribbean Endemic Bird Species Spotlight; and Why Caribbean Birds Matter.

We received 33 zines (22 in Spanish and 11 in English) from Barbados, Bonaire, Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad and Tobago. Some zines were handmade while others – like Allison Perkins’ zine about the Blue-headed Quail Dove and Alondra Del Mar Norat Pérez’s zine ‘Get to Know Me – the Puerto Rican Emerald’ – were beautifully made using free online design software.

All zines submitted are worthy of celebration! The unique quality of a zine is how its ability to share an idea/s will differ depending on the context and reader. We honour the work of all the zine creators. They were artistically unique and effective at expanding our knowledge of the bird and topic.

Grand Prize Winners

Adults (16 and older)

Arnaldo Toledo, Cuba, was the winner of our Grand Prize for adults (ages 16 and older). Arnaldo Toledo, Cuba- “Apuntes de campo Carpintero Churroso” (Field Notes Fernandina’s Flicker). Arnaldo’s zine explores the amazing adaptations of a Cuban endemic bird, the Fernandina’s Flicker. He beautifully combines art & science with his exquisite drawings and his deep knowledge of the species. One judge commented, “This zine is beautifully designed and packed with information. It reminds me of artwork I would find in The Naturalist’s Library by Sir Jardine Williams (published in the 19th Century).”

We asked Arnaldo what inspired him to create his zine. He replied, “Woodpeckers are among my favorite birds, they are so active and full of cool adaptations. The Fernandina’s Flicker is special for me, I have spent a lot of time observing it and studying its life. It is a Threatened species that needs all the help we can give it. I had a lot of fun creating the Zine. I was able to draw freely about a topic I love, mixing a lot of art techniques and ideas. My hope was to make anyone who opens my zine interested in our beautiful flicker.”

Children (15 and under)

Dayami Ravelo, Cuba, age 9, created a lovely zine on the topic of Why Caribbean Birds Matter. Dayami Ravelo, Cuba- “Por qué importan las aves del Caribe” (Why Caribbean Birds Matter). Dayami’s zine showcases many Cuban endemic birds and why they are important. It is inspirational to both children and adults. Dayami’s zine received great reviews from the judges. One judge commented, “It is visually appealing with the hand drawn photos of all the birds and landscapes. A lot of effort was put into creating this zine and I am curious to learn more about Cuba’s endemic birds.”

Prizes for Each Age Category

After much deliberation, the judges made their selections in the following age group categories:

Adults (ages 16+)

First Place: 1st Beatriz Hernandez, Puerto Rico – “Why Caribbean Birds Matter” Beatriz’ lovely sketches and handwritten information on Todies makes this zine an absolute delight to read. Beatriz was delighted to hear that she was a winner and commented, “I was not only making something, I was learning along the way! Creating the zine was an incredible opportunity to think about how to combine art and words to talk about Why Caribbean Birds Matter. By using the iconic todies, endemic and well represented in the Caribbean, I hope to engage others to learn about the importance of birds in our region as well as ways to protect them and their habitats.”

Second Place: 2nd Amy Sardarsingh, Trinidad and Tobago – “Field Notes Hispaniolan Trogon” Amy’s ‘Field Notes’ is visually stimulating with her elegant handwriting and vivid paintings.

Third Place: 3rd Sarita Emmanuel, Trinidad and Tobago – “Camping Out With The Jamaican Owl” Sarita introduces the reader to a bird that is feared throughout the Caribbean in an engaging and fun manner, and with a striking color scheme.

First Place (adults): 1st Beatriz Hernandez, Puerto Rico – “Why Caribbean Birds Matter”

Second Place (adults): 2nd Amy Sardarsingh, Trinidad and Tobago

Third Place (adults): 3rd Sarita Emmanuel, Trinidad and Tobago

Children

7 to 9 years old: Iris Garrido, 9, Cuba – “Tesoro de mi país” (Treasure of My Country) Iris expresses her appreciation for Cuban endemic birds through poems and art. This zine also highlights the multitude of threats these birds face. [Add photo]

10 to 12 years old: Luis Yaniel, 10, Cuba – “Vuelos de aves” (Bird flight) Luis shares information on one the most fascinating characteristics of birds, flight! [Add photo]

13 to 15 years old: Miguel Alejandro, 13, Cuba – “Por qué importan las aves del Caribe” (Why Caribbean Birds Matter) Miguel presents information on the Bee Hummingbird in fun and interactive ways. [Add photo]

Winner: 13 to 15 years old: Miguel Alejandro, 13, Cuba – “Por qué importan las aves del Caribe” (Why Caribbean Birds Matter)

Winner: 10 to 12 years old: Luis Yaniel, 10, Cuba – “Vuelos de aves” (Bird flight)

Winner: 7 to 9 years old: Iris Garrido, 9, Cuba – “Tesoro de mi país” (Treasure of My Country)

We would like to express our deepest thanks to everyone who entered their zine; and to the judges, who had the undoubtedly difficult task of reviewing all the zines and selecting the winners.

We invite you to visit our Caribbean Bird Zine Library at this link and below to explore and enjoy the amazing bird zines we received. We would love to see this collection of bird zines grow! Please contact Aliya.Hosein@birdscaribbean.org and info@birdscaribbean.org if you would like to contribute a zine – or two – to our library.

May you be awed and inspired by the bird zines!

June 30, 2021

Help Us Find the ‘Missing’ Red Knots! Do a CWC Count July 10-20

Red Knots are known for their extraordinary long-distance migrations. On the Atlantic Flyway they head north from their main wintering areas in South America to breed in the Arctic, traveling as far as 15,000 km each way! Here in the Caribbean, they winter in small numbers on various islands, and we see them also during Fall and Spring migration. Counts of birds on northward migration are way down from previous years, causing great concern. Did something different happen this year? Where are the missing Red Knots? We need your help to find out!

Target count dates are July 10-20, but counts at any time during July are welcome!

When Red Knots migrate north to their breeding grounds they will stop along the way to refuel, gathering in large flocks at key sites to rest and feed. These sites are vital for Red Knots and other shorebirds to re-build fat reserves before completing their long journeys north to breed. Counting birds at these sites can give us an indication of how the populations of these birds are faring.

You may have heard that this year, on spring migration, a very steep decline in Red Knot numbers was recorded at one such site. The count of Red Knots at Delaware Bay (New Jersey, and Delaware) where knots gather in huge numbers to gorge on the eggs of spawning Horseshoe Crabs, was just 6,800. This is an alarmingly low count compared to the 19,000 seen last year, and 30,000 seen in 2018 and 2019. In fact, this year’s count was the lowest recorded since the 1980s when the population was about 90,000.

Help Us Find Out What Happened: CWC count July 10-20

We are asking for your help in July to try to understand what happened. It is possible that some of the ‘missing’ Red Knots decided not to migrate north and spent the breeding season in their wintering areas or stopped their journeys before reaching this key stopover site. As part of an international coordinated effort, we would like you to carry out a Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) count at wetlands and beaches you know are good for shorebirds, from July 10 – 20. These are the key dates for the coordinated count, but if you cannot make it out during this period doing a CWC count at any time in July will also help.

Red Knots in Trouble

Red Knot molting in September with some patches of rusty plumage showing. — A Red Knot, in in September still showing some remnants of breeding plumage. (Photo by Hemant Kishan)

We already know that Red Knots are in trouble, like many other shorebirds. They are threatened by climate change, loss of habitat, reduction in food resources, human disturbance, and hunting. The birds using Delaware Bay as a stopover site are of the Rufa sub-species of Red Knots, listed as Threatened since 2014. This sub-species also migrates through the Caribbean on the Atlantic Flyway and winters in small numbers in the islands. The population of rufa Red Knots is estimated to have declined by 75% in recent years and the USFWS say threats to this sub-species put it “in danger of extinction in the next few decades.” So, it is vital that we try to understand what has happened to Red Knots this year!

Ornithologists report that although horseshoe crab eggs were abundant at Delaware Bay, numbers of some of the other migratory shorebirds that stop there, like Ruddy Turnstones, Semipalmated Sandpipers, and Sanderlings were also lower than expected this year. One factor that may have contributed to low numbers of knots was poor reproduction on the breeding grounds last year (there is some evidence for this). Or perhaps migration was delayed due to poor weather, or there was abundant food at another stopover site and so not as many birds used Delaware Bay.

It’s also possible that more birds than usual may have stayed in the Caribbean or other parts of their nonbreeding range instead of migrating north—some juvenile Red Knots do not reproduce in their first year and spend the breeding season in different places across the Americas. Or perhaps some unknown factor (e.g., disease, a storm, etc.), caused the demise of a large numbers of birds. We hope that this is not the case!

Red Knot ID Tips – Click on each photo below to view larger.

Red Knot in rusty coloured breeding plumage

Red Knot in breeding plumage. (Photo by Rick Evets)

Three Knots molting out of breeding plumage

Red Knots molting from breeding to non-breeding plumage. (Photo by Stephen Buckingham)

Red Knot in winter plumage. (Photo by Beth Hamel)

Your CWC Count Data is needed!

We need our CWC monitors throughout the Caribbean to help this international effort to try and understand why numbers of Red Knots and other shorebirds are down this year. Please carry out as many counts as you can during the period July 10-20. When you do your CWC count, remember to keep an eye out for other shorebird species at the same time, and that you should count all the birds you see (of any species, including “landbirds”) on each count—doing a complete count greatly increases the value of your data to science and conservation.

Don’t forget to enter your data in eBird Caribbean using one of the CWC protocols on Step 2 of data entry. If using eBird mobile, set your portal to eBird Caribbean to access the CWC options for your checklists/ counts at wetlands and beaches). Thanks to you, we now have 11+ years of CWC data and counting, and are able to look at status and trends for many species at different sites and in the region overall. Remember that CWC counts can be done at any time of year—whenever you are conducting a count at a wetland, mangrove, salt pond, or beach, make it a CWC count.

You can find out more about CWC monitoring on our CWC page and find Shorebird Resources on our website and Youtube channel – we have lots of great resources to help you with your wetland and shorebird bird ID! Are you familiar with the Red Knot? You can find out more about them in our World Migratory Bird Blog Post or learn more about them, including photos, and calls on eBird.

Share this special CWC July Count, Red Knot edition, with your networks!

As mentioned above this is an international collaborative effort, thus, we would like people to carry out counts throughout the Caribbean and the Americas! We have prepared promotional graphics (portrait, landscape, square) in English, Spanish, and French for our partners in the Caribbean – you can download them here. If you would like to use and adapt these graphics for your country, you are welcome to do so! Contact Lisa.Sorenson@BirdsCaribbean.org.

Please, do remember to follow any COVID rules and precautions in your country when doing surveys.

Thank you for contributing to our knowledge base, as we try to solve the mystery of the missing Red Knots.

Birds Connect Our World – Day 4

May 31, 2021

BirdsCaribbean Awards David S. Lee Fund Grants for Nine Projects to Study and Conserve Caribbean Birds

We are excited to announce that the David S. Lee Fund for the Conservation of Caribbean Birds will fund 9 projects in 2021! In the previous 4 years (2016-2020), the fund has provided assistance for 15 projects in 6 countries for work on dozens of species in the Caribbean.

This fund was created by generous donations from the family, friends, and collaborators of David S. Lee to continue his inspiring legacy of conservation in the Caribbean. You can help us to continue supporting these invaluable projects by making a donation here.

Congratulations to these exemplary researchers, and we look forward to hearing about your results in future blog articles and publications!

Investigating variation in cooperative breeding behavior between Puerto Rican Tody populations

Amber Wendler, Virginia Tech

Cooperative breeding occurs when some individuals, known as “helpers,” assist with raising their siblings, rather than reproducing themselves. This breeding strategy is used by many bird species, including the Puerto Rican Tody (Todus mexicanus). However, only some individuals of this species breed cooperatively, and differences are thought to be linked to habitat. Amber’s research will examine how the Tody’s cooperative breeding behavior differs in rainforest and dry forest habitats. By increasing our understanding of the Tody’s natural history, her work can help manage and conserve this endemic species.

