Did you know that the simple act of noticing a bird in your backyard could be key to saving a species? From the misty peaks of the Blue Mountains in Jamaica to the sun-drenched mangroves of Bonaire, our 187 endemic bird species are a shared heritage found nowhere else on Earth—and it’s up to us to protect them. As we prepare for the 2026 Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF), we are calling on everyone—tell your parents, your friends, even your Nan—to turn their eyes to the skies, the trees, and the ground (we can’t forget our beloved doves!). This year we are celebrating, counting, and conserving our birds together.
CEBF begins on April 22nd (Earth Day) and runs through May 22nd (International Biodiversity Day). This annual regional festival raises awareness of the amazing birds that live only in the Caribbean—their natural history, the threats to their survival, and how we can act to protect them and ensure that they thrive for generations to come.
This year’s theme “Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter” shines the spotlight on the power of citizen science, reminding us that you don’t need a lab coat or a PhD to contribute to science; you just need curiosity and a genuine love for nature and community. When we say “Every Bird Counts,” we mean it. Whether it is a tiny, iridescent Antillean Crested Hummingbird darting through your garden or the elusive Imperial Amazon (Sisserou) high up in the canopy in the rainforest, every single sighting you record provides a vital data point. These observations help us build a regional map showing us exactly where our endemic species are thriving and where they might be in trouble.
This community-collected data is the backbone of informed conservation action because we cannot protect what we do not know. By involving everyone, from curious school children to seasoned experts, we create a massive, islands-wide “neighborhood watch” for our birds. By involving the whole community, we move people beyond casual observation and into the role of proud environmental stewards. Cool, right?
Your contributions help scientists identify which habitats need urgent protection and provide real-time results through platforms like eBird. This allows us to see population trends as they happen, giving us the power to respond faster to environmental changes and ensure our endemic birds are around for years to come.
A little more on citizen science…
While professional biologists work tirelessly to study and protect our birds, they cannot be everywhere at once. That is where you come in. Citizen science is a powerful collaboration where everyday people all around the world collect data, by watching and recording birds mostly on phones via eBird checklists—this data helps scientists solve real-world problems. In the Caribbean, many of our endemic birds live on just a single island, making them incredibly vulnerable to habitat loss, pollution, illegal trapping/killing, and climate change. To protect them, we first need to know exactly where they are and how their populations are changing. Your observations tell scientists if a species is declining or expanding its range and provide the “hard data” needed to advocate for the protection of critical forests, wetlands, and even green spaces within cities.
To our fabulous island coordinators, this year is an invitation to mentor a new generation of citizen scientists, sharing your deep knowledge and passion to help the movement grow. To our new participants—welcome! This is your invitation to join your community in protecting and promoting your incredible natural heritage. If you’re new to citizen science you’ll want to read this beginner’s guide. There is an immense sense of pride in knowing that your backyard is part of a global treasure, and by participating, you are ensuring it stays that way. You don’t need expensive gear to make a difference; you just need a pair of binoculars or a keen eye. If you don’t own a pair of binoculars yet, don’t let that stop you! Your local coordinators and environmental organizations will have binoculars available for use at their CEBF events. They will teach you how to use the binoculars to get a crystal-clear look at our endemic icons, identify them, and make sure they count toward your checklist.
A lot more on community connection…
If you are looking for more than birdwatching and checklists, you have come to the right place. Our enthusiastic island coordinators and educators infuse the festival with a vibrant mix of in-person and online events that turn learning about birds into an unforgettable experience. It’s about reconnecting with nature, discovering hidden talents, strengthening our collective power to improve our communities, and taking pride in the vibrant biodiversity that defines our islands. It’s about exploring together, pulling up those boots and venturing into mangroves, dry forests, and wetlands that we often pass by every day without realizing the biodiversity they hold.
Most importantly, it’s about belonging. By joining an event, you become part of a massive movement dedicated to ensuring that bird conservation becomes a seamless part of our daily lives. We want every Caribbean citizen to stand ready and knowledgeable, equipped with the facts, to speak up for our birds and the places they call home. Whether it’s advocating for the protection of a local wetland from unsustainable development, discouraging the illegal trapping and persecution of our endemic birds or simply sharing why a healthy forest matters for both birds and people, your voice is a powerful tool. When joined with a chorus of like-minded nature lovers, that voice becomes an unstoppable force for the Caribbean’s wildlife.
So what else can you expect at a CEBF event?
These events are usually held where life happens: on school grounds, in lush Botanical Gardens in cities, or at visitor centers bringing together students and teachers, local community groups, religious organizations, and service clubs like Rotary. Last year, the Environmental Awareness Group in Antigua even hosted a special birding tour for the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force! Everyone is encouraged to come as they are: to think, to question, to challenge, and to exchange stories through:
Guided Birding Walks: Explore local hotspots with knowledgeable guides who help you spot birds and master your binoculars.
Creative Workshops: From bird-themed “Sip & Paint” sessions to photography classes and youth art contests.
Habitat Restoration: Roll up your sleeves for mangrove plantings and beach clean-ups to give our birds a cleaner, safer home.
Games & Interactive Science: Get hands-on with fun experiments and games that reveal how different beaks work, to discovering all the amazing ways birds survive.
“Birdscaping” Your Backyard: Learn which native plants turn your garden into the neighborhood hotspot where all the birds want to be.
Virtual Festivals: Can’t make it in person? Join webinars and social media posts that connect bird lovers across the entire Caribbean.
Here are seven reasons why you CANNOT miss the CEBF 2026!
Meet the “watch” captains
Here are a few members of our powerhouse alliance of local NGOs and educators across the region.
Jamaica: BirdLife Jamaica, the Natural History Museum of Jamaica (NHMJ), Caribbean Coastal Area Management
Cuba: Empresa Flora y Fauna Matanzas, Grupo Ecologia de Aves, Empresa Flora y Fauna Santiago de Cuba, Museo de Historia Natural “Tomas Romay Chacón”, BIOECO, Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt, Museo de Historia Natural Joaquin Fernandez de la Vara Pi Gibara
Dominican Republic: SOH Conservacion, Grupo Jaragua
Puerto Rico: Estuario de la Bahia de San Juan, Con Ciencia Ciudadana PR Inc
Antigua & Barbuda: Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) Antigua, BarbudanGO
St Eustatius: St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation
Dominica: WildDominique
Trinidad & Tobago: Trinidad and Tobago Bird Observatory and Research and Research Centre, ECONETICS
Don’t see your island listed? Use our CEBF Coordinators Directory to connect with local conservation organizations and find out what’s going on near you!
If you would like to coordinate your own CEBF event (and we really would love that!), please get in touch via email: cebf@birdscaribbean.org, Aliya.Hosein@birdscaribbean.org and Lisa.Sorenson@birdscaribbean.org
Got a serious case of FOMOOTCEBF (fear of missing out on the CEBF)? Sign up for our mailing list HERE to ensure that you get the latest CEBF event news, and find out first about the fantastic celebrations happening on your island.
Good for our islands, great for your legacy.
Your support for the CEBF keeps nature education accessible to all, providing the tools and workshops needed to protect our shared natural heritage. From “birdscaping” backyards to youth art contests, every dollar helps us provide these resources at no cost to our communities. Join us in making a lasting impact—donate securely HERE* and help every bird count. *Under ‘Designate your gift’ please select Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival.