VictorEmanuelNatureTours

CUBA January 23 – February 3, 2018

CubanGrassquit,Tiariscanorus.Photo:D.Ascanio.

Leaders:David Ascanio & Victor Emanuel Local guides: Camilo, Odey Martinez, Orlando Ramirez,

Frank Medina andIdalmysGonzales.

Compiled by: David Ascanio. VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC.

2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003 AUSTIN TX 78746

WWW.VENTBIRD.COM

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CubanTrogon,Priotelustemnurus.Photo:D.Ascanio

WetookourfirstCubastylemealattheMiamiairportwithplentyoffried

plantains,blackbeansandmorosycristianos(ricewithblackbeans).Asweboardedtheplaneitseemedtoeveryonethatsomanyyearsofwaithadcometoareality:Cubawasonly103milesaway!SoonaftertheplanetouchedtherunwayinCamagueyairportwewereintroducetoaCubantradition:anexplosivehand-clappingandsmileseruptedfromtheCubans,someshouting“afterall,Iambackhome”.Therewasagrandfatherwillingtomeethisgrandchildrenandaladyalmostintearsreadytoseerelativesthatwerelastseenprobablymorethanadecadeago.DozensofCubanswereoutsidetheairportgreetingandwavingtofriends,colleaguesorsiblings.Thereweresmilesinallofthem.Aswewalkedoffoftheairportwewerealreadyembeddingourselvesinthiseducational,birdingandculturalexperience.And,asmuchasweavoided,theunavoidableTurkeyVulturewasthefirstCubanbirdspeciesforthetour.OnceinCamagueywewalkedaboutthreeblockstoadmirethewonderfularchitecture,enjoythetilesonthefloorinsidevarioushouseandweresprayedwiththesmokeofanoldChevyaswegottoseeourfirstendemicbirdflyingoverhead,theCubanMartin.

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AsmuchasweenjoyedCamaguey’sarchitecturewealsostartedthetourinthispartoftheislandtoaccesssomekeybirdingareasandwererewardedwithviewsofseveralpairsofCubanPalmCrow(atonepointwecountedabout26individualsflyingtogether),anactivepairofGiantKingbird,addedscopeviewsofPlainPigeonandalsosawmorewidespreadendemicsincludingCubanParrot,CubanParakeet(inflight),CubanCrow,CubanTrogon(Cuba’snationalbird)andCaribbeanspecialtiessuchasLaSagra’sFlycatcherandLoggerheadKingbird.Whileseeingsomeofthedistinctiveflora,wediscussedgigantismasanisland-isolationeffectandamazedourselveswiththehugeHibiscustrees(CalledBlueMahoeinEnglish-speakingCaribbeannations).WealsoobservedaselectionofNeotropicalmigrantsincludingBlack-and-white,Yellow-throated,Black-throatedGreenandMagnoliaWarblers.Also,NorthernParulaandAmericanRedstart.WeleftCamagueywithitsamazingarchitectureandcontemporaryartistsanddrovenorth,towardsCayoCocointheJardinesdelReyarchipelago.

ZapataSparrow,Torreornisinexpectata.Photo:D.Ascanio

Thinkingbackintime,whenweheardofthedamagedcausedbyhurricaneIrmainSeptember2017wegotconcernedaboutthebirdlifeinCayoCoco.OurworrieswereconfirmedwhenwenoticedthelevelofdestructioninthevegetationaroundCayoCoco.Igottheideathatthestrongwindsmayhavedisplacedseveralbirdsfromitsoriginalterritory.Tostart,variouspairsofbirdswerenotdefendingtheir“apparentnewterritory”andmanyseemedtobemovingwithapprehension.Also,speciesthatwerecommoninprevioustoursbecamescarceandviceversa,somerarespecieswere

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quiteconspicuous.Tomentionfewexamples,westruggledtofindapairofCubanGnatcatcher(whichweeventuallysawandphotographedwell)andtherewasnosignofBahamaMockingbirdnoranyWestIndianWhistling-Duck.But,thesecretiveZapataSparrowwasconspicuousandwenailedabout5pairs(includingheardindividuals).Odey,ourlocalguideshowedsurprisewhenwefoundCubanEmerald(almostwipedoutinCayoCocoandverycommoninpreviousyears)aswellasapairofWesternSpindalis.DespitemuchofthedamagedcausedbyIrma,wemanagedtoseethetargetspeciesandleftwithgreatsatisfactionandthesecuritythatoverthecourseoffewyearsCayoCoco’sbirdpopulationswillthriveandsurvive.

GreatLizardCuckoo,Coccyzusmerlini.Photo:D.Ascanio.

