Spread your Wings... for Bird Conservation How are laws & protected areas help conserve our birds
Today s presenters Dr. Leo Douglas, BirdsCaribbean, Columbia University Mr. Scott Johnson, Bahamas National Trust Ms. Alessandra Vanzella, UNEP Caribbean Environment Program
The Caribbean Islands biodiversity hotspot is one of the world's greatest centers of unique biodiversity.
Caribbean Endemic Birds St. Lucia Oriole Jamaican Tody Hispaniolan Parakeet Bahama Woodstar Cuban Trogon Adelaide s Warbler Grenada Dove
They are unique irreplaceable aspects of the region s natural heritage. Cuban Bee Hummingbird West Indian Whistling- Duck Red-Billed Streamertail
Caribbean birds provide invaluable ecological services. Seed Dispersal Pollination Black-faced Grassquit Rodent & Insect Eaters Vervain Hummingbird American Kestrel Carrion Feeders
All native species are gateways to understanding and enjoying nature. Green-throated Carib Caribbean Flamingo
Unfortunately Caribbean birds face many threats. Brown Pelican Mongoose Seabird death from plastic ingestion
These threats include the capture, killing, and trade of several native species. Retaliatory Killing Local Pet Trade International Trafficking-Trade Hunting (Food and Sport)
Birds that eat garden or commercial crops are persecuted region-wide:
Keeping pet parrots is popular regionally, but illegal.
The illegal international trade is big business! Jamaica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and other Caribbean countries are losing endemic birds to a thriving global illicit trade
Smuggling: Florida and the Caribbean Painted Bunting Birds smuggled into Florida from Cuba, The Bahamas, Jamaica, Dominican Republic and other Caribbean islands. Painted Bunting population in Florida declined by 3.9% between 1966 and 2000. Painted and Indigo Buntings may no longer be traded in Mexico. Indigo Bunting Cuban Bullfinch
Jamaican Woodpecker Jamaica Jamaican Tody Blue Mountain Vireo Yellow-billed Parrot
Trinidad and Tobago
Cuba Cuban Bullfinch
Dominican Republic Parrot chick Parrot nest damaged by poacher Nesting habitat and poached nest Hispaniolan Parrot
Cuba Formerly 15 species of macaws in the Caribbean All now extinct including the Cuban Macaw Last known pair killed in 1864 Extinction caused by hunting for food and capture for the pet trade Despite strong laws, Cuban Parrots are still captured and kept as pets
Bird smuggling poses a potential health risk to native bird, agriculture and human populations.
Capturing and smuggling birds involves horrific cruelty
Hunting of resident and migratory birds Port Louis Swamp Guadeloupe, Caribbean
Whimbrel named Machi
Heading towards extinction? Lear s Macaw - Brazil Imperial Parrot - Dominica
What is being done?
A future of hope Citizens of every country can help support agreements that protect birds and their habitats. Let your voice be heard! Ask your leaders to prioritize bird conservation.
Personal actions to help birds: Never buy wild-caught birds! Report the capture and sale of wild birds to the authorities. Hispaniolan Parakeets
Personal actions to help birds: Plant native trees and shrubs at your school and on your land, and support forest restoration programs.
Personal actions to help birds: Help keep your environment clean put your garbage in the bin!
Personal actions to help birds: Learn about birds and teach others to appreciate and protect them.
Personal actions to help birds: Encourage birdwatching and bird tourism your island s birds are worth more alive and free-flying!
Celebrate birds in art and stamps!
Become a member of and support local environmental groups!
Next: Laws that protect our birds Presenter: Alessandra Vanzella, United Nations Environment Program, Caribbean Environment Program