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Republic of Cuba

Cuban Tody Todus multicolor ©Glenn Bartley Website
Birding Cuba

Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean (110,860 km2) and only slightly smaller in land area (including all the offshore cays) than England. The population is just over 11 million people of which almost a third live in the capital, Havana. The political stability that has marked the years since the revolution in 1959 has not been matched by the economy which has suffered for a variety of reasons. The financial benefits of tourism have been widely embraced in the last 15 years or so which has resulted in improved facilities for visitors and many of these are near to popular birding hotspots. Cubans are a warm and friendly people and visting birders are unlikely to experience any problems. Crime, especially violent crime, is virtually unknown.

Cuba has a wide variety of habitats from coastal mangrove to montain cloud forest and including important man-made habitats such as rice fields. Four main mountain ranges dominate an otherwise lowland landscape of arid scrub, savanna, and forest, with extensive wetlands found on the Zapata peninsula and in the Cauto River delta. Forest can be divided into several different types including lowland and montane rain forest, cloud forest, and drier seasonal (deciduous) forest, which was once very widespread in the lowlands. Coniferous forest is restricted to the eastern and western ends of the island where it is the dominant vegetation type.Recent survey work has revealed that, as well as being significant for restricted-range birds, Cuban forests are extremely important wintering areas for Nearctic breeding species, equal to the richest sites that have been surveyed elsewhere in the Caribbean and Mexico.

ConservationCuba has developed a system of protected areas in a variety of habitats across the country. These have various designations and levels of protection – some 12% of the total land area falls within the 200 or so conservation units. The most important have international designations including six Ramsar sites and six Biosphere reserves. BirdLife recognises 28 Important Bird Areas (IBA) within the whole territory of Cuba, which is an Endemic Bird Area (EBA) in itself.However, much of Cuba’s native vegetation has been converted to cultivation and pasture for cattle over the past 200 years, with only 15-20% of land remaining in its natural state. Today, expansion of cacao, coffee and tobacco production are serious threats to rain forest, while logging, charcoal production and slash-and-burn agriculture are destroying dry forest. Tourist facilities have sometimes been located inappropriately and extensions to rice and bean growing areas have impinged on important wetlands, including mangrove fringes.

Birds and birdingAround 370 species have been reported from Cuba with a high level of endemism (28 species) and a number of Caribbean specialties. Six of the endemic species are listed as ‘restricted range’ by BirdLife whilst a further 14 are designated Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened. A further 19 species under these criteria have been recorded from Cuba, such as the Piping Plover, which is a relatively uncommon winter visitor to the archipelago.Having said that, it is not too difficult to plan a birding trip to see the majority of the endemic birds, the exceptions being Cuban Kite (far to the east, largely inaccessible and almost extinct) and Zapata Rail (Critically Endangered and largely invisible). To find Cuban Martin, which is known to breed only in Cuba, and Antillean Nighthawk, both of which presumably winter somewhere in South America, you need to visit in summer, preferably from mid March or even mid April, respectively. Note that most birders will probably also want to avoid the summer (after May) and the hurricane season, which ends in late November, although the latter month can be excellent for passage migrants. Winter is excellent to see the largest numbers of individual Nearctic migrants, although a visit during either spring or autumn passage has the potential to ‘net’ more species.There are quite considerable distances to cover just to reach the four main sites starting from Havana – in general, there are more birds in the western half of the country, more of the endemics and more facilities for the tourist. A trip of nine or ten days is the minimum needed to ensure covering the main sites but even in this time you run the risk of missing out on some species, with two weeks being the ideal length of a trip and less taxing!

Download Christopher Sharpe’s Incredibly useful guide to finding Cuba’s endemics & other special birds HERE

Top Sites

  • Cayo Coco

    InformationSatellite View
    This is a cay off the north coast of Cuba, now linked to the mainland by a causeway some 17 km long. The island has been developed as an all-inclusive beach tourism destination but large areas are still unspoilt and home to some interesting species. Of the endemics, there is Cuban Gnatcatcher and Oriente Warbler that you must see. In addition there are some interesting species found nowhere else in Cuba such as Bahama Mockingbird and Thick-billed Vireo. There is a race of Cuban Sparrow here as well as Gundlach’s Hawk and its position means that migrant falls are relatively common.