ItwastimetomovetothesouthoftheislandandforthatwedrovetothefamouscityofTrinidad.Adeliciousearlydinnerallowedusforanotherearlydeparture(theday-after)toCienfuegos.There,weaddedAntilleanPalmSwiftbutthemaintargetsweretheverydifficult-to-seeGundlach’sHawkaswellasthespectacularStygianOwl.Aswewerediscussingthenestingstructureofthepalm-swiftadistinctivecryraisedmyeyebrows:aGundlach’sHawkwascalling!Soonafterwecalleditbackthisindividualflewoverheadvarioustimesandeventuallylandedonabranch.Weenjoyedseveralviewsofanapparentfemale(givenitssize).Thisexperiencerounded-upamagicmorning.ClosetonoonwedrovetothewonderfulcityofCienfuegoswhereappreciatedgreatarchitecturealistenedalecturebyDaniloabouthistoricalhintsofthissmallbutcharmingcity.Afterlunch,wedrovebacktoTrinidadandspendtherestofthedaywalkingacrossthecobblestonestreetsandwelearnedmuchofitsrichpastrelatedwithsugarcaneplantations.

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ThefollowinglocationwasoneofthemostimportantbirdareasintheCaribbean,theCienagadeZapata.ThisprotectedareaisoneofthesixRAMSARareasofCubaandaUNESCOBiosphereReserveaswell.ItisalsothelargestandbestprotectedareasintheCaribbean.OurdaystartedwithincredibleviewsofCubanNightjarshowingitsprominentwhitetailspots.Then,itfollowedsomereasonabledrivesbetweenlocationsandinstopsalongtheroadwesecuredsuperbviewsoftheendemicFernandina’sFlickerperchedattheentranceofthenestandapairofBare-leggedOwlcomingoutfromtheinsideoftheirroost(hollowtree).AsweenjoyedawonderfulsunsetweappreciatedthescarletwristoftheCubanParakeetandthecontrastingmagentacolorinthethroatoftheCubanParrotthroughoutthescope.Thiswasanothermagicdayfollowedbyadeliciousdinnerthatgotusreadyforthenextday.

CubanGnatcatcher,Polioptilalembeyei.Photo:D.Ascanio

ThefulldayintheZapatapeninsulabeganwithgreatexpectationsastwoofthemost-wantedendemicbirdswereincludedinourtargetlistoftheday.ThoseweretheBlue-headedQuail-DoveandthediminutiveBeeHummingbird.AssoonaswejoinedOrlando(parkrangerfamousforsettingupahidewherehefeedsthequail-doves)wewalkedintotheforestandourjawsdroppedwhennoticingfourBlue-headedQuail-DovesandasingleGray-frontedQuail-Dovethatwerepickingriceseedsandthus,ignoringourpresence.AfullhourandahalfgaveusseveralphotoopportunitiesincludingviewsofamaleBlue-headedQuail-Dovedisplaying.Later,ashortdrivetookustoLaCuchillawherewesawfourRed-shoulderedBlackbirdsperchedandtwootherindividualsinflight.And,anothersightingofFermandina’sFlickerfollowed.Thistime,wesawapairandsuchviewscomplementedasuccessfulmorning.Still,weweremissingoneofthegreatesttargetspeciesofthetrip,theBeeHummingbird.

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Blue-headedQuail-Dove,Starnoenascyanocephala.Photo:D.Ascanio.

TolookforthesmallestbirdintheworldwedrovebacktoBermejaandexploredtheflowersofseveralnativeshrubsandtrees.WefoundtwoBeeHummingbirdsinfemaleplumageandcelebratedtohaveseenthisamazinglysmallhummingbird.But,youknowhowitis.Wehadseenafemalebuteveryonewantedtoseeamale.So,topleaseoureyeswedrovefurtherwestalongtheBayofPigstoBernabe’shouse,amanthathasvarioushummingbirdfeedersinhisgarden.AssoonaswearrivedtherewasayoungandanadultmaleBeeHummingbird.Therewerealsovariousfemales.Everysightingwasfollowedbyawow!expressionandthecamerasclickingneverstopped.AsweobservedtheBeeHummingbirdswewerealsodelightedwithviewsofCubanOriole,Black-throatedBlue-WarblerandTawny-shoulderedBlackbird.Whatfollowedwasaremarkablestory.BernabébroughthismobileandshowedusavideodemonstratinghowhesavedtheBeeHummingbirdsthatvisithishouseatthetimeofhurricaneIrma.AsIrmatouchedtheZapataPeninsula,thestrongwindswereblowingaway(andthrowingtotheground)thebeehummersthatwereseekingprotectioninsideathicktreeinhisbackyard.OneofhisrelativesnoticedthatseveralindividualswereinjuredonthegroundandtheyweresoweakthatBernabéandhisrelativeswereabletopicksixindividualsandbroughtthemintohisroom,morespecifically

