Bird population falls following Ivan

The Grand Cayman Parrot - the Cayman Islands
national bird

Wednesday,  November 24, 2004

Birds can be seen all around flying, some perched high up on tree branches, others swooping down to the ground, looking for food. These birds may appear as though they are in their usual territory, but not all are indigenous. Do not be deceived, as many of the birds you see now are in migration, and will be moving on, as the weather permits. 

Some birds visit Cayman’s shores to take a much-needed rest while on their migratory journey between North and South America, and some stay on longer, spending the winter months in Cayman’s woodlands. 

Frank Roulstone, General Manager of the National Trust, explained that Cayman lost many birds, including parrots, during Ivan’s passage, with the Bird Conservation Society estimating the loss to be around 70%. 

This figure is extremely high, and causes concern not only to members of the public, but in particular to the Cayman Bird Conservation Society, which has been trying to protect Cayman bird species. 

Thankfully, many different types of birds have been seen since the storm, implying that no one colony of birds was completely wiped out.

There have been various sightings of the indigenous Vitelline Warbler and Red Legged Thrush, also Woodpeckers, Flycatchers as well as parrots. 

Mr Roulstone explained: “Many birds died not only during the storm, but also in the aftermath. This was due to the lack of available food, with so many of our trees being destroyed.”

As a result of the depletion of many trees, birds now have to come down low to the ground in search of food. The fruit eating birds were particularly affected, since many fruit trees, along with crops were destroyed, greatly reducing their chances of finding food.

With the depletion of leaves and branches, both parrots and birds are now more conspicuous, unable to take the usual comfort, by shading in such places.

  Back...