The Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival is a great annual event across the region. Non-governmental organisations organise events celebrating the birds that are special to us. Did you know that there are 29 bird species here in Jamaica that live on this very island – and nowhere else in the world? Including, of course, our National Bird, the Red-Billed Streamertail (“Doctor Bird”) and its much less common little cousin, the Black-Billed Streamertail, which you will only find at the eastern end of the island. Here is a press release from BirdsCaribbean that gives a taste of what has been happening around the islands in the past month:
June 27, 2017—Thousands of people throughout the region had fun experiences with birds and nature over the past month during the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival. Dozens of festival events took place on different islands to celebrate the birds that live only here.
Activities were held for pre-school and primary students to adults and families. Bird talks were held on many islands to help people understand the unique birds that live only on specific islands or only in the region. Guided bird walks brought people of all ages out into nature to see these amazing birds firsthand. For many, it was their first chance to get an up-close view of birds through binoculars or a scope.
Other activities were as diverse as the region itself. In the Dominican Republic, Ridgway’s Hawk Day celebrated the endangered Ridgway’s Hawk, that lives only on Hispaniola. In Trinidad, bird education was brought to the streets with bird education stand at a local market. In Puerto Rico, a special training workshop gave teachers learning tools about birds to use in classes year-round. On St. Martin, festival attendees planted coconut trees and painted bird feeders.
The Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival is one of the Caribbean’s only regional events about birds and nature. It is organized by BirdsCaribbean each spring, and dozens of non-profits, schools, parks and other organizations develop events in their communities.
Endemic birds—those that live only on one island or within a small range—are at special risk of extinction. The Caribbean is home to many endemic species, and many are already in danger.
For more information about the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival, visit birdscaribbean.org or find BirdsCaribbean on Facebook and on Twitter @BirdsCaribbean.
You can also find Caribbean Bird Festivals on Facebook.
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