SNOWY EGRET Egretta thula
Regularly seen in small numbers at wetland sites.
LITTLE BLUE HERON Egretta caerulea
Recorded on eight dates with up to five in a day.
TRICOLORED HERON Egretta tricolor
Common between Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Paredon Grande.
REDDISH EGRET Egretta rufescens
Only seen at Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Coco.
CATTLE EGRET Bubulcus ibis
Common; seen daily.
GREEN HERON Butorides virescens
Regularly seen in small numbers in wetland areas.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON Nycticorax nycticorax
Three near the La Turba Ecological Station in Zapata and another immature at La Boca.
WHITE IBIS Eudocimus albus
Up to 15 near Cayos Guillermo and Cayo Coco, and up to six in the Zapata area.
ROSEATE SPOONBILL Ajaia ajaja
Seen daily at Cayo Coco region, with up to 17 in a day.
GREATER FLAMINGO Phoenicopterus ruber
Large numbers (estimated at 1,500) at distance seen from the causeway to Cayo Coco and a few others closer in the Cayo Coca area.
WEST INDIAN WHISTLING-DUCK Dendrocygna arborea
Two at Cayo Coco: this seems to be a rare bird in Cuba, but its nocturnal habits make it easy to overlook.
BLUE-WINGED TEAL Anas discors
At least 20 birds seen between Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Coco at least 80 on a reservoir near Presa Nina Bonita (between Havana and La Guira)..
NORTHERN SHOVELER Anas clypeata
Seen on two dates in the Cayo Coco area, with at least 13 birds involved.
RING-NECKED DUCK Aythya collaris.
At least 30 on a reservoir near Presa Nina Bonita.
LESSER SCAUP Aythya affinis.
A single male on one of two reservoirs near Presa Nina Bonita
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator
At least 100 birds seen from the causeway as we travelled from the “mainland” to Cayo Coco and up to 30 on other dates in the area. At least 12 on the sea at Havana on our last day.
TURKEY VULTURE Cathartes aura
Common and seen every day.
OSPREY Pandion haliaetus
Regular in wetland areas: six seen on four dates.
GUNDLACH'S HAWK Accipiter gundlachi
The head and tail of a bird were seen on a nest on Cayo Coco on our first afternoon there, and a bird was seen a few times in flight near the nest the following day. Another bird was on a nest at La Belen, but here all that could be seen was the tail!
COMMON BLACK-HAWK Buteogallus anthracinus
This distinctive subspecies (gundlachii) was reasonably common in the Cayo Coco / Guillermo / Paredon Grande area. One bird observed in the Zapata area.
BROAD-WINGED HAWK Buteo platypterus
One seen inside pine forest in La Guira NP.
RED-TAILED HAWK Buteo jamaicensis
Strangely, only encountered once, at La Belen.
CRESTED CARACARA Polyborus plancus
Seen in small numbers on three dates from Cayo Coco through to Zapata.
AMERICAN KESTREL Falco sparverius
Widespread and common, with examples of both the pale and attractive rufous forms studied.
MERLIN Falco columbarius
Individuals seen on three dates.
HELMETED GUINEA-FOWL Numida meleagris
INTRODUCED Large groups in La Belen NP
CLAPPER RAIL Rallus longirostris
Three birds showed well on Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo
PURPLE GALLINULE Porphyrula martinica
Fairly common in the Zapata Swamp; also seen in the Najasa area
COMMON MOORHEN Gallinula chloropus
Small numbers in most wetlands visited
AMERICAN COOT Fulica americana
Large flocks, totalling at least 400 birds on two reservoirs near Presa Nina Bonita (between Havana and La Guira)
NORTHERN JACANA Jacana spinosa
Small numbers in La Belen NP and at La Boca on the Zapata Peninsula
BLACK-BELLIED (GREY) PLOVER Pluvalis squatarola
Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Coco; up to 20 in a day
WILSON’S PLOVER Charadrius wilsonia
Two seen very well on a beach at Cayo Coco, and another probable at some distance
SEMI-PALMATED PLOVER Charadrius semipalmatus
Good numbers in the Cayo Coco area.
PIPING PLOVER Charadrius melodus
At least three birds seen on a beach on Cayo Coco
KILLDEER Charadrius vociferus
Encountered on four dates; usually in pairs.