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underthemosquitonetthatcovershisbed.Forfiveconsecutivedays,Bernabefedtheseindividualswithhishummingbirdfeedersandreleasedthemoncethehurricanethreatwasgone.Thisstoryisremarkablebuttheafterwardsweremoreimpressive.Oncereleasedinthegarden,thesesixhummingbirdskeptflyingtotheinsideofhishouseandintohisbedroomandprobablytheydiditinsearchofthefeeders!Ihavenotheardaboutsuchcreativewaytoprotectabirdanywhereintheworld.Tocomplementanincrediblemorning,wevisitedtheBayofPigmuseumandDanilogaveusareviewoftheeventsthatoccurredinthosedays.HavingseenmostoftheZapataPeninsulatargetbirdswewerenowfocusedtofindthejewelinthecrown,theZapataWren.Thisbirdissosecretiveandunpredictablethatalwaysrequirequiteaoftimetolocateandfurthermore,toseeit.AccompaniedbyFrankMedina,theheadofthepark,wewereabletoachieveamazingviewsofthewrenbut,asitturnedouttobethetrendinthistourforseveralrarespecies,welocatednotonlyanindividualbuttwoandinbothoccasions,wegottoseethemextremelywell!HavingtakenamazingphotosandvideositwastimetodrivetoHavana,payavisittoHemingway´shouseandcontinuewest,toSoroaintheruggedterrainoftheCubanMogotes.

BeeHummingbird,Mellisugahelenae.Photo:D.Ascanio

ThelastdayofJanuarywelcomeduswithacoldsunriseandanorange-yellowmoon,partiallyeclipsebyplanetEarth.WestoppedalongthehighwaytoViñalestoseethemoonhidingbehinddistantmountains.AfterwetooktheexitanotherGundlach´s

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Hawkwasobservedbutthistimeflyingfastacrosstheroad.WecontinuedourdrivetothemogotesandoursearchwasrewardedwithscopeviewsofCubanSolitairesinging.TherewasalsoaCubanTrogonperchedintheopenandapairofOlive-cappedWarbler.Iamsurethateveryonewasdelightedbeingserenatedbythesuitsongofthesolitaire.LaterinthedaywevisitedatobaccofarmandenjoyedlunchwithNilsNavarro,theauthoroftheEndemicBirdsofCuba.AnafternoonquickstopalongthehighwayatsidesofafishfarmsallowedustoaddSnailKite,severalBlack-neckedStiltandothersandpiperstoourdailychecklist.ThelastfulldayofbirdinginCubaopenedwithalatebreakfast(firstforthetour!).Later,Dr.ErnestoMujicaguidedusinsidethewonderfulorchidhouseinthesmallbutcharmingSoroaBotanicalGardens.Wealsomettheofficialgarden’sguidethattouredusacrossthefascinatingcollectionofplantsthere.ThedaycontinuedwithadrivetoLasTerrazascommunitywhereapairofStygianOwlroostinginapinetreebroughtsmilestoeveryone.Thevisittothecommunityalsogaveustheopportunitytomeetlocalartists,enjoylocalcoffeeandhavelunchaccompaniedbyviewsofBlack-facedGrassquit,CubanandTawny-shoulderedBlackbirds,Rose-breastedGrosbeak,Yellow-rumpedandPalmWarblersandGreaterAntilleanGrackle.Theafternoonopenedwithimpressiveviewsofthelastoftheendemics,theamazingandastonishingCubanGrassquit.Althoughoncenear-threatened,thepopulationsseemtoberecoveringbutriskspersistduetothehighvalueintheillegalpettrademarket.HavingcelebratedasuccessfulbirdingpartofthetouritwastimetoaddsomefascinatingculturalaspectsofCuba.ForthatwevisitedtheRevolutionSquareandsawsomehighlightsofHavana.

Gray-frontedQuail-Dove,Geotrygoncaniceps.Photo:D.Ascanio.

ThelastfulldayinCubaexposedustotheamazinghistoryofHavana,fromitscolonialtimetothecurrentdays.WediscussedandanalyzedsomuchofCuba´scontemporary

