There is a beautiful parallel between the tiny endemics that call Jamaica home and the children who came out to protect them in May: neither can be underestimated because of their size! As Jamaica’s green spaces slowly bounce back from Hurricane Melissa, a new generation of backyard birders is stepping up to prove that the future of bird conservation is in capable hands.
This inspiring spirit of action was on full display during this year’s Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF). Centered around the theme ‘Every Bird Counts—Your Observations Matter,’ BirdLife Jamaica hosted a Global Big Day event designed to help the next generation realize that their curiosity is paramount to tracking, understanding, and ultimately protecting Jamaica’s birds.
Hope Gardens (Photo by Doris Gross)
The perfect location for this was at the Hope Royal Botanical Gardens in Kingston. Often called the “green lung” of the city, these sprawling lawns, shaded forest trails, and vibrant flower beds serve as a sanctuary for Jamaica’s native wildlife and some of the country’s endemic birds like the Yellow-billed Parrot, Jamaican Woodpecker, Red-billed Streamertail and Jamaican Oriole. In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which stripped away nesting spots and food sources, urban green spaces like Hope Gardens have become more important than ever. It was here that eager young conservationists gathered to look at and give back to their feathered friends, spending the afternoon building and decorating custom bird feeders to help local populations recover and thrive.
Red Hills Primary School student Malika with a printed copy of her poem.
Vervain Hummingbird (Photo by Suzanne Labbé ML211863431)
Among the young nature enthusiasts was Malika Smith, a student from Red Hills Primary School. Her unforgettable encounter with one of our most spectacular endemic birds perfectly captures how a single observation can spark a love for conservation. Here is the delightful poem she wrote about her big day:
The Day I Met the Vervain Hummingbird
One sunny day we went away,
To Hope Gardens for a special day.
With smiles and laughter, full of cheer,
We knew a great adventure was near.
We walked the trails and looked around,
Listening carefully to every sound.
The birds were singing in the trees,
Their sweet songs floating on the breeze.
Then something tiny caught my eye,
A little bird zooming through the sky.
It was the Vervain Hummingbird, they said,
The smallest hummingbird in the world, we read!*
It hovered softly from flower to flower,
Showing its beauty and amazing power.
Though it was tiny, it moved so fast,
A wonderful memory that will surely last.
My favorite activity was making a bird feeder, too,
Bananaquit at a feeder (Photo by Michael Stubblefield ML545532751)
If you live in one of the western parishes, you can also contact BirdLife Jamaica via email at 📧 BirdlifeJamaica@gmail.com or call 📞 1-876-295-7766 to see if you qualify to receive hurricane relief bird feeders and specialized energy-mix bird seed.
Additionally, if you can help get bird feeders and seed to the western parishes, please get in touch with the organization today. Thank you! 🖤 💚 💛
For everyone else looking to lend a helping hand, crafting your own backyard bird feeder is a fantastic, simple project for the entire family!Using basic upcycled materials from around the house, you can create a welcoming haven for local endemics. Check out our DIY guides below:
Malika’s story reminds us that looking after nature takes a whole community. As Jamaica’s forests and gardens continue to recover from the impacts of Hurricane Melissa, our unique birds need our help more than ever to find safe spaces, food, and care.
By supporting BirdLife Jamaica and BirdsCaribbean, you directly fund vital habitat restoration, community education programs, and essential resources for youth outreach events just like this one. Your generosity ensures that more children across the region can discover the joy of birdwatching and become the environmental stewards our islands need for the future.
Celebrate the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) with us! Our theme in 2025 is “Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-friendly Cities and Communities”—highlighting the crucial role bird-friendly cities and communities can have in addressing the decline in bird populations caused by threats like habitat loss, predation, and climate change. Have fun learning about a new endemic bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy learning about and celebrating nature!
Endemic Bird of the Day: Jamaican Oriole
“Auntie Katie! You-cheat, you-cheat-you, you-cheat-you and If-you-want-it-free, don’t-ask-me!”
These whimsical lyrics mimic the melodious song of the Jamaican Oriole (Icterus leucopteryx leucopteryx), known locally as Auntie Katie, Banana Katie, or Banana Bird. This medium-sized songbird, about 20 cm long, fills the air with its rich, flute-like whistles—especially in the early morning and late afternoon. Its song, made up of rapid, down-slurred patterns, adds a bright, musical flair to Jamaica’s natural soundscape.
The Jamaican Oriole is unmistakable with its bold contrast of yellow and black. It sports a black throat, face, and upper chest; a greenish-yellow head, nape, and mantle; and a vibrant yellow belly and rump. Its wings and tail are mostly black, with a large white patch on the wing patch. Females look similar but slightly duller, while immatures are olive-green with less black on the head and dusky green tails. These adaptable birds thrive in all kinds of habitats—from forests at all elevations to gardens and towns. They’re omnivores with a sweet tooth, often seen in fruit trees feasting on bananas, mangoes, Otaheite apples, and papayas. They also enjoy the nectar provided by flowers—and will eagerly tear flowers apart to get to their nectaries. These resourceful birds also feed on insects—using their pointy beaks to probe into tree bark, bromeliads, and seed pods, or picking prey right off leaves.