Territory use of the Critically Endangered Bahama Oriole across the annual cycle

Michelle Moyer, University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)

The Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi) is a Critically Endangered species that is found only on Andros Island in The Bahamas. Thanks to recent work by the Bahama Oriole Project — a collaboration between UMBC and the Bahamas National Trust (BNT)— we have learned a lot about this species’ breeding habitat, including that it uses the native pine forest much more than previously thought. However, it is unknown how Orioles use the pine forest and other habitats outside of the breeding season. Using tiny, solar-powered transmitters (CTT Life Tags™ ), which will be attached to Orioles and detected by a central receiver (CTT Node), Michelle will track their movements throughout the full annual cycle. The results of her research will inform BNT’s conservation management strategies for the Oriole.

Caribbean psittacines as indirect controllers of ecosystem dynamics through commensal feeding associations and ecosystem engineering

Damion Whyte, University of the West Indies at Mona

Parrots and parakeets are notorious for not finishing the fruits that they open. As a result, they are often viewed as wasteful pests, and are feared by farmers. However, we do not have a great understanding of the impacts that this behavior can have on the local ecosystem, such as providing easier access to the fruit by other species and dispersing seeds. Damion’s research will quantify the ecosystem-wide effects of foraging by parrots and parakeets on the island of Curacao. Using observations and camera-traps, he will identify which species visit fruit that has been opened by, and how their behaviors vary. By providing insight into these species interactions, his work will support bird conservation and management in protected areas.

**Pre-reproductive survival, movements, and habitat use of the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird (Agelaius xanthomus) in Southwestern Puerto Rico**

Jean P. Gonzalez Crespo, University of Wisconsin

The Yellow-shouldered Blackbird (Agelaius xanthomus) is an Endangered species that is endemic to Puerto Rico. Although conservation measures such as artificial nesting structures increased the reproductive success of this species, populations have continued to decline. Using CTT Life Tag™ transmitters Jean will track Blackbirds after they fledge from the nest and estimate their survival during this critical period. His work will help local and federal agencies determine whether survival rates before breeding are contributing to population declines, and identify the factors that influence survival.

Establishing a long-term banding program for migratory birds in Isla Contoy National Park, Mexico

Jonathan Nochebuena Jaramillo, Estación de Anillamiento Parque Nacional Isla Contoy

Isla Contoy National Park (PNIC) is a small Caribbean island (238 hectares) near the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. The island is an important site for many migratory birds to rest and refuel on their long journeys between North, Central, and South America. In 2019, Jonathan personally initiated a banding program in PNIC. He will continue and expand this program to document and spread awareness of the importance of the island for a wide diversity of birds, and provide information to conserve birds and their habitats on the island.

**Understanding nestling diet composition of Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii) through fecal DNA Metabarcoding**

Luis Ramos, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez

Environmental changes such as rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification pose many threats to seabirds and the marine food sources that they depend on. The Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii ) is a species of conservation concern in the Caribbean, including in Puerto Rico. Yet we know little about foraging behavior, ecology, and population trends of this species. Luis’s research will use an advanced molecular method (DNA metabarcoding) to assess the diet composition of chicks in Tern populations on the southern and northern coasts of Puerto Rico. His work will identify the fish and other prey that are available to Terns in different colonies, and advance our understanding of DNA metabarcoding as an important biomonitoring tool.

Evaluating the effects of greening actions on avian diversity on tropical urban landscapes

Julissa Irizarry, Penn State University

Expansion of urban areas contributes to loss and fragmentation of habitats across the globe. These drastic landscape changes can negatively impact biodiversity, especially on islands. Large-scale tree planting efforts, such as those planned in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria, have the potential to increase the suitability of urban areas for native wildlife. Julissa’s project will investigate the benefits of urban reforestation for resident and migratory birds. Using an experimental approach, she will compare how birds use newly planted trees—“functional” tree species that are known to be important for foraging and “structural” plants that are traditionally used for landscaping. Her work will inform best practices for implementing urban greening projects in order to maximize conservation benefits.

Current status of the breeding colonies of Red-footed Booby, Brown Booby, and Masked Booby in Los Roques Archipelago, Venezuela

Josmar Esteban Márquez, AveZona / BirdsCaribbean / Fundación Científica ARA MACAO / PAAVe

Los Roques Archipelago National Park is in the Caribbean Sea 130 km north of Venezuela. It has 42 islets and 200 sandbanks arranged around an internal lagoon. It is home to all the typical ecosystems of tropical maritime and coastal areas: sandy beaches, coral formations, salt and brackish water lagoons, seagrass meadows, and mangroves. This archipelago was declared a National Park in 1972, and its Use Regulation and Management Plan was finalized in 1990. Los Roques is home to a great diversity of seabirds and is a priority area for conservation. Conserving seabirds in the Caribbean is essential, as their numbers have been decreasing over time. Documenting their status and trends is needed to develop conservation plans. Two species of boobies have breeding colonies in Los Roques: Red-footed Booby and Brown Booby. Masked Booby’s presence has been documented, but their reproduction has not been confirmed. 20 years have passed since the last assessment of the population of seabirds in the Los Roques Archipelago. Since then there have been many political, economic and environmental changes in Venezuela—changes that may put the Los Roques Archipelago and the booby colonies at risk. We propose to survey and evaluate the reproductive colonies of boobies in 4 keys of the archipelago. We will also explore other cays to look for confirmation of breeding activity. We will integrate the local “Roqueños” communities in the censuses and outreach activities.

**Population dynamics, conservation and management of the American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) on Margarita Island, Venezuela**

Anahy Marcano , INPARQUES / AveZona / PAAVe

Venezuela has about 38% of the total population of American Flamingos, Phoenicopterus ruber. It is considered a resident species on the Isla de Margarita in Venezuela. Although its population has shown variations in size and distribution, historically, American Flamingos have been observed on the Isla de Margarita since the beginning of the last century. Recently, a new flamingo nesting area has been identified on Margarita Island in the Laguna de las Marites Natural Monument. However, its population status is unknown and currently there is no plan for its conservation and management. As the first stage of this project we will estimate the size of the breeding population, the reproductive success, and the demographic parameters in two of the nine areas occupied by the American Flamingos on Margarita Island, las Marites Lake Natural Monument and La Restinga National Park. Visual observations will be conducted from a safe distance so as not to disturb the breeding areas. After the breeding season, the area used for the nests will be evaluated. As part of this project, we will involve local communities in the censuses and an educational campaign will be established.

The David S. Lee Fund for Conservation seeks to continue David’s passion for protecting wildlife. The fund supports direct, innovative conservation work in the Caribbean Region for birds and their habitats. The fund is managed by BirdsCaribbean and used for annual small grants. We are grateful to all those who have supported the fund, and also to our David S. Lee Fund Review Committee who carefully reviews proposals each year and makes recommendations on funding.

You can you help us to continue to fund invaluable research to conserve Caribbean birds by making a gift to the fund.

Click here to make an online contribution.

If you prefer to donate with a check, please make the check out to “BirdsCaribbean” and in the memo section, note that it is for the David S. Lee Fund. If you have questions or to make other arrangements for donating, please feel free to contact Jennifer Wheeler, BirdsCaribbean Financial Officer (jennifer.wheeler@birdscaribbean.org)

Checks can be mailed to: BirdsCaribbean, 841 Worcester St. #130, Natick, MA 01760-2076

May 30, 2021

From the Nest – Day 77

Celebrate the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) with us! Our theme in 2021 is “Sing, Fly, Soar—Like a Bird!” Have fun learning about a new endemic bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy nature with your family at home.

Endemic Bird of the Day: Bahama Warbler

Wandering through the pinelands of the northern Bahamas (specifically, the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco), you might be lucky enough to come upon the charming Bahama Warbler (Setophaga flavescens). The male has a bright yellow throat, breast, and underparts with black stripes on his sides. His black face mask is broken up by a yellow lore (that’s the area between the eye and the upper base of his beak) and white stripes surround his eye. He also sports the longest bill of any wood-warbler species, which he uses to find tasty insects in the bark of pine trees. The grey on his crown and back are accented by two white wingbars. The female looks similar, but is not as bright.

How do you tell the Bahama Warbler apart from a Yellow-throated Warbler – which visits the Caribbean in winter? Well, it’s confusing. They are close relatives and look very much alike; however, the Yellow-throated Warbler’s breast and sides are white, and the forehead is blackish-grey.

These species also have different songs. From a perch in the canopy, the male Bahama Warbler sings sweetly: short, loud, and clear whistled notes that increase in pitch. The Yellow-throated Warbler, on the other hand, has a descending song.

This bright little warbler loves pine trees. Grand Bahama and Abaco include large areas of Caribbean pine forest – just perfect for the Bahama Warbler, which is often seen creeping up and down the tree trunks, feeding on insects. It also breeds in these forests in spring and summer, but its breeding behavior remains a mystery.

However, there is a sad story. The Bahama Warbler is now listed as Endangered. In 2019, Hurricane Dorian slammed into Abaco and Grand Bahama, causing massive destruction. Grand Bahama lost most of its pine forest habitat due to heavy winds, rain, and storm surges. No Bahama Warblers have been found there since then, despite intensive searches by researchers from the Bahamas National Trust and the American Bird Conservancy.

The island of Abaco is now perhaps the last refuge for this Bahamian endemic, and conservation is critical. Already hit by Hurricane Dorian, this lovely bird faces other threats, including habitat loss, predation by introduced feral cats and raccoons, and frequent fires. Let us hope this beautiful endemic survives these dangers, and thrives once again!
Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Bahama Warbler

Download our West Indies Endemic Bird colouring page. Use the photos below as your guide, or you can look up pictures of the bird online or in a bird field guide if you have one. Share your coloured-in page with us by posting it online and tagging us @BirdsCaribbean #CEBFfromthenest

Listen to the song of the Bahama Warbler

The song of the Bahama Warbler is an ascending “chutty, chutty, chutty, swee, swee, tsoo, tsoo”

Puzzle of the Day

Click on the image below to do the puzzle. You can make the puzzle as easy or as hard as you like – for example, 6, 8, or 12 pieces for young children, all the way up to 1,024 pieces for those that are up for a challenge!

The Bahama Warbler has recently be listed as Endangered by the IUCN. In 2019, Hurricane Dorian caused massive destruction to this species’ pineland habitat. Sadly, Grand Bahama lost most of its pine forest and the Bahama Warbler has not be found since on Grand Bahama despite intense searches. (Photo by Larry Therrien)

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: What facts can you remember about todays endemic bird – the Bahama Warbler? Test your knowledge by filling in the missing words in each of our Bahama Warbler facts! We have given you the correct words but can you put them into the right fact? You can re-read the information all about this bird above, or search on the BirdsCaribbean webpages for lots more information about the Bahama Warbler! Then, when you have completed all the sentences, you can check your answers here.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: There are 37 warbler species recorded on the island of Abaco in the Bahamas. You can find about more about them here, especially the five species that are resident in Abaco (live there all year round), including today’s endemic bird, the Bahama Warbler!

Enjoy the video below of a Bahama Warbler in the wild! This bird was filmed on Grand Bahama (before Hurricane Dorian); you can see it creeping up the trunk of a Caribbean pine tree, probably searching for food.

Learn how to draw and colour a Yellow-throated Warbler! Draw along with artist Josmar Esteban Marquez- who created all the pictures for the birds featured in our 2021 Endemic Bird Festival! The Yellow-throated Warbler is also found on the Bahamas and looks at lot like a Bahama Warbler. But the Bahama warbler has a yellow throat and belly, and shorter wings. The adult male Bahama Warbler also has a less black forehead than the Yellow-throated Warbler and its wingbars are shorter and thinner.

