VictorEmanuelNatureTours

CUBAMarch 2-12, 2016

Blue-headedQuail-Dove,Starnoenascyanocephala.Photo:D.Ascanio.

Leader:David Ascanio IE representative: Angel Cárdenas

Cuban guide: Gustavo PérezLocal guides: Odey Martinez, Orlando Ramirez, Frank Medina

Compiled by: David Ascanio

VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC. 2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003 AUSTIN

TX 78746 WWW.VENTBIRD.COM

OurCubatourstartedattheairlinecounteroftheMiamiairportwithCuban-Americanscheckingbagsofallsizes,manycoveredwithaprotectiveblueplastic,flatscreenTV’s,electronicdevices,tires,carpartsandmuchmore.Iremindedyoutosaygood-byetofreshlettuceanduncookedvegetablesforthesedaysandwithanespressocoffeeinhandweboardedtheflighttoCuba.Shortlyafter45minutesinthe

airtheplanetiresscreechedthetarmacofSantaClaraairportandbighandswereofferedtothepilot:Alocaltradition.WhatanicewelcometoCuba!Afterarrivalwenoticedthatmanythingswerenewtous.Acountrywithtwocurrencies,nobillboardsandcharmingpeopleeverywhere.Havingbinocularshandy,wedroveashortdistancetoSantaClara’sPlazadelaRevolución(revolutionsquare)andlatermadeaquickstopinLosCaneyestoenjoycloseviewsofAntilleanPalmSwift,Red-leggedThrush,CubanBlackbirdandCubanEmerald(lasttwowereourfirstCubanendemics!).Afterlunch,wedroveabout4hourstooneofthebestbirdingareasintheisland,CayoCocointheArchipelagoJardinesdelRey.CayoCocoispartofanarchipelagoconsistinginabout5largekeysandseveralislets.TwoearlymorningdeparturessecuredusanexcellentviewofKeyWestQuail-DoveandZapataSparrow,thelatterendemictoCuba.WealsoenjoyedfirstviewsofCuban

Tody,CubanGreenWoodpeckerandCubanVireo.Inthewetlandsatsideoftheroadwecameacrossegrets,herons,ternsandswallows.FollowingtoCayoCocowemadeashortvisittoTopesdelCollante.WewerewelcomebyCubanTrogonandCuban(GreaterAntillean)Oriolearoundtheparkinglot.TopesdelCollantealsoplayedanimportantroleintheculturalaspectofthistour.WepaidavisittotheColorado’sfamilyandlearnedabouttheCubaeconomicsystemandlifeinaCubanfarmalthoughseveralwarblersvisitingthebushesaroundthehousekeptoureyesbusy!

ContinuingsouthweheadedtotheZapatapeninsula.Oncethere,thewelcomepartiesweretwoRed-shoulderedBlackbirdsandanestingFernandina´sFlicker.TheZapataPeninsulawasthelocationwhereweenjoyedviewsofthelargestnumberofendemicbirdspecies.OneearlymorningallowedustoseetheastonishinglybeautifulBlue-headedandtheKeyWestQuail-Dove.LaterinthesamemorningmostofusenjoyedviewsofGray-frontedQuail-Dovethroughoutthescope.ThesecondmorningfoundusinlaTurba,alocationwheredespiteoureffortswecouldonlyheartheZapataWren(weneversawit).OthertargetspeciesfoundintheZapataPeninsulawerethesmallandcompactCubanPygmy-OwlandthecuriousBare-leggedOwl.InoneeveningwefoundtheperfectspottoseeCuban(GreaterAntillean)Nightjar.Thisonewassoclosethatwewereonlyfewfeetfromit!Bytheway,didyounoticeitsdisproportionallylargerhead?Iamsureeveryoneagreesthattherealgemofthislocationwasthe

diminutiveBeeHummingbird.Measuringjust2.25inches(5.5cm),thisisthesmallestbirdintheworld.

Thetourcontinuedtothewestsideoftheisland,toSoroaandViñales.AmongtheresonancequalityofthesehillswefoundapairofCubanSolitairesinging.Whatasuitandwonderfulsong!Wealsolearnedabouttheisland´stobaccofarmsandthemakingofvarioustobaccotypes.BeforeweheadedbacktoHavanawevisitedLasTerrazascommunityandnailedapairofCubanGrassquit,onethatcanbeverydifficulttosee.