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andcolonialhistory.Iamsurewewillneeddays,ifnotweeks,todigesteverythingwesawinthisremarkableandeducationaltour.NowthatyouhavelearnedmuchofCuba´sflora,faunaandcultureIwanttoinviteyoutojoinusinotherdestinations,equallyinterestingandbeautifulbutremarkablydifferentfromthatoftheGreaterAntilles.TheAmazonCruiseWesailaboardawonderfulshiptoexploretheAmazonanditstributaries.Usingskiffs,wedistinctiveAmazonianhabitatssuchasthesedimentaryriverislands,VarzeaandIgapoforesttypes.Weofferanoptionalwalktoterrafirmeforest.Non-birdingspousesliketojointhiscruisebecauseofthevarietyofwildlifeincludingseveralspeciesofprimatesandanoptionalvisittoacommunity.Photosandvideoofour2016cruisein:Photoalbumhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/davidascanio/albums/72157663616158820Videolinkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1b3xYG0cPSoThePanamaCanal:arelaxedandeasytour.Panamaistoenjoyfirst-classbirdingatarelaxedandeasypace.WespendmostofthenightsinasmallinnlocatedinthetownofGamboa.EnjoyshortwalksplusaboattriptotheChagresRiver.WevisitthefamousPipelineroadandtheCanopyTower,wherewecanseecanopyspeciesateyelevel.Photosandvideoofour2015tourin:Photoalbumhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/davidascanio/albums/72157648765567967Videolinkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgnkUxwd5kwCostaRica:arelaxedandeasytour.OurrelaxedandeasyCostaRicatourisforthosewhowishtoseebirdsfromcloudforesttolowlandrainforest,allinslowpace.Weincludearidealongtheaerialtram.Thistourisdesignedforseeinggaudyspeciessuchastanagersandhoneycreepersaswellasmanyhummingbirds.Wevisithummingbirdfeederstations.Photosandvideoofour2015tourin:Photoalbumhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/davidascanio/albums/72157659475059484Videolinkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzgD6NfVNSE Ihopetoseeyouagain!

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2018VENTCuba.Apeople-to-peopletourJanuary23–February3,2018Leader:DavidAscanioITINERARY23January.Miami.24January.FlighttoCamaguey.25January.RanchoLaBelen.DrivetoCayoCoco.26January.JardinesdelRey:CayoCoco,CayoParedonGrande&CayoGuillermo.27January.CayoCoco,Trinidad(Anconpeninsula).28January.ParqueElCubano.DrivetotheZapataPeninsula.29January.ZapataPeninsula:Bermeja,PalpiteandSoplillar.30January.LaTurba,Havana&Soroa.31January.Viñales.01February.LasTerrazas&Havana.02February.OldHavana.03February.Departure.THEBIRDLISTTaxonomy follows the American Ornithological Society (AOS) Check-list of North American Birds with all current supplements. Photo album for all tours: https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidascanio/albums/ Photo album for this tour: https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidascanio/albums/72157664051619327

Waterfowl /Anatidae Blue-wingedTeal.Anasdiscors.10+individuals.CayoCoco.Red-breastedMerganser.Mergusserrator.CommonerinCayoCocothanpreviousyears.Duringtheday-and-a-halfinCayoCocowemighthaveseenmorethan300individuals.

Guineafowl/NumididaeHelmetedGuineafowl.Numida meleagris.Widespreadinfarmland.Semi-captive.

Grebes/Podicipedidae

LeastGrebe.Tachybaptusdominicus.CayoCoco.Adultwith3chicks.

PigeonsandDoves/ColumbidaeFeralPigeon(RockPigeon)(I).Columbalivia.Commoninurbanareas.Scaly-napedPigeon.Patagioenassquamosa.Soroa.Twopairs.

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White-crownedPigeon.Patagioenasleucocephala.Zapatapeninsula,mainly.PlainPigeon.Patagioenasinornata.RancholaBelen.2individualsscoped.EurasianCollared-Dove(I).Streptopeliadecaocto.Widespreadinurbanareas.CommonGround-Dove.Columbinapasserina.Fewscatteredpairs.Blue-headedQuail-Dove(E).Starnoenascyanocephala.Oneofthefavoritespecies.4individualswereseenatOrlando´sstakeoutinBermeja.Abigthankstohimforthis!Gray-frontedQuail-.Dove(E).Geotrygoncaniceps.Bermeja.Weenjoyedwonderfulviewsofoneindividual.KeyWestQuail-Dove.Geotrygonchrysa.CayoCoco.Asingleindividual.Amazingdropofnumberscomparedwithpreviousyears.ProbablyduetohurricaneIrmalastyear.ZenaidaDove.Zenaidaaurita.CayoCoco,TrinidadandZapatapenínsula.MourningDove.Zenaidamacroura.Commonandwidespreadinopenareas.

Cuckoos/Cuculidae

MangroveCuckoo.Coccyzusminor.CayoCoco.Extendedviewsofasingleindividual.GreatLizard-Cuckoo.Coccyzusmerlini.Lizard-cuckoosareamazingbirds.Notonlybecauseoftheirextravagantsizeandbehaviorbutalsofortheirvoice.WeenjoyedviewsofitinCayoCoco,Trinidad,theZapatapeninsulaandCienfuegos.Smooth-billedAni.Crotophagaani.Afairlycommonspeciesfoundinlowlandopenhabitats.

Nightjarsandallies/CaprimulgidaeGreaterAntilleanNightjar(CubanNightjar).Antrostomuscubanensis.Trinidad.Havingamalesoaringoverheadwasoneofthehighlightsofthetour.