May 6, 2021

From the Nest – Day 62

Endemic Bird of the Day: Whistling Warbler

A few soft, almost inaudible notes, followed several seconds later by a crescendo into a resounding whistle, are often the first (and sometimes only) sign that the elusive and rare Whistling Warbler is present. If you listen closely, you can also hear a much quieter single-noted call as the bird forages in the undergrowth. Though dark in appearance against the rainforest canopy, a closer look reveals a bird with a blackish hood and upperparts, with a broad black band on the upper breast, white throat and belly, and a striking white eye-ring. The immature Whistling Warbler appears brownish-grey and paler with the same white eye-ring. Its behavior – frequently cocking its tail and fluttering its wings – is another key to identification.

The Whistling Warbler lives in the thick undergrowth in St. Vincent’s rainforest, generally from 300-1,100m in elevation. They can also be found in palm brake forest (33-60% palm trees) and elfin forest (short, thick forest, no greater than 5m in height). The best locations to see them are in Colonarie, Perseverance Valley, Buccament Valley, and Richmond Peak.

Whistling Warblers are known to eat various types of insects and larvae, though they may occasionally take fruit as well. They actively forage in the understory canopy and dense undergrowth, working their way through vine tangles, sometimes pursuing flying insects.

The Whistling Warbler is endemic to the island of Saint Vincent in the Lesser Antilles and its status is Endangered. Its habitat is in decline due to deforestation (primarily for logging and agriculture) and volcanic eruptions of Soufrière. On April 9th, 2021 La Soufrière volcano began erupting – continued eruptions have caused extensive damage to its habitat. Although there is no targeted management in place, this species benefits from habitat protection within the 10,870 acre Saint Vincent Parrot Reserve. Research and education of the local population about threats to the Whistling Warbler would benefit this species, which is so often overshadowed by the country’s national bird and other endemic: the Saint Vincent Parrot. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.

Colour in the Whistling Warbler

Listen to the song of the Whistling Warbler

The song of the Whistling Warbler consists of an ascending trill of loudly whistled notes.

Puzzle of the Day

Activity of the Day

FOR KIDS: Get creative and try singing (or playing a musical instrument) like a bird! Be inspired by the Whistling Warbler, or one of our other featured endemic birds or get outside and listen out for the sounds the birds are making and create your own birdsong! You can download our instructions here to help you make some melodious bird-inspired tunes.

We would love to hear your birdsong! Send us a recording of your performance to Aliya.Hosein@birdscaribbean.org

Please note that by submitting your video you give BirdsCaribbean consent to use your photos and/or videos on our website and social media accounts.

FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: Learn more about the birds of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, including the Whistling Warbler, and get tips on some top birding hotspots in this Caribbean BirdWatch article in ZiNG magazine, LIAT Airlines in-flight magazine.

Birds on St. Vincent Need your help

The recent eruptions of the La Soufrière Volcano threaten the iconic St. Vincent Parrot and the other amazing birds on St. Vincent. The normally lush green landscape of this beautiful country is now blanketed in gray ash. It’s possible that the eruptions, ash fall and damaging pyroclastic flows could go on for weeks; devastating an island already suffering from the health and economic impacts of the pandemic. Humanitarian efforts are well underway, but the wildlife also needs our help!

We are very concerned about the impacts to many regional and endemic birds on St. Vincent, particularly the threatened St. Vincent Parrot (Amazona guildingii), listed as Vulnerable, and the Whistling Warbler, listed as Endangered.

Other restricted-range endemic species (12) include the Grenada Flycatcher, Rufous-throated Solitaire, Purple-throated Carib, Brown Trembler, Lesser Antillean Tanager, Antillean Euphonia, and others.

Help is already on it’s way, with the first shipment of equipment having been sent! This includes a range of field equipment, including binoculars, respirators, backpacks, machetes, GPS units, walkie-talkies, cameras, and head-lamp flashlights as well as nectar feeders for hummingbirds (many flowering plants have been badly damaged), seed feeders for other birds, and camping supplies to allow Forestry to spend the night in the field during parrot survey watches.

In these uncertain times, our caring local partners will continue to need our support. They are working hard in very challenging, often dangerous conditions to ensure that some of our most vulnerable Caribbean birds are assured of a safe and secure future. Later on, there will be a great deal of restoration work to do. At the moment, the volcano remains “in a state of unrest,” according to the UWI.

Please donate generously, if you can! Every dollar helps.

Thank you to all of the incredibly generous donors to our fundraising campaign for your support. This has been critical to allow us to purchase and ship relief supplies as well as send funds to our local partners in St. Vincent. A huge thank you also to our international partners who are supporting this relief effort, including Rare Species Conservatory Foundation, Caribaea Initiative, Fauna & Flora International, and the Farallon Islands Foundation. We thank our amazing local partners SCIENCE Initiative, the St. Vincent & the Grenadines Environment Fund, and the Forestry Dept for your support and hard work.

An Appeal for Relief and Rescue, as the La Soufrière Volcano Eruptions Threaten the St. Vincent Parrot

As the Volcano Simmers, Help Is On the Way for the St. Vincent Parrot

May 1, 2021

As the Volcano Simmers, Help Is On the Way for the St. Vincent Parrot

St. Vincent’s iconic Parrot still faces challenges from the La Soufrière eruption, but work is being done to help the parrot and relief supplies are on the way (thanks to many generous donors who responded to our emergency appeal)! As the dramatic month of April draws to a close, it is still a mixed picture for the island of St. Vincent, its wonderful parrots and other wildlife, and its people. This level of uncertainty is likely to persist for the foreseeable future, according to scientists, who are monitoring La Soufrière on a daily basis. Their message is that the smoldering, steaming volcano, which is fairly quiet for now, is “still dangerous.” As we have learned, the situation can change rapidly.

La-Soufriere-28-April-2021 — Remobilization of ash at surrounding areas of La Soufriere, St. Vincent (Photo by Ilias Papadopoulos, UWI-SRC)

La Soufrière’s destructive path

Since we wrote about the volcano’s first eruption on April 9th, the volcano erupted again on the morning of Earth Day (April 22), with the plume of ash reaching as high as eight kilometers. This created some pyroclastic flows – a mixture of extremely hot volcanic ash and rocks that burns everything in its path. Since then, there have been flows of lahars (these are very fast-moving, dense mudflows or debris flows consisting of pyroclastic material, rocky debris, ash and water) along river valleys and gullies. To make matters worse, torrential rains on April 28 and 29 have created floods and landslides in several parts of the island (including the capital, Kingstown) exacerbating the flow of lahars through valleys. Residents are being advised not to go near rivers or streams, especially in the dangerous Red Zone in the north.

Lahars observed in the Wallibou River (Red Zone, Leeward side of the island) on the morning of 29 April, 2021. The rainfall overnight generated lahars (mudflows) in the red and orange zones. (photo by Richard Robertson, UWI Seismic Research Centre)

Lahars are fast moving, dense mixture of rocks, ash and vegetation and water originating from a volcano. It has the consistency of wet concrete and can cause severe damage to rivers and valleys around the volcano. (photo by Richard Robertson, UWI Seismic Research Centre)

As of the evening of Thursday, April 29, the University of the West Indies (UWI) Seismic Centre reported that the volcano’s activity remained low. However, the lahars (some extremely hot) have caused considerable erosion and damage in all valleys that drain the volcano, bringing down many trees that have been carried into the ocean and are creating a hazard for shipping. In several parts of the island, damage to the forest has been quite extensive and rivers are filled with sediment. Earth tremors have been frequent. A recent survey noted many broken trees, weighed down by the heavy ash falls – even in the southern Green Zone where the danger is less. In some areas (for example, Jennings, Tiberoux, and Perseverance) trees have lost their tops and there was little sign of life in the forest. This is not good news for birds, including not only the St. Vincent Parrot but species such as the endangered Whistling Warbler and twelve other restricted-range endemic species, including the Grenada Flycatcher, Rufous-throated Solitaire, Purple-throated Carib, Brown Trembler, Lesser Antillean Tanager, Antillean Euphonia, and others.

Valley on the Leeward side of St. Vincent showing severe damage to trees and vegetation. (photo by Richard Robertson, UWI Seismic Research Centre)

Vincentians working hard for the birds

However, there is good news! Our partners on the ground at the Forestry Department of St. Vincent and the Grenadines are still seeing and hearing parrots. Local foresters are working hard for the birds; take a look at the photos and great videos below and on their Facebook page, where you will see them preparing and resupplying fresh fruit to the tall, spindly, but sturdy feeding platform stations that they constructed in the island’s Orange Zone (the central area where many of the parrots are located). Forestry staff have been clearing paths through the damaged forest, looking for stressed parrots and where they are concentrating, clearing waterways of fallen trees and branches in order to restore water supply in several areas, and at the same time doing humanitarian work – helping out their fellow Vincentians with supplies for shelters. Kudos to these brave and hard-working foresters!!! Forestry reports that they have a number of farmers that work with them and they are sympathetic to the plight of the parrots and putting our fresh fruit for them. Forestry is helping to supply this fruit. Members of the public are also calling in to Forestry to report that parrots, hummingbirds and other birds are showing up in areas where they do not normally occur. This shows that parrots are moving around searching for food – thank goodness they have wings! Hopefully, much of the population has been able to escape the eruptions and most damaged areas – time will tell as surveys continue in the coming weeks and months.

Help is on the way!

Thanks to the generous donations from friends and donors to the BirdsCaribbean fundraising effort, and the great support of international partners, we have shipped off supplies for the Forestry Department: a range of field equipment, including binoculars, respirators, backpacks, machetes, GPS units, walkie-talkies, cameras, and head-lamp flashlights; also tools and supplies such as hand drills, aviary wire, tarps, and hardware to repair and enhance the Forestry Department’s facilities for breeding captive parrots at the Botanical Gardens. The shipment also includes supplies to treat and care for rescued parrots—two veterinary “go-bags” (field kits containing all the critical care supplies needed to treat parrots in the field), Vita Seed Top Parrot Mix (300 pounds), hand-feeding formula and medicines to treat rescued parrots, and a portable oxygen generator and St Vincent Parrot-sized mask to help parrots in respiratory distress. The first shipment including all of the above items (1,625 pounds) is now en route to St. Vincent via Tropical Shipping sea freight – it will arrive on May 5th! Additional items still to be sent include nectar feeders for hummingbirds (many flowering plants have been badly damaged), seed feeders for other birds, and camping supplies to allow Forestry to spend the night in the field during parrot survey watches.

Recovery and relief supplies in the first shipment to St. Vincent include field equipment, supplies to care for rescued parrots, and hardware to repair and enhance the St. Vincent Parrot Aviary at the Botanical Gardens. (photos by Paul and Karen Reillo).

Jan 2022 Update

Our crowdfunding platform for this appeal, GoFundMe Charity, a separate arm of GoFundMe, unfortunately closed down this site, with a plan for all charities to operate fundraising pages on their main site, thus our crowdfunding page for this fundraiser is no longer available. However, you can donate here and designate your donation in the comments to help with the continued recovery of the St Vincent Parrot, Whistling Warbler, and other wildlife in St Vincent. We owe it to the gorgeous St. Vincent Parrots and their beautiful island home!

Thank you to all of the incredibly generous donors to our fundraising campaign for your support. This has been critical to allow us to purchase and ship relief supplies as well as send funds to our local partners in St. Vincent. A huge thank you also to our international partners who are supporting this relief effort, including Rare Species Conservatory Foundation, Caribaea Initiative, Fauna & Flora International, Vortex Optics, and the Farallon Islands Foundation. We thank our amazing local partners SCIENCE Initiative, the St. Vincent & the Grenadines Environment Fund, and the Forestry Dept for your support and hard work.

