The secrets of bird watching in Cuba

The untouched landscapes of Cuba, crystal clear waters and cool fresh air are so clean that they greatly soften the soul! One can just sit for hours listening to the birdsong…

What makes it even more exciting is the bird life on the island. There are 371 described species of which there are 26 currently recognized endemic species. Unfortunately, many of them are endangered and one, the Cuban Macaw and Ivory-billed Woodpecker, has even gone extinct.

There are still other wonderful birds, such as the bee hummingbird, which is the smallest and most colorful bird you have ever seen. At the size of a dime, it’s even amazing that it can fly! There are some other colorful ones like the Cuba Tody, this is our favourite, it is so cute and exquisite, the Cuban Trogon, which flaunts the colors of the Cuban flag, and the Cuban Parrot, an amazingly green and red bird.

Other birds are better known for their enchanting songs, such as the Cuban Solitaire, Zapata’s Wren, Cuban Perlita, and Cuban Grasshopper. Listening to them just brightens up your day.

And if the endemics alone weren’t exquisite enough to admire, there are many other birds that make Cuba your favorite island to visit. Some of the non-endemics are winter residents coming from North America, between August and October to spend the winter months in a warmer climate (which I can totally understand!). These are various birds such as ducks, seagulls, warblers, sparrows, and sandpipers.

Then there are the spring migrants from South America, arriving between late February and May for nesting season. The spring migration brings with it the Gray King Bird, the Anillean Nighthawk, the Black-whiskered Vireo, the Cuban Martin and the Wilson’s Plover. Summer residents leave in September/October of each year.

The main migration corridors are Guanahacabibes in Pinar del Río, Cárdenas in Matanzas, Santa Fe in Havana, Camagüey in Ciego de Ávila and Gibara in Holguín, where these beauties abound.

The main nesting period is between March and July. We won’t break down the habits of each bird here, we just want to give you a little idea of ​​things that can help you spot them. Things like the habit of what I would call ‘nest sharing’. Not all birds will build their own nests. Some will use those created by other species. Like the woodpeckers’ cavity, it is later used by the Cuban pygmy owl, bare-footed owl, Cuban parakeet, rose-throated parrot, and Cuban trogon. Talk about getting your money’s worth! Other birds can live in the city, while others build nests with plant and animal fibers. Knowing their nesting helps to detect them.

There are several places you can go. In western Cuba there are Viñales, Las Terrazas, San Diego de los Baños, La Guira, Soroa where you can see the Cuban Solitaire, and the Cuban Grassquit, efficiently.

While the Zapata peninsula, which is an exotic area of ​​nearly 5,000 square kilometers of pristine wetlands, has several amazing birding sites, such as Playa Larga, Bremejas, Palpite, La Turba, Las Salinas, and Hatiguanico.

We especially like western Cuba and the Zapata peninsula, as they have a large concentration of endemic and migratory birds to observe. That is why we chose them to exhibit on our Birds of Cuba Tour.

In the Keys, being the areas of Cayo Coco, Cayo Paredón Grande and Cayo Guillermo, you will find the Cuban sparrow, the Cuban perlet, the grosbeak vireo and the Bahamian mockingbird.

If you continue to venture east to the Sierra de Najasa, the Sierra de Cubitas or the Río Máximo in Camagüey, you will be able to admire the Cuban parrot, the giant tyrant, the palm crow, the common dove and the largest nest of flamingos, which is spectacular. .

And if you head to the easternmost part of the island, you should visit the Alejandro de Humboldt National Park to try to spot the Cuban Kite. While you’re here, you can also take your time and really discover the natural wonders of the area.

Let’s face it, there are always amazing birds around. As for the weather, January to April is absolutely beautiful. If you also want to see most of the migratory birds, October and November are fantastic months, keep in mind that these months are still quite wet.

Just as different seasons will have different birds, different times of the day will also have different birds. Therefore, it is worth going with a guide who knows the places and the best times to visit in order to capture the sight of more birds.

Because you will be venturing into untouched landscapes, which have a lot of water, hence mosquitoes, it is best to wear lightweight long-sleeved shirts and long pants to avoid mosquito bites. Also be sure to wear a hat and waterproof boots, especially in the wetter months. Green, gray and tan colors are best to help you blend in with your surroundings.

We also recommend bringing a guide, our visit is Endemic Birds of Cuba by Nils Navarro. Definitely bring your binoculars, notebook, waterproof pen, mosquito repellent, and sunscreen. And while it’s not essential equipment, it’s nice to have a camera on hand to capture a moment with these wondrous creatures.

Definitely no bird calls. We do not want to create any kind of stress for the birds, so we ask that you refrain from using these.

We keep our birding groups small, and there’s a reason for that. We want to make sure that we protect the well-being of birds and their habitats.

We will ask you not to get too close to the birds’ territory, definitely be very careful with the nests. To ensure this happens and not disturb the birds, we ask that you walk slowly and with caution. Keep your voice down; it is best to observe in silence. Flashes and bright objects should not be used on a birding tour as this can disturb the birds. Bird welfare is our top priority.

If we see anything unusual, we will report it to the relevant authorities. Things like not littering, trampling vegetation, or breaking branches are obvious. Complying with the rules means we can keep birds protected and enjoyed by others in the future.