Ornithology - Cuba

EduToursToCuba.com offers two birding itineraries in Cuba customized for university, college or high school students and instructors or ornithologists. The professional tours, organized and guided by our expert Cuban ornithologists partners have the quality to be recognized as a formal study tour by any educational institute in the USA or Canada. The field study trips allow the participants to be in constant contact with the local experts and population.

The rates for the itineraries vary according to the number of participants, the time of year and the city from which the flight is taken to Cuba. In order for us to quote you a rate for your school, birding association or group, please e-mail us with the pertinent information, including the approximate date of departure, the choice of itinerary and the city from which you would like to leave. EduToursToCuba.com can organize group departures with flights from any Canadian city such as Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Toronto and Halifax. Cancun is also possible. Send us your request.

What to expect during our exclusive itineraries?

Birding in Cuba

ITINERARY 8 days/ 7 nights

1^st day	Arrival at Havana International airport. Reception by Cubatur English-speaking tour guide. Drive to Soroa Hotel, surrounded by the nice environment of the Rosario Ridge, declared Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Accommodation and dinner at Soroa Hotel.
2^nd day	Birding walk in the area. Soroa is a privileged spot for bird-watching. This is natural habitat for forest birds, including both migratory and resident birds. Also we can see some of the most charismatic species, among them endemic birds such as the Cuban Trogon (Priotelus temurus), Cuban Tody (Todus multicolor), Cuban Green Woodpecker (Xiphidiopicus percussus), Cuban Blackbird (Dives atroviolacea) and many others. Time to visit the Orchid Garden, where have been gathered the largest collection of orchids (up to 500 species), as well as the beautiful waterfall near the hotel. Return to the hotel for lunch. Afternoon at leisure. After dinner walk in the surroundings looking for nocturnal birds like our endemics Cuban Screech-owl (Otus lawrencii) and Cuban Pygmy-owl (Glaucidium siju).
3^rd day	Early in the morning ride to La Guira National Park. Birding in the area among the ancient ruins of Cortina hacienda. Here are particularly abundant endemic species like the Cuban Trogon (Priotelus temurus), Cuban Bullfinch (Melopyrrhe nigra) and Cuban Vireo (Vireo gundlachii), as well as the migratory birds such as Red-Legged Honey Creeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus), Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris), Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) and many warblers and other passerines. Lunch at Cuevas de Los Portales, where Che Guevara set up his headquarter during the Missiles Crisis in 1962. Accommodation and dinner at Mirador de San Diego Hotel.
4^th day	Drive to Zapata Swamp Biosphere Reserve, the largest marshland in Cuba. This is one of the best birding spots on the island, treasuring several endemic species (including 3 local endemics) and it's also an important natural refuge for migratory birds. Drive to Hatiguanico River. Boat sailing along the river surrounded by the lush vegetation of this reserve. Great opportunity to know about the local flora and fauna, represented by mangroves, mahoganies, oaks, mastic trees, as well as lots of birds like woodpeckers, hawks, egrets, etc. (also it has been seen crocodiles). Here it's possible to see the Double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus), Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa), Snowy Egret (Egretta thula), American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus), Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) and others. Lunch in local restaurant. Accommodation and dinner at Playa Larga Hotel.
5^th day	Birding at Santo Tomas. Opportunity to try to find some of the 3 local endemics: 1- Zapata Rail (Cyanolimnas cerverai). For a long time ornithologists thought this specie was extinct but in the 1990's a scientist expedition found some individuals and realized that its population had started to grow. It is a hard-to-see specie. 2- Zapata Wren (Ferminia cerverai). This is not that hard to see. Its beautiful trine allows birders to find it. 3- Zapata Sparrow (Torrearnis inespectata). This is a vulnerable and rare endemic. It was considered a local endemic to the Zapata Swamp for long time until ornithologists found two new populations at Cayo Coco (Northern keys of Ciego de Avila) and Baitiquiri coastal region, in Guantanamo province. Lunch. Afternoon birding at Soplillar. This time we'll go after the Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) and others like the Red-shouldered blackbird (Agelaius assimilis). Return to the hotel and dinner.
6^th day	Birding at Bermejas. The most frequently seen species are the Cuban Green Woodpecker (Xiphidiopicus percussus), Fernandina's Flicker (Colaptes fernandinae), West Indian Woodpecker (Melanerpes superciliaris), Cuban Parrot (Amazona leucocephala) and Cuban Parakeet (Aratinga euops). All of them are endemic species or sub-species. Lunch at Punta Perdiz. Time at leisure at the beach, optional snorkeling. Return to the hotel and dinner. Night birding in the surroundings of the hotel.
7^th day	Birding at Las Salinas de Brito Fauna Refuge, natural settlement for both native and migratory birds and waterfowls. Here we can be delighted with huge colonies of flamingos, spoonbills, herons, plovers, ospreys and many other species, such as, Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus), Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens), Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor), Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber), Plovers (Pluvialis sp.), Sandpipers (Calidris sp.) and Terns (Sterna sp.). Lunch at local restaurant, La Boca. Drive to Havana City, Cuba's capital city, with more than 2 millions inhabitants, is the economic and political center of the country. We invite you to visit the Colonial City, declared World Heritage Site, to admire its main squares full of life and colors, such as the Armas Square and the Cathedral Square. We'll also visit Modern Havana. Accommodation and dinner at Hotel Plaza.
8^th day	Time to explore the city on your own. Drive to the airport.

