United States
£ GBP
Cuba has the richest avifauna of all the West Indian islands, boasting 28 extant endemics and many more Greater Antillean specialities. One, the spectacular Cuban Macaw, is long extinct, whilst the endemic subspecies of Ivory-billed Woodpecker and the wintering Bachman’s Warbler are almost certainly also gone. But most of Cuba’s special birds still exist, including the iconic Zapata Rail and the world’s smallest bird, the Bee Hummingbird.
This new checklist to the birds of Cuba is the most comprehensive ever attempted. Meticulously researched and fully referenced, it is the product of decades of feldwork and research by the authors. It summarises our current knowledge of the status and distribution of birds in this fascinating country, and provides an accurate baseline account of the Cuban avifauna for future generations.
An extensive introduction includes chapters on the history of ornithology in Cuba, geology and geography, vegetation and habitats, zoogeography, migration, breeding, and conservation. The systematic list covers all 385 species that are confirmed to have occurred in Cuba, with another 26 species treated as unconfirmed. Completed by two appendices, a gazetteer, and a comprehensive list of references, there is also a 32-page colour section containing maps and photographs of some of the country’s special habitats and many of its endemic birds.
This definitive work will be an essential reference for all those with an interest in the unique birdlife of Cuba and the Caribbean region in general.
"[...] The Birds of Cuba is a hefty volume, hardly a field guide, but for the dedicated island enthusiast it is essential."
– Richard Sale, Ibis 163(2), April 2021