Some of the recovery and relief supplies sent to the St Vincent Forestry Dept in the first shipment (April 2021). (photo by Paul and Karen Reillo)

Portable oxygen generator with a mask adjusted to fit the St Vincent Parrot. (photo by Paul and Karen Reillo)

Aviary wire and other relief supplies loaded up and ready to take to the port in West Palm Beach. (photo by Karen Reillo)

Relief supplies (1,200 pounds) ready to go the port to get on Tropical Shipping’s next boat to St Vincent on 28 April. Huge thanks to Paul and Karen Reillo for assembling and repacking all of the supplies for shipping! (photo by Karen Reillo)

Scientists studying the impacts of the volcano in the Wallibou River area on 26 April before lahars hit the area on 29 April. (photo by Prof. Jenni Barclay)

The Wallibou River area on 29 April AFTER a lahars hit the area on 29 April. Never underestimate the power of a lahar! (photo by Prof. Jenni Barclay)

St Vincent Parrot in better times, eating monkey goblet fruit (Clusia major), May 2018. (photo by Glenroy Gaymes)

Map of La Soufrière danger zones in St. Vincent. The St Vincent Parrot’s main habitats are in the forests in the orange and yellow zones.

April 24, 2021

Tragedy Strikes the Endangered Black-capped Petrel Nesting Colony in the Dominican Republic

Field technicians at Black-capped Petrel colony — Field technicians at the Loma del Toro colony in happier times (Photo by Grupo Jaragua)

Jennifer Wheeler of the International Black-capped Petrel Conservation Group shares some shocking and sad news on the Black-capped Petrel in the Dominican Republic.

In mid-March 2021, researchers from the environmental organization Grupo Jaragua arrived at Loma del Toro, located in the Dominican Republic’s Sierra de Bahoruco National Park. The team’s mission was to check up on the Black-capped Petrel, an endangered seabird endemic to the Caribbean.

The trip to the field site was long and taxing, the final hours of bumpy travel up a steep, unpaved mountain road. Nevertheless, the team was in an upbeat mood, anticipating evidence of the first chicks to be hatched this year.

A shocking sight

Sadly, the researchers’ hopes were soon to be crushed. In the early morning, the forest of Hispaniolan pines that is home to the Black-capped Petrel nesting sites would normally have been full of life, with a noisy dawn-chorus of migrant and resident birds. Instead, the woods seemed a bit quieter than usual. When they reached the nesting sites, the team was met with a scene of carnage. The colony’s burrows were torn up, petrel feathers scattered around, and the remains of eggs and adult petrels dotted the ground. Predators had decimated the colony.

Analysis of camera traps at thirteen nests revealed that several dogs had been visiting the colony regularly since the end of November, and the depredations were the work of one particularly determined dog. This individual killed a minimum of seven adult petrels, likely more were attacked off camera.

Dog invading a Black-capped Petrel burrow at the Loma del Toro colony. An adult petrel was killed outside this burrow in early March. (Photo by Grupo Jaragua)

Rare and vulnerable nesting sites

Only about 100 nests of the Black-capped Petrel have ever been located, after years of searching. These are all in the mountains on Hispaniola (the island comprised of Haiti and the Dominican Republic). Loma del Toro, in the Dominican Republic just east of the Haitian border, hosted 28 of them. Of the 28 known burrows, at least 22 were invaded by the dogs (based on camera traps, visual inspection of nests, and observation of carcasses.) Field teams expect that there were additional yet-to-be-found burrows in the area; these may have been affected as well.

The site has been monitored regularly since 2011. Adults claim burrows in November and December, and usually a high proportion (~70%) of chicks fledge from Loma del Toro in the summer months. There have been disappointments and setbacks before. In 2018, the presence of a cat resulted in the failure of nine nests at Loma del Toro. The loss of breeding adults and destruction of burrows, however, made this year’s scene especially tragic.

Black-capped Petrel on nest — An adult Black-capped Petrel in a Loma del Toro burrow in early 2014. Black-capped Petrels nest in colonies in underground burrows located on forested slopes and cliff sides on Hispaniola, generally above 1500 m. They lay just one egg. (Photo by Grupo Jaragua).

Introduced mammals – a destructive threat

Worldwide, animals introduced by humans – rodents, mongoose, cats, dogs, pigs – have devastated native island bird populations. The seabirds that evolved on islands free of mammalian predators are ill-equipped to withstand the pressure of animals evolved to take prey.

Not that Black-capped Petrels and other seabirds are helpless – these are tough birds that spend their lives in the winds and waves of the marine environment. Camera footage shows them battling each other as well as rats. However, seabirds are typically clumsy and slow on land, and nests on or in the ground are easily accessed by predators.

In an endangered species such as the Black-capped Petrel, any death of an adult can have extreme consequences for the health of the entire population. For this reason, the Conservation Action Plan currently being updated by the International Black-capped Petrel Conservation Group (IBPCG) identifies predation by introduced mammals as a key threat, and reduction of predator pressure as a top strategy. In fact, Grupo Jaragua’s deployment of multiple camera traps was a step in understanding the specifics of the threat at known colonies.

Dog standing over dead Black-capped Petrel. Another petrel, presumably a mate, returned to this burrow in early January (Photo by Grupo Jaragua).

Tackling the challenges

What now? Of course, the park authorities in the Ministry of the Environment have been notified about the specific threat posed by the recently documented group of dogs. The International Black-capped Petrel Group (IBPCG) had already begun to pilot trapping activities for smaller predators such as rats and mongoose. It will also pursue the idea of restoring the Loma del Toro colony using buried nest structures (“artificial burrows”) to provide more secure nesting locations.

Reducing the predation pressure at Loma del Toro and other Black-capped Petrel colonies will be a challenge given the costs and logistics of operating in a remote, mountainous location. Accessing the Black-capped Petrel colonies can only be done by rough unpaved roads that take a heavy toll on the research teams’ trucks. Finally, the IBPCG must also combat the threats of fire, collisions, habitat loss and degradation from agricultural expansion, all while continuing to seek out and study the species in colonies elsewhere in the region.

The Working Group and partners fight on…

Yet, this group’s efforts have always been notable for the level of shared dedication and collaboration to benefit this special bird. The IBPCG has strategies in place to offset many of the conservation threats that the Black-capped Petrel faces annually; some have already shown positive outcomes for the species. The tragedy at Loma del Toro only strengthens the resolve of Grupo Jaragua and its IBPCG partners, which include BirdsCaribbean, the American Bird Conservancy, Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) and others – to protect the species and allow it to thrive across its range.

…and need your support

The IBPCG continually strives to raise funds for its work. If you would like to contribute to keeping the Grupo Jaragua field team in the field and support the work to reduce predation pressure and other threats, please give directly to Grupo Jaragua at http://www.grupojaragua.org.do/apoyanos or you can route through a gift through BirdsCaribbean: http://bit.ly/GiftForCaribbeanBirds

More bad news! At press-time, a raging wildfire threatens the remaining birds and burrows of the Loma del Toro colony. We await more information…

To learn more about the Black-Capped Petrel, visit the Black-capped Petrel Working Group page.

April 13, 2021

An Appeal for Relief and Rescue, as the La Soufrière Volcano Eruptions Threaten the St. Vincent Parrot

March 28, 2021

The Caribbean Motus Collaboration—Help us Develop this Exciting New Program!

BirdsCaribbean is very excited to announce that we are launching a new bird monitoring initiative — the Caribbean Motus Collaboration. And we need your help and involvement! Read on to learn more about this program and how you can help.

What is Motus?

Kirtland's Warbler with nanotag — Kirtland’s Warbler fitted with a lightweight nano-tag. These tiny transmitters, which weigh as little as 0.2 g, allow researchers to track the movements of small animals with precision across thousands of miles. (photo by Scott Weidensaul)

The Motus Wildlife Tracking System is a powerful collaborative research network developed by Birds Canada. Named after the Latin word for movement, Motus uses automated radio telemetry arrays to study the movements and behavior of flying animals (birds, bats, and insects) that are nano-tagged and tracked by Motus receivers.

Motus’ main objective is to enable conservation and ecological research by tracking the movement of animals. The system consists of hundreds of receiver stations and thousands of deployed nanotags on 236+ species, mostly birds. Data from this network have already expanded our understanding of bird movements, including pinpointing migration routes and key stopover sites, as well as movements, habitat use, and behavior during breeding and non-breeding seasons. We are only just beginning to tap into the enormous potential of this new technology and growing network of partnerships and data sharing for conservation.

Motus technology is also a valuable educational tool that can advance conservation education both in and out of the classroom. Birds Canada and the Northeast Motus Collaboration have developed a curriculum that combines interactive classroom activities with Motus tracking tools that can be used to teach local children about birds, migration, and conservation.

Expanding the Motus Network in the Caribbean

Motus is widely established in Canada and the US, and beginning to spread throughout Central and South America; however, there are currently no active receiver stations in the Caribbean. The more Motus stations we can put up, the more we can increase our understanding of where tagged birds are moving. In addition, many species of conservation concern that live in or migrate through/ to the region have not yet been tagged. We want to fill this critical geographical gap.

Motus-Receiver-station-map-Caribbean — Yellow dots represent the active Motus receiver stations. The white box outlines the insular Caribbean. A few Motus stations that were put up in several islands have been damaged by storms and hurricanes, and need repair.

The Caribbean Motus Collaboration (CMC) is developing a multi-pronged strategy to expand the Motus network by installing and maintaining receiver stations in strategic locations throughout the islands, deploying nanotags on priority bird species, and implementing a specially adapted Caribbean educational curriculum.

Why is this Important?

Our birds are declining at alarming rates.

The Painted Bunting is a declining songbird that winters in FL, Cuba, the Bahamas, Mexico, and Central America. (photo by Ray Robles)

The insular Caribbean is a global biodiversity conservation “hotspot” that is home to over 700 species of birds. Roughly half of these bird species are residents in the Caribbean, including 171 that are endemic – meaning they are found nowhere else in the world! The other half are migratory, splitting their time between temperate and tropical habitats in the Americas, and shared among multiple countries along the way.

For some migratory birds, the Caribbean islands are the perfect winter retreat — they arrive in early fall and stay until spring. Others use one or more islands as stopover sites to rest and refuel as they fly between their breeding and wintering grounds further south. Whether they stay or move on, they are much-loved visitors, reflecting the seasons and inspiring our cultural expressions.

Unfortunately, bird populations are declining. Fifty-nine Caribbean species are at risk of extinction, listed as Vulnerable (30), Endangered (24), or Critically Endangered (5) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. A recent study found that nearly 30% of the bird populations in North America since 1970 have been lost, and Caribbean species are among the many that are in trouble.

Birds in the Caribbean face an entire suite of threats, including habitat loss and fragmentation, pollution, and invasive species. In addition, climate change has become a constant danger to the region, not only to people, but also to wildlife. The Caribbean is experiencing increasingly intense hurricanes, long droughts, and dramatic changes to the marine environment. The threats are growing for our vulnerable birds, and we can’t afford to lose any more.

Needed now: An effective bird monitoring system in the Caribbean

Research on our birds has progressed considerably in recent decades, but we still lack basic information on many species. We need to understand them better if we are to save them.

We need to identify the most critical sites and habitats for our migratory, resident, and endemic birds, and we need to assess the threats they face. Importantly, we need to raise awareness about why all of this matters.

At BirdsCaribbean we partner with international, regional, and local partners to develop long-term monitoring programs, e.g. our Caribbean Waterbird Census program. We are using several strategic tools for doing so, and we are confident that the Motus Wildlife Tracking System will become an invaluable resource for strengthening our efforts.

Caribbean-Motus-Collaboration-Ruddy-Turnstone-graphic — Motus receiving stations function similar to automated toll booths on a highway – every time a bird passes over the station it’s recorded, just as automated toll booths record license plates. The stations have a range of about 9 miles or 15 km. (Ruddy Turnstone photo by Maikel Cañizares)

The Caribbean Motus Collaboration (CMC) can inform and promote bird conservation

Colleagues from the Northeast Motus Collaboration stand by a newly installed Motus station in Pennsylvania. (photo credit: Northeast Motus Collaboration)

Our partners are eager to build the Motus network in the Caribbean. The initiative is gaining momentum quickly and the time to act is now! As a regional organization, BirdsCaribbean is keen to facilitate this effort and assist our partners.