  • Cuchillas del Toa - Guantanamo Province

    Satellite View
    Oriente - The last place that Ivory-billed Woodpecker and Cuban Kite were seen. Mountain and river birds.

  • Najasa, Camagüey

    Satellite View
    An area of open savannah and woodlands to the south-east of Camagüey city which encompasses the reserve at La Belen. There are 15 of the endemics to found here but it is the only place to find the Cuban Palm Crow and much the easiest place to see Giant Kingbird, Cuban Parakeet and the near-threatened Caribbean speciality, Plain Pigeon.

  • Topes de Collantes - Escambray-Sancti Spiritus Province.

    Satellite View
    Mountain birds. Endemic birds found here include Cuban Tody, Cuban Trogon and Cuban Emerald.

  • Viñales Valley-La Güira

    Satellite View
    This area to the west of Havana is largely pine-forested limestone hills interspersed with low-level agriculture. This is the place to find the Cuban Solitaire and now is also the easiest place to find Cuban Grassquit. Many other endemics are here and it is a good starting point for any birding trip to Cuba to get to grips with the commoner species.

  • Zapata Swamp - Matanzas Province

    InformationSatellite View
    A huge area (over half a million hectares) this is the largest wetland in the Caribbean. It has extensive cave lake systems with spectacular blue holes, flooded caves and important water resources. There is also critical habitat in the form of forest, flooded palm savannas, open waterand salinas, reefs and mangroves. It is simply the best birding in Cuba and the following endemics can be found there: Gundlach's Hawk, Zapata Rail, Grey-fronted Quail-dove, Blue-headed Quail-dove, Cuban Parakeet, Bare-legged Owl, Cuban Pygmy-owl, Cuban Nightjar, Bee Hummingbird, Cuban Trogon, Cuban Tody, Cuban Green Woodpecker, Fernandina's Flicker, Giant Kingbird, Cuban Vireo, Cuban Crow, Zapata Wren, Yellow-headed Warbler, Cuban Blackbird, Red-shouldered Blackbird, Cuban Sparrow, Cuban Grassquit.
Contributors
Number of Species

  • Number of bird species: 397

    (As at February 2020)

    National Bird: Cuban Trogon Priotelus temnurus

Endemics

  • Number of endemics: 25

    Gundlachs Hawk Accipiter gundlachi, Cuban Black-Hawk Buteogallus gundlachii, Cuban Green Woodpecker Xiphidiopicus percussus, Fernandina's Flicker Colaptes fernandinae, Cuban Trogon Priotelus temnurus, Cuban Tody Todus multicolor, Cuban Parakeet Aratinga euops, Bee Hummingbird Mellisuga helenae, Bare-legges Owl Otus lawrencii, Cuban Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium siju, Gray-fronted Quail-Dove Geotrygon caniceps, Blue-headed Quail-Dove Starnoenas cyanocephala, Zapata Rail Cyanolimnas cerverai, Giant Kingbird Tyrannus cubensis, Cuban Vireo Vireo gundlachii, Cuban Solitaire Myadestes elisabeth, Zapata Wren Ferminia cerverai, Cuban Gnatcatcher Polioptila lembeyei, Zapata Sparrow Torreornis inexpectata, Yellow-headed Warbler Teretistris fernandinae, Oriente Warbler Teretistris fornsi, Cuban Grassquit Tiaris canora, Red-shouldered Blackbird Agelaius assimilis, Cuban Blackbird Dives atroviolacea, Cuban Oriole Icterus melanopsis

    (22 other species occur here that are regional endemics such as Cuban Palm Crow Corvus palmarum, Greater Antillean nightjar Antrostomus cubanensis & Cuban Crow Corvus nasicus)

Checklist

  • iGoTerra Checklist

    iGoTerra Checklist
    Fatbirder Associate iGoTerra offers the most comprehensive and up to date birds lists on the web
Useful Reading

  • A Birdwatchers' Guide to Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico and the Caymans

    | By Guy Kirwan, Arturo Kirkconnell & Mike Flieg | Prion | 2010 | Paperback | 198 pages, Line illustrations, maps | ISBN: 9781871104127 Buy this book from NHBS.com