Theverylastfulldayworkedoutinadifferentway.WewereinHavanaandtoseethecitywakingupwewerealreadywalkinginOldHavanarightafterdawn.Boysandgirlsweregoingtotheschool;thebreadmanwasannouncinghisproductswithawhistle,busesandcarswerehonkingandlotsofpeoplewalking.Seeingpeopleherealongwithimpressivecolonialandartdecoarchitectureroundedupanunforgettabletour,onethatwillremindinourheadsfor

theyearstocome!

NowthatyouhavelearnedandappreciatedmuchofCuba´sflora,faunaandpeople,Iwanttoinviteyoutojoinusinotherdestinations,equallyinterestingandbeautifulbutremarkablydifferentfromthatoftheGreaterAntilles.TheAmazonCruiseWesailaboardasmallshiptoexploretheAmazonanditstributaries.WeusetwoskiffstoreachthefloodedforestandotherdistinctiveAmazonianhabitatssuchasthesedimentaryriverislands.Wealsoofferanoptionalwalkinterrafirmeforest.Non-birdingspousesliketojointhiscruisebecauseofthevarietyofwildlifeincludingseveralspeciesofprimatesandencounterswithlocalpeoplealongtheriver.Weofferatleastoneoptional

visittoacommunity.Youcanenjoythephotosandthevideoofour2016AmazonCruisein:Photoalbumhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/davidascanio/albums/72157663616158820Videolinkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1b3xYG0cPSoThePanamaCanal:arelaxedandeasytour.Panamaoffersauniqueopportunitytoenjoyfirstclassbirdingatarelaxedandeasypace.WespendmostofthenightsinasmallinnlocatedinthetownofGamboa,bythePanamaCanal.ShortwalksaroundthetownplusaboattriptotheChagresRiverandavisittothefamousPipelineroadoffersviewsofanicemixofhummingbirds,tyrantflycatchers,tanagers,woodpeckersandhoneycreepers.WeofferanoptionalvisittotheCanopyTowerwherewecanseecanopyspeciesateyelevel.Youcanenjoythephotosandthevideoofour2015PanamaCanaltourin:Photoalbumhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/davidascanio/albums/72157648765567967Videolinkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgnkUxwd5kwCostaRica:arelaxedandeasytour.OurrelaxedandeasyCostaRicatourisforthosewhowishtobirdvariousaltitudinallevels,fromcloudforesttolowlandrainforest,andstilldoitinaslowpace.Inthis

tourweincludearidealongtheaerialtramandbesidesseeingbirdswealsolearnaboutthefloraandotherfaunaofthisspectacularcountry.Thistourisdesignedforseeinggaudyspeciessuchastanagersandhoneycreepersaswellasmanyhummingbirds.Forthat,wevisitvarioushummingbirdfeederstations.Seethephotosandvideoofour2015in:Photoalbumhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/davidascanio/albums/72157659475059484Videolinkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzgD6NfVNSE

2016VENTCUBATOUR MAPWITHLOCATIONS

“InternationalExpeditions,Inc.islicensed(CT-19235)bytheUnitedStatesTreasuryDepartment’sOfficeofForeignAssetsControltoengage,organize,andconductauthorizedpeople-to-peopletraveltoCubathatengagesparticipantsinmeaningfulinteractionswithindividualsinCuba.InternationalExpeditionsisentirelyseparateandindependentofVictorEmanuelNatureTours.”

CUBALeader:DavidAscanio.ITINERARY02March.Miami.03March.ArrivaltoSantaClara.DrivetoCayoCoco.04March.CayoCoco,CayoParedonGrandeandCayoGuillermo.05March.TopesdelCollante.06March.ZapataPeninsula.07March.BermejasandSoplillar.08March.LaTurba,HavanaandSoroa.09March.Viñales.10March.LasTerrazas,Havana.11March.OldHavana.12March.Departure.THEBIRDLISTThe order, and common and scientific names are those given by the American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU) Checklist of North American Birds, 7th edition with all current updates. Photo album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidascanio/albums/72157666376872966 Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylRHvB1jzdI

Waterfowl /Anatidae WestIndianWhistling-Duck.Dendrocygnaarborea.CayoCoco.AmewricanWigeon.Anasamericana.CayoGuillermo.Blue-wingedTeal.Anasdiscors.JardinesdelReykeys.Red-breastedMerganser.Mergusserratus.OnlyonewasseeninCayoGuillermo.

Grebes/PodicipedidaePied-billedGrebe.Podilymbuspodiceps.CayoCoco.

Flamingos/PhoenicopteridaeAmericanFlamingo.Phoenicopterusruber.Observeddistantlyfromthecauseway.TheseveredroughtthisyearhasforcedthemtomoveawayfromthewetlandsinCayoGuillermo.

Storks/CiconiidaeWoodStork.Mycteriaamericana.Bermejas,ZapataPeninsula.

Frigatebirds/Fregatidae

MagnificentFrigatebird.Fregatamagnificens.Seenvarioustimes.

Cormorants/PhalacrocoracidaeNeotropicCormorant.Phalacrocoraxbrasilianus.FewwereobservedfromSantaClaratoCayoCoco.Double-crestedCormorant.Phalacrocoraxauritus.Commoninthekeys.

Pelicans/PelecanidaeBrownPelican.Pelecanusoccidentalis.Seenalmostdaily.

Herons,EgretsandBitterns/ArdeidaeGreatBlueHeron.Ardeaherodias.CommoninCayoCocoandvicinity.1white-morphindividualwasseennearCayoParedonGrandeGreatEgret.Ardeaalba.CayoCocoandvicinity.SnowyEgret.Egrettathula.VeryfewwereobservednearSoroa.LittleBlueHeron.Egrettacaerulea.SeendailyaroundCayoCoco.TricoloredHeron.Egrettatricolor.AcommonspeciesinCayoCocoandneighboringkeys.ReddishEgret.Egrettarufescens.OnlyonewasspottedbyDianenearCayoParedónGrande.CattleEgret.Bubulcusibis.Seendaily.GreenHeron.Butoridesvirescens.Seensporadicallyinfreshwaterwetlands.

IbisesandSpoonbills/ThreskiornithidaeWhiteIbis.Eudocimusalbus.CayoCocoisnamedafterthisspecies(locallycalledcoco).Variouspairswereseeninthisandtheneighboringkeys.GlossyIbis.Plegadisfalcinellus.ThisrarespeciesofCubawasseeninCayoCoco.

NewWorldVultures/CathartidaeTurkeyVulture.Cathartesaura.Seendaily.

Osprey/PandionidaeOsprey.Pandionhaliaetus.AsingleindividualwasseennearCayoCoco.

Hawks,EaglesandKites/AccipitridaeSwallow-tailedKite.Elanusforficatus.AsingleindividualwasobservedfromCayoparedónGrande.ArareborealmigrantinCuba.SnailKite.Rosthramussociabilis.MorethanadozenindividualswereobservednearSoroa.Severaljuvenileswereobserved.CommonBlackHawk.Buteogallusanthracinus.SeeninJardniesdelReyandspeciallycommoninCayoGuillermo.NowadaystreatedasanCubanendemic,CubanBlackHawkButeogallusgundlachiibymosttaxonomists.Broad-wingedHawk.Buteoplatypterus.ThisisresidentandwidespreadintheAntilles.OneindividualswasseeninTopesdelCollante.Red-tailedHawk.Buteojamaicensis.TopesdelCollanteandSoroa.

Rails,GallinulesandCoots/Rallidae

Sora.Porzanacarolina.HeardonlyinBermejas.CommonGallinule.Gallinulagaleata.Acommonspeciesinfreshwaterponds.AmericanCoot.FulicaAmericana.30+plusindividualswereobservednearCayoGuillermo.

Limpkin/AramidaeLimpkin.Aramusguarauna.NiceviewsofanindividualinCayoCoco.HeardinTopesdelCollante.

StiltsandAvocets/RecurvirostridaeBlack-neckedStilt.Himantopusmexicanus.50+wereobservednearCayoGuilermo.

