BirdsCaribbean is thrilled to welcome six newly recognized endemic bird species in the Caribbean, highlighting the region’s incredible biodiversity and its vital role as an avian hotspot.
This development stems from the latest updates by the American Ornithological Society, which expanded the Caribbean’s endemic bird list to an impressive 185 species.
Rather than discovering completely unknown birds, these new species emerged from deeper research into the unique geographical and biological features of the Caribbean.
Islands are hotspots for endemism because isolated bird populations tend to evolve into distinct forms over time. As these differences accumulate, some populations eventually diverge enough to be classified as separate species.
The bird formerly known as the House Wren has undergone a major revision and is now split into seven different species—four of which are newly recognized as Caribbean endemics!
We welcome the Grenada Wren, St. Lucia Wren, St. Vincent Wren, and the Kalinago Wren, which is native to Dominica. The Kalinago Wren, named in honor of Dominica’s indigenous Kalinago people, was also historically found on Guadeloupe and Martinique, though it has since disappeared from those islands.
Trinidad and Tobago now has the Southern House Wren, whose range extends into Central and South America. However, it is believed that research may reveal that Trinidad and Tobago harbours its own distinct wren species. Further study is needed.
Additionally, the White-breasted Thrasher was split into two distinct species, the Martinique Thrasher and the St. Lucia Thrasher. The Martinique Thrasher is considered Critically Endangered, while the St. Lucia Thrasher is listed as Endangered. These new classifications are a critical step for conservation, underscoring the urgency of protecting these birds’ native habitats.
These new species underscore the ongoing potential for further bird research in the region. With new species being identified every year, it’s clear there is still much to learn about the incredible birdlife right here in our backyards, parks, forests, wetlands, and coastal habitats.
It’s also imperative that we support conservation initiatives and take care of these unique birds by reducing the threats they face. It’s up to all of us to protect their habitats to ensure they thrive long into the future, for the benefit and enjoyment of all.
SOURCE: Birds Caribbean. PHOTO: Saint Lucia Wren. Courtesy Charlie Bostwick.
Yes indeed… For those who don’t believe evolution is a fact, here it is. Proof that animals, Indeed every living thing evolves with time, even human beings. When one understand how evolution works, the beauty and complexity of nature reveals itself. God did not create jack because the charlatan does not exist. This is conclusive evidence that evolution is at play here. While the initiated know this, those quick to tout the sky god are forever stuck in their grand illusions. Thankfully evolution doesn’t need people to believe it exist for it to be true. Evolution just goes on and does its handiwork. Let the sky god believers stay in their delusion. Hopefully they will wake up one day one hopes and free themselves from this mental shackles.
@ C-WIZ: Speak for yourself. Promote your evolution, and remember ‘Psalm 14:1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God. Note that I am not the one calling you a fool. A time is coming when you will look to your so called Sky God but then you will see who is under the delusion. 2 Thessalonians 2:11 reads ‘And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.’ You have a blessed day.
@ goodness gracious ,
Obviously your underdeveloped brain will not understand these scientific concepts because it’s filled with superstitious B.S. quoting from a book that is widely fictitious, promotes murder, rape, theft, misogyny, hatred makes you no more ethical than I am…. that’s right, you read that correctly…read your bible, it’s all there… nothing but calamity. You delusionals are living in a time warp. I laugh at your gullibility drinking that holy cum sloppy.