The threatened birds of Cuba project 1995

Andy Mitchell

The fieldwork scheduled for March 1995 to February 1996 had to be limited due to problems with visas and counterparts in Cuba. However, the team managed to study the status and distribution of nine threatened and near-threatened bird species. Fernandina's Flicker (Colaptes fernandinae), was studied in detail and suggestions made for it's conservation. Accurate and artistic illustrations were made of each species and these were exhibited at the Royal College of Art. The team hope to highlight Cuba as a centre of endemism and stimulate further interest in the avifauna.

Project update: 22/8/96. This project studied six Cuban endemic bird species during four months in 1995 and compiled an accurate artistic record of the threatened and near-threatened bird species of Cuba. Results are summarised in Cotinga 7.