#cubanwildlife — Public Fediverse posts

This is a Fernandina's Flicker, photographed in March 2024 in La Chorrera, a kind of water park in northwestern Cuba. I realized I hadn't posted this photo before. This is a critically endangered endemic species, with only 600-800 birds left, found in disjunct scattered locations on the main island. Inhabits open woodland/pastureland with palms, nesting in palm tree cavities, usually excavated by West Indian Woodpeckers. It forages on grubs, worms, ants, termites and seeds. It is at risk of extinction due to deforestation resulting from cattle ranching, slash-and-burn agriculture, logging, invasives, and the pet trade (Cuban Amazon Parrots nest in the same palms, which are cut down to facilitate Parrot capture).
#nature #NaturePhotography #birds #Wildlife #naturecommunity #photography #BirdsOfMastodon #birdphotography #birding #Cuba #cubanbirds #Cubanwildlife #biodiversity #woodpecker #biodiversity #extinction

Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei) showing off. A. sagrei is an inhabitant of Cuba and the Bahamas, but has become established in many other places, largely through the houseplant trade. Highly adaptable and prolific, this species has displaced native species where it has been introduced. For example, in Florida, through competitive exclusion, it has displaced the native Green Anole (A. carolinensis) to tree-tops.
Valle de Viñales, Cuba
3.20.24

#Naturephotography #wildlifephotography #birds #reptiles #reptilephotography #ecology #evolution #Anolis #Cubanwildlife #fauna #cuba #biodiversity

Not a flashy bird, the Cuban Solitaire is known as the Ruiseñor (Nightingale) on the island for its complex song and call. Note how well camouflaged it is against the background of branches. it took me a while to locate it, despite its vigorous song. If you can, check its vocals out on eBird, the song sounds almost electronic. This bird is found in a few isolated forested regions of Cuba and is considered threatened by habitat loss.
Valle de Viñales, Cuba
3/18/24
#nature #NaturePhotography #birds #Wildlife
#naturecommunity #photography #birding
#birdphotography
#songbird #Cuba #Cubanwildlife #biodiversity

Cuban Crocodiles (Crocodylus rhombifer) at a nursery facility in Ciénaga de Zapata, Cuba. This is a small species (up to 2.3 m, with a few males reaching 3.5 m), noted for greater terrestrial activity than other crocodilians, cooperative hunting, and some indications of highly intelligent behavior, as well as an aggressive temperament. Cuban Crocs inhabit estuaries, saltmarshes and mangals, and are only found in the Ciénaga de Zapata and Isla de Juventud. They are considered critically endangered, largely due to poaching, habitat loss and hybridization with the much more abundant and widespread American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus). The nursery was established as a conservation facility to raise from 3500-5000 crocs from hatchling to adult size classes, although I estimate the number was much less at the time of my visit.
3.23.24
#Cuba #Naturephotography #wildlifephotography #reptiles #reptilephotography #ecology #evolution #crocodile #cubancrocodile #Cubanwildlife #fauna

Female American Kestrel (Falco sparverius).
Ciénaga de Zapata, Cuba
3.14.24

Based on her color pattern, this is probably a resident bird. American Kestrels also migrate from the north. #nature #NaturePhotography #birds #Wildlife #naturecommunity #photography #BirdsOfMastodon #birdphotography #birding #Cuba #Cubanwildlife #biodiversity #kestrel

Turkey Vulture/Aura Tiñosa (Cathartes aura)
A reminder and appreciation of this most important member of terrestrial ecosystems, and yes, imo, an attractive and fascinating bird.
Valle de Vinales, Cuba
21.3.24
#nature #NaturePhotography #birds #Wildlife #naturecommunity #photography #BirdsOfMastodon #birdphotography #birding #Cuba #Cubanwildlife #biodiversity #TurkeyVulture

A few migratory warblers in la Cienaga de Zapata, Cuba, taken in March. The Black-throated Blue, Northern Parula and American Redstart were probably almost ready to migrate north at that time.
#nature #NaturePhotography #birds #Wildlife
#naturecommunity #photography #birding
#birdphotography
#warbler #songbird #Cuba #Cubanwildlife #biodiversity

A pair of Cuban Parrots/Cotorros (Amazona leucocephala) doin' a bit of flirting and chewin' the fat (or at least the berries). This species is a regional endemic, with subspecies in Cuba, the Bahamas and the Caymans. The IUCN considers them near threatened due to habitat loss and the pet trade.
Ciénaga de Zapata, Cuba
3/15/24
#nature #NaturePhotography #birds #Wildlife #naturecommunity #photography #BirdsOfMastodon #birdphotography #birding #Cuba #Cubanwildlife #biodiversity #parrot