BLACK-NECKED STILT Himantopus mexicanus
At least 80 between Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo
AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus palliatus
One on a beach on Cayo Coco on 7 March. Birds of Cuba (Garrido & Kirkonnell) state that this is a very rare winter visitor, citing records from September-October on Cayo Coco and one late January record from Zapata
GREATER YELLOWLEGS Tringa melanoleuca
Seen on four dates: most common in Cayo Coco area.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS Tringa flavipes
At least 15 on one date at Cayo Coco.
WESTERN WILLET Catoptrophorus (semipalmatus) inornatus
Small numbers of Willet wading in the shallows off Cayo Coco were identified as this taxon based on the criteria in Sibley’s The North American Bird Guide.
SPOTTED SANDPIPER Actitis macularia
A single in a pool on Cayo Coco was the only sighting.
RUDDY TURNSTONE Arenaria fedoa
Small numbers in the Cayo Coco area (up to 30 per day).
SANDERLING Calidris alba
Cayo Coco only, with up to 25 seen.
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER Calidris
At least 15 on Cayo Coco.
WESTERN SANDPIPER Calidris mauri
At least two on Cayo Coco.
LEAST SANDPIPER Calidris minutilla
One in marshland between La Guira and Havana and at leat five on Cayo Coco.
DUNLIN Calidris alpina
At least ten on Cayo Coco
SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER Limnodromus griseus
At least 50 on Cayo Coco
LAUGHING GULL Larus atricilla
Fairly common around the coast
HERRING GULL Larus argentatus
A few birds off the beach in Havana
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus fuscus
Two seen briefly off the beach in Havana by Andy and one seen well between Cayo Coco and Cayo Paredon Grande by the entire group
CASPIAN TERN Sterna
A few at Cayo Coco and one off the beach in Havana
ROYAL TERN Sterna maxima
Seen on five dates, with at least 10 on one date on Cayo Coco
FORSTER’S TERN Sterna forsteri
One on a reservoir near Presa Nina Bonita and at least ten in the harbour in Havana on our last day
SANDWICH TERN Sterna sandvicensis
One in the harbour in Havana on our last day.
ROCK DOVE “Columba livia”
Feral Pigeon observed in a few places
WHITE-CROWNED PIGEON Columba leucocephala
Seen on six dates in forested areas, with a maximum of about ten in a day on Cayo Coco
SCALY-NAPED PIGEON Columba squamosa
 Several birds seen over a two day period in the La Guira NP and Soroa areas
PLAIN PIGEON Columba inornata
Small numbers recorded on two dates in La Belen NP
COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto
INTRODUCED. Observed on four dates
WHITE-WINGED DOVE Zenaida asiatica
Small numbers at several sites.
MOURNING DOVE Zenaida macroura
Regularly encountered in small numbers on the tour
COMMON GROUND-DOVE Columbina passerina
Very Common.
KEY-WEST QUAIL-DOVE Geotrygon chrysia
Two observed extremely well on Cayo Coco, and seen on two days at Bermeja with up to seven or more seen. Great views near one of the drinking pools there. One also seen at Soplillar
GREY-HEADED QUAIL-DOVE Geotrygon caniceps
At least ten, and possibly 13 visiting a drinking pool at Bermeja on our first visit, and at least five on our second visit. One observed calling at Bermeja, from a perch in mid canopy
RUDDY QUAIL-DOVE Geotrygon montana
One at Soroa
 CUBAN PARAKEET Aratinga euops
Three seen at Bermeja in the Zapata Peninsula and common in
La Belen NP
CUBAN PARROT Amazona leucocephala
Small parties seen in the La Belen NP
GREAT LIZARD CUCKOO Saurothera merlini
Seen in all forested areas, with up to eight in a day
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI Crotophaga ani
Common in many open areas
BARN OWL Tyto alba
A high-flying owl seen at night near Playa Larga was almost certainly this species
 BARE-LEGGED OWL Gymnoglaux lawrencii
Two seen at Bermeja in palm-stump roost holes
CUBAN PYGMY-OWL Glaucidium siju
Five seen well in La Belen NP and a couple in the Zapata area
STYGIAN OWL Asio stygius
Cuba just has to be the best place to see this beautiful species. One seen well at Soroa and another in the hotel grounds at Playa Larga
GREATER ANTILLEAN ( CUBAN ) NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus cubanensis
One seen (came into tape, eventually) well near the hotel at Playa Larga; others heard but not seen at La Turba on the Zapata peninsula
ANTILLEAN PALM-SWIFT Tachornis phoenicobia 
Widespread but only seen on four dates
CUBAN EMERALD Chlorostilbon ricordii
Frequently encountered in small numbers throughout the trip
BEE HUMMINGBIRD Mellisuga helenae
The smallest bird in the world was seen in the Zapata peninsula at Palmite, with an adult male on two days and an additional immature male and female on a second day. Another full-plumaged adult male seen briefly at Bermeja, just outside of the reserve
 CUBAN TROGON Priotelus temnurus
Cuba 's national bird and surprisingly common in mixed and pine forests. Seen on four dates.
