cuba's endemic birds

Despite being the largest island in the West Indies, Cuba has only about 360 species of birds, fewer than the state of Michigan.  What it lacks in diversity it makes up for with an array of unique species.

The Cuban Green Woodpecker, shown above, is the only member of the genus Xiphidiopicus.  It's about the size of a Hairy Woodpecker. The other endemic woodpecker in Cuba is the seriously endangered Fernandina's Flicker (Colaptes fernandinae).

The world's smallest bird, the Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae), is only found in Cuba.  It's tiny size is not really evident in this crappy digiscoped photo; you can get a better idea from the picture of the study skin next to an American quarter. 

While there are nearly 40 species of trogons in the world, many consider the Cuban Trogon (Priotelus temnurus, right), Cuba's national bird, one of the most beautiful. Likewise, of the five brilliant todies found in the West Indies, the Cuban Tody (Todus multicolor, not pictured) is often seen as the most gem-like. It is the mascot of BirdLife International's Caribbean program. Pygmy owls, although diurnal, can often be maddeningly secretive.  Cuban Pygmy-Owls (Glaucidium siju, below) are both common and accomodating, albeit with the scowling look that is characteristic of the family.

There are three disjunct populations of the endemic Zapata Sparrow (Torreornis inexpectata, below) -- more properly called Cuban Sparrow -- one in the Zapata area, where the photo below was taken, one in the northern cays, and another in the Guantanamo region.  One day, they may all be considered separate species.  They remind me a bit of Green-tailed Towhees.

These are just a few of at least 24 species of endemic birds in Cuba.  There are another seven or so endemic subspecies, some of which have been proposed for full species status, such as the Cuban Oriole. Cuban scientists have limited abilities to analyze DNA and have even fewer opportunities to travel to other countries to examine and measure comparative museum specimens, so we will have to wait for official status for the Cuban Meadowlark [Eastern Meadowlark] (Sturnella magna hippocrepis) or Cuban Crab Hawk [Common Black-Hawk] (Buteogallus anthracinus gundlachii).

As is the case with most West Indian islands, Cuba's habitats have been highly modified.  The primary force behind habitat loss and degradation in Cuba has been agriculture, in particular clearing of land for sugarcane, which was long Cuba's most important crop.

Cuba has over 70 protected areas covering over 10% of the land and representing nearly all of the island's ecosystems and protecting populations of nearly all of the endangered and declining bird species.  Unfortunately, some (many? most?) of these are paper parks, if not without management plans than at least suffering from a serious lack of material resources for research and management [1].

These types of obstacles are a problem in many poor countries.  In Cuba, the situation is exacerbated by the U.S. embargo, which hinders funding and travel for American researchers who would be able to help monitor bird populations and initiate or aid in conservation projects. This isn't just a matter of, "What a shame we can't help the Cubans with their interesting resident birds."  Cuba is a vital link to the health of scores of bird species that nest in North America.

While other Caribbean islands also harbor numerous endemic species and are important migratory stopover and wintering spots for North American migrants, Cuba has recorded the largest number of migrant species of any island, over 180.  While a smaller percentage of migrants winter in the West Indies versus Mexico and Central America, many species use the West Indies en route to their wintering areas further south.  Cuba, as the largest land mass in the West Indies, is a critical link.

Unfortunately, one of the major migratory bird funding initiatives in the U.S. prohibits work in Cuba. The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act, while recognizing the importance of the West Indies to migratory birds, states that a funded project may be located “In the United States and in all countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, with the exception of Cuba.”

A lot of effort and money goes towards the conservation of "our" breeding birds.  Yet these birds are only present in North America for a small portion of the year.  We can do everything possible for them here, but we can't truly secure the long-term stability of their populations if we don't understand their needs during migration and their wintering ecology.  For many species, that means more research in Cuba.

Until the misguided U.S. policy is remedied, you can help support organizations that can do work in Cuba, among them:

• BirdLife International Caribbean Program
• Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds (current web site, new site to go online soon)
• Optics for the Tropics (you can get an awesome Cuban Trogon t-shirt with a donation)
• World Wildlife Fund - Canada (partners with the Museum of Natural History in Havana)

[1] Getting things done in Cuba.  International Wildlife, January-February 2000.

All photos are copyrighted and not to be used without permission. I mean it.

Comments

[Mike]

Lovely pics of lovely birds! Did you take them yourself?

[Clare]

Sigh. That takes me back. Where did you see the Fernadina's Flicker? I looked and looked to no avail. I found both the Trogan and the Pygmy Owl easy to call close by mimic ing their calls. And spent an incredible half hour listening to a pair of Trogans "talk" to each other with an amazing array of quiet sounds apart from the normal call.

Sigh. Now I'm longing for the Sierra Maestras

[Nuthatch]

Mike -- some are mine, some are friends. We are preoccupied with other activities, usually, so unfortunately photography isn't a priority. Except on travel days in and out of Havana, hence the car photos!

Clare -- I have seen Fernandina's Flickers multiple times in Bermejas, in a unit of the Zapata National Park (where this photo was taken), and once in nearby in a village named Soplillar. They've been seen at times by others when I was down there in the west near Soroa, and east near Camaguey. I am trying to work out a project involving their conservation, which I may write about here one of these days!

[Cindy]

delightful birds and photos! I love the expression on the owl, so very much the same as a burrowing owl. Thanks for sharing birds I may never see, what a treat.

[pohanginapete]

It's hard to imagine a bird as small as the bee hummingbird. In comparison, New Zealand's smallest bird, the rifleman, seems like a giant.

[Eric]

This whole Cuba embargo is so ridiculous, but I have to admit I hadn't previously considered the deleterious effects it would have on bird conservation. Thanks for finding a new way to raise my ire. :^)

In any case, excellent photos, and a very good discussion on a rarely-discussed topic. Well, rarely-discussed among those in my small scope of awareness, anyway.