  • Birds of Cuba

    | By Orlando Garrido, Arturo Kirkconnell & Roman Company | Christopher Helm | 2000 | Paperback | 253 pages, 51 colour plates, b/w illustrations, 145 b/w distribution maps | ISBN: 9780713657845 Buy this book from NHBS.com

  • Cuba Birds

    | (A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species) | By James R Kavanagh & Raymond Leung | Waterford Press | 2016 | Unbound | 12 pages, colour illustrations, 1 colour map | ISBN: 9781583559819 Buy this book from NHBS.com

  • Endemic Birds of Cuba

    | By Nils Navarro | Ediciones Nuevos Mundos | 2015 | Paperback | 168 pages | colour photos | colour illustrations | colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9780990941910 Buy this book from NHBS.com

  • The Birds of Cuba - An Annotated Checklist

    | By Arturo Kirkconnell, Guy M Kirwan, Orlando H Garrido, Andy Mitchell & James W Wiley | British Ornithologists' Club | 2020 | Paperback | 472 pages | 32 plates with colour photos | ISBN: 9780952288671 | £44.99p | ISBN: 9780952288671 Buy this book from NHBS.com

  • The Birds of the West Indies

    | By Guy M Kirwan, Anthony Levesque, Mark W Oberle & Christopher J Sharpe | Lynx Edicions | 2019 | 400 pages, 1600+ colour illustrations, 650+ colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9788416728176 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Useful Information

Museums & Universities

  • National Museum of Natural History of Cuba

    Information
    It contains unique pieces, such as fish preserved personally by Poey in the first half of the 19th century, the smallest bird in the world, a stuffed specimen of an extinct species of pigeon, and 18 endemic Cuban birds that are part of the country's largest collection.
Organisations

  • Centro Nacional de Areas Protegidas (Birdlife Cuba)

    Facebook Page
    El Sistema Nacional de Áreas Protegidas de Cuba (SNAP) está constituido por las áreas naturales, terrestres y marinas más importantes del país. Su funcionamiento es supervisado a través de una Junta Coordinadora, integrada por las principales entidades decisoras, de regulación y control y está estructurado en subsistemas provinciales, de forma descentralizada, en el cual las áreas protegidas como unidad básica de gestión, son administradas por diferentes instituciones. - Also see the Facebook page
Reserves

Abbreviations Key

  • BS Sierra del Rosario

    InformationSatellite View
    Sierra del Rosario is mountain range in the Pinar del Río Province of Cuba. It is located in the western part of the Guaniguanico Range, in the north-central part of the province, between the municipalities of La Palma, Los Palacios and Consolación del. Fauna includes five species of bat and, numerous birds (notably the Bee hummingbird).

  • NP Alejandro de Humboldt

    InformationSatellite View
    Alejandro de Humboldt National Park contains the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of terrestrial biological diversity in the entire insular Caribbean. The park was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 for of its size, altitude range, complex lithology, landform diversity, and wealth of endemic flora and fauna. Fauna present in the park includes various species of parrots, lizards, hummingbirds, the endangered Cuban solenodon (endemic), hutia and snails.

  • NP Desembarco del Granma

    InformationSatellite View
    The area, which is situated in and around Cabo Cruz in south-west Cuba, includes spectacular terraces and cliffs, as well as some of the most pristine and impressive coastal cliffs bordering the western Atlantic.

  • NP Topes de Collantes

    InformationSatellite View
    Among Topes de Collantes' natural allure are flora and fauna equally as beautiful, including more than 40 species of orchids, 100 species of ferns, and the national flower of Cuba, the mariposa (butterfly lily). Plantain and banana trees grow wild here, as do begonias, ginger, jasmine, eucalyptus, and magnolias. Pine trees as tall as 140 feet provide adequate shade for approximately 40 species of coffee to grow. The trees are also home to various species of bird, including the Cuban ivory-billed woodpecker, the Cartacuba, the tocororo, and an assortment of hummingbirds.

