Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean Sea. It is 110,992 Km2 in area, or about the size of the US state of Tennessee. The long and narrow shape of our country makes it look like a great lizard.
Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean Sea. It is 110,992 Km2 in area, or about the size of the US state of Tennessee. The long and narrow shape of our country makes it look like a great lizard.
Two very large wetlands are found in Cuba: the Zapata Swamp and the Biramas Swamp. Until now, the Biramas Swamp has not been studied and is poorly understood. Dr. Martin Acosta and I are heading a conservation research team from the University of Havana to focus on the Biramas Swamp habitat.
Biramas Swamp is in the eastern part of the country, in the delta of
the Cauto River. The Cauto is 342 Km long and is the longest river in Cuba.
This river has an extensive tributary system that covers an area called
the Cauto Valley, in the extreme south, near the coast. This is where you
will find the Biramas Swamp.
This wetland is considered to be a "pristine" area. That means, it has not been developed or changed by people. Have you ever walked in a swamp? It is very hard work, to walk in the Biramas or even to be there for too long a time. Imagine walking in very deep, very soft mud. The climate is very hot and steamy, and the habitat is lush. The swamp supports a tremendous variety of insects as well as other animals… many biting and stinging insects! When you walk in the swamp you sink into the mud — sometimes up to your waist. Thousands of mosquitoes fly around you all the time. There is no electricity, no TV, and no running water. (A heavy rain is always very welcome, as it is the only chance to take a good shower!) You have to watch out for the crocodiles! Why do I call this a "paradise"? Animals and plants flourish here because it is a refuge from human disturbance.
Large flocks of colorful birds are the most conspicuous creatures living in the swamp. More than 130 bird species have been reported in this wetland and many of them have huge populations. There are several thousand birds that find their food in the channels and shallow waters of the swamp near their roost site. The flamingo is one of the species that remains in the swamp to feed. There are about 20,000 individuals living there.
Some birds leave the swamp to find food. Every morning during sunrise we see thousands of birds flying off to their feeding areas. Usually they are going to feed in the rice fields and the shrimp farms nearby, where food is easily available. In the afternoon, these birds begin to return to their wetland sanctuary, full of food and ready to rest for the night, where they can perch in mangrove forests and rest up for the next day.
Many birds use the swamp only to roost at night. Many birds use the swamp to roost as well as feed. And many birds use the swamp to roost, feed, and to raise their families. They build their nests close together and form a breeding colony. Colonial birds in the Biramas swamp include herons, ibises and egrets. Although these birds are typically large, colorful, and noisy, they are safe from predators when they are in their colony. