The male Bee Hummingbird has spectacular coloring. His entire head and throat are an iridescent red-pink and he has elongated lateral plumes. The top of his body is bluish in color while his underparts are a grayish white. These colors only become evident during breeding season and are shed shortly afterward. Non-breeding males have blue spots on their wingtips and black tail tips which helps to differentiate them from the females which have white spots on their tail feathers. The female is less spectacularly colored, having only a blue-green back and grayish underbelly and generally looking somewhat disheveled.

Despite its diminutive size, the Bee Hummingbird is an amazing creature. In flight it beats its wings as many as 80 times per a second. What’s more, when it is involved in a courtship display a male hummingbirds wings may beat as many as 200 times per a second! In order to pump blood around its tiny little body, the Bee Hummingbird’s heart rate is spectacularly fast. In fact, it is the second fastest of all animals. It has less feathers than all other birds, as well as the highest body temperature of all birds, eating up to half its body mass in one day. It also drinks plenty of water – consuming roughly eight times its body mass on a daily basis. The Bee Hummingbird eats mainly nectar and insects, nesting in woodlands, shrubbery and gardens.

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The Northern Jacana as with most Jacanas is easily identified by its long toes. Their bodies are about the same size as a robin. The body is mostly dark with black plumage on the head and neck. The Northern Jacana has pale green flight feathers and a distinctive yellow bill and frontal shield. Juveniles have white underparts. These unusual birds are also identified by their harsh “jik” call which progressively speeds up to a chatter. The large feet and claws of the Northern Jacana are what give it the ability to walk atop floating vegetation. In fact, the toes cover an area of 12 by 14 cm, thus dispersing the bird’s mass over a large area. They are particularly fond of lake and fresh-water marsh habitats.

Northern Jacanas are known for being quite aggressive and territorial. They frequently fight with each other using their weapons – spurs located on the bend of the wing. Floating nests are built on the water. Female Northern Jacanas are polyandrous and are often spoken of as the prostitute bird. A clutch of 3 to 5 eggs is laid in the floating nest which is built and cared for by the male. The male Northern Jacana incubates the eggs for a period of 22 to 24 days whilst the female guards her males. Once the young ones hatch, they will fledge in 28 days. The father will teach his precocial chicks how to forage for various foods such as insects, mollusks, worms and fish. Should danger approach, he will carry them under his wings. Its quite easy to understand why the unique Northern Jacana’s are popular amongst bird watchers.

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The Republic of Cuba is an archipelago of islands in the Caribbean Sea. Consisting of the main island (named Cuba) surrounded by four main groups of islands, Cuba has about 350 species of birds, including more than 30 endemic species. Add to this the temperate climate and friendly people and it is easy to see why Cuba is a popular birding destination. There are numerous prime birding locations and many tour operators offering birding tours.

Playa Larga is a key birding area in Cuba, containing the largest number of the country’s endemic species. It is situated on the Bay of Pigs about 180 kilometers south-east of the capital city of Havana. Experienced birders suggest making use of the services of a local guide as the area is vast and the best bird watching spots are along unmarked forest tracks around the villages of Pálpite and Soplillar. Birders can plan to spend up to three days in this area in order to see the majority of its feathered inhabitants, including the Bee Hummingbird, Fernandina’s Flicker, Stygian Owl, Bare-legged Owl, Gundlach’s Hawk, Gray-headed Quail-Dove, Cuban Red-shouldered Blackbird, Zapata Rail and Cuban Nightjar.

Another prime birding area is Soroa, situated about an hour’s drive west of Havana. There is a hotel situated about 100 meters from the forest walking trail that leads to a magnificent look-out point. Bird watchers can expect to see Ruddy Duck, Great Lizard-cuckoo, Cuban Trogon, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Cuban Woodpecker, Cuban Solitaire and Blue-headed Quail-dove. The lookout point at Soroa can also be reached on horse back, which is an adventure in itself.

The island of Cayo Coco is linked by a long causeway to the north coast mainland of Cuba and was previously only visited by fishermen – including Ernest Hemingway. Nowadays, Cayo Coco is being developed for tourism and it is a good birding spot, especially during migration seasons, although there is plenty to see all year round. An endemic subspecies of the Thick-billed Vireo is found exclusively on Cayo Coco. Other rarities to look out for include Mangrove Cuckoo, Bahama Mockingbird, Clapper Rail, Key West Quail-dove, Zapata Sparrow and Red-breasted Merganser. There are also large flocks of Caribbean Flamingos and various herons and waders that enjoy the waters of the area.

Other excellent birding spots in Cuba include the La Guira National Park, Sierra de Najasa, Zapata Swamp and Playa Giron. There is little doubt that Cuba has much to offer, especially in the way of natural beauty and can truly be considered as a bird watcher’s paradise.

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