Birding in Cuba

ITINERARY 15 days/ 14 nights

1^st day	Arrival at Havana International airport. Reception by Cubatur English-speaking tour guide. Drive to Soroa Hotel, surrounded by the beautiful environment of the Rosario Ridge, declared Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, due to the hard work locals have done regarding reforestation and Nature's conservation. Forests, rural communities and crystalline streams are the most common landscapes in this region. Accommodation at Soroa Hotel. Dinner.
2^nd day	Birding walk in the area. Soroa is a privileged spot for bird-watching. This is natural habitat for forest birds, including both migratory and resident birds. Also we can see some of the most charismatic species, among them endemic birds such as the Cuban Trogon (Priotelus temurus), Cuban Tody (Todus multicolor), Cuban Green Woodpecker (Xiphidiopicus percussus), Cuban Blackbird (Dives atroviolacea) and many others. Return to the hotel for lunch. Time to visit the Orchid Garden, where have been gathered one of the largest collection of orchids (up to 500 species), as well as the beautiful waterfall near the hotel. Return to the hotel for dinner. After dinner walk in the surroundings looking for nocturnal birds like our endemics Cuban Screech-owl (Otus lawrencii) and Cuban Pygmy-owl (Glaucidium siju).
3^rd day	Drive to Vinales Valley early in the morning. Birding walk within this valley, declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, opportunity to see 3 endemic birds: the Cuban Solitaire (Myadestes elisabeth), whose metallic trine is heard all over the valley, the restless Cuban Emerald (Chlorostilbon ricordii), Cuban Grassquit (Tiaris canora) and the Cuban Vireo (Vireo gundlachii). Lunch at the restaurant right next to the Mural of Prehistory. In the afternoon we'll walk around the small village. Accommodation and dinner at Rancho San Vicente Hotel.
4^th day	Birding in the surroundings before leaving for Guanahacabibes Biosphere Reserve, in the westernmost end of Cuba. The perfect mix of cliff coastlines with forests and lagoons will be the environment you'll enjoy today. During the excursion we'll stop a few times to be delighted with both waterfowls and forest birds. Probably today we'll have the chance to see the smallest bird in the world: the endemic Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae), also the Cuban Parrot (Amazona leucocephala), Cuban Crow (Corvus nasicus) and many others. Picnic lunch in the area. In the afternoon return to the hotel Rancho San Vicente. Dinner at the hotel.
5^th day	Early in the morning ride to La Guira National Park. Birding in the area among the ancient ruins of Cortina hacienda. Here are particularly abundant endemic species like the Cuban Trogon (Priotelus temurus), Cuban Bullfinch (Melopyrrhe nigra) and Cuban Vireo (Vireo gundlachii), as well as the migratory birds such as Red-Legged Honey Creeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus), Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris), Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) and many warblers and other passerines. Lunch at Cuevas de Los Portales, where Che Guevara set up his headquarter during the Missiles Crisis in 1962. Accommodation and dinner at Mirador de San Diego Hotel.
6^th day	Drive to Zapata Swamp Biosphere Reserve, the largest marshland in Cuba, in the southern coast of Matanzas Province. This is one of the best birding spots in the island, treasuring several endemic species (including 3 local endemics) and it's also an important natural refuge for migratory birds. Drive to Hatiguanico River. Picnic lunch by the river. Boat sailing along Hatiguanico river surrounded by the lush vegetation of this reserve. Here it's possible to see the Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus), Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa), Snowy Egret (Egretta thula), American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus), Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) and many others. Accommodation and dinner at Playa Larga Hotel.
7^th day	Birding at Santo Tomas. Opportunity to try to find some of the 3 local endemics: 1- Zapata Rail (Cyanolimnas cerverai). For long time ornithologists thought this specie was extinct and some years ago a scientist expedition found some individuals and realized that its population had started a growing stage. This is a hard-to-see specie. 2- Zapata Wren (Ferminia cerverai). This one is not that hard to see. Its beautiful trine allows birders to find it easier. 3- Zapata Sparrow (Torrearnis inespectata). This is a vulnerable and rare endemic. It was considered a local endemic to Zapata Swamp for long time until ornithologists found two new populations at Cayo Coco (Northern keys of Ciego de Avila) and Baitiquiri coastal region, in Guantanamo province. Lunch. Afternoon birding at Soplillar. This time we'll go after the Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) and others like the Red-Shouldered Blackbird (Agelaius assimilis). Return to the hotel and dinner.
