ENDEMIC BIRDS OF CUBA Private Tour.

Arrival at Havana Airport. Welcome by the guide and transfer to the Valentín Quinta Avenida Hotel or similar for check-in. Dinner and rest.

Havana City to Las Terrazas Biosphere Reserve and Viñales. From the city of Havana, or La Habana as it’s locally known, we will head westwards into Pinar del Río Province. En route we may scan several wetlands while keeping a look-out for Snail Kite hovering or perched around these lakes, migrant waterfowl (commoner species include Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup and Blue-winged Teal) and wading birds such as Limpkin, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpiper and Tricolored, Little Blue and Green Herons. We will soon be struck by the abundance of Turkey Vultures; these huge birds are almost a guaranteed sight each time we cast an eye skywards!

We will make a stop at Las Terrazas Biosphere Reserve. This community run reserve was once clear cut for charcoal production, but millions of replanted trees have restored the area to its former grandeur. The reserve hosts one of our primary targets for the day, the delightfully coloured Cuban Grassquit. This beautiful little finch is now endangered largely due to trapping for the cage-bird trade. We can also expect to see many of Cuba’s specialities including Cuba’s national bird, the Cuban Trogon, and the very cute Cuban Tody. Belonging to a family of 5 species endemic to the Caribbean and most closely related to kingfishers, this brilliantly coloured jewel of the forest sometimes allows for an incredibly close approach and amazing photographic opportunities. There will also be time for the common buff-bellied Cuban sub-species of Red- legged Thrush and Cuban Green Woodpecker. It won’t take long to work out that we are in North American wood warbler heaven, as these brightly coloured gems flit around us and respond strongly to spishing. Particularly common are American Redstart, Northern Parula, Palm Warbler and Black-throated Green Warbler.

Typical Cuban lunch at the Casa del Campesino Restaurant. After a brief after-dinner chat to comment on the morning in the countryside, the tour will continue to Viñales. Arrival at the Hostal, check-in and rest.

Total kilometers to be traveled in the day: 186 kms approximately.

After an early breakfast at the Viñales Inn, we will travel to La Güira National Park, also known as Hacienda Cortina, where 61 species have been recorded, including the cartacuba (Todus Multicolor), the tocororo (Cuban Trogon), the cat thrush (Turdus plumbeus), the negrito (Merropiria nigra), the ground and pine martin, as well as the goatherd (Spingalis Cena), the muleteer, the chirp (Teretistris Fernandinae), the San Diego wren (Cyanerpes Cyaneus), the long-tailed hawk and, for the lucky ones, the siskin (Asio Stygius) and the elusive nightingale, easy to hear but very difficult to see. In the day we pay a visit to La Güira Park. This formerly glorious colonial mansion’s expansive manicured grounds offer superb birding. Species we are likely to encounter are the colourful Western Spindalis (or Western Stripe-headed Tanager), the dumpy Cuban Bullfinch, La Sagra’s Flycatcher, Cuban (or Crescent-eyed) Pewee, Loggerhead Kingbird and the beautiful Red- legged Honeycreeper. We also have our first chance at seeing the impressive Fernandina’s Flicker.

After a morning’s birding we head east and southwards to the famed Zapata Peninsula. On the drive we will notice numerous signs commemorating the Cuban revolution as well as Cuba’s national heroes, including of course Fidel Castro and Ché Guevara. We will see a large variety of transport modes on Cuba’s roads, from oxen pulling wooden sleighs, fancy horse- drawn buggies and vintage 1950’s US automobiles in every shape, size and colour! Tonight we will settle in for the first of three nights at our lodge, nestled on the shores of Bahia de Cochinos (Bay of Pigs), close to the infamous 1961 invasion point of Playa Giron.

Lunch will be at the Mirador Hotel in San Diego. Afterwards, departure to the Ciénaga de Zapata National Park. Overnight at a private hostel, dinner and rest.

Total kilometers to be traveled in the day: 346 kms approximately.

