Category: Sightings
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Bee Hummingbird, the Smallest Hummingbird in the World
We are reminiscing a lot these days about past trips and amazing experiences we have had over the past several years. Cuba is one destination that is always high on our list of most memorable trips. Everyone who has joined us in Cuba has had an incredible experience. We were able to observe a staggering…
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Zapata Wren during our last tour in Cuba
The Zapata Wren is the most restricted endemic in Cuba, only present in the Zapata Peninsula and certainly a must-see during any trip to Cuba. It is also the only member of its genus, Ferminia! Like most wrens, it hides out in the dense grasses of marshes, and is best detected by its loud song.…
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Cuban Trogon – Cuba’s colorful national bird
Our first tour to Cuba is about to begin! Cuba is the largest and most biodiverse island in the Caribbean. Its national bird is the Cuban Trogon, one of the 26 endemic species that can be seen in Cuba, in addition to the many near endemic and regional endemics. It is one of only two…
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Birds in Cuba
Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean. Known for its colorful cityscape and delicious food, Cuba also offers great biodiversity. Approximately 371 species of birds reside in or migrate through Cuba every year. Deciduous forests, xeric landscapes, grasslands, rivers, high mountain peaks (the highest mountain is Pico Turquino, which reaches nearly 6,500 feet), marshes,…
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Great Curassow: A Neotropical Specialty
Walking through the lowland rainforests of Central America, you hear a rustling off-trail along the forest floor. Scanning the dense foliage of the understory, you catch a glimpse of a large, turkey-like bird. It is glossy black all over with a bright yellow knob above the bill and a perfectly curled crest as if it…
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The Snow Leopard
The first time I saw a Snow Leopard, I was a young girl visiting the Los Angeles Zoo. I remember being amazed by its spotted fur, light eyes, and, most of all, its long, powerful tail that seemed to almost be a separate creature! Never could I have imagined that one day I would get…
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Panama Wildlife: A Glimpse at Great Biodiversity
The narrow Isthmus of Panama is home to the famous Panama Canal and is nestled between Costa Rica and Colombia. It forms a land bridge between North and South America. It is a hotbed for biodiversity and has the most species recorded of all Central American countries. Panama’s landscape is comprised of low elevation rainforest…
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Finding a Harpy Eagle: An Adventurous Excursion
Harpy Eagles live in the mature lowland rainforests of Central and South America. They prefer large areas of expansive, intact forest, especially when it comes to nesting. Despite having a huge wingspan of 2 meters, Harpy Eagles do not soar above the forest canopy; they are truly a bird of deep forest. They can stay…
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Backyard Birding in Panama City
Backyard birding has been popular for ages, and is not a hobby that has come about because of the “new normal.” However, given the current situation, many of us are still restricted to staying at home and are unable to get out and go birding. But we can observe birds from our windows, balconies, or…