  • NP Zapata Swamp

    InformationSatellite View
    Zapata Swamp is located on the Zapata Peninsula in the southern Matanzas province of Cuba. It is located less than 150 kilometres (93 mi) southeast of Havana. It is located on the Zapata Peninsula in the southern Matanzas province of Cuba, less than 150 kilometres (93 miles) southeast of Havana. Within the Zapata Swamp are over 900 autochthonous plant species, 175 species of birds, 31 species of reptiles and over 1000 species of invertebrates. Some of the most notable are local endemics to Cuba; for birds, it includes the Zapata wren, Zapata rail, and the Zapata sparrow. The Zapata Swamp is also a particular habitat of the Bee hummingbird, the smallest bird species on the planet. The Zapata Swamp is also visited by 65 species of birds during their migration pattern from North America through the Caribbean to South America. Zapata is also known for the local endemic Cuban crocodile Crocodylus rhombifer which are restricted to the Zapata Swamp .

  • NR Guanaroca

    InformationSatellite View
    Guanaroca Nature Reserve is the region’s sole natural protected area, and it is easy to see why! Within the reserve is Laguna Guanaroca, a shimmering saline lake formed by the River Arimao. An astounding density of wildlife aggregates here, including a resident colony of more than 2,000 flamingos.

  • National Parks

    Observatory WebsiteSatellite View
    Cuba has an extensive network of protected areas and there are 274 listed on the website including all 15 national parks.
Guides & Tour Operators

  • Birding Cuba

    Tour Operator
    Twenty years of operating tours in Cuba...

  • Birding Ecotours

    Tour Operator
    The tour starts in Cuba’s famous Zapata Swamp, one of the richest single sites throughout the West Indies, and continues across much of the western two-thirds of this island – which is widely regarded as the last bastion of communism in the world but is now gradually becoming slightly more liberalized. We will have good chances of finding all of Cuba’s endemics with the exception of the near-mythical Zapata Rail, whose voice is still not definitely known, and the extremely rare Cuban Kite, which is restricted to the extreme east of the island and requires a trip of near-expedition proportions for any chance of seeing it…..

  • Cuba Birding Tours

    Tour Operator & Guide
    Andy Mitchell, Cuba tours arranged - I can arrange every aspect of your trip including driving instructions and directions to birds. Contact me on andy@witsend.freeserve.co.uk

  • Cuba Welcome

    Tour Operator
    Bird Watching Tour in Cuba - 8 days - Cuba`s birds include 22 endemic species to the island as well as several Greater Antillean endemics mixed with some North American and seasonal migration species.

  • El Chino de Zapata

    Tour Operator
    Chino is a biologist, a naturalist and native of the Zapata Swamp with 40 years of experience as a natural history guide specializing in birds. He has published several articles relating to endangered species in the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology and in Ciencias Biológicas de la Universidad de la Habana; a journal of the University of Havana. He has been guiding for more than 40 years for thousands of ornithologists and scientists who have visited Cuba...

  • Ernesto Reyes

    Tour Operator
    If you are a nature and bird enthusiastic, and that taking photographs in our warm and enchanting Cuba sounds like an exciting experience to you, then you have come to the right place…

  • Real Cuba

    Tour Operator
    Cuba Beyond the Beaches Birding in Eastern Cuba takes you to two of the most prolific areas for birds in this part of the island. Our daily outings take you to varied habitat ensuring that you have the chance to add to your life list, see birds which are new to you, or visit with summer friends. Our knowledgeable ornithologist will add to your understanding of the birds of this part of the island

  • Rockjumper Birding Tours

    Tour Operator
    What with 28 endemics and a further 23 Caribbean specials, Cuba is an essential addition to any serious twitcher
Trip Reports

  • 2015 [03 March] - Jim Frost - Cayo Coco

    Report
    he tourist bus (5 CUC return) goes to the Melia Cayo Coco which has a lagoon with Cuban Martin and West Indian Whistling Duck and White-winged Dove in its grounds. In the other direction, the lagoons after the causeway to Cayo Guillermo hold the whistling duck, flamingo, spoonbill, ibises and a good range of waders.