The Zapata Peninsula is the essence of Cuban birding. Large areas of this reserve now protect saltpans, mangroves, swamps and dry evergreen forests, home to most of Cuba’s endemic birds. With the help of a superb local birding guide, we will visit numerous sites in search of these localised specialties. High on our agenda will be the world’s smallest bird, the minuscule Bee Hummingbird. Measuring in at just 2.5” (tail to bill!), this tiny hummer really does resemble a bee as it flits around flowers. Its numbers have decreased dramatically unfortunately, and it can prove a tough bird to find. We will also encounter the far more common Cuban Emerald, a sparkling green, fork-tailed nymph of the forest edge.

One of our mornings here will require an early start to reach a deciduous forest reserve where an incredible 4 species of secretive and beautiful quail-doves can be seen! A local conservationist has started putting out food along a forest trail, and both the stunning Blue- headed and iridescent Grey-fronted Quail-Doves often come in, allowing excellent viewing. We will also walk the trails to stand a reasonable chance of observing the more widespread Key West and rarer Ruddy Quail-Doves, while the attractive Zenaida Dove as well as Common Ground and Mourning Doves occur as well.

Along these trails we will also seek out the Cuban Pygmy Owl and Bare-legged (or Cuban Screech) Owl, which are usually found at known roosts. We will take time to seek out Cuban Crow; this large, all black corvid is rather rare and we will listen out for its loud and distinctive parrot-like vocalisations in order to track it down. Another tough and rare endemic best found on the peninsula is the huge Fernandina’s Flicker, a surprisingly attractive woodpecker. Other species in this group that occur here are West Indian Woodpecker, Northern Flicker (an endemic resident race) and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Raptors are not particularly numerous but we will keep a look out for Red-tailed and Broad-winged Hawks, Northern Crested Caracara, Merlin and of course the endemic and extremely tough Gundlach’s Hawk.

Total kilometers to be traveled in the day: 60.0 kms approximately.

Further excursions will take us onto the tidal flats and mangrove islets at Salinas de Brito, which are situated along the southern shore of the Zapata Peninsula. The salt water marshes are justly famous for their waders and waterfowl, and we will seek out the recently split Cuban Black Hawk, now an endemic (previously considered a subspecies of Common Black Hawk). Stunningly pink American Flamingos occur in healthy numbers and we will add numerous waterbirds to our burgeoning list, including Brown Pelican, Anhinga, Reddish Egret, Roseate Spoonbill, American White Ibis, Wood Stork, Clapper Rail, Caspian and Royal Terns, Black Skimmer, Grey (Black-bellied) Plover, Short-billed Dowitcher and Least Sandpiper, among many others. Family groups of Smooth-billed Ani abound and Cuban Martins nest in dead snags on the salt flats. In the Salinas de Brito, you can also observe several species such as the white pigeon, the Florida duck, the gray and white pelican, the ivis, spoonbills and the famous pink flamingo.

An evening excursion may be taken to search for Cuban Nightjar and the impressive Stygian Owl. The latter is a dark and imposing-looking predator so-named after the black river Styx (in Greek mythology ‘Styx’ symbolised the boundary between Earth and the underworld).

Total kilometers to be traveled in the day: 60.0 kms approximately.

Early breakfast at the private hostel. After a last morning of searching for any targets we may still need in the Zapata Peninsula, departure to Camagüey. On the way we will do a last day of bird watching to locate some outstanding species. We will continue our journey to Santa Clara, where we will have lunch on the way. Afterwards, we will leave towards the city of Camagüey, with lodging and dinner in a private hostel.

Total kilometers to be traveled in the day: 456 kms approximately.