PloversandLapwings/CharadriidaeKilldeer.Charadriusvociferous.SeeninCayoCocoandinPlayaGirón.

SandpipersandAllies/ScolopacidaeSolitarySandpiper.Tringasolitaria.CayoCoco.LesserYellowlegs.Tringaflavipes.20+CayoGuillermo.StiltSandpiper.Calidrishimantopus.CayoCoco.

Gulls,TernsandSkimmers/LaridaeLaughingGull.Leucophaeusatricilla.AcommonspeciesinCayoCocoandvicinity.CaspianTern.Hydroprognecaspia.ThisspecieswasobservedalongwiththebrownboobiesinthewetlandsnearSoroa.RoyalTern.Thalasseusmaximus.CommoninCayoCocoandotherkeys.

PigeonsandDoves/ColumbidaeFeralPigeon(I).Columbalivia.Commoninmosturbanareas.Scaly-napedPigeon.Patagioenassquamosa.Morethan3individualswereseeninTopesdelCollante.White-crownedPigeon.Patagioenasleucocephala.ThisspeciesisthreatenedinmostoftheAntillesduetoextensivehunting.WesawitinthehotelparkingareainSoroa.EurasianCollared-Dove(I).Streptopeliadecaocto.ObservednearTrinidadandinCayoCoco.CommonGround-Dove.Columbinapasserina.Pairswereobservedaridscrubbyvegetation.Blue-headedQuail-Dove.Starnoenascyanocephala.Oneofthetourfavorites,wesawthreeindividualsatastakeoutsiteinBermejas.ABIGthankyoutoOrlando!RuddyQuail-Dove.Geotrygonmontana.AsingleindividualwasflushedinSoroa.Gray-frontedQuail-.Dove.Geotrygoncaniceps.AsingleindividualwasscopedinBermejas.KeyWestQuail-Dove.Geotrygonchrysa.SeeninCayoCocoandinBermejas.Nicestudies!

White-wingedDove.Zenaidaasiatica.Acommonspeciesobservedinthelowlands.ZenaidaDove.Zenaidaaurita.Ahard-to-seespeciesinotherCaribbeanislands,itwasfairlycommonintheZapatapeninsula.MourningDove.Zenaidamacroura.Common.

Cuckoos/CuculidaeMangroveCuckoo.Coccyzusminor.SeenbrieflyacoupleoftimesaroundCayoCoco.GreatLizard-Cuckoo.Coccyzusmerlini.Cuckoosareamazingbirds.WeenjoyedvariousencounterswiththisuniquespeciesinJardinesdelRey,SierradelEscambrayandtheZapataPeninsula.Smooth-billedAni.Crotophagaani.Afairlycommonspeciesfoundinlowlandhabitat.

Owls/StrigidaeBare-leggedOwl(E).Margarobyaslawrencii.WeoweabigthankyoutoOrlandoforshowingusthispeculiarowlthat´sonlyfoundinCuba.Wesawthreeindidivuals!CubanPygmy-Owl(E).Glaucidiumsiju.AnotherendemicowlofCuba,itwasseenintheZapatapeninsula.StygianOwl.Asiostygius.WeenjoyedgreatviewsofasingleindividualnearSoroa.

Nightjarsandallies/CaprimulgidaeGreaterAntilleanNightjar(CubanNightjar).Antrostomuscubanensis.WeenjoyedastonishingviewsofasingleindividualintheZapataPeninsula.

Swifts/ApodidaeAntilleanPalm-Swift.Tachornisphoenicobia.Seenfrequentlyinlowlandopenhabitats.

Hummingbirds/TrochilidaeBeeHummingbird(E).Mellisugahelenae.AfemalewasobservedinBermejas,ZapataPeninsula.Later,nearBermejas,wesawtwomalesandtwootherfemales.ThisisTHEsmallestbirdintheworldonlyslightlylargerthantheVervainHummingbird,inHispaniola.CubanEmerald.Chlorostilbonricordii.AnverycommonendemichummingbirdinCuba.Itwasseenalmosteveryday.

Trogons/TrogonidaeCubanTrogon(E).Priotelustemnurus.ThistrogonisCuba´snationalbird.Pairswereseenalmostdaily.ThetermPriotelus(genus)meansanaccomplishedorcompletesawandreferstotheruggedappearanceofthetailfeathers.

