#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

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