8^th day	Birding at Bermejas. The most frequently seeing species are the Cuban Green Woodpecker (Xiphidiopicus percussus), Fernandina's Flicker (Colaptes fernandinae), West Indian Woodpecker (Melanerpes superciliaris), Cuban Parrot (Amazona Leucocephala) and Cuban Parakeet (Aratinga euops). All of them are endemic species or sub-species. Lunch at Punta Perdiz. Time at leisure at the beach, optional snorkeling. Return to the hotel and dinner. Night birding in the surroundings of the hotel.
9^th day	Birding at Las Salinas de Brito Fauna Refuge, natural settlement for thousands of native and migratory birds and waterfowls. Here we can be delighted with huge colonies of flamingos, spoonbills, herons, plovers, ospreys and many other species, such as, Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga), Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus), Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens), Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor), Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber), Plovers (Pluvialis sp.), Sandpipers (Calidris sp.) and Terns (Sterna sp.). Lunch and drive to Trinidad Village. Stop en route at Cienfuegos City, founded in the 19th Century right in front of the Caribbean Sea. Accommodation and dinner at Las Cuevas Hotel, in Trinidad.
10^th day	City sightseeing of Trinidad, World Heritage Site. Paved streets, palaces and colonial houses with large windows and red tiles make Trinidad a Museum Village. Lunch at local restaurant. Then drive to Topes de Collantes, on top of 900 meters high mountains, in the heart of the Escambray Ridge, surrounded by lots of waterfalls, pine forests and ferns. Accommodation and dinner at Los Helechos Hotel.
11^th day	Truck transfer to La Codina, beautiful place in the forest, surrounded by lush vegetation and many birds. Hike through a trail to find out about the local flora and fauna, among them beautiful orchids and ferns. Also there is a small cave and a lookout point with a breathtaking view of the mountain range, Trinidad and the Caribbean Sea. The most charismatic birds here are Cuban Trogon (Priotelus temurus), Cuban Parakeet (Aratinga euops), Cuban Emerald (Chlorostilbon ricordii), Cuban Green Woodpecker (Xiphidiopicus percussus), Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus), Cuban Pewee (Contopus caribaeus), Great Lizard Cuckoo (Saurothera merlini) and many Warblers (Dendroica sp). Typical Cuban lunch. Drive to Santa Clara City to visit the Che's Memorial. Then we'll continue to Cayo Las Brujas, a beautiful key to the northern coastline, accessible by a nice road over the sea. Accommodation and dinner at Las Brujas Hotel.
12^th day	Excursion to Guayabera Swamp to be delighted with colonies of cranes and many other birds. The most common species here are Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis), Egrets (Ardeas sp.), Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus rubber), Roseate Spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja), Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens). This swamp, as well as Cayo Las Brujas, Cayo Santa Maria and many other small islands and keys of Jardines del Rey Archipelago are considered a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Picnic lunch. Return to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure at the beach. Dinner at the hotel.
13^th day	Birding walk in the morning in the surroundings of Cayo Las Brujas and Cayo Santa Maria. These keys are natural habitats for both waterfowls and forest birds, such as Striped-headed Tanager (Spindalis zena), Cuban Bullfinch (Melopyrrha nigra), Greater Antillean Grackle (Qiscalus niger), Terns (Sterna sp.), Gulls (Larus sp.), Plovers (Charadrius sp.), etc. Return to the hotel. Lunch. Afternoon at leisure at the beach. Dinner at the hotel.
14^th day	Drive to Havana City. Lunch at local restaurant and then we'll have a sightseeing of Havana. The Cuba's capital city, with more than 2 millions inhabitants, the economic and political center of the country. We invite you to visit the Colonial City, declared World Heritage Site, to admire its main squares full of life and colors, such as the Armas Square and the Cathedral Square. We'll also visit the Modern Havana. Accommodation and dinner at Hotel Plaza.
15^th day	Time to explore the city on your own. Drive to the airport.