‘Jamaica has the highest number of endemic birds in the Caribbean! ’

Many Jamaicans who attended the Jamaica Endemic Bird Festival on April 28^th were surprised to learn that Jamaica has 30 endemic birds – the highest in the Caribbean. What was even of more concern is that eight, approximately 25% of our endemic birds are threatened with extinction. Two of them, however, the Jamaican Petrel and Jamaica Parauque are believed to be extinct. 

Hosted by the Jamaica Environment Trust, the festival was part of a regional initiative coordinated by Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds (SCSCB) from April 22^nd (Earth Day) to May 22^nd (International Biodiversity Day). Jamaica is one of 17 countries that participated in this year’s Festival. 

Over 400 students from more than 40 schools from around the island participated in the Jamaica Endemic Bird Festival. Students viewed exhibits by organizations working in some of Jamaica’s 47 Important Bird Areas (IBAs), as well as participated in bird games, and art and craft workshops in which they made bird face masks and painted bird models. There was also a bird costume competition and performances in poetry, song and drama about Jamaica’s endemic birds. 

Diana McCaulay, JET's CEO, playing bird matching game with students

Mikaela Richards of Wilbert Stewart Basic School won first prize for her Jamaican Owl bird costume, while her classmate Carmen-Eleana Stewart won second place for her Red-billed Streamertail/Doctor Bird Costume. Third place was awarded to Christina Housen of Randolph Lopez School of Hope for her costume of the Jamaican Woodpecker. 

    

First and second place winners of the bird costume competition

The Jamaica Endemic Bird Festival was held in association with Jamaica Wellfest 2006 and was supported by corporate Jamaica, local and international donors including BirdLife International, Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds, CHASE Fund, Jamaica Energy Partners and Kiwanis Club of Kingston. 

Contact:

Maureen Milbourn

mmilbourn.jet@cwjamaica.com