Our collaboration will enhance the efforts of those working to grow the network in other regions of the Americas. And it will shed light on the movements and habitat use of bird species of conservation concern. This knowledge is essential to safeguarding birds throughout their full life cycles and reversing population declines.

Caribbean natural resource managers, including many of our partner organizations throughout the region, will be able to use information from the Motus network to identify the most important sites and habitats for our resident and migratory birds. Once identified, those in the Caribbean network and beyond will be able to focus our work on these most critical areas, alleviating threats and protecting these sites. By building the capacity to use this powerful tool, we will also be contributing to the development of local research and environmental education programs. The knowledge, skills, and appreciation for birds will multiply. It’s a “win-win” for the birds, and for those who work to conserve them in the region.

We Need Your Help!

To grow the CMC, we are seeking funding from granting agencies and private donors, and looking to establish partnerships with international and regional organizations, landowners, and businesses in the Caribbean.

Can you suggest a good site for a Motus receiver station? Stations should be located in secure areas that are optimal for detecting movements of birds (e.g., migration flyways, prime habitat for resident and migratory birds). Receivers can be installed as independent structures that are powered by solar panels. However, installing a station on existing structures (e.g., building roofs, fire towers, abandoned telephone towers, radio towers, etc.), especially those with access to electricity, can significantly reduce costs.

Would you or your organization be willing to maintain Motus receiver stations on your island? Motus stations should require minimal maintenance. However, depending on the station setup, data might need to be downloaded a few times each year. It is also important to regularly check that the stations are in working order, particularly following a storm or other disturbance.

Are you interested in sponsoring a Motus receiver station or nanotags, or know of an individual, organization, or business who would be? The components of receiver stations cost approximately ~$4,800, and the total cost of a station (including installation, maintenance, personnel, etc.) is ~$10k. Nanotags, which will be deployed on priority species to track their movements, cost ~$225 each. But any amount is helpful! This is a highly tangible way to get involved in the conservation of Caribbean species.

Click here to make an online contribution.

*NOTE: This year, our fundraiser for Global Big Day (May 8th, 2021) will raise funds for the Caribbean Motus Collaboration. We hope that you will participate – stay tuned!

If you are interested in contributing to the CMC in any capacity, we want to hear from you! Please fill out this short survey so that we can gather information and follow up with you.

Special thanks to the Northeast Motus Collaboration for their generous help, advice, and encouragement in developing this project!

Learn more about Motus at the following links:

https://motus.org

https://motus.org/education/

https://nationalzoo.si.edu/news/tracking-technology-exposes-secretive-long-distance-movement-kirtlands-warblers

February 28, 2021

New Edition—Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Cuba, No. 4, 2021

February 22, 2021

Taking a Look at Shorebirds in Trinidad: A Population Update and Testing a New Survey Method

Trinidad and Tobago has a rich abundance and diversity of shorebirds and provides vital habitats for them during migration and over winter. Martin Gebauer, the recipient of a small grant for work on shorebirds from BirdsCaribbean, gives us a historical perspective and an update on shorebird populations and their habitats on the island of Trinidad. Find out from Martin if using drones can help us to count and monitor shorebirds.

Mixed waterbird flock on Trinidad's west coast mudflats — Trinidad has a rich diversity of Shorebirds. This mixed group, using Trinidad’s west coast during spring migration has six different shorebird species. Can you find and name them all? Scroll down to see the answers. (Photo by Jerome Foster)

TAKING A DEEPER LOOK AT MIGRATING SHOREBIRDS IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Arctic-nesting shorebird populations have shown serious declines on breeding grounds, and at staging and wintering areas across their range. The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS), BirdsCaribbean (BC), and others have been looking into threats – including hunting – to shorebirds in the Caribbean through the Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative (AFSI). It is clear, however, that more research is needed on the abundance, diversity, distribution, and habitat use of shorebirds migrating through or wintering in Trinidad and Tobago (TT), as well as the location of staging and wintering areas in the country. To support the AFSI, shorebird surveys (including the use of a drone) were conducted from 2018 to 2020. To determine the scale of shorebird declines, survey data were compared to data from aerial surveys on fixed wing aircraft conducted by Morrison and Ross (CWS) in 1982. The current work was supported by the USFWS and BirdsCaribbean.

Part of a group of Western and Semipalmated Sandpipers resting on Trinidad’s west coast during spring migration. (Photo by Jerome Foster)

THE RICH DIVERSITY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO’S SHOREBIRDS

Shorebird diversity in Trinidad and Tobago is particularly rich. Of the 48 shorebird species recorded to date, some of which are European vagrants, 23 species were observed during the 2018 to 2020 surveys. Our surveys, and those by Morrison and Ross and others, found that the Semipalmated Sandpiper is by far the most common species, representing around 90% of shorebirds tallied in the country. Other common species are Western Sandpiper (see photo), Semipalmated Plover, Lesser Yellowlegs, Stilt Sandpiper, Whimbrel, and Willet. Historical accounts suggest a similar mixture of species

SADLY, SHOREBIRDS IN DECLINING NUMBERS

The February 1982 aerial survey of Trinidad by Morrison and Ross documented more than 13,600 Nearctic shorebirds. But there is worrying news. The maximum number of birds seen on the 2018 to 2020 surveys was 4,174 (September 2018). This disturbing decline, which is described in more detail below, matches up with the USFWS and CWS findings. Although an accurate estimate of the percent decline is difficult, current shorebird populations are likely only between 20 to 30% of 1982 levels.

WHERE WERE WE LOOKING FOR SHOREBIRDS?

Some of the most important habitats for shorebirds are on the west coast of Trinidad. In fact, the west coast mudflats are designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by Birdlife International. The area between the southern end of Caroni Swamp and south past the Couva River mouth to around Pointe-à-Pierre seems to be particularly good for shorebirds. Where the mudflats look greenish in color, there is a thick slurry of biofilm (i.e., diatoms, bacteria, organic detritus, and benthic invertebrates), a very important food source for Semipalmated and Western sandpipers. Morrison and Ross found that about 99% of all shorebirds observed on their aerial surveys were on the west coast mudflats, which aligns with the approximately 95% of shorebirds documented from 2018 to 2020. Very few shorebirds have been observed on the northern, eastern, or southern coasts.

Aerial image of Orange Valley mudflats looking south — Aerial image, taken from a drone, of the mudflats at Orange Valley, looking south towards Point Lisas. (Photo by Nicolaas Kersting)

Another important area for shorebirds is the Caroni Rice Fields. Regrettably, since 2003, rice farming has been abandoned in large portions of these fields and the overall habitat for shorebirds has declined. However, in some years – for example, in 2020 – large numbers of shorebirds can still be found here.

Flooded Rice fields — Active rice farming in Caroni Rice Fields provides habitat for shorebirds. (Photo by Martin Gebauer)

WHAT DID THE DRONE SURVEYS SHOW?

The drone surveys provided an excellent overview of habitats at each of the sites surveyed. Unfortunately, because the images were not sufficiently high resolution, a detailed analysis of shorebird use, whether manual or software-driven, was not possible. Another challenge was that birds were disturbed and often flew away, even when the drone was at a height of 100 m. We did find that drones may be suitable for surveying larger species such as gulls, skimmers and terns, as shown in the adjacent picture (Brickfield, 40m, 05 April 2020).

Drone image with Black Skimmers and Laughing Gull marked for counting — Still image from drone footage. The birds have been marked for counting. This image contains 878 Black Skimmers, 1001 Laughing Gulls and 19 Large-billed Terns. (Image by Nicolaas Kersting)

ARE SHOREBIRDS LOSING THEIR OLD HANGOUTS?

The area with the highest shorebird numbers during the 1982 Morrison and Ross surveys was the Point Lisas industrial development (see photo). However, currently this area is not accessible by foot or drone. Nevertheless, a review of recent aerial imagery suggests that habitats in this area have been dramatically altered through dredging and land reclamation activities.

Drone footage of Point Lisas on the west coast of Trinidad (Photo by Nicolaas Kersting)

Apparently, this loss of the mudflats that provide so much food and foraging for small shorebirds (Semipalmated and Western Sandpipers) appears to be a cause of the considerable declines of these charming, once abundant little birds between the 1982 and the 2018-2020 surveys.

Following the construction of the Orange Valley fishing pier, there has been a dramatic decline in the surrounding mudflats, with a rapid expansion of mangroves in the area.

There are local factors that are contributing to the declining numbers of shorebirds in Trinidad. Previously rich areas where they foraged for food are disappearing. In some areas, an increase in mangrove growth has affected the mudflats that shorebirds love. We must also take into account the global picture; across the flyway shorebirds are declining. What lessons can we learn from other countries? One thing is clear: To ensure that these losses of habitats for the wintering shorebirds do not continue in Trinidad, protecting and restoring remaining mudflat areas on the west coast of Trinidad has to be a critical goal in shorebird management.

This downward spiral has to be slowed or better still, turned around.

Martin Gebauer is an ornithologist and president of Gebauer & Associates Ltd., an environmental consulting firm. He is currently working on his PhD at the University of Oxford. He carried out research on shorebird hunting in the Caribbean for his MSc from Oxford.

Mix shorebird flock on Trinidad's west coast - species named in the photo. — Here are the six species of shorebirds with labels to identify them. Good for you if you were able to name some or all of them correctly! (Photo by Jerome Foster)

To learn more about shorebird ID, check out this training webinar:

January 25, 2021

Funding Opportunity—The David S. Lee Fund for the Conservation of Caribbean Birds

2021 Awards Now Open!

Size of Award: Several grants up to $1,000 each Application Deadline: February 19th, 2021 at 5 p.m. EST. Address Questions and Send Application to: Will Mackin, BirdsCaribbean, willmackin@gmail.com with copy to info@birdscaribbean.org Announcement of Awards: March 15th, 2021 Donations to the Fund: Tax-deductible (U.S.) at this link. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dave Lee holding a White-tailed Tropicbird in the Bahamas. (photo by Mary Kay Clark)

David S. Lee (1943-2014) was a pioneering naturalist and conservation biologist who helped get BirdsCaribbean started nearly 30 years ago. He inspired many naturalists with his work and his writing. He was a man of many interests, and with respect to the Caribbean, published numerous papers and articles in the popular press on seabirds, Bahamian fish, turtles, snakes, bats, and orchids.

Donations from Dave’s wife, Mary Kay Clark and his mother, June Bash, allowed the establishment of the David S. Lee Fund for the Conservation of Caribbean Birds that will award money to conservation projects in his honor. The money is being held in a trust and will be used to award annual grants for innovative projects that protect Caribbean birds and their habitats.

Goal of the Fund: The David S. Lee Fund for Conservation seeks to continue David’s passion for protecting wildlife. The fund will support direct, innovative conservation work in the Caribbean Region for birds and their habitats. The fund will be managed by BirdsCaribbean and used for annual small grants. Applicants should demonstrate how their project will work with conservation groups and local communities in the Caribbean.

Eligibility: Scientists/naturalists working in the Caribbean, in conservation organizations or academic programs, may apply. Applicants should be students or early career ornithologists, conservationists, or wildlife professionals (i.e., not established faculty or senior staff of a conservation organization, less than 10 years post-graduation). A student must be enrolled in accredited Masters or PhD program in ecology, biology, conservation, or related field to be eligible. Applicants must be paid or sponsored members of BirdsCaribbean at the time of application.

