A Caribbean Paradise for Birdwatchers
CUBA
The Cuban archipelago –made up of the island of Cuba, the Isle of Youth and thousands of keys grouped in four smaller archipelago– is peculiarly located in the Caribbean Sea, featuring great geological complexity and high levels of biodiversity and endemism, that is, exclusive floral and wildlife species.
The largest Caribbean island has what it takes to develop top-quality nature tourism that provides visitors with travel experiences good enough to meet their expectations, at least in all variants and modalities. Birdwatching is no doubt one of those options with great potentials. Up to now, a grand total of 368 bird species have been registered in the Cuban territory, with 145 of them harbored in breeding grounds while 26 are endemic. Given its geographic position, extension and ecosystem diversity, as many as 216 species pigeonholed in the category of nearctic neotropical migratory birds have been reported, feathered friends that flutter past or settle down in Cuba during the winter season. The island nation is run through by two of the most important migratory routes of the Americas.
Major locations for birdwatching in Cuba 1. Guanahacabibes National Park: Some 190 species have been reported here, including 95 bred in Cuba, 11 endemic and 9 endangered. This is one of the most important regions for the transit of some 95 migratory birds over the national territory. 2. Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve: The place is home to 93 bird species, with 62 bred in Cuba and 31 slotted in the migratory category. 16 of these are endemic species while 9 are distributed in different categories of endangered species. 3. Zapata Wetlands National Park: This region is home to the Caribbean’s largest marshlands, boasting 258 bird species, including 130 bred in Cuba and 121 scattered in different migratory categories. The region also harbors the largest number of endemic species with 21 in all, while 17 of them are endangered. 4. Topes de Collantes Protected Natural Landscape: There’s a well-organized trekking plan underway for nature tourism that features specialized guides. As many as 73 bird species, including 14 endemic and 7 endangered, have been logged. 5. Santa Maria, Guillermo, Coco and Paredon Keys: As many as 184 different birds –8 of them are endemic species– can be watched here. This is one of the most important transit regions for migratory birds. In addition, it’s a valuable safe haven for such wading birds as flamingo, cranes, herons, ducks and cormorants. 6. Rio Maximo Wildlife Reserve: This patch of mangrove thickets and marshlands is home to countless wading bird species. The area boasts the largest colony of nesting pink flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) both in Cuba and the insular Caribbean, with 40,000 pairs. 7. Delta del Cauto Wildlife Reserve: This is by far Cuba’s largest fluvial system (Cauto River) and the second-biggest wetlands on the island nation with 138 wading bird species, such as the Pink Flamingo. 8. Turquino National Park: This mountainous territory is home to over 17 peaks that stand 4,265 feet above sea level, including the country’s highest mountains (Pico Real del Turquino (6,476 feet), Pico Cuba (6,141 feet) and Pico Suecia (5,688 feet). Some 80 migratory and endemic bird species, half a dozen of them endangered, have been reported here. 9. Alejandro de Humboldt National Park: As many as 129 nestling and migratory birds have been registered here, including 15 endemic and 17 endangered species. This region is thought to be the only remaining haven for Cuban kites (Chondrohierax wilsonii) and ivory-billed woodpeckers (Campephilus principalis). Most of these protected areas are fitted out with proper facilities for accommodating birdwatchers. The best period of time for birdwatching in Cuba is between November and March, when temperatures are milder and pest plagues are not at their peak. In this span of time, both nestling and migratory birds can be easily watched. Birdwatchers are recommended to wear long pants, non-slippery shoes and green or blue long-sleeve shirts, as well as carry repellent and binoculars.
Español
English
Français
Deutsch
Italiano
Русский