Todies/TodidaeCubanTody(E).Todusmulticolor.Todiesarecomicalbirds.Theyresembletomelikecartooncharacters.TheoneinCubaisthemostcolorfulofall.Itwasseeninfourdifferentdays.FossilevidencesuggeststhattodiesevolvedfromCentralAmericabut

becameextinctforunknownreasons.FivespeciesremainintheGreatAntilles.Thetodiesarerelativesofthemotmotsandmoredistantlytothekingfishers.

Kingfishers/AlcedinidaeBeltedKingfisher.Megacerylealcyon.AsingleindividualasobservedinCayoCoco.

Woodpeckers/PicidaeWestIndianWoodpecker.Melanerpessuperciliaris.Seenfrequentlyinthelowlands.ThisspeciesisarelativeofRed-belliedWoodpecker(ofNorthAmerica)andtheRed-crownedWoodpecker(ofSouthAmerica).ItisanotherWestIndiesspecialtyfoundinalltheGreaterAntilles.Yellow-belliedSapsucker.Sphyrapicusvarius.Threepairswereobservedthroughoutthetour.CubanGreenWoodpecker(E).Xiphidiopicuspercussus.Thiswasoneofeveryone´sfavorites!Luckily,isastonishinglybeautifulbutalsofairlycommonthusweenjoyedviewsofpairsin4consecutivedays!NorthernFlicker.Colaptesauratus.HotelSoroagardens.Fernandina'sFlicker(E).Colaptesfernandinae.WenailedtwopairsnestingintheZapatapeninsula.

FalconsandCaracaras/FalconidaeCrestedCaracara.Caracaracheriway.Seenthreetimesinthetour.AmericanKestrel.Falcosparverius.Thiscommonandwidespreadspecieswasseeneveryday.ThepalesubspeciesfoundinCubaissparveroides.

Parrots/PsittacidaeCubanParakeet(E).Aratingaeuops.About7individualswereobservedinBermejas.WenoticeditssimilaritieswithScarlet-fronted,White-eyedandHispaniola´sparakeets.Allofitmaybecloselyrelated.CubanParrot.Amazonaleucocephala.Weenjoyedviewsofpairsandlargeflocks.Inoneafternoonweenjoyedaflockofabout30individualscomingtoaroost.

TyrantFlycatchers/TyrannidaeCubanPewee.Contopuscaribaeus.Anendemictyrant-flycatcherofCuba.WesawitalmosteverydayandthisonewasthefirstCubanendemicseeninthetour.LaSagra'sFlycatcher.Myiarchussagrae.ThegenusMyiarchuscomprisessimilarandhard-to-tell-apartspecies,andaredistributedfromsouthernUSAtoArgentina.InCubathere´sonlyoneoption,soitsidentificationisprettystraightforward.WecameacrosstwoLaSagra´sFlycatcherintheZapatapeninsula.Bytheway,itscommon(andspecific)nameisafterRamóndeLaSagra(1801-1871),aCubanwriterandnaturalist.HeauthoredHistoriafísica,políticaynaturaldelaisladeCuba,in1837.LoggerheadKingbird.Tyrannuscaudifasciatus.ThisspeciesissimilartotheGrayKingbird,onewedidn’tseeduetoitsmigratorypattern.Wecameacrosspairsofitinseverallocations.

Vireos/VireonidaeWhite-eyedVireo.Vireogriseus.AsingleindividualwasobservedinCuevadelosJabalíes.Thick-billedVireo.Vireocrassirostris.WeobservedapairofthisspeciesinCayoCoco.Thesubspeciescubensisisrestrictedtothispartoftheisland.CubanVireo(E).Vireogundlachii.Thisyearwefoundthisspeciesquitevocal.WenaileditverywellinCayoCocoandhearditagaininotherlocations.Yellow-throatedVireo.Vireoflavifrons.3individualswereseeninBermejas.Black-whiskeredVireo.Vireoaltiloquus.AcommonbirdvoiceinCubainMarch.ItwasseeninSoroa.

Crows,JaysandMagpies/CorvidaeCubanCrow.Corvusnasicus.AgroupwasobservedintheagrdensoftheHotelplayaLarga.