Use of Funds: The funds can cover travel to field sites, living expenses in the field, or costs for equipment and supplies to conduct conservation projects. Examples of equipment and supplies include traps, cameras, automated recording units, nest boxes, etc. Ineligible costs include salary or other wages, overhead fees, etc. Projects that foster collaboration between scientists/naturalists in different island groups of the Caribbean, such as joint projects to test conservation techniques for similar species, will be favored. Application Guidelines:

Proposals may be submitted in English, French, or Spanish. All should have an English version of the abstract.
Applications should be emailed as a Microsoft Word document.
The application should include a cover page, proposal (download guidelines below), and a curriculum vitae for the applicant.
Separately, by email, three individuals who can attest to your effectiveness in previous work should submit letters of recommendation. For students, this would include your academic advisor.

Evaluation:

A committee appointed by BirdsCaribbean will review the proposals and award the grants.
The awardee will be required to submit a report one year from the day of the award explaining how the award money was spent and the results of the project to that point. The awardee is also asked to write an article for BirdsCaribbean’s blog about their work (informal article for a lay audience).
Awardees are encouraged to present the results of their work at the biennial International Conference of BirdsCaribbean and publish in The Journal of Caribbean Ornithology.

Eligible applicants can download the application here. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Help support the Dave Lee Fund by being a sponsor!

Reddish Egrets (dark morph). (photo by Tania Thomson, Shutterstock)

This fund will be for the conservation of any bird in the Caribbean as a reflection of Dave’s diverse interests. He was an important part of many projects, ranging from those of the Black-capped Petrel and Seabird Working Group to the scholarly debate leading to the elevation of the Bahama Yellow-throated Warbler to a full species. At the moment the fund contains $12,000. Our initial goal is to raise $25,000 so that we can award $1,000 every year to a worthy student or early career ornithologist, conservationist or wildlife professional. Not only will this fund encourage creative field work for projects that make a difference, but it will also help build the knowledge and skills of young conservationists that are urgently needed to make sure that the Caribbean birds and habitats that Dave treasured are still around for future generations to enjoy.

Cuban Parrot surveying his domain. (photo by Elliotte Rusty-Harold, Shutterstock)

At the 2015 BirdsCaribbean meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, a round of beers was purchased in Dave’s honor, since he always seemed to have a cooler full when people wanted one (and even when they didn’t). Think of this fund like a cooler full of refreshing beverages that Dave would have around if he were here. We owe it to Dave to stock that cooler—to vitalize naturalists and empower them in their work to help wildlife. Please give a tax deductible donation to the David S. Lee Fund. Give generously. The more we put into the fund, the more we can give out each year. Thanks to all those that have contributed to the fund!

Click here to make an online contribution.

Thank you for your participation and support!

Reports from Projects Supported with Dave Lee Fund Scholarships:

https://www.birdscaribbean.org/2020/03/protecting-the-snowy-plovers-of-coche-island-through-science-and-community/ https://www.birdscaribbean.org/2020/01/birdy-hear-birdy-do-does-playback-attract-seed-dispersers-to-restoration-sites/ https://www.birdscaribbean.org/2018/01/the-mystery-of-the-missing-todies-understanding-the-impacts-of-invasive-mammals/ https://www.birdscaribbean.org/2017/06/the-vampire-diaries-searching-for-seabird-blood-in-the-sunny-caribbean/ https://www.birdscaribbean.org/2017/05/bahama-swallows-in-the-pine-islands-report-from-the-field/ https://www.birdscaribbean.org/2017/12/forest-restoration-in-the-dominican-republic-how-i-got-the-birds-to-work-for-me/

January 24, 2021

Inauguration of “Joe” and “Kamala” could help save West Indian Whistling-Ducks!

West Indian Whistling-Ducks in Jamaica — West Indian Whistling-Ducks swimming through duckweed at Negril Royal Palm Reserve in Jamaica. WIWDs are endemic to the West Indies. Their long-term survival is threatened by destruction and degradation of their wetland habitats from development, climate change, and pollution, as well as poaching and predation by invasive species. (photo by Ann Sutton)

We are pleased and proud to announce that Inauguration Day, 20^th January 2021 was the start of a new and wonderful initiative. This big event happened far from Washington D.C., in a remote wetland near Negril, Jamaica. On this day, two West Indian Whistling-Ducks, nicknamed “Joe” and “Kamala”, became the first of their kind to bear GPS trackers. From now on, like their namesakes, these birds will be the focus of constant scrutiny and international attention. Their solar–powered backpack trackers will report their locations every hour. Read on as Dr. Ann Haynes-Sutton shares more with us about this exciting new initiative.

West Indian Whistling-Ducks (WIWD) are one of the rarest ducks in the Americas. We know very little about the behavior and movements of these secretive ducks, which are found only in the northern Caribbean (including the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, Antigua and Barbuda; extirpated, very rare, or vagrant elsewhere). WIWDs are classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as “Near Threatened.” Threats to these ducks include destruction of their wetland habitats, climate change (severe droughts, storms, and flooding), predation by invasive species (e.g., mongoose), poaching, and pollution from agriculture and other sources. BirdsCaribbean members have long reported declines in the population of Whistling-Ducks and their habitats throughout their range, which led to the creation of the WIWD and Wetlands Conservation Project. Jamaican populations are among the worst affected in recent years.

Three GPS trackers ready for application. (photo by Ann Sutton)

About 10 years ago, I regularly saw more than 150 in the Negril wetlands but over the years I heard reports that their numbers had declined catastrophically. The reports reached the Jamaican Government, who made the recovery of the WIWD the focus of part of their Global Environment Facility Project “Integrating Water, Land and Ecosystems Management in Caribbean Small Island States – Jamaica sub-project Biodiversity Mainstreaming in Coastal Landscapes within the Negril Environmental Protection Area of Jamaica.” The Government hired me as the lead expert for the West Indian Whistling-Duck component.

In order to plan for the ducks’ recovery, I needed detailed information, for example, how many there are, where they feed, nest, and roost, and the threats they face. I couldn’t find any such data, for Negril or any other part of Jamaica. I set out to survey the ducks from the ground, from roads, and by boat, using tapes, drones and cameras. All these approaches failed. Apart from one location, I could not find any ducks, although with the help of the Negril Environmental Protection Trust I received some reports from local community members.

Thus, I was more than delighted when BirdsCaribbean and Hope Zoo Preservation Foundation supported the purchase and importation of some GPS trackers from Cellular Tracking Technologies. These state-of-the-art trackers, used successfully on species like Peregrine Falcons and Greater Sage Grouse, will plot the positions of the ducks every hour to within a few metres.

BirdsCaribbean Executive Director, Lisa Sorenson commented, “We are thrilled with the launch of this exciting project. I expect it will lead to major improvements in our knowledge of the ducks’ movements and habitat use. If so, BirdsCaribbean will seek to do tracking in other parts of the Caribbean. WIWDs populations are small on every island where they occur (with the exception perhaps of Cuba) and they have been extirpated from several countries. We hope to ramp up our knowledge and conservation of this important regional endemic.”

Brandon Hay and Ricardo Miller taking measurements on one of the two WIWDs that were captured. (photo by Ann Sutton)

On 20^th January 2021, our small team – composed of Ricardo Miller of the National Environment and Planning Agency, D. Brandon Hay of the Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation, and myself – captured two West Indian Whistling-Ducks in Negril and fitted them with transmitters. It was an amazing thrill to hold these beautiful birds in our hands and very carefully attach the devices. Gina Kent from the Avian Research and Conservation Institute in Florida and Lisa Sorenson of BirdsCaribbean were on hand remotely to provide us with technical advice and support.

With excitement and trepidation we set the ducks free. Now we are looking forward to see what we can learn from them. The information I gather will support my work with the local and international communities to develop and implement measures to preserve West Indian Whistling-Ducks in Negril. No doubt our findings will promote initiatives to assess and conserve the ducks in the rest of Jamaica, and throughout their range.

We decided to call the ducks “Joe” and “Kamala” in honour of the very auspicious date and our hope that they can help to save the species. Go for it Kamala and Joe – we wish you well!

Dr. Ann Haynes-Sutton is a Conservation Ecologist and Co-Chair of BirdsCaribbean’s Bird Monitoring Working Group and Seabird Working Group. She has been a long-time member of BirdsCaribbean’s WIWD Working Group and is also the senior author of Wondrous West Indian Wetlands: Teachers’ Resource Book, published by BirdsCaribbean and used in over 145 Wetlands Education Training Workshops since 2002.

Acknowledgements: We are thankful to BirdsCaribbean members and donors whose financial support made this project possible. We are also thankful to National Environment and Planning Agency, Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation, Avian Research and Conservation Institute, Hope Zoo Preservation Foundation, and Cellular Tracking Technologies for support and assistance with this exciting project.

If you would like to donate to support this project, please click here. Thank you in advance!

First data coming in from “Kamala” showing her movements around the Negril Royal Palm Reserve in Jamaica.

WIWD with GPS tracker attached using a backpack style harness. The tracker weighs about 20 g, which is about 2% of the species’ body weight. The batteries are solar powered. (photo by Ann Sutton)

The team at work, taking measurements on one of the two ducks that were fitted with GPS transmitters.

Brandon Hay with Joe, one of the two WIWD. (photo by Ann Sutton)

WIWDs are a secretive duck, difficult to survey and study, as they typically roost in mangroves or other dense vegetation during the day. They become active at dusk, flying around to different wetlands to feed. (photo by Ann Sutton)

January 8, 2021

Journal of Caribbean Ornithology Volume 33 Roundup

Despite the challenges of the year 2020, JCO’s Volume 33 includes 16 publications, 3 book reviews, and a review of the recent ornithological literature from the Caribbean. The volume includes articles on a diversity of topics and taxa from 11 island territories and one Caribbean basin continental site. The content is a credit to all of the authors, reviewers, and JCO staff who overcame the pandemic challenges to contribute to the publication effort in a timely fashion. We thank all involved in this effort for their contributions, which have advanced our knowledge of Caribbean birds in 2020.

Please take some time to enjoy all of Volume 33. We should all take pride in this work and make the time to congratulate each other on all of these accomplishments, especially during this challenging year. If you enjoyed reading a publication, please send the authors a quick email letting them know. That is what makes Caribbean ornithology special—a sense of community and comradery unlike anywhere else.

— Joseph M. Wunderle, Jr., JCO Editor-in-Chief, and Justin Proctor, JCO Managing Editor

P.S. More good news: we have a lot of great manuscripts at various stages in the pipeline right now, which means that V34 is already off to a strong start!

Map depicting research locations of the studies published in Volume 33.

RESEARCH ARTICLES AND NOTES

Composition of bird community in Portachuelo Pass (Henri Pittier National Park, Venezuela)

Cristina Sainz-Borgo, Jhonathan Miranda, and Miguel Lentino

In Henri Pittier National Park, Venezuela, the low-lying Portachuelo Pass provides essential habitat for both resident and migratory bird species. Despite this, information about the composition of the bird community is scarce. In this study, Sainz-Borgo et al. survey and describe the species inhabiting Portachuelo Pass, highlighting key characteristics of the avifauna in this important ecosystem.

Mass fallout and stopover duration of Migratory Blackpoll Warblers (Setophaga striata) in Bermuda after Hurricane Nicole

Miguel A. Mejías and Albert J. Mejías

On 13 October, 2016, Hurricane Nicole made landfall over Bermuda. Mejias and Meijas acted quickly, utilizing the hurricane as an opportunity to document a species fallout event. Here, they present the results of their post-hurricane songbird surveys, documenting a significant fallout of Blackpoll Warblers and underscoring the importance of remote oceanic island refuges for fallout migrants.

Woodland size and vegetation effects on resident and non-resident woodland birds in Bermuda

Miguel A. Mejías and Erica Nol

While historically, Bermuda was home to lush, native, evergreen forests, human colonization in 1612 led to progressive habitat fragmentation and introduction of exotic trees. In this study, Mejías and Nol explore the impact of woodland size and vegetation features on species richness and bird abundance, specifically emphasizing the effects on White-eyed Vireos. Critically, they show that larger, less-fragmented woodlands are essential for supporting abundant and diverse bird communities.