Jamaican Orioles are also nature’s engineers, weaving hanging pouch-like nests out of grass, thread, fibers, and Spanish moss. These nests sway beneath tree branches and are cleverly hidden among the leaves to protect chicks from predators. Females typically lay 3–5 white eggs with brown markings, and both parents pitch in to feed and care for their young.
Although the Jamaican Oriole is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, it still faces challenges. Habitat loss from deforestation and poorly planned urban expansion threatens its future. It also falls victim to the invasive Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis), a brood parasite that lays its eggs in oriole nests, tricking orioles into raising cowbird chicks instead of their own. Planting native trees, preserving green spaces, and supporting local conservation efforts are great ways to help this charismatic bird continue to thrive.
While the Jamaican Oriole subspecies (Icterus leucopteryx leucopteryx) is found only in Jamaica, a related subspecies occurs on San Andrés, Colombia. Sadly, the species is now extinct on Grand Cayman. The Jamaican Oriole also holds a special place in the island’s birding culture—it appears on the logo of the Gosse Bird Club, founded in the 1950s, and which continues today as BirdLife Jamaica. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here. Great news! If you’re in the Caribbean, thanks to BirdsCaribbean, you have free access to Birds of the World and you can find out even more in the full species account of this bird!
Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Damany Calder for the text!
Colour in the Jamaican Oriole
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 Jamaican Oriole
The song of the Jamaican Oriole is series of rich, whistled, and slurred phrases and “cheat-you, cheat-you, cheat-you, cheat-you, cheat.”
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!
Jamaican Oriole. (Photo by Anthony VanSchoor)A Jamaican Oriole spotted in Portland, Jamaica. (Photo by Joseph Priniotakis, Macaulay Library-ML558197951)Male Jamaican Oriole. (Photo by Peter-Hawrylyshyn, Macaulay Library-ML541878121)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS : Get ready to head out on a bird-friendly adventure with our bird-friendly bingo game! Ask a trusted adult if you can take a walk in your backyard, or go with them on a walk around your neighbourhood. As you walk around look carefully for things that help keep birds safe in your community. You can then mark them off on the bingo card we provide in our game! Get out there and see what you can find!
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS : Enjoy this video of a Jamaican Oriole in the wild!
John Fletcher holds his gift book prepared by his birding family at his 90th birthday celebrations in April, 2019. (Photo by BirdLife Jamaica)
We are saddened to share the recent passing of John Fletcher, a true pioneer of birdwatching in Jamaica. Emma Lewis—an influential blogger, environmental advocate, and longtime BirdsCaribbean member—has written a heartfelt tribute to John, honoring his remarkable legacy of inspiring Jamaicans to appreciate and protect their island’s birds. Emma, also a valued member of our Media Working Group, originally posted this tribute on her blog, Petchary, on November 3, 2024. We extend our gratitude to her for allowing us to share it here.
The birdwatching community has become quite close-knit over the past few years. It is small, but growing. Last month was a sad one, however, as we lost a beloved member of the older generation of birders. I penned this obituary; please feel free to share. As you can tell from the tributes at the end of this piece, we all miss John very much – but we are reflecting on the many good times we shared with him.
He was a teacher. He was a mentor. He was an expert bird guide. He was a friend. And he was never happier than when he had a pair of binoculars slung round his neck.
John was all about business and birds
Former President of BirdLife Jamaica (BLJ) and revered “elder statesman” of the island’s birding world, John Oliver Fletcher passed away in Kingston, Jamaica on October 11, 2024 at the age of 95, after a short illness. He leaves behind his two sons, Andrew and Mark, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Lisa Sorenson, Executive Director of BirdsCaribbean, shared her condolences with Jamaican birders: “John was amazing, such a huge and positive influence on the birding community in Jamaica and a mentor and friend to so many. A life well-lived for sure and he will be missed. His spirit lives on in our memories—and in every joyful moment spent with binoculars in hand. Our condolences to all of you.”
President of BLJ Justin Saunders shared: “The significance of John to BLJ was evident from my first day as a BirdLife member over two years ago. The outpouring of love since his passing only confirms the beautiful stories I’ve heard about him since. I was not fortunate enough to have met and gone birding with John, something I expected would have been a memorable and fun experience; but I’m inspired every time I see one more picture and hear one more person speak about their favorite ‘John moment’. Even though John’s passing is a sad moment I think it’s also a beautiful reminder of the family we have here in BirdLife Jamaica.”
In a Facebook post, the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica conveyed its sincere condolences, noting that John was a dedicated member for many years.