CUBAN TODY Todus multicolor
This delightful bird was common and widespread and seen on six days.
BELTED KINGFISHER Ceryle alcyon
Widespread and seen on six dates
 WEST INDIAN WOODPECKER Melanerpes superciliaris
Common by voice and numerous sightings throughout the tour
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER Sphyrapicus varius
Farily common – we saw this species on six dates, with up to three in a day
CUBAN GREEN WOODPECKER Xiphidiopicus percussus
Common and ubiquitous with up to six birds in a day
 NORTHERN FLICKER Colaptes auratus
Unexpectedly, only seen once, on Cayo Coco
FERNANDINA'S FLICKER Colaptes fernandinae
Only seen in the Zapata peninsula, where three birds at Bermeja gave good views.
CUBAN PEWEE Contopus caribaeus
Farily common, and very confiding, with sightings on eight dates
LA SAGRA'S FLYCATCHER Myiarchus sagrae
 Recorded at La Guira NP, Zapata peninsula and Cayo Coco
GREY KINGBIRD Tyrannus dominicensis
This summer visitor was only encountered at La Boca – presumably few had arrived during our visit.
LOGGERHEAD KINGBIRD Tyrannus caudifasciatus
Common and widespread
GIANT KINGBIRD Tyrannus cubensis
Two or three on territory near La Belen NP. Formerly occurred on other islands and suffering from deforestation.
CUBAN MARTIN Progne cryptoleuca
Another summer visitor – we only saw this species at La Boca, where it was seen on two consecutive days. At least 11 were seen there.
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Cloudy conditions (and hence bad lighting) during the trip meant that it was difficult to identify all the hirundines we saw at distance – we only definitely saw this species on one occasion, en route to Cayo Coco, but probably saw it also on our way to Zapata.
BARN SWALLOW Hirundo rustica
Only seen in the Zapata area, with small numbers seen daily
CAVE SWALLOW Hirundo fulva
This summer resident was found in large numbers (at least 100) around the railway station in Camaguey, and on migration over Playa Larga (at least 40) on11 March
CUBAN CROW Corvus nasicus
Very common near Najasa and La Belen where its garrulous parrot-like call could be heard frequently, and a few seen in the Zapata peninsular
CUBAN PALM CROW Corvus minutus
Seen only near Najasa, where we found at least ten birds in a dispersed group. The call is much more ‘corvid-like' than that of Cuban Crow.
ZAPATA WREN Ferminia cerverai
Although very responsive to tape at La Turba this endemic is very difficult to see. However, we were fortunate to have one calling from the top of several close bushes at the edge of a marsh, allowing even our driver fantastic scope views
CUBAN GNATCATCHER Polioptila lembeyei
Located on Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Coco
CUBAN SOLITAIRE Myadestes elisabeth
Only seen at Soroa and in La Guira NP, specifically Cuevas de los Portales. Incredible song!
RED-LEGGED THRUSH Turdus plumbeus
Common and widespread.
GREY CATBIRD Dumetella carolinensis
Seen on many occasions in forested areas.
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD Mimus polyglottos
Common and ubiquitous.
BAHAMA MOCKINGBIRD Mimus gundlachii
One seen on Cayo Guillermo in the arid scrub, singing atop the vegetation despite the very strong winds.