Historical review of information on terns nesting in Bermuda, with prospects for re-establishing some of the lost species

David B. Wingate and Ian C.T. Nisbet

Early accounts from the Bermuda Islands suggest the presence of myriad nesting tern species on the islands; however, only the Common Tern survived into the 20th century. Here, Wingate and Nisbet review both the historic and recent records of terns on Bermuda, shedding light on the prospect of restoration and species recolonization using modern conservation techniques.

Abundance and distribution of Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii) in the Virgin Islands

Louise M. Soanes, Judy Pierce, Daniel Nellis, Susan Zaluski, and Lewis G. Halsey

Due to a severe decline in the North Atlantic Roseate Tern populations in the 1900s, countries worldwide initiated conservation plans. However, few studies have focused on the Caribbean population of Roseate Terns. Using three decades of survey data, Soanes et al. detail the abundance and distribution of Roseate Terns in the Virgin Islands, identifying key breeding sites, reporting a gradual population decline, and calling for further conservation and research efforts.

Light-level geolocation reveals the migration route and non-breeding location of an Antillean Nighthawk (Chordeiles gundlachii)

Noah Perlut and Anthony Levesque

Though the Antillean Nighthawk is a relatively common species in the Caribbean, its migration routes and non-breeding location remain a mystery. In an effort to identify these locations, Perlut and Levesque attach a geolocator to a female Antillean Nighthawk, tracking and documenting her movements throughout a one-year period.

Novedades sobre la reproducción de dos especies de aves marinas poco comunes en Cuba*

Antonio García-Quintas, Laritza González Leiva, and Ariandy González González

The second breeding record of Audubon’s Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri) and the fourth breeding record of Common Tern (Sterna hirundo), were detected in the Felipe de Sotavento and Barlovento cays of northern Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. These seabirds are uncommon in the country; so, new records of nests with eggs and chicks indicate the need for increased sampling in northern cays of the country. The studied cays are among the most important nesting sites for seabird colonies in Cuba in terms of number of species and breeding pairs.

*Erratum: Novedades sobre la reproducción de dos especies de aves marinas poco comunes en Cuba

An error was found in the García-Quintas et al. manuscript published earlier in this volume, in which the photographs of an egg and chick in Figure 2 represent Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii), not Common Tern (S. hirundo).

Checklist of the birds of Finca Nolla, a recently protected area in northern Puerto Rico

Adrianne G. Tossas, Osvaldo Rullán, Robert J. Mayer, and Jean P. González

Throughout the 20th century, Finca Nolla, a wetland on the northwestern coast of Puerto Rico, was severely disturbed by agricultural and industrial practices. However, in 2011, the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources purchased the land, designated it as a protected area, and began restoration activities. By thoroughly documenting the avifauna within Finca Nolla, Tossas et al. establish a baseline for future avian assessments and propose an upgrade of the conservation status to nature reserve.

A survey of Grenadians on seabird harvest in the Grenada Grenadines

Wayne A. Smart, Natalia Collier, and Virginie Rolland

Historically, overexploitation has contributed significantly to seabird population declines. Though protective laws have since been enacted, the extent of continued, illegal seabird harvest is unclear. Through their survey of the fishers and recreationists at the Fisheries Division office in Sauters, Grenada, Smart et al. shine a light on the persistence of seabird harvest in Grenada, highlight the sociodemographic factors that are associated with seabird harvest, and propose a possible community-based monitoring program. Photo

Brown Boobies (Sula leucogaster) roosting at Washington-Slagbaai National Park, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

Fernando Simal, Adriana Vallarino, Elsmarie Beukenboom, Rutsel Paula, Henry Beaumont, George Zaragoza, Esther Wolfs, Patrick Holian, and Elisabeth Albers

After anecdotal reports suggested that the seabirds roosting on the northwestern coast of Bonaire had been reduced to less than 60 individuals, Simal et al. began to investigate. From 2008–2010, they conducted roost counts at seven sites in Washington-Slagbaai National Park. Here, they document substantially higher seabird counts than previously suggested, with a maximum of 240 Brown Boobies in July 2009.

Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Larus fuscus) in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada

Juliana Coffey, Natalia Collier, Vaughn Thomas, and Romould Compton

Though historically considered very rare in the West Indies, Lesser Black-backed Gulls have become fairly common non-breeding visitors to many Carribean islands, including most of the larger Lesser Antilles. Continuing this trend, here, Coffey et al. document the first records of Lesser Black-backed Gulls on both Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada.

The Pleistocene Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) from The Bahamas

Ajay M. Patel and David W. Steadman

Despite the rarity of Burrowing Owls on Abaco, The Bahamas, today, many Pleistocene Burrowing Owl fossils have been recovered from the island. Using skeletal measurements, Patel and Steadman compare these fossils to modern specimens from western North America, South America, and Florida. Their results shed light on possible morphological adaptations of the Abaco owls to the island’s biogeography.

Nest site characteristics of the Critically Endangered Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi)

Briana M. Yancy, Janine M. Antalffy, Michael G. Rowley, Cierra N. McKoy, Daniel C. Stonko, Lebron E. Rolle, Jennifer L. Christhilf, Scott B. Johnson, Shelley Cant-Woodside, and Kevin E. Omland

Building on the first documentation of Bahama Orioles nesting in pine forests on Abaco, The Bahamas, in this study, Yancy et al. further characterize these nest sites. By identifying specific habitat characteristics that are important for pine forest nests, this work not only enhances our understanding of Bahama Oriole nesting ecology, but also helps inform critical conservation efforts.

Using citizen-science data to identify declining or recently extinct populations of Bahamian birds

Ruby Bagwyn, Kylen Bao, Zuzana Burivalova, and David S. Wilcove

The widespread use of the citizen-science database eBird offers a unique opportunity to analyze trends in bird populations. Here, Bagwyn et al. use eight years of eBird sightings to identify Bahamian bird populations that have recently gone unrecorded. Through this, they find 43 populations, representing 25 species, that are potentially declining or extinct, suggesting areas that should be of key conservation concern.

Picky Palmchats (Dulus dominicus): do they really prefer to nest in royal palms?

Qwahn D. Kent, Maia Edwards, Tim Wu, and André A. Dhondt

While other communal-nesting species show clear nest tree preferences, little is known about whether Palmchats prefer to nest in certain palm species over others. To investigate this gap, Kent et al. characterized Palmchat nest trees in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Overall, Palmchats nested more frequently in royal palms and Hispaniolan silver thatch palms compared with cana and coconut palms and in taller, thicker trees, regardless of tree species.

Distinguishing between Roseate and Common Terns at breeding colonies in the West Indies

Ian C.T. Nisbet

The author sets out to bring attention to an ongoing misidentification problem between Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii) and Common Terns (S. hirundo) on their breeding grounds in the West Indies and Bahamas. Observers should pay special attention to: adult bill color and breeding plumage, clutch size, and characteristics of nestling down feathers as well as leg color.

BOOK REVIEWS

The Real James Bond: A True Story of Identity Theft, Avian Intrigue, & Ian Fleming

Book author: Jim Wright

Review by: Steven Latta

Birds of the UK Overseas Territories

Book editor: Roger Riddington

Review by: Steven Latta

Birds of the West Indies: Second Edition

Book authors: Herbert A. Raffaele, James Wiley, Orlando H. Garrido, Allan Keith, and Janis I. Raffaele

Review by: Andrew Dobson

RECENT ORNITHOLOGICAL LITERATURE (ROL) FROM THE CARIBBEAN

ROL 2020

Steven C. Latta

Article by (1) Simon Campo – Editor for the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology and a Graduate Student at the University of California, Berkeley; Connect with Simon via LinkedIn or email; (2) Justin Proctor – Managing Editor for the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology; and (3) Joe Wunderle – Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology.

Journal of Caribbean Ornithology relies on donations to keep all of our publications free and open-access. If you’re interested in supporting our mission and the broader goal of giving a voice to Caribbean ornithologists and their work, please consider becoming a supporter of JCO. Thank you in advance!

December 19, 2020

New Album Blending Birdsong and Music Raises Money to Help Birds

Bird graphic for money raised for bird conservation — Sales of music and merchandise by Shika Shika have raised just over U$30,000 so far

Since the launch of their “A Guide to the Birdsong of Mexico, Central America, & the Caribbean” album Shika Shika have raised an amazing $30, 000 USD for bird conservation! The digital album and single tracks are available online as well as limited numbers of the vinyl album, posters, prints and t-shirts. Profits go to BirdsCaribbean and three other conservation organizations in Mexica, Central and South America.

It’s musical activism! Listen to the call of the endemic (and elusive) Jamaican Blackbird with a hypnotic beat. The Zapata Wren of Cuba sings sweetly, accompanied by delicate electronic notes. The Keel-billed Motmot of Central America emerges from behind gentle rhythms. The cries of Mexico’s Thick-billed Parrot blend with a finger snapping background.

These are some of the exciting tracks on the album, A Guide to the Birdsong of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Released online in June by Shika Shika, sales of the music and merchandise have raised just over U$30,000 to date, the non-profit label announced. Profits will go to BirdsCaribbean as well as three other bird conservation organizations in Mexica, Central and South America.

Vinyl record — A limited number of these vinyl records are available from Shika Shika

A unique fusion of music and birdsong with a purpose, the ten-track electronic music album, incorporating the songs and calls of endangered birds, is still available, along with vibrant and attractive merchandise. Single tracks, the full digital album, limited numbers of the vinyl edition as well as limited edition posters, prints and T-shirts with the album’s colourful artwork, can be purchased on the Shika Shika website and Shika-Shika’s Bandcamp website.

In celebration of this fund-raising milestone, Shika Shika has produced a podcast in English and Spanish, The podcast includes interviews with the directors of the four non-profit organizations it has partnered with to produce this musical gem. BirdsCaribbean Executive Directer, Lisa Sorenson, and the others explain how the funds will help in their conservation efforts.

“We are delighted to learn that the album is such a success, and we are extremely grateful for the partnership with Shika Shika and the funds raised so far. We encourage music lovers and bird lovers to continue to purchase this wonderful music for gifts or for themselves, in support of our birds,” said BirdsCaribbean’s Executive Director Lisa Sorenson. “All these bird species, many of them forest dwellers, are threatened by development and the destruction of their habitats. BirdsCaribbean is committed to working with local partners for the conservation of habitats for birds such as the highly endangered Bay-breasted Cuckoo of Hispaniola, one of the birds featured on this album.”

Zapata Wren and Jamaican Blackbird designs

The project is the brainchild of Robin Perkins, also known as El Búho (“The Owl”) , a UK-born musician music producer, and environmental campaigner. It is a follow-up to A Guide to the Birdsong of South America, released in 2015. Perkins first researched the most endangered birds in various countries and then invited locally based electronic DJs and composers to produce one track each featuring the song of a particular bird. The contributors include some who are passionate birders themselves, like the Belizean guitarist and manager of the well-known indigenous group Garifuna Collective, whose song features the Black Catbird.

Listen to the album, learn more about the project and artists, and shop here and Here. You can also listen and buy using the links below.

<a href="https://shikashika.bandcamp.com/album/a-guide-to-the-birdsong-of-mexico-central-america-the-caribbean">A Guide to the Birdsong of Mexico, Central America & the Caribbean by Shika Shika</a>

T-shirts with the album artwork are available for sale.

Radio spots about the album on various BBC World Service programmes. Here are the links to listen:

Newsday (1st outing); Michael Rossi and BBC News Service: [fast forward to 37 minutes in]

Newshour: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w172x2ysnr73jx0 [fast forward to 45 minutes in]

What if some of the most beautiful bird songs in the world disappeared forever?