Born in Balham, south London on April 5, 1929, John arrived in Jamaica in 1948 as a nineteen year-old, to do his second year of required National Service in Jamaica. He worked in the Army Ordnance Depot on Princess Street, downtown Kingston. He fell in love with Jamaica, met and married a Kingstonian (Kitty Paxton), and started work with the Citrus Company of Jamaica as an assistant chemist. John worked in a management position in Stann Creek, Belize (then British Honduras) for a short while; however, Belize did not suit the Fletchers, and they returned to Jamaica. They lived in Bog Walk for twelve years, where John was Managing Director of Jamaica Citrus Growers. In 1970, he formed his own company, Fletcher Bowman Ltd., in Yallahs, St. Thomas. John was elected President of the Jamaica Exporters Association (JEA) in 1980. Following an illness, he sold the company in 1984. After serving as Managing Director of Salada Foods from 1986 for nine years, he retired at 65 and decided to join his son Mark’s company, Country Traders, where he started his own roastery – Coffee Roasters of Jamaica – an enterprise he enjoyed.
Somehow, despite all his responsibilities, John balanced his business career with his love for the environment – and birds in particular.
John Fletcher walking along the beach during a visit to Yallahs Salt Ponds, a place where he was always very happy. (Photo by Emma Lewis)
While living in Yallahs in the 1970s, John had started bird watching in the fascinating wetland area of the nearby Salt Ponds in the evenings; it remained one of his most beloved birding spots. He became a member of the Gosse Bird Club (now BirdLife Jamaica) where he served as Treasurer from 2005 to 2010 and then as President, until 2014. Besides his birding activities, he was Honorary Consul for Sweden from 1983, for 17 years; and wrote a fortnightly column in the Daily News on business and environmental issues from 1978. In 1990 he was appointed to the Appeals Tribunal of the National Resources Conservation Authority and became Chairman, resigning in 1996 from this and other posts.
John threw himself into his activities as an expert bird guide for locals and overseas visitors, conducting tours all over the island from 2001 onwards. Birding with inner city children, as part of a project with Jamaica Environment Trust, and talking to groups of schoolchildren about birds were among his most rewarding experiences – besides, of course, numerous field trips with BLJ.
Indeed, John loved life, laughed readily and easily, and “connected” with people of all ages and backgrounds. He even got on well with bird hunters. It was noticeable that birdwatchers would gather round him during field trips, to gather up his wisdom.
John adjusting the scope for young birders. (Photo by Doris Gross)
John helping a new birder identify a bird by using a field guide. (Doris Gross)
John helping a group of birders identify a bird. (Doris Gross)
John lived life to the fullest, and was very much a family man. His ninetieth birthday was celebrated in style with friends, family and birders at the Pages Restaurant in Hope Gardens, where he was presented with a book created by BLJ members in celebration of his life with birds, among other gifts. It was a joyous and at times emotional occasion.
John on his 90th, after a birding session at Hope Gardens, with the BirdLife “crew.”
While staying at Silver Sands in late July this year, John “really enjoyed his early morning swims,” according to his son Andrew. He had celebrated his 95th birthday with a party at a restaurant in Golden Spring, St. Andrew.
John gave so much to Jamaica’s birding family. He was much loved and appreciated as a colleague and teacher, and he will be greatly missed.
Other BLJ members and birders shared their fond memories:
“John Fletcher will live on in the hearts of birders in Jamaica. He has taught many about the birds of Jamaica and also how to be a superb bird guide…You have taught and shared so much information about birds to so many people, including me. On behalf of the birding community in Jamaica, we would like to send condolences to your family at this time. You were such a birder and you will live on in our hearts – even in our binoculars.” ImmediatePast President/BLJ Executive and Biologist Damion Whyte
“John and I have shared many birding moments, especially at Parrottee Ponds, St. Elizabeth. I chant that JAH grants all those who are connected to him extra strength in this time of bereavement. May his soul rest in the arms of the Ancestors. John, you have stepped into the next realm and the JAH of the birds are with you all the way. Live on Birding Brother.” – Wolde Kristos, BLJ Executive and Bird Guide
“John was serious about birds. He was always ready to share his knowledge with us all. His enthusiasm was truly infectious. He was a very kind and thoughtful man. I will always remember the steaming hot coffee that he would bring on bird trips and share with us; for example, at the top of a cliff in Hector’s River, as we watched White-tailed Tropicbirds sailing by.” – Emma Lewis, BLJ Executive and blogger
“It was so easy to take beautiful photos of John Fletcher. Because he was a beautiful soul and that showed on the outside…I always told him he is our inspiration for aging gracefully. Fly high with the birds John!” – Doris Gross, BLJ member
“I was honoured to have John Fletcher as a friend for over 30 years. John was remarkable not only for his extensive knowledge of birds, but for his amazing memory of people, places and events in Jamaica over the past seven decades. John was not only a birder, but a ‘hasher’ – a member of the running club, Jamaica Hash House Harriers (‘JAH3’) – and because he was an Englishman with a lifelong interest in birds, he earned himself the cheeky Hash name of ‘Tit Pincher’. It was always a pleasure having John on a birding trip: he brought his bird expertise, his stories of bygone times in Jamaica, and his delicious coffee. Farewell, John – fly with the birds you loved so much.” – Wendy Lee, Conservationist and Bird Guide
“I met John about 2002 through the late Dr. Peter Vogel when I was first introduced to BirdLife Jamaica.