Swifts/ApodidaeWhite-collaredSwift.Streptoprocnezonaris.Trinidad.Distantviewsofvariousindividualsinflight.AntilleanPalm-Swift.Tachornisphoenicobia.Cienfuegos,ZapataandSoroa.Nicestudiesofanestembeddedwithafallenpalmleaf.

Hummingbirds/TrochilidaeBeeHummingbird(E).Mellisugahelenae.Zapatapeninsula.Wenailedatotalof9individuals,intwolocations.ThisisTHEsmallestbirdintheworld(1.97-2.36inches)andonlyslightlylargerthantheVervainHummingbird(Mellisugaminima),foundinHispaniolawithasizevarying2.4-2.76inches).UntilthediscoveryoftheBeeHummingbird,theVerianHummingbirdwasconsideredthesmallestbirdintheworld(fornearly150years).CubanEmerald.Chlorostilbonricordii.CayoCoco,Trinidad,ZapataandSoroa.CommonelsewherebutinCayoCoco.

Rails,GallinulesandCoots/RallidaeSpottedRail.Pardirallusmaculatus.LaTurba,ZapataPeninsula.Heardonly.AmericanCoot.Fulicaamericana.CayoCoco.

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Limpkin/Aramidae

Limpkin.Aramusguarauna.Trinidad.Heardonly.

StiltsandAvocets/RecurvirostridaeBlack-neckedStilt.Himantopusmexicanus.CayoCocoandSoroa.InCayoCocowecountedover50individualsinasinglegroup.ScatteredgroupswereseennearSoroa.

Oystercatchers/HaematopodidaeAmericanOystercatcher.Haematopuspalliatus.CayoParedonGrande.1individual.

PloversandLapwings/CharadriidaeBlack-belliedPlover.Pluvialissquatarola.CayoCoco.30+individuals.SemipalmatedPlover.Charadriussemipalmatus.CayoCoco.Killdeer.Charadriusvociferous.Reportedinvariouslowlandlocations.

SandpipersandAllies/Scolopacidae

RuddyTurnstone.Arenariainterpres.CayoCocoandZapataPeninsula.Sanderling.Calidrisalba.CayoCoco.LeastSandpiper.Calidrisminutilla.Wetlandnearwetland.10+individuals.Short-billedDowitcher.Limnodromusgriseus.CayoCoco.400+individuals.LesserYellowlegs.Tringaflavipes.CayoCoco.Willet.Tringasemipalmata.CayoCoco.30+individual.GreaterYellowlegs.Tringaflavipes.CayoCoco.1individual.

Gulls,TernsandSkimmers/LaridaeLaughingGull.Leucophaeusatricilla.Acommonspeciesincoastalwetlandsduringthetour.RoyalTern.Thalasseusmaximus.Zapatapeninsula.BlackSkimmer.Rynchopsniger.CausewayMoron-CayoCoco.100+individuals.

Frigatebirds/FregatidaeMagnificentFrigatebird.Fregatamagnificens.JardinesdelReyArchipelago,AnconpeninsulaandZapatapeninsula

Cormorants/PhalacrocoracidaeNeotropicCormorant.Phalacrocoraxbrasilianus.Unlikeinpreviousyears,wefoundthisspeciescommonandwidespread.Double-crestedCormorant.Phalacrocoraxauritus.SeenonlyinJardinesdelReyarchipelago.

Anhinga/AnhingidaeAnhinga.Anhingaanhinga.FoundonlyinJardinesdelReyarchipelagoandnearTrinidad.

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Pelicans/PelecanidaeBrownPelican.Pelecanusoccidentalis.Seenalmostdaily.

Herons,EgretsandBitterns/ArdeidaeGreatBlueHeron.Ardeaherodias.CommoninCayoCocoandotherkeys.Threewhite-morphindividualswereobservedinCayoGuillermo.GreatEgret.Ardeaalba.Seeninvariouswetlands.SnowyEgret.Egrettathula.Seeninvariouslocations.LittleBlueHeron.Egrettacaerulea.Seeninvariouslocations.TricoloredHeron.Egrettatricolor.JardinesdelReyarchipelago.ReddishEgret.Egrettarufescens.TwoindividualsinwhitemorphplumagewereseeninJardinesdelRey.Individualsinregularplumagewerealsoobservedatvariouslocations.CattleEgret.Bubulcusibis.Seendaily.GreenHeron.Butoridesvirescens.JardinesdelRey,ZapatapeninsulaandLasTerrazas.Yellow-crownedNight-Heron.Nyctanassaviolácea.AnimmaturewasfoundnearRancholaBelen.

IbisesandSpoonbills/ThreskiornithidaeWhiteIbis.Eudocimusalbus.CayoCocoisnamedafterthisspecies(locallycalledcoco).SeeninCayoCoco.RoseateSpoonbill.Plataleaajaja.12+individuals.JardinesdelReyarchipelago.