December 7, 2020

BirdsCaribbean Expresses Grave Concern Over Proposed Changes to Migratory Bird Treaty Act

BirdsCaribbean is deeply concerned about the proposed changes to the United States Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). The rule changes will significantly increase the hazard levels for our migratory birds. We are asking you to please take action by signing and sharing the petitions below as soon as possible & by December the 27th at the latest!

Prairie Warbler perched in a tree in the Bahamas — Prairie Warbler numbers have declined in recent years due to loss of their preferred habitats. Along with many other migratory birds, they also face threats such as collisions with glass and predation from free-roaming cats. (Photo by Beth Hamel)

BirdsCaribbean, the largest non-governmental conservation organization in the Caribbean, is registering its strong opposition to proposed changes to rules governing the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). In its Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on Regulations Governing the Take of Migratory Birds dated November 2020, the U.S. Department of the Interior claims that the new regulation “would provide legal certainty for the public regarding what actions are prohibited under the MBTA.” In effect, however, it would reduce liability for the accidental “take” of migratory birds by corporate entities such as oil and gas companies, construction firms and the like.

“We are deeply concerned by the persistent efforts to undermine the MBTA, which has protected our birds for well for over a century,” said Executive Director of BirdsCaribbean, Lisa Sorenson. “Many of the 350 migratory bird species that breed in North America and winter further south are already endangered. This proposed action is another setback for the many international conservation organizations such as ours that are working diligently together to protect these species. Scientists, researchers, and governments across the region have been collaborating to create networks such as the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network that are critical to the birds’ survival.”

Group of Red Knot moulting from breeding to winter plumage — Red Knots breed in the far north, in the Arctic & can spend the winter as far south as the southern most tip of South America. This means they make some amazing migratory journeys of tens of thousands of miles overall. Red Knots gather in large groups in some places during autumn and winter; this makes them vulnerable to threats like sea-level rise and hunting, their population is currently declining. (Photo by Matt Grube)

BirdsCaribbean believes that these rule changes will significantly increase the hazard levels for the birds themselves. Migratory birds already have to contend with numerous obstacles, including the growing impacts of climate change and a spectrum of human activities that damage their habitats and cause their deaths, such as oil spills and collisions with infrastructure. They must be protected throughout their annual cycles, including where they breed, overwinter, and stop to refuel during their remarkable journeys.

“Migratory birds are the life and soul of the Americas,” noted Sorenson. “Not only do migratory birds bring diversity and an irreplaceable balance to our ecosystems, they bring happiness to individuals and communities across the region, who look forward to their arrival each year. Whether tiny warblers, birds of prey, or shorebirds, migratory birds are embedded in the cultures—and oftentimes livelihoods—of all the countries they visit. Every year on World Migratory Bird Day we celebrate their unique qualities and recognize the amazing natural phenomenon which is migration, about which there is still so much to learn.”

This is not the first attempt that the U.S. Department of the Interior has attempted to weaken the MBTA rule. The proposed efforts have already been rejected by a federal district court back in December of 2017. However, if successful this time, this change will add to more than 125 environmental policies that have been undermined by the Trump administration, causing untold harm to the environment and bird habitats.

How You Can Help

Bicknell's Thrush on branch singing — The Bicknell’s Thrush population is small and numbers are declining. Classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, it is considered one of North America’s most at-risk breeding songbirds. They migrate through North America and spend the winter on only four Greater Antillean islands – Hispaniola, Cuba, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. (Photo by Dax Roman)

Please sign and share the action alerts/ petitions below, which will let your state representatives know that you do not agree with weakening the MBTA. (note – you need to be a US resident to participate in the action alerts).

https://abcbirds.org/action/petition-mbta

https://act.audubon.org/a/dont-let-interior-department-gut-migratory-bird-treaty-act

https://www.thepetitionsite.com/176/084/033/with-a-simple-change-to-policy-trump-doomed-millions-of-birds-to-die/

https://www.change.org/p/u-s-fish-and-wildlife-service-help-save-migratory-birds?redirect=false

https://www.defenders.org/protecting-migratory-birds

Ospry holding fish in its talons — Osprey catching a fish. This species was endangered by the effects of pesticides in the mid-20th century. It relies on wetlands for it food during migration, as well as its breeding habitat. (Photo by Bernie Duhamel)

November 29, 2020

Black-capped Petrel Conservation Through Poverty Alleviation in a Haitian Community

Join Adam Brown as he takes us on a trip to Haiti, to the remote mountain village of Boukan Chat. This village and the people who live there are the focus of conservation efforts to save the elusive and endangered Black-capped Petrel. Find out more about village life and how sustainable agriculture has been helping both the people and the petrels.

The village of Boukan Chat, Haiti is a one-dirt road, dusty small village on the frontier of the Haitian border with the Dominican Republic. To get there from the capital city of Port au Prince is a 6-hour driving adventure that takes you from paved roads, to dirt roads, to riverbeds, and finally up a steep climb to the remote mountain outpost.

EPIC research team driving from Port au Prince to Boukan Chat, Haiti (Photo by SoulCraft)

Life in the Village of Boukan Chat

With an average income of around $5/day, the residents of Boukan Chat all live in small and simple houses, constructed of concrete blocks with sheet metal roofing that is weighted down on the structure with assorted rocks. There is no power in the village, however, there is a single solar powered streetlight, which is a popular hangout for people after dark.

Everybody in the village is a farmer, from the moms and dads, to the grandparents, to the kids, to the babies on their parents’ (or siblings!) back. The food the people of Boukan Chat eat, is the food they grow. Farm plots range from backyard gardens at residents’ houses in the village to expansive multi-acre farms up in the hills behind town. The local farmers market is on Tuesdays, and as you can imagine, the whole village turns out for the weekly event.

Farmers market day in Boukan Chat, Haiti (Photo by EPIC)

There is no running water in or around the village. During the rainy season, residents capture and store water in cisterns, but in the dry season, they must travel up to 10 miles by foot, horse, or motorbike to collect their water from a community pump.

Petrel team member Jose Luis, painting a Black-capped Petrel mural on a cistern in Boukan Chat, Haiti (Photo by EPIC)

There are schools in the village, all of which are private. Often, what this means is that a single teacher in a one-classroom building teaches a mixed-age class of youth, ranging from kindergarten to high school. The classes meet for a couple hours each day, except in the summer – unless the weather is too severe, or a large farm harvest is taking place.

The village is represented in the regional men’s soccer league by an incredibly competitive group of local young men. Games on the weekend are highlights for the whole village and hundreds of people show up to the soccer field, one of the only flat spots in the whole village, to cheer the local squad on.

Two members of the Boukan Chat soccer team (Photo by SoulCraft)

The Search for the Black-capped Petrel Begins

The Black-capped Petrel is an endangered seabird that nests in the Caribbean region. Its local name is Diablotín, which means ‘little devil’, a name likely arising from supernatural beliefs associated with the species’ habit of calling in the dark of night. Currently, the only known nesting colonies are on the island of Hispaniola, although recent evidence suggests that there might also be a small colony on the island of Dominica. With an estimated global population of between 1,000-2,000 nesting pairs, the species is endangered due to habitat loss, threats by introduced predators, and collision hazards along its flight pathways.

Adult Black-capped Petrel sitting on its nest near Boukan Chat, Haiti (Photo by SoulCraft)

In 2011, the team from EPIC’s partner foundation, Grupo Jaragua, led by Ernst Rupp and consisting of an intrepid group of young field assistants, crossed the border from the Dominican Republic into Haiti and began searching for nesting endangered Black-capped Petrels on the slopes just above Boukan Chat. The team knew little of the village of Boukan Chat but were driven to search these hills, known as Morne Vincent, as they contained some of the last forested areas in Haiti and therefore were likely home to nesting petrels. That year, on that first mission to this area, the team discovered the first known active Black-capped Petrel nests ever recorded.

Petrel team member Perrin using a camera to investigate a Black-capped Petrel nest near Boukan Chat, Haiti (Photo by SoulCraft)

The Forests and the Farmers

The nesting colony on the forested slopes of Morne Vincent are immediately adjacent to the farming areas of Boukan Chat. These forests and slopes serve as a natural water catchment for the agricultural areas. While surveying on Morne Vincent, the petrel team made introductions with the farmers in the village. Realizing that preserving the forests of this area was crucial to conserving petrel habitat, the team from Grupo Jaragua, along with its partners from EPIC, JACSEH, SoulCraft, and Plant with Purpose endeavored to work alongside these farmers to conserve petrel habitat through sustainable agriculture, increased youth environmental education programming, and improved community savings programs that increase economic resiliency in the face of natural disasters (or a global pandemic!)

The evolution of our Black-capped Petrel conservation initiatives in Boukan Chat and the immediate impact they made on preserving local populations of the petrel, have made it the flagship program of the overall effort to preserve the petrel. With the idea of conserving the petrel through poverty alleviation, our initiatives penetrated most aspects of the Boukan Chat community.

Sustainable Agriculture in Action in Boukan Chat

As part of our sustainable agriculture program in Boukan Chat, we supported the creation of 22 Village Savings Farm Groups, made up of 2,600 people from 409 family farms. Within this program, we do classroom lessons that explain the theory behind sustainable agriculture. Specifically, farmers learned how improved human land use and crop management leads to higher yields, less soil erosion, and increased family incomes. In the field with the farmers, we have together created 520 compost piles, controlled 1,200 linear meters of gullies, installed 6,750 linear meters of anti-erosive barriers, and replaced 96 gallons of chemical pesticides with natural pesticides. Annually, the farm groups together save about $56,280. What do all these numbers mean for the Black-capped Petrel? Less stress on the human communities and reduced encroachment into the last remaining forested nesting habitat of the petrel.

Haitian farmers working to build a soil erosion barrier. — Farmers in Boukan Chat, Haiti working together to build a soil erosion barrier (Photo by Plant with Purpose)

As part of our youth environmental education program, we annually reach 3,600 students in Boukan Chat. Our programs focus on basic environmental themes such as soil and water conservation, the role of plants in the environment, and environmental stewardship in the community. With an eye towards the future, realizing that the youth of the community today will be the farmers of the community tomorrow, we are setting the foundation towards continued sustainable agricultural practices moving forward.

Haitian children learning about the Black-capped Petrel — Petrel team members Jose Luis, Rene Jene, and Anderson Jean teaching a class on petrel biology to a school in Boukan Chat, Haiti (Photo by EPIC)

The Black-capped Petrel: A Village Icon

Along with the community, we celebrate the collaboration and commitment that we have made together to improve lives of both humans and petrels. We do this through sponsoring the local soccer team, who in turn wear a patch of the petrel on their soccer jerseys. We hire local artists to paint iconic images of the petrel on cisterns in the village. Annually, as part of the Black-capped Petrel Festival, we march together through the village, led by the Black-capped Petrel mascot and the local carnival band, and celebrate our successes together.

Black-capped Petrel mascot leading the parade for the Diablotin Festival in Boukan Chat, Haiti (Photo by EPIC)

The conservation of the imperiled Black-capped Petrel is about the long game. While we measure our success in short term impacts, true lasting success and firm conservation of the Black-capped Petrel will take decades to implement. Its about buy in with human communities that live among nesting petrels and supporting the improvement of those human lives so that those humans, in turn, are able to make the choice to both support their families at the same time as preserving the petrel. While we have had great success since the first nest was found in 2011, we look forward to the challenges that lay ahead.

This project is funded in part by the Betty Petersen Conservation Fund (BirdsCaribbean), the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the American Bird Conservancy, and numerous individual donors.

ADAM BROWN is a Senior Biologist with Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC). Adam oversees EPIC’s Black-capped Petrel Conservation Program and has been an active member of the International Black-capped Petrel Conservation Group since 2011. Adam has pioneered the use of radar to track Black-capped Petrels to their nesting colonies on Hispaniola, has led expeditions to locate petrels on islands throughout the Caribbean, and is a strong advocate of collaboration among petrel conservation organizations within the Caribbean region.