I affectionately look back at the fact that John has always been an old man, even seeing pictures of him from years before he always looked the same…sort of how no one can conjure up a picture of a young Santa Claus. He automatically and effortlessly commanded the room as he immediately got the respect and undivided attention whenever he opened his mouth. He always spoke calmly, never overly excited – but still able to convey his passion for the subject at hand…birds.
Since I was studying birds at the time, John immediately knew I needed his help without me ever asking. So he became my unofficial mentor, keeping me grounded in the local and cultural aspects of birding while I was otherwise building up my technical knowledge. He guided me in how to be a bird guide, which is much more difficult than it seems. The one takeaway I always held on to is that he told me to remain calm and not get too excited when I find the bird, thus not robbing the birders I’m guiding of that experience. In that way he taught me how to let the other birders “discover” the birds themselves, even if it meant I should pretend that I’m not sure of what I am looking at. I understood the assignment.
From there he encouraged me to help train other guides and got me into the commercial aspect of birding to the point where I formed Arrowhead Birding Tours in 2012.
In my eyes, John lived the perfect life. We all knew this day would come when we bid him farewell, but we would never be sad about it.” – Ricardo Miller, Past President of BLJ and Bird Guide.
Celebrate the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) with us! Our theme in 2024 is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds”—highlighting the importance of protecting insects for birds and our environment. Have fun learning about a new endemic bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy learning about and celebrating nature!
Endemic Bird of the Day: Greater Antillean Elaenia
The Greater Antillean Elaenia might not be a bird that jumps right out at you, but they do possess a subtle beauty that rewards the thoughtful eye. They have a pale breast and belly, contrasting with a dark olive head and back. Look for their two bold, whitish wing bars, the pale edges to their flight feathers, and their adorably tiny beak. They have a faint spot on their lores and just the barest hint of an eye ring. If you’re lucky, you might even get to catch a flash of their white crest, which often remains tucked away in their head feathers.
There are whispers in the birding community that the Jamaican and Hispaniolan Greater Antillean Elaenias could be different species! Some organizations like BirdLife International currently recognize them as such but for now they are still usually considered the one species. In plumage, the Jamaican subspecies seems to have a light-yellow wash to the belly, whereas the Hispaniolan subspecies is much whiter below.
Although they sport the name “Greater Antillean,” you can consistently find them on just two of the Greater Antilles—Hispaniola and Jamaica. While they prefer montane forest on both islands, they do have slightly different preferences. In Hispaniola, they prefer higher elevation pine-dominated forests, where they can be quite common and fairly easy to see. In contrast, the Greater Antillean Elaenias in Jamaica are much more enigmatic. You can find them in the highlands of Jamaica, though during nesting season you might only be lucky enough to hear them. In Jamaica, listen for their “tseerrr-che-wit-che-wit … tseerr-che-wit … che-wit … che-wit” song; on Hispaniola they have more of a fast descending trill described as “whee-ee-ee-ee-ee”, or “pwee-chi-chi-chiup, see-ere, chewit-chewit.”
After the breeding season in Jamaica, they may also do a bit of an elevational movement, migrating from the highlands of Eastern Jamaica across most of the island in the non-breeding season. In Hispaniola these elaenias aren’t so apt to wandering and are found in the mountains year-round. Vagrants (likely of the Hispaniolan subspecies) have been recorded as far east as Puerto Rico though!
In Jamaica and Hispaniola, the key to identifying the Greater Antillean Elaenia is looking for their wing bars! In Jamaica there is another species, the Jamaican Elaenia, that they can be confused with—the Jamaican Elaenia however lacks wing bars. Likewise, on Hispaniola, the similarly drab Hispaniolan Pewee also does not sport this distinctive feature.
Like many other tropical flycatchers, these birds thrive on a diet of both insects and fruits. They are adept at aerial maneuvers, sallying from a perch to snatch an insect off the underside of a leaf or hover-gleaning to find the ripest fruits. Elaenias agree that foraging is more fun with friends, and they’ve often been observed joining mixed-species flocks. In Jamaica, you can catch them feeding with both Blue Mountain and Jamaican Vireos. And you can often see them foraging in pairs.
Breeding season is similar for both subspecies—it starts as early as late April and continues through July. Greater Antillean Elaenias build a bulky moss cup, delicately lined with the softest feathers, placed either low in a bush or higher in the trees. Once the nest is built, they lay two pale pink eggs. Not much else is known about their breeding habits though, and more study is needed.
Both subspecies are not considered to be globally threatened, with a designation of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. However, whilst we might think of them as abundant, they still face notable habitat loss in Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. This highlights the continued need for protected areas for these and other endemic birds. If you’re lucky, you might just get to see one (or a few!) at our Ebano Verde field trip during our July conference in the Dominican Republic. We (Greater Antillean Elaenia included) hope to see you there!
Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Holly Garrod for the text!