NewWorldVultures/CathartidaeTurkeyVulture.Cathartesaura.Seendaily.AnumerousspeciesinCuba.ThiscountryhasanenormouspotentialtostudyCathartidaedynamicssincethelackofpesticidesandfertilizersatmass-scalecouldbetheanswertowhyissonumeroushere.

Osprey/PandionidaeOsprey.Pandionhaliaetus.SeeninCayoCocoandnearSoroa.Ssp.ridgwayi.

Hawks,EaglesandKites/AccipitridaeSnailKite.Rosthramussociabilis.7individualswereseennearSoroa.Somejuvenileswerenoted.NorthernHarrier.Circuscyaneus.TwoindividualswereseenflyingnearCienfuegos.Gundlach´sHawk(E).Accipitergundlachi.WeenjoyedanamazingviewofthisspeciesnearCienfuegos.ItwasalsoobservedinflightnearVinalesandlaterinSoroa.CubanBlackHawk(E)(CommonBlackHawk).Buteogallusanthracinus.SeeninJardinesdelRey.CommoninCayoGuillermo.NowadaystreatedasaCubanendemic,CubanBlackHawkButeogallusgundlachiibymosttaxonomists.Borad-wingedHawk.Buteoplatypterus.TwoindividualswereseensoaringnearParqueElCubano.

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Owls/StrigidaeBare-leggedOwl(E).Margarobyaslawrencii.ApairwasobservedinBermeja.CubanPygmy-Owl(E).Glaucidiumsiju.ThisendemicowlofCubawasseenfirstinRancholaBelenandlaterinParqueElCubano.StygianOwl.Asiostygius.WeenjoyedsuperbviewsofapairinLasTerrazas.ThisowlwasnamedaftertheStyx,oneoftheunderworldriversinGreekmythology.

Trogons/TrogonidaeCubanTrogon(E).Priotelustemnurus.ThisisCuba’snationalbird.Pairswereseeninalllocations.ThetermPriotelus(genus)meansanaccomplishedorcompletesawandreferstotheruggedappearanceofthetailfeathers.

Todies/TodidaeCubanTody(E).Todusmulticolor.Todiesareuniquebirds.Tome,theyseemlikecomingfromakid’scartoon.TheoneinCubaisthemostcolorfulofall.ItwasfirstseeninCuevadelosJabaliesinCayoCocoandlaterinotherlocations.FossilevidencesuggeststhattodiesevolvedfromCentralAmericabutbecameextinctforunknownreasons.FivespeciesremainintheGreatAntilles.Thetodiesarerelativesofthemotmotsandmoredistantlytothekingfishers.

Kingfishers/AlcedinidaeBeltedKingfisher.Megacerylealcyon.SeenintheAnconPeninsulaandinLasTerrazas.

Woodpeckers/PicidaeWestIndianWoodpecker.Melanerpessuperciliaris.Seeninlowlands.ThisspeciesisarelativeofRed-belliedWoodpecker(ofNorthAmerica)andtheRed-crownedWoodpecker(ofSouthAmerica).ItisanotheroftheWestIndiesspecialtiesrestrictedtotheGreaterAntilles.Yellow-belliedSapsucker.Sphyrapicusvarius.Singleindividualswereobservedatvariouslocationsinthefirsthalfofthetour.CubanGreenWoodpecker(E).Xiphidiopicuspercussus.FirstseeninCayoCocoandlaterenjoyedinLasTerrazas.Fernandina'sFlicker(E).Colaptesfernandinae.WeobservedanestingpairintheZapatapeninsula,nearBermeja.

FalconsandCaracaras/FalconidaeCrestedCaracara.Caracaracheriway.SeeninCayoCoco,CayoGuillermo,theZapataPeninsulaandViñales.AmericanKestrel.Falcosparverius.Thiscommonandwidespreadspecieswasseeneveryday.ThepalesubspeciesfoundinCubaissparveroides.Andweobservedtwomorphs,thepaleandtherufousone.Merlin.Falcocolumbarius.AsingleindividualwasspottedperchedatopofamangroveasweleftCayoCoco.

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PeregrineFalcon.Falcoperegrinus.TherewasanindividualperchedintheMinistryofDefensebuildinginHavana.Quiteaninterestingsiteforafalcontobe!

Parrots/PsittacidaeCubanParakeet(E).Aratingaeuops.GroupswereobservedinBermeja.WenoticeditssimilaritieswithScarlet-fronted,White-eyedandHispaniola´sparakeets.Thesespeciesmaybeacloserelativeofthoseothersimilarspecies.CubanParrot.Amazonaleucocephala.Aflockofabout24individualswasseeninBermeja.