Smooth-billed Ani/Garrapatero (Crotophaga ani). Cienaga de Zapata, Cuba, 3/13/24. A member of the Cuculidae or Cuckoo family that favors forest edges where it feeds on small invertebrates and even lizards and small birds and mammals, as well as fruits. It is also known to remove ticks from cattle. Not a Cuban endemic, but fairly widespread in the Caribbean. Has been introduced into the Galapagos Islands, where it may be impacting native bird fauna. These are highly social birds, nesting in colonies and foraging in groups. #nature #NaturePhotography #birds #Wildlife
#naturecommunity #photography #birding
#birdphotography
#Cuba #Cubanwildlife #biodiversity #Cuckoo

Biodiversity conservation, social wellbeing, and the Blue-headed Quail-dove

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#naturecommunity #birding
#Cuba #Cubanwildlife #biodiversity #extinction #ecology #conservation

The Yellow-headed Warbler (Chillina -- Teretistris fernandinae) is not actually a "warbler" (Parulidae). Once Parulids, this Cuban endemic, together with another endemic species, are members of their own family, the Teretistridae, which are most closely related to the Yellow-breasted Chat (also once a Parulid, now in its own family), the Western Spindalis (also now in a monotypic family!) and the new world Blackbirds (Icteridae).
#nature #NaturePhotography #birds #Wildlife
#naturecommunity #photography #birding
#birdphotography
#warbler #songbird #Cuba #Cubanwildlife #biodiversity

A Birijita del Pinar/Olive-capped Warbler (Setophaga pityophila)that hopped up to my friend's feet, while collecting nest material. The Cuban name refers to their habitat, usually high up in pine woods. These insectivores are only found in two isolated spots on the east and west ends of Cuba, as well as Abaco and Grand Bahama islands. They nest from March-June in pine trees. Although they are fairly common where they occur, their restricted range puts them at risk.
#nature #NaturePhotography #birds #Wildlife
#naturecommunity #photography #birding
#birdphotography
#warbler #songbird #Cuba #Cubanwildlife #biodiversity

Siju Platanero, Aka Cuban Pigmy Owl (Glaucidium siju). Evidently nesting nearby, this little guy flew to a perch right over my head, presumably to make sure I stayed on the straight-and-narrow. These small owls are nocturnal, but didn't seem shy about being visible in broad daylight. I saw them repeatedly during my stay in the Playa Larga (Playa Girón)/Ciénaga de Zapata and Valle de Viñales areas. They are found pretty much anywhere there are lots of trees, except at higher altitudes, and forages night and day on lizards, insects, small mammals and birds.
#nature #NaturePhotography #birds #Wildlife #naturecommunity #photography #BirdsOfMastodon #birdphotography #birding #Cuba #Cubanwildlife #biodiversity #owl

Cabrerita de la Ciénaga/Zapata Sparrow (Torreornis inexpectata), a Cuban endemic found only in the Zapata wetland and a couple of other isolated spots, is considered threatened due to its restricted range and ongoing habitat fragmentation. Subspecies of this bird live in varying wetland terrestrial habitats, including sawgrass, wooded and shrubby areas and even areas of thorny shrubs and cacti. Diet varies seasonally, but they will feed on seeds and flowers, insects and other small invertebrates, and even small lizards.
#nature #NaturePhotography #birds #Wildlife #naturecommunity #photography #BirdsOfMastodon #birdphotography #birding #Cuba #Cubanwildlife #sparrows #biodiversity #endangeredspecies

Two Cuban Anoles, left, the Cuban Knight Anole (Anolis equestris) and right, the Western Giant Anole (Anolis luteogularis). Both are considered giant anoles (~19 cm in snout-vent length, with a tail longer than that). Males slightly larger than females. Both are Cuban endemics, although A. equestris has been introduced into Florida, while A. luteogularis is only found on the western end of the island. The Anolis radiation provides a classic case of adaptive radiation with convergent evolution on the many Caribbean islands. Unrelated species (not sharing common ancestors possessing their traits) have evolved with very similar body forms to fill similar ecological niches on each island. These are categorized as "ecomorphs." Both A. equestris and A. luteogularis are "Crown-giant ecomorphs," since they prefer the higher limbs of tall trees.The A. luteogularis, which is noticeably moulting, was basking on a ladder at a tourist bar near a mojote (a unique limestone formation found in this region), and allowed me to approach quite closely before extending its gular pouch (last photo), whereupon I backed up a bit to give it some space.
#Cuba #Naturephotography #wildlifephotography #birds #reptiles #reptilephotography #ecology #evolution #Anolis #Cubanwildlife #fauna