Colour in the Greater Antillean Elaenia
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 Greater Antillean Elaenia
The song of the Greater Antillean Elaenia is a descending whistled “Cheeeu” followed by a quick “wibit-wibit.”
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!
Greater Antillean Elaenia. Like many tropical flycatchers, these birds have a diet of both insects and fruits. They can often be found feeding in mixed species flocks. (Photo by Jim Tietz, Macaulay Library-ML64580761)Both in Jamaica and Hispaniola, the key to identifying the Greater Antillean Elaenia is looking for their wing bars! By this feature, you can separate them from the Jamaican Elaenia in Jamaica, and the Hispaniolan Pewee in Hispaniola. (Photo by Dax Roman)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS : Can you find the words in our Greater Antillean Elaenia word search? Read the text above all about this endemic bird to remind yourself of some of the interesting facts and information, as you look for all 15 hidden words!
Remember the words appear forwards and backwards, as are horizontal, vertical and diagonal! Need some help? Or want to check your answers? You can see where all the words were here.
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS : Enjoy this video of a Greater Antillean Elaenia in the wild!
Celebrate the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) with us! Our theme in 2024 is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds”—highlighting the importance of protecting insects for birds and our environment. Have fun learning about a new endemic bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy learning about and celebrating nature!
Endemic Bird of the Day: Rufous-tailed Flycatcher
Known locally as “Big Tom Fool,” the Rufous-tailed Flycatcher (Myiarchus validus) reigns supreme as the largest Myiarchus flycatcher endemic to the lush landscapes of Jamaica! Standing at an impressive 24 cm (10 in), this charismatic bird captivates observers with its distinctive rufous wings and tail, creating an unforgettable sight when seen in the first morning light on the mountains.
The adult Rufous-tailed Flycatcher boasts a brown head, which may be either rounded or peaked when its crest erects for display. Its bill is large, wide, and flattened, and presents a striking contrast between the dark brown upper mandible and orange base on the lower mandible. The back is a subtle brown, while the wings and tail showcase an olive-brown hue, broadly edged with a mesmerizing orange-rufous. The throat and upper breast adopt a pale gray tone, transitioning to a yellowish hue on the belly. Undertail-coverts maintain a light brown shade, and the legs appear in a subdued grayish-brown.
Distinctive in its habitat and behavior, the Rufous-tailed Flycatcher frequents wooded hills and mountains, thriving in various forest types, dry scrub, and secondary forests. Foraging on a diet of insects and berries, including Red Birch, Sweetwood, and Bitterwood, this flycatcher demonstrates its versatility in adapting to different environments. During the breeding season, spanning from April to July, these birds nest in vertical cavities in trees and rotten fence posts, evincing their resourcefulness in creating secure habitats for their offspring.
What makes the Rufous-tailed Flycatcher truly stand out is its vocal prowess. Its fast, rolling “pree-ee-ee-ee-ee,” reminiscent of a horse neighing, echoes through the wooded hills, and is often heard more easily than the bird itself is seen! However, when in view, the Rufous-tailed Flycatcher exhibits a fascinating obliviousness to observers, allowing for extended close encounters, and earning it its endearing local moniker, “Big Tom Fool.”
Despite its distinctive features and engaging behavior, the Rufous-tailed Flycatcher faces conservation challenges. While currently listed as “Least Concern” by IUCN, the species contends with habitat loss and degradation due to hunting, timber removal, deliberate fires, and agricultural expansion. The resilience of this charismatic bird serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human activities and the preservation of Jamaica’s rich avian biodiversity. Conservation efforts are crucial to ensuring the continued existence of the Rufous-tailed Flycatcher in the vibrant landscapes it calls home.
Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Qwahn Kent for the text!
Colour in the Rufous-tailed Flycatcher
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 calls of the Rufous-tailed Flycatcher
The calls of the Rufous-tailed Flycatcher include a squeaky, emphatic repeated “or-will,” as well at twittering sounds, a whistled “pi-pi-pi-pi-pee-pee-pee-pee,” and a harsh squeaky “pew.”
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!
Rufous-tailed Flycatchers can be found in various forest types, dry scrub, and secondary forests. They forage on a diet of insects and berries, including Red Birch, Sweetwood, and Bitterwood. (Photo by Matt Grube)Rufous-tailed Flycatcher. Listen out for the rolling “rolling “pree-ee-ee-ee-ee,” calls this bird makes! They are often more easily heard than seen. (Photo by Zak Pohlen, Macaulay Library-ML551249461)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS : Our theme for the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival this year is “Protect insects, protect birds“. Celebrate this theme in our “DIY Butterfly Costume” activity! You will have fun learning all about butterflies. From wings to antennae, you will explore the different parts of the butterfly while making your own butterfly costume!
For this activity you will need:
An empty cereal box or poster board
Scissors
Craft supplies (anything than you can decorate your wings with, such as tissue paper, cotton balls, crayons, fabric strips, markers, paints, pom poms, tinfoil)
Pipe cleaners
Glue or tape
Hole punch
Elastic string or yarn (about two feet long)
You will need a parent or trusted adult to help you with this activity! You can find all the instructions and information you will needhere.
