BELA'S BIRDS

People are drawn to birds for various reasons, whether it’s the influence of a friend or family member, or a personal experience that piques our interest. In my case, it was the arrival of Birdy, a juvenile Spectacled Thrush, brought to me by our cat a few years ago after it had fallen from its nest during a storm. The small bird didn’t seem injured, but it was unable to fly due to its young age and required care. After a quick Google search, I learned that the best course of action was to either place him near the tree for his parents to find or take him to the nearest wildlife rescue center, but the latter was simply not an option, and the former posed significant dangers for the chick. As a result, I decided to care for the young bird, whom I affectionately named Birdy, before ultimately releasing him back into his natural habitat. Learn more about Birdy

Birdy’s curious nature and funny personality led me to look closer at birds and made me realize that each bird species is quite a remarkable creation of nature. From the awe-inspiring birds of prey to the pretty songbirds filling the skies with melody, and the cheerful seedeaters spreading their delightful chirps, to the astonishing long-distance migratory champions overcoming incredible challenges—every one of them is unique, intriguing, and fascinating in its own right.

My enthusiasm for birds has led me to adopt new habits. I now focus more on the calls and songs of the birds around me—it is no longer just background noise. I tread quietly through the forest to avoid disturbing nesting birds. My eyes constantly scan the rooftops, treetops, and open skies for these avian wonders. I’ve also begun to notice the trees and plants around me, the lizards and insects, the tiniest crevices in the earth, and the smallest creatures beneath my feet. Birds encourage us to pause, notice, and appreciate the interconnectedness of the natural world. In doing so, they inspire us to care for the habitats and environments that sustain not only their existence but also that of countless other species, including our own.

GRENADA

Grenada, the beautiful island I call home, is a refuge for many bird species, many of which appear in this blog.

Grenada is a tri-island state in the Windward Islands, the southern group of the Lesser Antilles archipelago, in the Caribbean. It comprises three main inhabited islands: Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, as well as six uninhabited islets.

The Caribbean islands are an important region for biodiversity, featuring a diverse range of plants and animals due to their proximity to South and North America, along with influences from Africa and local climate changes. This has resulted in unique adaptations among Caribbean land birds, distinguishing each species genetically and ecologically.

As part of this diversity , Grenada, as with every island in the Caribbean, has its own feel, energy, and of course, ecosystems. Volcanic in nature, Grenada is lush and beautiful, with green slopes rising steeply from the sea and a rugged coastline dotted with sandy beaches. Grenada’s coastline is 121 km (62 mi) long and consists of various marine and coastal ecosystems, from beaches, mangrove swamps, sea grass beds and coral reefs, to salt ponds and lakes, dry woodland and cactus shrub. The rainforest, in the islands interior, is its pulsing heart and home to many creatures. Centuries ago, like many Caribbean islands, Grenada was cleared of much of its forests to make way for large sugarcane plantations. Nevertheless, the island’s rugged and humid landscape encouraged the introduction of nutmeg and cocoa in 1782, thus precipitating the development of smaller landholdings and giving rise to Grenada’s current identity as the “Spice Island.”

Grenada boasts an impressive array of terrestrial wildlife, including four species of amphibians, eight species of lizards, five species of snakes, four native species of terrestrial mammals, eleven native species of bats, and 150 species of birds. Of these, 35 species are resident land birds, while the rest consist of seabirds, waterbirds, and Neotropical migrants. Notably, there are seven Lesser Antilles endemic bird area restricted-range species in Grenada, such as the Grenada Dove and the Grenada Hook-billed Kite, both of which are exclusive to Grenada. Other species include the Grenada Flycatcher, the Lesser Antillean Tanager, and the Lesser Antillean Bullfinch.