The Cuban Kite (Chondroierax wilsonii) is a Critically Endangered bird of prey in Cuba. There is no officially recognized record or photograph of the Kite in recent years and very little is known about its natural history.

In 2004 Ernesto Reyes took a picture of the hawk-like bird in the area of Humbolt Park in Guantánamo province. The quality of the photography was not very good, however, there was enough information to make a positive identification that the bird was a Cuban kite.

Several successful field surveys were subsequently taken in fall 2009. Information from local people made it possible to find two birds in the areas surrounding Humboldt Park in the mountains of eastern Cuba. Nils Navarro the second author, observed a male Cuban Kite perching and soaring for 45 minutes. He could see identifying field marks clearly, including the bill shape, shape of the wing and color pattern of the species. After this initial observation, the three authors together observed a perching bird, another Kite that appeared to be a juvenile or female, but it was not possible to see enough detail. The two kites were flying together during the morning when they were sighted.

The next day, the team composed of the authors and local guide Modesto Suarez and his family could hear a vocalization consisting of nasal sounds kee- kee -kee -kee, uttered at a slow rate and a second call ké  ké, more separated, and closer to the Gundlach´s Hawk vocalization. The calls came from the forest where two Kites were perching, We did not observe any Gundlach´s Hawk around the area.

Many possible food items were collected, belonging to three species of land and tree snails, more details will be published in a paper in preparation.

Broad-Winged Hawk is the commonest bird of prey in the area.

Our observations of the Cuban Kite in this area raises new hope for the conservation of this species, presently considered to be on the verge of extinction.

We would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their help and support: Rufford Grants Foundation, Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds (SCSCB), especially the Caribbean Wildlife Art Working Group, Peregrine Foundation, Birders Exchange, Optics for the Tropics and Longue Lizard Club. Our special thanks to Jim Wiley, Russell Thorstrom, Alfred Roca, Betty Petersen, Lisa Sorenson, Rosemarie Gnam, and Joni Ellis.

 

Photos of the Cuban Kite by Ernesto Reyes and Nils Navarro. The photo on the left was taken in 2004, the one on the right in fall, 2009.