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS : Enjoy this video of a Rufous-tailed Flycatcher in the wild.
Celebrate the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) with us! Our theme in 2024 is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds”—highlighting the importance of protecting insects for birds and our environment. Have fun learning about a new endemic bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy learning about and celebrating nature!
Endemic Bird of the Day: White-eyed Thrush
Let’s dive into the world of a Jamaican beauty—the striking White-eyed Thrush!
The White-eyed Thrush is a charming bird with a glossy, dark plumage and, as its name suggests, stunning white eyes that pop spectacularly against its dark feathers. The head is rich chocolate brown and the body has darker gray upperparts paired with light gray underparts. Its throat features white streaks on a brown background, bordered by a white patch below. These thrushes are endemic to Jamaica, where you will often spot them hopping around in the understory of lush forests. However, they are quite adaptable and resourceful birds, and can also be found in gardens, parks, and even urban areas. White-eyed Thrushes are known for their playful behavior, often seen hopping around fallen branches or splashing in puddles. These birds are quite the acrobats, so be sure to take some time to observe their entertaining antics when you spot them!
White-eyed Thrushes are omnivores, gobbling up all the tasty things that they can get their beaks on—insects, fruits, and berries. You can consider them the foodies of the bird world—they enjoy a quite diverse menu, sampling meals from the forest floor to the top of the canopy!
Their song is a melodic medley of “hee-haw” whistles and trills, a beautiful serenade which echoes through the forest. They are quite vocal, chirping away to establish territories or communicate with their mates. From April to June they focus on building their nests in the cozy nooks of trees, crafting them with twigs, moss, and other bits of nature’s treasures. Clutch size is 2-3 speckled bluish-green eggs. They are dedicated parents and take turns to incubate the eggs and feed the chicks until they fledge.
While not currently considered globally threatened, habitat loss remains a concern due to deforestation and urbanization. Invasive species and climate change also pose potential threats to their survival. We can all support White-eyed Thrush conservation efforts by advocating for the protection of their habitats, participating in reforestation projects, and spreading awareness about the importance of preserving biodiversity. So, the next time you are strolling through a Jamaican national park, keep an eye out for these delightful little thrushes—they are sure to brighten your day!
Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Michelle Roberts for the text!
Colour in the White-eyed Thrush
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 White-eyed Thrush
The song of the White-eyed Thrush is a long series of very variable phrases commonly repeated two to five times.
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!
White-eyed Thrushes are omnivores. Their diet includes insects and other invertebrates, as well as fruits and berries. (Photo by Sam Zhang, Macaulay Library-ML612222289)White-eyed Thrushes can be found in the forests of Jamaica, but can also be seen in gardens, parks, and even urban areas. (Photo by Simon Best, Macaulay Library-ML300783961)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS : Today’s bird, the White-eyed Thrush searches for food through the forest layers. Here it will be looking for fruits and creepy crawlies including earthworms on forest floor and insects in the leaves and branches of the trees.
In today’s activity you will learn about the different places in the forest birds feed, from low down on the ground to high up in the tree tops. You will need to put the White-eyed Thrush in the places in the forest where it can be found. You can download all the instructions for this activity here, including all the pages you need to print out to complete this activity! You can use the information in the text above, all about the White-eyed Thrush, to help you correctly place the bird where it likes to feed.
For this activity you’ll need:
printed copies of pages 2 and 3
pencil
colouring pencils
scissors
glue stick
You will need a parent or trusted adult to help you with this activity!
Celebrate the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) with us! Our theme in 2024 is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds”—highlighting the importance of protecting insects for birds and our environment. Have fun learning about a new endemic bird every day. We have colouring pages, puzzles, activities, and more. Download for free and enjoy learning about and celebrating nature!
Endemic Bird of the Day: Jamaican Tody
When you hear the name Robin Redbreast, you might think of different birds from around the world. But in Jamaica, it refers to the Jamaican Tody (Todus todus). European settlers, nostalgic for the robins of their homelands, tended to name any small bird with a splash of red on its chest a “robin.” However, the Jamaican Tody doesn’t actually have a red breast—it has a red throat! Its compact body sometimes makes this detail less obvious at a glance.
This tiny bird has other fascinating local names—‘Jesus Bird’ and ‘Rasta Bird.’ According to legend, during Christ’s crucifixion, a drop of blood fell onto the bird as it looked up at the cross, leaving a permanent mark. Its ‘Rasta Bird’ nickname comes from its striking red, green, and yellow colors, which match the Rastafarian flag, making it a true symbol of Jamaica.
Todies are a unique genus found only in the Greater Antilles and are entirely endemic to the Caribbean. There are five species, each found on a single island—except Hispaniola, which has two. The Jamaican Tody was the first tody species to be described by scientists.