TyrantFlycatchers/TyrannidaeCubanPewee(E).Contopuscaribaeus.Wesawitalmosteveryday.Fondtoforestedgeandmangrove.LaSagra'sFlycatcher.Myiarchussagrae.ThegenusMyiarchuscomprisessimilarandhard-to-tell-apartspeciesand,isdistributedfromsouthernUSAtoArgentina.InCuba,there´sonlyoneoptionsoitsidentificationisprettystraightforward.Wecameacrossvariouspairsofthisflycatcherthroughoutthetour.Itisusuallyassociatedwithedgehabitats.Bytheway,itscommon(andspecific)nameisafterRamóndeLaSagra(1801-1871),aCubanwriterandnaturalist.HeauthoredHistoriafísica,políticaynaturaldelaisladeCuba,in1837.LoggerheadKingbird.Tyrannuscaudifasciatus.Observedalmosteveryday.SimilartothenextonebutbilldecidedlysmallerGiantKingbird(E).Tyrannuscubensis.NicestudiesofapairinRancholaBelen.Thisspeciesisthreatenedandapparentlyduetolossofhabitat.Furtherstudiesneeded(Camilo,ourlocalguideiscurrentlystudyingthebreedingbiologyofit).

Vireos/VireonidaeCubanVireo(E).Vireogundlachii.Seenin2locations.Quitevocal!Black-whiskeredVireo.Vireoaltiloquus.CalledbyonetourparticipantsnearVinales.

Crows,JaysandMagpies/CorvidaePalmCrow.Corvuspalmarum.NicestudiesofloosegroupsinRanchoLaBelen.Itisfoundinlargetracksofroyalpalmcontiguoustoforestedareas.CubanCrow.Corvusnasicus.MorethanadozenindividualswereseeninRanchoLaBelén.LaterseenalsointheZapatapeninsula.Wenoticeditsloudvoice.

Swallows/HirundinidaeCubanMartin.Prognecryptoleuca.ObservedinCamaguey.TreeSwallow.Tachycinetabicolor.Camaguey,ZapatapeninsulaandHavana.

Wrens/TroglodytidaeZapataWren(E).Ferminiacerverai.WeenjoyedcloseviewsoftwopairsinLaTurba,Zapataswamp.Thisistheonlymemberofitsgenusandboth,thegenusandspecific

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namearetakenfromthepersonathatapparentlyfirstcollectedit,FermínCervera.ENDANGERED.

Gnatcatchers/Polioptilidae

Blue-grayGnatcatcher.Polioptilacaerulea.CayoCocoandSoroa.CubanGnatcatcher(E).Polioptilalembeyei.Aftermuchsearch,apairwasseeninCayoCoco.

ThrushesandAllies/TurdidaeCubanSolitaire(E).Myadesteselisabeth.Ithinkeveryoneagreedthatseeingthisbirdwasnotasspectacularasitwashearingit.ThespecificnameelisabethwasgivenafterQueenIsabelIofCastileandSpain(1451-1504).Itwillremainasamysterywhythepersonthatdescribedthisspecies(Lembeye)usedtheEnglishequivalent(Elisabeth)ratherthantheSpanishname(Isabel).WeenjoyedviewsofoneindividualsingingfromatreecontiguoustoaMogoteinViñales.Red-leggedThrush.Turdusplumbeus.AgorgeousthrushoftheGreaterandLesserAntilles.Wesawitineverylocationvisitedduringthistour.BothsubspeciesfoundinCubahaveanicedarkorangebelly(schistaceus&rubripes).

MockingbirdsandThrashers/MimidaeGrayCatbird.Dumetellacarolinensis.Seeninbushyhabitatatvariouslocationsinthesecondhalfofthetour.NorthernMockingbird.Mimuspolyglottos.Common.Seendaily.

OldWorldSparrows/PasseridaeHouseSparrow.Passerdomesticus.Commoninurbanareas.

NewWorldSparrows/Passerellidae

ZapataSparrow(E).Torreornisinexpectata.WeenjoyednicestudiesofthreepairsinCayoCocoandlaterobservedtwootherpairsinLaTurba.Thefirstlocationwasofthesubspeciesvaronai(describedin1981)andthesecondonewasinexpectata,fromtheZapataswamp.

Spindalises/SpindalidadeWesternSpindalis.Spindaliszena.ThespindalisareendemictotheGreaterAntilles.Theyhavebeenthoughttobelongtothecardinalsandtothetanagersinthepast.Today,itistreatedinitsownfamily.ThislovelyspecieswasobservedinCayoCoco,ParqueElCubanoandLasTerrazas.

CubanWarblers/TerestitridaeYellow-headedWarbler(E).Teretistrisfernandinae.ApairwasobservedinViñalesOrienteWarbler(E).Teretistrisfornsi.SeeninCayoParedónGrande.

TroupialsandAllies/Icteridae

EasternMeadowlark.Sturnellamagna.Zapatapeninsula.

