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Birding tours in
Cuba.
The
major interest of birding trips to the West Indies
resides in the endemic species, but we sure will not
overlook, at least during the migration seasons, the
important number of migrants passing through or wintering.
The
country with the smallest bird in the world (Bee
Hummingbird), Cuba (114545 km2 and 1250 km
long) supports 25 endemics including a beautiful Trogon,
and numerous West Indian specialities.
Almost
350 bird species have been recorded in Cuba.
This
long island is mostly flat despite the presence of
three mountain chains: Guaniguanico Cordillera to
the West, Sierra del Escambray in the centre and Sierra
Maestra to the East. There is also a large swampy
region (Cienaga de Zapata) located South East of Havana
which supports 19 of the island 25 endemics.
The main birding sites are as follows:
LA GUIRA-SOROA AREA |
Beautiful area of semi-evergreen broadleaf
and Caribbean pine forest on the limestone hills
of the West Cordillera. |
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Specialities :
+ Cuban
Solitaire, Olive-capped Warbler, Stygian Owl...
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CIENAGA DE ZAPATA |
7500 km2 of which half is protected habitat
(marshes, saline lagoons, mangroves, dry forest,
palm trees. |
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Specialities :
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Zapata Sparrow,Wren and Rail...
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SOPLILLAR, BERMEJAS |
Dry forest, palm trees. |
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Specialities :
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Gundlach's Hawk, Blue-headed Quail-Dove, Fernandina's
Flicker,Cuban Trogon...
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CAYO COCO, CAYO GUILLERMO |
A coral island with beautiful beaches, mangroves,
thorn-scrub and dwarf semi-deciduous forest. |
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Specialities :
+ Oriente Warbler, Cuban Gnatcatcher, Thick-billed
Vireo...
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NAJASA, LA BELEN |
Forested hills and palm groves. |
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Specialities :
+ Giant
Kingbird, Cuban Palm Crow, Plain Pigeon...
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10
DAYS BIRDING
TOUR
A 10 days tour will allow us to take full advantage of
all these sites.
Less focused tours can be planned
for groups or individuals who wish to concentrate
on the cultural or other wildlife aspect
of the country (although in no way are these
ignored on our standard bird watching
trips). |
[ Please contact
us for details]
GUIDES |
+
FIELD GUIDE TO THE BIRDS OF CUBA
By Orlando H. Garrido and Arturo Kirkconnell. (Cornell). |
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+ A
GUIDE TO THE BIRDS OF THE WEST INDIES
Byr Herbert Raffaele, James Wiley , Orlando Garrido,
Allan Keith, Janis Raffaele (Princeton). |
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PRACTICAL
INFORMATION ABOUT CUBA |
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+ Visa required.
( embassy or travel agency).
+ No compulsory vaccinations.
No necessary prophylaxis.
+ Infrastructure: Good
driving conditions. Satisfactory accommodation.
+ Language: Spanish.
+ Local time: GMT-5
+ Electricity: 110 volts.
American sockets.
+ Currency: CUC and US$
+ Climate: Tropical, Dry
season: December to April.
+ Do not forget to pack:
binoculars !, mosquito repellent, sweat-shirt, rain
gear. |
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| All lodging is provided in hotels
or comfortable lodges, near to or on-site.
The tour prices include lodging in double rooms
(a supplement if 15% is charged for single room accommodation),
all meals, transportation within the country, guide
and entrance fees for the national parks. These prices
do not include: international flight, alcoholic drinks,
personal spending, airport departure tax, tips and
travel insurance (repatriation, luggage loss and flight
cancellation).
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![Copyright © de A GUIDE TO THE BIRDS OF THE WEST INDIES ..::[ CUBAN TROGON ]::..](../Default/Cuba_TROGONDECUBA_Thumbail.jpg)