This vibrant little bird is only about 9cm (3.5 inches) tall, with a large head, stout body, and short tail. It looks like a puffball of feathers, with a vibrantly red throat, a pointed red-and-brown bill, and a dazzling green back and wings. It has a white mustache that ends in a touch of blue. The iris can be blue-gray, brownish-white, or even a rare half-and-half combination! The breast is white, with some green washing on the sides. There are varying amounts of pink on the flanks and bright yellow or green on the lower belly.
Found in all types of forests, from mangroves to mountains, the Tody is most common at mid-levels. Don’t let its small size fool you—it has a huge personality! You’ll likely see it flitting about in the undergrowth, constantly searching for its next meal. It perches on low branches with its long, broad bill tilted upwards as it patiently scans the vegetation for crawling larvae and flying insects. Once spotted, the Tody swoops down or up to catch its prey in a flash! Captured prey are shaken or beaten against a branch before being eaten.
This tody is also quite vocal! It gives a loud “beep” call during the breeding season and a rapid, guttural “frrrup” sound for territorial displays. If danger is near, it lets out a sharp “cheep.” But not all of its sounds come from its beak—its wings create a signature “buzzing” noise in flight!
When it comes to raising their offspring, a typical nest of leaves and twigs just won’t do for Jamaican Todies. Instead, they dig burrows into soil banks, where they lay 1 to 4 white eggs. Both parents take part in excavation and chick-rearing.
Although not currently threatened, Jamaican Tody populations are impacted by habitat destruction and predation by the invasive Indian Mongoose. Reforestation efforts and controlling invasive species can help ensure this little bird continues to thrive. Learn more about this species, including its range, photos, and calls here.
Thanks to Arnaldo Toledo for the illustration and Damany Calderfor the text!
Colour in the Jamaican Tody
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 Jamaican Tody
The song of the Jamaican Tody is a series of scratchy sounding “zheh” sounds often followed by a brief rattling call.
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 Jamaican Tody’s brilliant red, green, and yellow/gold colors also embody the Rastafarian colours, making it a true icon of Jamaica. (Photo by Matt Grube)The Jamaican Tody can be found in all types of forests, from mangroves to mountains. Look for this little bird perched or flitting through the undergrowth in search of insect prey. (Photo by Anthony VanSchoor)
Activity of the Day
FOR KIDS : Jamaican Todies feed on insects like beetles, flies, moths, crickets, and grasshoppers. When catching flying insects for a delicious meal Todies will “sally” (swoop) out form their perch on a nearby branch and grab this insect right out of the air! If they are successful they then head back to their perch and tuck into their catch.
Can you help this hungry Jamaican Tody find its way through our maze to to grab some tasty insect food? You can find the correct route here.
FOR KIDS AND ADULTS : Enjoy this video of a Jamaican Tody in the wild!
It’s that time of year when Caribbean waterbirds get a chance to shine! Between the 14th of January and the 3rd of February, despite the limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic, binoculars, cameras and scopes were turned in their direction as they pottered about along our coastlines. Yes, it was the 12th annual Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC), an opportunity not only to count but also to learn and to raise awareness of these fascinating birds.
Learning the finer points of waterbird and shorebird ID on one of BirdsCaribbean waterbird ID webinars (image from Waterbirds ID Webinar Part II: Shorebirds; photo by Hemant Kishan)
This past year, it has been hard to meet in person and many events have ‘gone virtual.’ In keeping with this, BirdsCaribbean kicked off the 2021 CWC with a series of three online CWC webinars. The first focused on the importance of the Caribbean Waterbird Census, and explained how to participate. Our other two webinars concentrated on how to identify wetland birds, with a whole session dedicated to Shorebirds – a group that can tricky to identify, and are certainly a challenge when starting out! These webinars provided helpful reminders to those who have participated before and were an introduction to those new to the CWC. If you are looking for waterbird survey and ID tips, all three webinars are available to watch on BirdsCaribbean’s Youtube channel. In Puerto Rico, Sergio Colón and José Colón of Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña (SOPI) also presented a webinar on the common waterbird species in Puerto Rico to help people brush-up on their bird ID before doing CWC surveys.
Many of our partners took part in the 2021 CWC across our region. In Venezuela, with support from dedicated volunteers and BirdsCaribbean, Ave Zona carried out CWC surveys across an impressive number of different sites on several offshore islands and cays that are important to shorebirds and waterbirds, including some of the important wetland habitats on Margarita Island. They shared some of the species seen during their surveys on social media, including Laughing Gulls, Comb Duck, Great Blue Heron, Wilson’s Plover, and many other shorebird species. This is an amazing effort by Ave Zona given the logistical difficulties involved in travel in Venezuela.
