Cuba’s unspoiled landscapes, crystal clear waters, and cool fresh air of Cuba are so clean that they greatly soften the soul! One can sit for hours listening to the song of the birds …

What makes it even more exciting is the island’s birdlife. There are 371 described species of which there are 26 currently recognized endemic species. Unfortunately, many of them are in danger of extinction and one, the Cuban macaw and the ivory-billed woodpecker, has even become extinct.

There are still other wonderful birds, like the bee hummingbird, which is the smallest and most colorful bird you will ever see. At the size of a dime, it’s even a wonder that it can fly! There are some other colors like the Cuba Tody, this is our favorite, it is so cute and exquisite, the Cuban Trogon, with the colors of the Cuban flag, and the Cuban Parrot, an incredibly green and red bird.

Other birds are best known for their charming songs, such as the Cuban Solitaire, the Zapata Wren, the Cuban Gnatcatcher, and the Cuban Grassquit. Hearing them just brightens your day.

And if the endemic species alone weren’t exquisite enough to admire, there are many other birds that make Cuba their favorite island to visit. Some of the non-endemics are winter residents who come from North America, between August and October to spend the winter months in warmer weather (which I can totally understand!). It involves various birds such as ducks, seagulls, warblers, sparrows, and shorebirds.

Then there are the spring migrants coming from South America, arriving between late February and May for the nesting season. The spring migration brings with it the Gray King Bird, the Anillean Nighthawk, the Black-whiskered Vireo, the Cuban Martin, and the Wilson’s Plover. Summer residents leave in September / October of each year.

The main migratory corridors are Guanahacabibes in Pinar del Río, Cárdenas in Matanzas, Santa Fe in Havana, Camagüey in Ciego de Ávila and Gibara in Holguín, where you will find a large number of such beauties.

The main nesting period is between March and July. We won’t be looking at the habits of each bird here, we just want to give you a little idea of ​​the things that can help you spot them. Things like the habit of what I would call “nest sharing.” Not all birds will build their own nests. Some will use those created by other species. Like the woodpecker cavity it is later used by the Cuban pygmy owl, the bare-legged owl, the Cuban parakeet, the pink-throated parrot, and the Cuban trogon. Talk about getting the most for your money! Other birds may actually share, while others build nests with plant and animal fibers. Knowing their nesting helps to detect them.

There are several places you can go. In the west of Cuba are Vinales, Las Terrazas, San Diego de los Baños, La Guira, Soroa, where you can see the Cuban solitaire and the Cuban Grassquit, predominantly.

While the Zapata Peninsula, which is an exotic area of ​​almost 5000 square kilometers of virgin wetlends, has several incredible bird watching sites, such as Playa Larga, Bremejas, Palpite, La Turba, Las Salinas and Hatiguanico.

We especially like western Cuba and the Zapata peninsula, as they have a large concentration of endemic and migratory birds to spot. That is why we chose them to show the case in our Birds of Cuba Tour.

In the Keys, being the areas of Cayo Coco, Cayo Paredón Grande and Cayo Guillermo, you will find the Cuban sparrow, the Cuban mosquito, the thick-billed vireo and the Bahamian nightingale.

If you keep venturing east to the Sierra de Najasa, Sierra de Cubitas or Río Máximo in Camagüey, you will be able to admire the Cuban Parakeet, the Giant Kingbird, the Palm Crow, the Plain Pigeon and the largest flamingo nest, which is spectacular.

And if you go to the easternmost part of the island, you must visit the Alejandro de Humboldt National Park to try to find the Cuban kite. While you’re here, you can also take your time and truly discover the natural wonders of the area.

Let’s face it, there are always amazing birds around. As for the weather, from January to April it is absolutely beautiful. If you also want to see most of the migratory birds, October and November are fantastic months, keep in mind that these months are still quite humid.

Just like different seasons will have different birds, different times of the day have different birds too. Therefore, it is worth going with a guide who knows the places and the best times to visit and catch the sight of more birds.

Because you will be venturing into unspoiled landscapes, which have a lot of water, therefore mosquitoes, it is best to wear light long-sleeved shirts and long pants to avoid mozzy bites. Also be sure to wear a waterproof hat and boots, especially in the wetter months. Green / gray / tan colors are best to help you blend into your surroundings.

We also recommend bringing a guide, our visit is Endemic Birds of Cuba by Nils Navarro. Definitely bring your binoculars, notebook, waterproof pen, mosquito repellent, and sunscreen. And while it’s not essential gear, it’s nice to have a camera handy to capture a moment with these wonderful creatures.

There are definitely no bird songs. We do not want to create any stress for the birds, so we ask that you refrain from using them.

We keep our birdwatching groups small, and there is a reason for that. We want to make sure we protect the well-being of birds and their habitats.

We will ask you not to get too close to the bird’s territory, definitely be very careful with the nests. To ensure this happens and not disturb the birds, we ask that you walk slowly and cautiously. Keep your voice low; it is better to observe in silence. Sparkles or bright objects should not be used on a bird watching tour, as this can disturb the birds. The welfare of the birds is our highest priority.

If we see anything unusual, we will report it to the relevant authorities. Things like not littering, trampling vegetation, or breaking branches are obvious. Complying with the rules means that we can keep the birds protected and enjoyed by others in the future.