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Bermejas: A World Paradise for Birds

by Arturo Kirkconnell
Museo Nacional de Historia Natural de Cuba

Bermejas is an open area with royal and cabbage palms, bushes and shrubbery, 12 km north of Playa Girón, Zapata Peninsula. This area I consider the most important breeding area of Cuban endemic birds, where a total of 16 species breed in Bermejas. There is no other place in the world that holds such great number of endemic birds in just 800 ha.

In this area I have been conducting research since 1990. Among the endemic species are several threatened species. The Fernandina's Flicker (Colaptes fernadinae), a globally threatened species, and the most important breeding area in all Cuba is located there, where about 60 pairs nest in that region. Another globally threatened species are found here as: Cuban Parakeet (Aratinga euops), Gundlach's Hawk (Accipiter gundlachi), Blue-headed Quail Dove (Starnoenas cyanocephala), Gray-headed Quail Dove (Geotrygon caniceps) and Bee Hummingbirds (Mellisuga helenae). Also the largest numbers of owls that breed in Cuba are found in this area: Cuban Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium siju) and Bare-legged Owl (Gymnoglaux lawrecii).

Beside my researching project about the natural history of all these endemic species, an educational program has been conducted in the community. Just crossing the road the kids can reach this amazing piece of land to watch so many endemics in just a single morning. There is a huge impact of men of the local community, cutting woods (to make charcoal), palm leaves (to thatch house), and poacher cutting down the dead palms looking for Parrot chicks (Amazona leucocephala) to trade them in the black market, and Parakeets (Aratinga euops). In this last activity lots of suitable dead palms for nesting are all destroyed. I am attaching several pictures of my interaction with the kids of the area and teacher to show them how important is to preserve that nature just next door.

recipients list

Birders' Exchange
Sharing Tools, Saving Birds
A Program Across the Americas

Birders' Exchange translation project ~ A Neotropical Companion

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