Birders across our region took part in CWC 2021 (click to enlarge photos)
Birders from Ave Zona on on of their CWC surveys (Photo by Ave Zona)
Paula-Anne Porter and her birding group. Celebrating World Wetlands day with CWC surveys (Photo by Paula-Anne Porter)
BirdLife Jamaica celebrated Word Wetlands Day (2nd February) a few days early, with a weekend of wetland-themed activities including Caribbean Waterbird Census surveys in locations in and around Kingston Harbour. Sanderlings, Ruddy Turnstones, Belted Kingfishers, and a Louisiana Waterthrush were amongst the birds recorded. One of the surprises of the weekend, shared on Twitter by radio broadcaster and avid birder Paula-Anne Porter, was the sighting of a Brown Booby in the fishing village of Port Royal near the entrance to the harbour – “a rare sight in these parts” as it largely breeds on outlying cays. Additionally, several banded birds were spotted; one Sanderling, when reported, was recorded as having been banded in Saskatchewan, Canada, in 2019.
Piping Plover with a Snowy Plover spotted on Anguilla- can you tell which is which? (Photo by Nature Explorers Anguilla)
On Anguilla, Nature Explorers Anguilla wrapped up their CWC by identifying an impressive 53 species on their surveys! Their sightings included the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, with a beautiful photograph of this bird shared on social media (see Gallery at end for this and other photos taken during CWC2021). Nature Explorers also shared an exciting and rare sighting, when a birding group spotted a Piping Plover hanging out with some Snowy Plovers, at Cove Pond Important Bird Area. The two species look similar but the Piping Plover can be picked out by its bright orange legs and short ‘stubby’ bill. Piping Plovers are not often seen on Anguilla, but this might be a favourite location for them, as one was seen in the same spot last year.
Garganey seen on Guadeloupe during CWC 2021 (Photo by Anthony Levesque )
Other rare waterbirds seen during this year’s CWC included a Garganey spotted on one of his CWC surveys by Anthony Levesque in Guadeloupe. This is only the second record of this species for the Island!
In Antigua the Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) and their ‘ Wadadli Warblers’ Birding Club split into teams and organised several CWC Level 2 counts at three different sites. During their census they managed to count a fantastic total of 42 bird species. The EAG used the need to wear face masks during COVID as an excuse to get creative. They challenged people to join in their bird ‘mask-erade’ by designing bird-themed face masks to celebrate the finale of their CWC. The results were some wonderful, fun, and colourful creations. The winning prize went to Auriel Hunte for her Snowy Egret-inspired Mask. Read more about the EAG’s CWC activities and check out some more of the bird masks in our blog post from Shanna Challenger and Britney Hay.
EAG’s Mask-erade Competition for the 2021 CWC – click to enlarge photos
Flyer for EAG’s Bird Mask-erade
Winning mask of the EAG’s Wadadli Warblers “Mask-erade,” designed by Auriel Hunte after the beautiful Snowy Egret
Over in Grenada, a wonderful flock of 92 Blue-winged Teal was spotted on La Sagesse Pond; and 3KC Birding Adventures recorded some nice footage of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks on Antoine Lake.
Challenges there were, but this year’s CWC yielded some interesting results. Most importantly, many of our partners did get out and about and enjoyed an array of species, while counting furiously!
A huge thank you from BirdsCaribbean to all those who took part in the Caribbean Waterbird Census this year- your survey results help us keep track of what is going on with waterbirds in our region and identify trends and important sites for waterbirds. Big thanks also to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, Canadian Wildlife Service, and our members and donors for supporting our Caribbean Waterbird Census! Don’t forget you can do CWC surveys at your wetland all through the year, find out more about CWC and how to take part here and find fantastic resources to help you here.
More photos from our partners during CWC 2021 – ENJOY!
Flock of Laughing Gulls in flight in Venezuela (Photo by Ave Zona)
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron seen by Nature Explorers Anguilla during their CWC survey (Photo by Nature Explorers Anguilla)
Piping Plover, spotted on Anguilla- a rare sighting (Photo by Nature Explorers Anguilla)
Orange Valley Mudflat in Trinidad during CWC2021 (photo by Mark Hulme)
CWC survey on the West Coast Mudflats Trinidad (Photo by Mark Hulme)
Identifying shorebirds during a CWC survey on the West Coast Mudflats Trinidad (photo by Mark Hulme)
Shorebirds spotted by Ave Zone during one of their CWC surveys (Photo by Ave Zona)
One of the fun entries in EAG’s “maskerade” contest!
The Snowy Egret in its natural habitat, which Miss Hunte’s mask was designed after. (photo by Nick Hollands)
Lovely artwork on a mask from EAG’s “maskerade” competition for the CWC 2021.
Another clever mask from EAG’s competition – can you tell what species this is?
Shanna Challenger shows off her White-cheeked Pintail mask – we love it!
The #McKinnonsMallards conducting their bird surveys at the McKinnon’s Saltpond for the Caribbean Waterbird Census. (photo by Shanna Challenger)
The EAG Bird Club “Wadadli Warblers” celebrating the completion of another successful CWC count in Antigua.
This Brown Booby was spotted on Jamaica during CWC surveys.
A banded Ruddy Turnstone seen during CWC2021 on Jamaica
This Sanderling, seen in Jamaica was banded in Saskatchewan, Canada in 2019
Enjoy this video of the Black-bellied Whistling Ducks seen on Antoine Lake, Grenada
Some birders posted about their CWC surveys on instagram
