This April, as the Caribbean moves from the golden warmth of the dry season to the lush embrace of the wet season, the spirit of our community rises to celebrate the incredible diversity of our iconic bird species. Join us at another unforgettable Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF), where bird wonders come to the heart of the island’s culture.
CEBF is starting It will be held until April 22 (Earth Day) and May 22 (International Biodiversity Day). This annual regional festival raises awareness of the incredible birds living in the Caribbean.Their natural history, the threat to their survival, and how we can act to protect them and ensure that they will thrive for the generations that come this year The theme is “Common Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities.”
What’s good for birds is good for humans
Creating bird-friendly cities and communities is important to address the decline in bird populations caused by threats such as habitat loss, predation, and climate change. Due to the small size of many Caribbean islands, urban areas are often closely linked to natural habitats such as forests and wetlands, making green space even more important.
The Grenada Flycatcher is a land bird endemic to both St. Vincent and Grenada. These two were found in the Botanical Gardens of St. Vincent and Grenadine. (Mike Axch)
The West Indian woodpecker is another endemic Caribbean that can be found in botanical gardens in the Bahamas, Cuba and the Cayman Islands. (Photo: Roberto Jovel ML458058091)
One of Jamaican’s two endemic parrots, the yellow-woven parrot, was often found in Kingston, Hope Botanical Garden. (Photo by Leo Douglas)
These shared spaces not only protect birdlife, they also provide great benefits to people. It provides mental health improvements, recreational opportunities and reduces the effects of extreme heat. Imagine a calm and cool shelter for your community, a place to escape the swelling Caribbean sun, or just a peaceful space to be peaceful and slow down the thoughts of the race. By cultivating both our natural environment and human happiness, we ensure a more sustainable future for all.
“It may be challenging to inspire people to act for the whole planet, but birds offer the opportunity to take concrete actions that really affect them,” Eduardo Llegus, CEBF’s co-local coordinator. This CEBF recommends taking part in creating bird-friendly cities and communities. They can help by planting native trees and plants, reducing pesticide use, installing birds and feeders, and advocating for community green spaces. By integrating these green spaces into cities and communities, you can create interconnected corridors that provide birds with the shelter, food and safe routes they need when traveling between mountain peaks and mangroves. Every small step is built towards the greater movement of the bird. I’m involved today!
Vibrant events across the Caribbean to connect with nature and communities
If that’s one thing that’s true about the Caribbean people: wherever we go we bring the atmosphere– And that’s exactly what our enthusiastic CEBF Island coordinators and educators do in a vibrant mix of in-person and online events. These celebrations hope to attract thousands of people from diverse backgrounds, explore unique ecosystems, exchange knowledge about birds, and enhance connections with natural heritage. From birdwatching trips and workshops to arts and crafts, bird fairs, habitat cleaning, and birdscapes that decorate local spaces with native plants, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Jalitza Bobonis with Laura as Puerto Rican parrot mascot. (Photo: Fundación Amigosde el Yunque)
Practice will be perfect! Students will learn to use binoculars during field trips in floating classrooms. (Photo by EAG)
A young girl learning about St. Martin’s endemic animals. (Photo by photo)
A young member of Piping Pie Steam birdwatching at Brasso Seco in Trinidad for Global Big Day. (Photo: Giselle Ragoonanan)
Children flying bird kits in Cuba (Photo: Kenia Mestril Cosme)
I enjoy the art of Cuban climate birds at CEBF 2018 in Cuba.
What is your wingspan? Young girl measures arm length against a printed banner with various bird wing lengths. (Photo: University of Havana Bird Ecology Group)
A poster of a student bird on display at a botanical garden in the Dominican Republic. (Photo: grupoacciónecológica)
As a member of the Luis-Munos Marin Foundation, a young girl plays a bird match at the CEBF festival. (Photo: Eliezer Nieves Rodriguez)
Enjoy the bird games offered by the University of Havana Bird Ecology Group. (Photo: University of Havana Bird Ecology Group)
I’ll mark my calendar and attend
Our coordinators and educators are currently planning exciting agendas, fun activities, and mapping the best endemic birdwatching routes. The event will be held in April and May, so be sure to use it. CEBF Coordinator Directory Connect with your local conservation organization and find out what’s going on near you! If you are part of your organization and want to be added to directoryplease contact us today.
While most events are free to attend, consider making a donation to support your host organization. Anyway, your presence is the most important thing and they are happy to have you participate in the celebration.
Have you gotten a serious case of Fomootcebf (the fear of missing CEBF)? Please sign up for our mailing list here Get the latest CEBF Event Calendar news and make sure you first look into the amazing celebrations happening on your island.
Can’t participate in the event? We have you covered! There are many activities on our website and YouTube pages. quiz‘Drawing Caribbean birds and coloring‘ and origami tutorial, Scavenger Huntupcycled crafts, Outdoor gamesand more what you can do in small or large groups.
Don’t forget to tag us with your photos and videos on social media using #cebf #fromthenest
Learn about Caribbean birds through art
The CEBF team is busy preparing another great lineup The endemic bird of the day! As for the selected species this year, our lips are sealed, but we are excited to share Cuban ornithologists, photographers and scientific illustrators, Arnardo Toledo, I’m currently sketching birds and mixing colors to create coloring pages for this year’s endemic birds!
Artist Arnardo Toledo at work.
Phase 1: Puerto Rican Tody’s sketch begins designing by Arnaldo Toledo.
Phase 2: Painting begins with inspiration from the first sketch.
Phase 3: Finishing finishes will be added to the bird and its surroundings.
Arnardo skillfully captures the beauty of our natural world. His paintings bring a sense of wonder, joy and gratitude for nature between children and adults. He shares, “It brings joy to me to support conservation efforts and share about this discipline potential in increasing knowledge of Caribbean birds.”
In addition to Arnaldo’s drawings, it also offers natural history information, range maps, puzzles, photos, videos and activities, all designed to inspire curiosity, creativity and fun for both adults and children.
Become a festival friend
The Endemic Bird Festival of the Caribbean Sea is not just an event, it is a celebration of nature, an opportunity to learn more about the incredible birds that call our region home, and to connect with the environment in meaningful ways. By supporting this festival, we make important resources available to both children and adults alike, and we have access to valuable information about how to protect feather friends and preserve their habitat.
Your support makes a huge difference in making these educational materials, workshops and events free of charge for everyone. Every contribution is important and we are deeply grateful for your support. If you want to make a lasting impact, click to make a safe and convenient donation today here.
Alternatively, donations can be made by mail. Pay the check: Birdscaribbean, 841 Worcester St. #130, Natick, MA 01760-2076