Early breakfast at the private guesthouse. Departure to the Najasa Reserve. Sierra de Najasa and the protected reserve of Rancho La Belen are areas of unspoilt lowland forest and palm groves that harbour a great diversity of flora and fauna. The two main targets species here are the Cuban Palm Crow and the endangered, massive-billed Giant Kingbird (with an estimated population of less than 1000 birds). The region is also host to several other endemics and near-endemics and we will keep a careful look out for the lovely Cuban Amazon (also known as Rose-throated or Cuban Parrot) and flocks of Cuban Parakeet screeching overhead. Antillean Palm Swifts frequent the palm trees that we will be scrutinising for the rare Cuban Palm Crow. Some of the more unusual wintering North American warblers that we may observe here include Worm-eating and Swainson's. The two main targets here are the Cuban palm crow (Corvus Palmarum), also known as Cao, due to the sound it emits, and the royal pitirre (Tyrannus Cubensis), a bird characterized by a giant 26 cm long beak. The region is home to many other endemic species, such as the charming Cuban amazon (Amazona leucocephala), also known as Cuban parrot, and groups of cateyes or Cuban parakeets (Psittacara Euops) flying over the trees. After the day in the field, we will head north on our way to the Sabana Camagüey archipelago, to Cayo Coco, Cayo Paredón Grande and Cayo Guillermo Keys.

As our Cuban birding adventure begins to wind down, we head northwards to explore some of the thousands of small coral islets fringing Cuba. Upon reaching the coast, we will drive over a scenic 17km (10 ½ mi) causeway that separates the island of Cayo Coco from the mainland (somewhat reminiscent of Key West), and during our journey we should spot large numbers of waterbirds. Highly probable species include Magnificent Frigatebird, Neotropic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Black-crowned and Yellow-crowned Night Herons, Pied-billed Grebe, American Wigeon, American Coot, Western Osprey, Laughing Gull, Royal Tern, Belted Kingfisher, Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, Willet, Black-necked Stilt and numerous smaller migrant waders.

After the day in the field, we will head north towards the Sabana Camagüey archipelago, to the keys Cayo Coco, Cayo Paredón Grande and Cayo Guillermo. As we travel along the causeway that connects the large island with the keys, it will be possible to observe an infinity of aquatic birds. Lodging will be in one of the all-inclusive resorts in the area.

Total kilometers to be traveled in the day: 270.6 kms approximately.

Early breakfast at the hotel. Departure for the field trip with a local guide to explore Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Paredon Grande. These small islands or keys harbor a great variety of bird habitats. Previous studies have recorded up to 132 species in this area, 4 of which are endemic. The key has great zoogeographic importance for presenting the most important population of the Bahamas vireo (Vireo crassirostris cubensis), within the Cuban archipelago, which is almost restricted to this key. Likewise, small numbers of the globally endangered Whistling Puffleg Charadrius Melodus winter on its beaches; and a relict population of the mockingbird (Prieto Mimus Gundlachii) is recorded on the key. A few endemic species, the pechero (Teretistris Fornsi) and the mockingbird (Polioptila Lembeyei) are commonly found in this region.

We have a full day’s exploration of Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Paredón Grande. These low-lying coral islands support a wide variety of birding habitats, ranging from stunning beaches and mangrove-lined mudflats and swamps, to low growing thorn-scrub and dwarf semi-deciduous forest in the island interior. A new suite of species will be sought here including the delightful Oriente Warbler, Cuban Gnatcatcher, endemic Cuban and highly localised Thick-billed Vireos, and the scarce Bahama Mockingbird. A short search of the nearby beach may yield the rare Piping Plover, Sanderling and even small flocks of Cave Swallow.

Total kilometers to be traveled in the day: 94.0 kms approximately.

Cayo Coco to Havana. Today we depart Cayo Coco and drive back to Havana. Lunch on the way at Los Caneyes Hotel. Upon arriving in Havana, we will head out for a short walk through the historical old city. Complete with its traditional narrow streets and picturesque overhanging balconies, this culturally dynamic city offers a unique experience that we will have a chance to sample during this concluding evening of our tour. We will enjoy our final farewell dinner at a classic Cuban restaurant. Whether you’re into dancing, dining, shopping or simply sightseeing, Havana has it all!

Total kilometers to be traveled in the day: 550.30 kms approximately.

Farewell to Cuba. Havana City & departure. After breakfast this morning, according to departure flight schedule we transfer to the Jose Martí International Airport where the tour will conclude.

End of the program.