Cuba’s most Photogenic birds, Part III

A great diversity of both migratory and endemic species, Cuba is a paradise for bird and photography lovers. In this series I want to continue sharing with you some of the most photogenic birds of the island.

It is found mainly in coastal areas and mangrove swamps throughout the country, including the keys. Its bright yellow plumage, often with reddish stripes on its breast, makes it an ideal target for photographs. They are compact in size and very active among the branches. To photograph them it is important to use a telephoto lens and take advantage of soft natural light to highlight the details of their plumage, and a lot of patience.

It is an endemic species of Cuba, inhabiting forests, hills and wooded areas throughout the island. They can be observed at all times of the year, but mainly at dusk when they go hunting. It is easily recognizable by its diminutive size and expressive yellow eyes, in addition to its behavior of remaining motionless for long periods of time.

This time we have one of the smallest migrants that visit our coasts; in spite of its tiny size, it is capable of making incredible migratory journeys. Its agile behavior makes it a fascinating subject for photographers. We can find them on the coasts and mangrove areas, practically all over the country. The key to photographing them is patience and taking advantage of the early morning and late afternoon, when the light is more favorable and soft.

All pictures are by me (@muhammadhalim) and taken with a Nikon D200 camera and a Tamron 70-300mm lens