  • 2015 [04 April] - Hans Matheve

    Report
    Bare-legged Owl (1 bird seen at 22.287451, -81.137547, another was distantly heard at night in the same area), Antillean Nighthawk (5+ birds heard and seen near Soplillar), Bee Hummingbird (a few birds seen on 2 occasions in a private garden at Palpite, see above), Blue-heaed Quail-Dove (eventually 1 bird heard and taped in the forest near Soplillar at 22.28434, -81.136271), Cuban Black Hawk (a few birds seen near the coast), Cuban Crow (most evenings encountered in Playa Larga, very vocal!), Cuban Parrot (groups seen near Hotel Playa Larga and near Palpite), Cuban Pygmy-Owl (on a few occasions heard and seen), Fernandina's Flicker (1 bird seen near Soplillar), Gray-fronted Quail-Dove (good numbers seen in the forest near Soplillar), (Cuban) Greater Antillean Nightjar (1 bird seen and 1 more heard near Soplillar), Key West Quail-Dove (1 bird encountered in Soplillar), (Cuban) Northern Flicker (1 bird sen near Soplillar), Red-shouldered Blackbird (at least 5 birds encountered in La Turba), Yellow-headed Warbler (a few birds encountered in the entire region), Zapata Sparrow (3 birds seen in La Turba at 22.413195, -81.186551), Zapata Wren (1 bird seen in La Turba at 22.435989, -81.177323).

  • 2016 [02 February] - Pete Aley

    Report
    This report outlines a two week birding trip which I undertook with my wife, Alison Rowntree, in Cuba. We wanted to combine our birding with some relaxation and a bit of time in Havana, so we did not attempt to try and see every endemic. However, we spent plenty of time at Zapata - Cuba's top birding site, several hours’ south east of Havana. We also did a lot of birding around Cayo Coco, off the central north coast, where a number of endemics and some other good birds can be found.

  • 2016 [04 April] - Steve Baines

    Report
    ... I wanted to crack 2,000 this year. To do this I had to go birding somewhere that I’d not been before that would give me 18 lifers plus a nice holiday, within budget, for my non-birding, but ever tolerant, wife Claire. Cuba sounded ideal because if I could connect with most of the endemics that the island has to offer then I should easily reach my target. However, being fair to Claire, I couldn’t drag her around Cuba chasing birds, so we decided that an all inclusive beach holiday to Cayo Coco would suit us both...

  • 2017 [02 February] - Chris Sharpe

    PDF Report
    ...We were immediately assaulted by Cuban endemics: Cuban Trogon, Cuban Green Woodpecker, Tawny-shouldered Blackbird and Cuban Tody. However, we had to focus on our target birds, and went straight to a pig farm to look for Cuban Grassquit....

  • 2017 [03 March] - Forrest Rowland

    PDF Report
    ...we stepped off the bus to our first of many Cuban Trogons, Cuban Green Woodpeckers, Loggerhead Kingbird, LaSagre’s Flycatchers, Red-legged Honeycreepers, and Greater Antillean Grackles...

  • 2017 [03 March] - Remco Hofland

    PDF Report
    ...Early morning we walked though the old centre of Trinidad. We found sev breeding Cave Swallows, as well as Cuban Martins perched on a construction crane. While James spent the rest of the morning wandering around town Vincent and I went out birding in Parque El Cubano just northwest of town. We saw our first Cuban Pygmy-Owl here, along with a good selection of other Cuban birds...

  • 2017 [04 April] - Daniele Mitchell

    PDF Report
    A comprehensive introduction to Cuban birds can be done injust seven days covering four sites: The western foothills nearSan Diego de Los Banos, the northern cays around CayoCoco, the eastern savannahs near La Belen and finally theswamps and forests of Zapata.

  • 2017 [12 December] - Christopher J Sharpe

    PDF Report
    ...After a short rest, our afternoon visit to Soplillar began with a stroll between flooded fields, where we had lovely views of three Fernandina's Flickers, another Northern Flicker (atop a utility pole) and a further four Great Lizard Cuckoos. Cuban Parrots and Parakeets showed extremely well, both flying over and perched up obligingly in the saturated colours produced by the low sun. A distant Northern Jacana was spotted across the wet pastureland...

