Birding News and Features

The trouble with 'X' - Why you should always estimate numbers!

Over the years at eBird we have always been flexible about allowing users to report either numbers for each species, or to provide an 'X' to indicate presence. In our latest round of analysis, however, we found that checklists where users estimated numbers for ALL species encountered were of significantly higher conservation value when compared with those that contain 'Xs', or even a single 'X' mixed in with numbers. In this piece we'll talk about why recording numbers is important, as well as provide some guidance as to how to estimate numbers in difficult situations. Read more about why making your best estimate of numbers always trumps the dreaded 'X'!

New Tool: eBird Top 100

Introducing a new feature at Hispaniola eBird called the "eBird Top 100." Using this new tool found under the "View and Explore Data" tab, you can now see your position in relation to other eBird users in a variety of geographic regions including ABA area, country, state and county. We offer two different rankings: the total number of species reported, or the total number of complete checklists submitted. eBirders have asked for a tool like this so that they can see where they stand in relation to other birders in their region of interest. We hope this new tool will inspire healthy competition among eBirders, and increase the amount of checklists submitted by inspiring birders to get out and collect more new data, as well as promote the entry of historic records. Click on "View and Explore Data" to find out how you rank among the best eBirders on Hispaniola and beyond!

Bird Records Committee Updates Checklist and Rare Bird Documentation Form

The Bird Records committee of the SOH is pleased to announce two new documents for use by the public:

• An updated checklist of all the birds of Hispaniola, and
• A Rare and Vagrant Bird reporting form.

Bird Sounds of the Dominican Republic Re-Released

Cornell Lab of Ornithology has re-release the 1981 LP record album by George Reynard as a CD. It has 99 species found in the Dominican Republic, including most of the 31 endemic species. This guide is designed as an audio companion to field guides such as A Field Guide to the Birds of the West Indies by Herbert Raffaele et al. (1998) and Birds of the Dominican Republic and Haiti by Steve Latta et al. (2006). Each species is individually tracked, making access to recordings easy. This CD release has updated taxonomy and some additional recordings. The scientific, English common name, and Spanish common name are provided for each species. The CD may be purchased on CLO's online nature store.

New directory finds almost half Caribbean IBAs lack protection

Of the 770 bird species occurring in the Caribbean, 148 are endemic, with 105 confined to single islands. But only around 10% of the region’s original habitat remains, and 54 of the Caribbean’s bird species are globally threatened, of which 12 are Critically Endangered.

BirdLife's newly-published Important Bird Areas of the Caribbean: key sites for conservation is a milestone for the BirdLife Caribbean Programme, which began in 2001. BirdLife International and its Partners, and a range of other organisations, have identified, documented and mapped 283 internationally significant Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in the Caribbean. IBAs are key sites for the conservation of birds and biodiversity, and the building blocks for conservation planning. They are identified nationally, using data gathered locally and applying internationally agreed criteria.

Field Guide to the Birds of Hispaniola

Birds of the Dominican Republic and Haiti is now available! This is the first comprehensive and fully-illustrated guide to cover the birds of this biologically rich island. There are detailed accounts and color plates for more than 300 species, including thirty-one endemic species. the book is available in English, French and Spanish.