Swallows/HirundinidaeCubanMartin.Prognecryptoleuca.ObservedinOldHavana.TreeSwallow.Tachycinetabicolor.FewwereobservedatPlayaLarga.NorthernRough-wingedSwallow.Stelgidopteryxserripennis.CayoCoco.CliffSwallow.Petrochelidonpyrrhonota.SeveralwereobservednearParedónGrande.

Wrens/TroglodytidaeZapataWren(E).Polioptilalembeyei.

Gnatcatchers/Polioptilidae

Blue-grayGnatcatcher.Polioptilacerulea.VariouspairswereseeninTopesdelCollanteandintheColorado´sfamilyandinthehotelgrounds.CubanGnatcatcher(E).Polioptilalembeyei.WeenjoyedviewsofwhatIconsidertobethebesteverinaVENTtour.Wenailedgreatphotosofapair!

ThrushesandAllies/TurdidaeCubanSolitaire(E).Myadesteselisabeth.Ithinkeveryoneagreedthatseeingthisbirdwasnotasspectacularasitwashearingit.Whataconcerttheygaveus!ThespecificnameelisabethwasgivenafterQueenIsabelIofCastileandSpain(1451-1504).Itwillremainasamysterywhythepersonthatdescribedthisspecies(Lembeye)usedtheEnglishequivalent(Elisabeth)ratherthantheSpanishname(Isabel).WeenjoyedviewsoftwopairsintheMogotesofViñales.Red-leggedThrush.Turdusplumbeus.AnothergorgeousspeciesfoundintheGreaterAntilles.Wesawitineverylocationvisitedduringthistour.ThesubspeciesfoundinCubahasanicedarkorangebelly.

MockingbirdsandThrashers/MimidaeGrayCatbird.Dumetellacarolinensis.Reportedeveryday.BahamaMockingbird.Mimusgundlachii.Weonlyheardthisspeciesbutremainedwellhiddeninthedensescrub.Goesasheardonly.

NorthernMockingbird.Mimuspolyglottos.Common.Seendaily.

NewWorldWarblers/ParulidaeOvenbird.Seiurusaurocapilla.ObservedinBermejas.Worm-eatingWarbler.Helmitherosvermivorum.WeenjoyedgreatviewsofasingleindividualintheColorado´sfamilygardencomingaftersomepishing.LouisianaWaterthrush.Parkesiamotacilla.SeeninCayoCocoandLasTerrazas.Black-and-whiteWarbler.Mniotiltavaria.ApairwasseeninCayoCocoandlaterasingleoneinSoroa.CommonYellowthroat.Geothlypisformosa.GardensofTopesdelCollantehotel.AmericanRedstart.Setophagaruticilla.Commonneotropicalmigrant.Seendaily.CapeMayWarbler.Setophagatigrina.SeenfirstinCayoCocobyfewtourparticipants.Later,nailedbyeveryoneinSoroa.NorthernParula.Setophagaamericana.AcommonspeciesinCayoCoco.MagnoliaWarbler.Setophagamagnolia.AsingleindividualwasobservedinBermejas,neartheBeeHummingbirdsite.Bay-breastedWarbler.Setophagacastanea.AnindividualwasobservedinSoroa.YellowWarbler.Setophagapetechia.CayoCoco.Black-throatedBlueWarbler.Setophagacaerulescens.AnothercommonNeotrpopicalmigrantinCuba.Seeneveryday.PalmWarbler.Setophagapalmarum.ThecommonestmigrantspeciesinCuba.Itismostlyfoundinedgeofforest,scrubbyvegetationandgardens.Olive-cappedWarbler.Setophagapityophila.AnotherspecialtyoftheGreaterAntilles.ThisspeciesisonlyfoundinNBahamasandCuba.WeenjoyedviewsofapairnearViñales.Yellow-rumpedWarbler.Setophagacoronata.SeenonlyonceinCayoParedónGrande.Yellow-throatedWarbler.Setophagadominica.Seenaboutthreetimesinfairlyopenhabitatsandgardens.PrairieWarbler.Setophagadiscolor.Foundinseverallocations.ItwasthesecondmostcommonBorealmigrantafterthePalmWarbler.Black-throatedGreenWarbler.Setophagavirens.FirstseeninSenderodelosGigantesinTopesdelCollante.LaterseeninSoroa.Yellow-headedWarbler(E).Teretistrisfernandinae.CommonintheZapataPeninsulaandinViñales.OrienteWarbler(E).Teretistrisfornsi.FairlycommoninCayoCocoandCayoParedónGrande.

