Birds of Cuba - O.H. Garrido & A. Kirkconnell

Birds of Cuba is an impressive piece of work, the definitive field guide to the bird species in this formidable country. This is a valuable book that will fill a void in literature that has existed for a long time, written by people who know Cuban birding best.

Within the Caribbean, Cuba is undoubtedly the best island for bird-watching as it has so many endemic species and a high count list. It has several truly exceptional birding spots, such as Zapata peninsula that will richly reward even the most demanding of bird-watchers.

The diversity of Cuban birds is considerable, not only in terms of species richness, but also in terms of the number of endemic. The 354 species recorded in Cuba include 285 species that regularly occur, 66 species that only very occasionally reach here, and 3 species now deemed extinct. One hundred forty nine species, 42 percent of the total, breed on the island. An additional 8 species are considered hypothetical. There are 21 living endemic birds, among them the charming Cuban Tody, the striking and elegant Cuban Trogon, and the smallest bird in the world, the Bee Hummingbird.

With this book, bird watchers from both Cuba and abroad will now find it easier to identify and enjoy Cuban birds. This might also increase support for the conservation of Cuban birds. Ornithologists and bird-watchers alike will appreciate the detailed description of Cuba’s avi-fauna.

354 species illustrated in colour, including all 21 endemics.
51 colour plates with 662 images illustrating male, female and juvenile plumages.
Concise text covers identification, range, status, habitat, voice and food.
Introduction includes information on habitats, bird-watching and conservation in Cuba.