WHITE-EYED VIREO Vireo griseus
One seen very well on Cayo Coco
THICK-BILLED VIREO Vireo crassirostris
A speciality of the mangrove scrub at Cayo Paredon Grande, where we found several birds easily.
CUBAN VIREO Vireo gundlachii
Observed only at La Guira, Cayo Coco and Bermeja, where fairly common.
BLACK-WHISKERED VIREO Vireo altiloquus
Only seen at Soroa
NORTHERN PARULA Parula americana
Evidently fairly common as a winger visitor: seen on eight dates with up to six in a day
YELLOW WARBLER Dendroica petechia
One on Cayo Romano and another on Cayo Coco
MAGNOLIA WARBLER Dendroica magnolia
Seen only once, at Bermeja
CAPE MAY WARBLER Dendroica tigrina
Seen on four dates, with eight on Cayo Coco on one day
BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER Dendroica caerulescens
One of the most frequently seen migrants - Eight dates
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER Dendroica coronata
One on route to Zapata, at least eight on the beach at Playa Larga and several at La Boca Crocodile Farm
BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER Dendroica virens
Only encountered in La Belen (4) and Bermeja (1)
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER Dendroica dominica
This superb bird was seen on six dates, with up to ten in one day
OLIVE-CAPPED WARBLER Dendroica pityophila
Easily seen in La Guira NP and common by voice
PRAIRIE WARBLER Dendroica discolor
Small numbers seen on six dates.
PALM WARBLER Dendroica palmarum
Very common, especially in open areas
BLACK & WHITE WARBLER Mniotilta varia
Seen on five dates, with up to four in a day
AMERICAN REDSTART Setophaga ruticilla
Common and widespread.
WORM-EATING WARBLER Helmitheros vermivorus
One obliging bird seen drinking, bathing and feeding around a forest pool at Bermeja
OVENBIRD Seiurus aurocapillus
Seen on five dates
LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH Seiurus motacilla
Five seen in total, in La Guira and Cayo Coco.
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH Seiurus noveboracencis
Individuals seen on four dates
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT Geothlypis trichas
Seen in low scrub on seven dates
YELLOW-HEADED WARBLER Teretristris fernandinae
Small numbers seen at Bermeja in the Zapata Peninsula and in the hill-forests of Soroa and La Guira
ORIENTE WARBLER Terestris fornsi
Easily seen in the semi-deciduous woods near Cuevas de Jabali, Cayo Coco and Paredon Grande
RED-LEGGED HONEYCREEPER Cyanerpes cyaneus
Only seen in La Guira NP
WESTERN STRIPE-HEADED TANAGER Spindalis zena
Small numbers seen in La Guira, the Cayos and Zapata Peninsular
CUBAN BULLFINCH Melopyrrha nigra
Seen at just about all sites. Clearly a very adaptable species. Almost a Cuban endemic, occurring also on Gran Cayman
CUBAN GRASSQUIT Tiaris canora
This endemic was seen by the leader at La Guira and the entire group near La Belen NP, where a pair gave fantastic views
YELLOW-FACED GRASSQUIT Tiaris olivacea
Widespread and numerous in suitable habitat
ZAPATA SPARROW Torreornis inexpecta
Only found in the dry forests around Cuevas de Jabali and along the road on Cayo Coco
CUBAN RED-SHOULDERED BLACKBIRD Agelaius assimilis
Two small groups encountered in the Zapata Peninsula, at La Boca
TAWNY-SHOULDERED BLACKBIRD Agelaius humeralis
Common in the Zapata peninsula and one flock seen in La Guira NP. A near-endemic as this species is only found on Cuba and in Haiti
EASTERN MEADOWLARK Sturnella magna
Only seen near Najasa. Cuba hosts the endemic subspecies hippocrepis
CUBAN BLACKBIRD Dives atroviolaceus
Common and widespread
GREATER ANTILLEAN GRACKLE Quiscalus niger
Widespread and often very common
SHINY COWBIRD Molothrus bonariensis
Only seen at La Belen
BLACK-COWLED ORIOLE Icterus dominicensis
Small numbers seen on seven dates. The race melanopsis may be a good species; it is confined to Cuba, the Isle of Pines and several offshore cays
NORTHERN ORIOLE Icterus galbula
A male at La Belen was the only record
HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticus
Seen throughout the trip in suitable habitat.
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