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CubanOriole.Icterusmelanopsis.Wecameacrossthisspeciesinthreelocations.ThepopulationfoundinCubawaspreviouslybelievedtobeconspecificwiththepopulationsinCentralAmericaandtheCaribbean.NowadaysitisacceptedasanendemicspeciesofCuba.BaltimoreOriole.Icterusgalbula.RanchoLaBelenandapparentlythisistheoneseenlaterintheZapatapeninsula(andnotOrchardOriole,Icterusspurius).Red-shoulderedBlackbird(E).Agelaiusassimilis.Weenjoyedsuperbviewsofapairtowhichthemalewassinging,inLaCuchilla.ENDANGERED.Tawny-shoulderedBlackbird.Agelaiushumeralis.Acommonlowlandspeciesinopenhabitats.ItwasseeninvariouslocationsandalsoinsidetheHavanaairport.CubanBlackbird(E).Divesatroviolaceus.Observedinvariouslocations.SometimestreatedasPtiloxenaatroviolacea.Itwasoriginallydescribedasagrackle,in1892. GreaterAntilleanGrackle.Quiscalusniger.Thisspeciesiswidespreadandtolerateshumanpresence,likeothermembersofthegenus.Itwasseeneveryday.

NewWorldWarblers/Parulidae

Ovenbird.Seiurusaurocapilla.OurfirstencounterwiththisspecieswasinBermeja.LaterseeninBernabe’shouseandLasTerrazas.LouisianaWaterthrush.Parkesiamotacilla.ZapataPeninsula.NorthernWaterthrush.Parkesianoveboracensis.Bernabe’shouseandHavana.Black-and-whiteWarbler.Mniotiltavaria.CayoCocoandSoroa.CommonYellowthroat.Geothlypisformosa.Seenfourtimesnearwetlands,includingtheZapatapeninsula.AmericanRedstart.Setophagaruticilla.AcommonNeotropicalmigrantinCuba.Seeninaboutsixoccasions.CapeMayWarbler.Setophagatigrina.Soroa.NorthernParula.Setophagaamericana.Commoninopencountryandgardens.Black-throatedBlueWarbler.Setophagacaerulescens.Inprevioustoursthisyearwecameacrossthisspeciesalmostineveryday.Thistimeweonlynailedittwice.Thefirsttimeinmaleplumageandthesecondtimeinfemaleplumage.PalmWarbler.Setophagapalmarum.ThisspeciesisamongthecommonestBorealmigrantsinCubaandprobablythelatesttoleaveduringthebreedingseason.Itwasfoundinedgeofforest,scrubbyvegetationandgardens.Olive-cappedWarbler.Setophagapityophila.AnotherspecialtyoftheGreaterAntilles.ThisspeciesisonlyfoundinNBahamas,WandEofCuba.WeenjoyedviewsofapairnearViñales.Yellow-wumpedWarbler.Setophagacoronata.CayoCocoandLasTerrazas(restaurantBuenaventura).Yellow-throatedWarbler.Setophagadominica.CayoCoco,ZapatapeninsulaandSoroa.PrairieWarbler.Setophagadiscolor.CayoCoco,ZapatapeninsulaandSoroa.Black-throatedGreen-Warbler.Setophagavirens.CayoCocoandParqueElCubano.

CardinalsandAllies/CardinalidaeRose-breastedGrosbeak.Pheucticusludovicianus.NicestudiesofapairinlasTerrazas.

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IndigoBunting.Passerinacyanea.Zapatapeninsula.

TanagersandAllies/ThraupidaeRed-leggedHoneycreeper.Cyanerpescyaneus.Vinales.8+individuals.CubanGrassquit(E).Tiariscanorus.WeoweabigthankyoutoourguideofLasTerrazasfortakingustothebestsiteforthisspecieswherewegottoseemorethan40individuals!Yellow-facedGrassquit.Tiarisolivaceus.Seeninmostlocations.CubanBullfinch.Melopyrrhanigra.Seenmainlyinforestedgeinvariouslocations.ExtensivelytrappedforuseinthebirdsoundcontestintheWestindiesandtheGuianas.OTHERSPECIESLISTMAMMALSWaterhouse’sLeaf-nosedBat.Macrotuswaterhousii.REPTILESAllison´s(Blue-headed)Anole.Anolisallisoni.CarolinaAnole.Anoliscarolinensis.CayoCoco.CubanSlider.Trachemysdecussata.AMPHIBIANSAmericanBullFrog.LithobatescatesbeianusorRanacatesbeiana.TERMITESArborealtermites.(Nasutitermes).BUTTERFLIESTropicalBuckeye.Junoniagenoveva.WhitePeacock.Anarthiajatrophae.CloudlessSulphur.Phoebissennae.HummingbirdHawk-Moth.Macroglossumstellatarum.Malachite.Siproetasp.ZebraLongwing.Heliconiuscharithonia.SleepyOrange.Euremanicippe.