  • 2018 [01 January] - Dodie Logue

    PDF Report
    Annotated list

  • 2018 [02 February] - Yeray Seminario

    PDF Report
    On our second tour to Cuba we were fortunate to have a fantastic group of people join us, which helped create a very easy-going, friendly atmosphere. On this trip, thanks to a recent collaboration with prominent artist and ornithologist Nils Navarro, we counted with his presence during the whole trip, as part of his preparation for his next book covering all the birds of Cuba...

  • 2018 [03 March] - Bob Behrstock

    PDF Report
    Our permits to visit Cuba were predicated upon us censusing birds and sharing the data with the scientific community, deemed a type of humanitarian project by the U.S. government. This is happening — largely through eBird, which has the power to instantly reach biologists (and birders) throughout the Americas...

  • 2018 [03 March] - Woody Wheeler

    PDF Report
    Customs went relatively smoothly and we soon met Gustavo, a friendly engaging man who was our main guide for the Cuban journey - Mostly an Annotated list

  • 2019 [01 January] - Dodie Logue

    PDF Report
    We had very good luck with endemics, seeing Cuban Parakeet,Cuban Trogon and Cuban Tody. We also saw some West Indianendemics, such as Palm Crow, Plain Pigeon, Giant Kingbird and awonderfully active Great lizard-Cuckoo. We spent the morningwalking on park roads of the area, surrounded by mature trees andMango Orchards. There were numerous migrant warblers in thetrees, including Cape May, Black-throated Blue, Black-throatedGreen, and Yellow-throated. We were hot and tired when weloaded up the bus to head back around noon.

  • 2021 [01 January] - David Blair

    PDF Report
    The main birds in the hotel were Cuban Emerald our first endemic, Cuban (crescent-eyed) Pewee, Yellow-fronted Vireo, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Palm Warbler, Ovenbird, Blackburnian Warbler, Northern Parula, Yellow-throated Warbler, Antillean Palm Swift and Northern Mockingbird...

  • 2022 [03 March] - Mike Clarke

    PDF Report
    The birding it has to be said was excellent! With 25 endemics and 28 near endemics as well as plenty of wintering North American waders and passerines there was never a shortage of something to look at! We saw all the possible 23 Cuban endemics (Cuban Kite and Zapata Rail being near mythical species) and all the 25 reasonably expected near endemics (Antillean Nighthawks not being in yet and Caribbean Martin and Bahama Swallow being rarely recorded). Additionally we saw 20 species of American wood-warbler & allies in our trip total of 161.

  • 2023 [04 April] - Eduardo Ormaeche - Costa Rica: Complete Tour

    PDF Report
    This was a dream trip for those who were setting foot in Central America for the first time, with birds such as the most-wanted and representative Resplendent Quetzal, Snowcap, Sunbittern, Sungrebe, Roseate Spoonbill, Jabiru, Scarlet and Great-green Macaws, Yellow-throated and Keel-billed Toucan, Turquoise-browed, Lesson’s and Keel-billed Motmots, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Crested, Spectacled, Striped and Black-and-white Owls, American Dipper, Baird’s, Gartered, Black-headed and Black-throated Trogons, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Yellow-breasted Crake, Pinnated and Least Bitterns, White Hawk, Black Hawk-Eagle and Ornate Hawk-Eagle.
Places to Stay

  • Casa Particulares

    Website
    The alternative to staying in hotels is private guest houses or casa particulares

  • Club Amigo Atlantico Guardalavaca Resort - Holguin Province

    Accommodation
    Only a few meters from one of the most beautiful beaches of fine and white sand to the eastern part of the island, stands Club Amigo Atlantico - Guardalavaca Complex surrounded by impressive cliffs and exotic vegetation
Other Links

  • Birding Cuba

    Website
    Notes, pictures, etc

  • Birdwatching in Western Cuba

    Website
    Travelling through National Parks, Wildlife Refuge`s and the famous Sierra del Rosario Biosphere brings the experienced birdwatcher in touch with bird species of all types
Photographers & Artists

  • Glenn Bartley

    Gallery

  • Photographer - Dan McIntosh

    Gallery
    Excellent gallery of shots taken in Cuba

  • Photographer - David Cahlander

    Gallery
    Mixed quality gallery

  • Photographer - Tyler Hicks

    Gallery
    All pictures were taken on the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay

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