TanagersandAllies/ThraupidaeRed-leggedHoneycreeper.Cyanerpescyaneus.AcommonspeciesaroundSantaClara.Males,femalesandjuvenileswereobserved.CubanGrassquit(E).Tiariscanorus.Aftermucheffortseekingthisspecies,weallgotsuperbviewsofapairalongtheroadfromLasTerrazastothehighway.Weenjoyedgreatlooksofit!

Yellow-facedGrassquit.Tiarisolivaceus.Common.SeenmostlyinCayoCocoandaroundLasTerrazas.CubanBullfinch.Melopyrrhanigra.SeendailyinCayoCocoandotherneighboringkeys.AlsoseeninTopesdelCollanteandinSoroa.

GeneraINCERTAESEDISWesternSpindalis.Spindaliszena.ThespindalisareendemictotheGreaterAntilles.Sometaxonomistsconsiderthemtobepartofthecardinalsratherthantothetanagers.ThislovelyspecieswasobservedinCayoCoco,CayoGuillermo,CayoParedónGrandeandinTopesdelCollante.

Buntings,SparrowsandAllies/EmberizidaeZapataSparrow(E).Torreornisinexpectata.WeoweabigthankyoutoOdeyforshowingusthisspeciesinCayoCoco.Itwasourfirstofthehard-to-seeendemicsofCuba.

CardinalsandAllies/CardinalidaeSummerTanager.Pirangarubra.Wesawafemale-plumageindividualinTopesdelCollante.BlueGrosbeak.Passerinacaerulea.AyoungmalewasobservednearPlayaLarga.

TroupialsandAllies/IcteridaeRed-shoulderedBlackbird(E).Agelaiusassimilis.WeenjoyedsuperbviewsofapairnearBermejas,intheZapataPeninsula.Tawny-shoulderedBlackbird.Agelaiushumeralis.SeenfirstintheColorado´sfamilyandlater,inLasTerrazas.EasternMeadowlark.Sturnellamagna.ApairwasobservedintheZapatapeninsula.CubanBlackbird(E).Divesatroviolaceus.Thisisaneasy-to-seeCubanendemicbird.Itwasseeninvariousopenlocations.GreaterAntilleanGrackle.Quiscalusniger.Thisspeciesiswidespreadandtolerateshumanpresence,likeothergracklesofthegenus.Wesawitineverylocationandusuallycontiguoustogardensandothermodifiedhabitats.Black-cowledOriole.Icterusprosthemelas.Wecameacrossthisspeciesinalllocations.AccordingtoClements,thisspeciesisfoundinCentralAmericaandalsointheCaribbean.But,bearinmindthatsometaxonomistsconsiderthepopulationsoftheCaribbeantobeseparatetaxainvolvingmorethantwospecies.TheonewesawisalsocalledCubanOriole,Icterusmelanopsis.

OldWorldSparrows/PasseridaeHouseSparrow(I).Passerdomesticus.SantaClara,CayoCoco,TrinidadandHavana.

Waxbillsandallies/EstrildidaeTricoloredMunia(I).Lonchuramalacca.AflockwasseenalongthehighwaybetweenSoroaandHavana.

OTHERSPECIESLISTJamaican,commonorMexicanfruitbat.Artibeusjamaicensis.ThiswasthebatspeciesfoundundertheroofofLosCaneyes,inSantaClara.Cubaneveningbat.Nycticeiuscubanus.ThisendemicbatwasseenintheeveningsinSoroa.Leafcutterant.Attainsularis.Apparently,endemictoCuba!Littlefireant.Wasmanniaauropunctata.Dragonflysp.Arborealtermites.(Nasutitermes)KnightAnole.Anolisequestris.TopesdelCollante.Anolesp.Escambraymountains,TopesdelCollante.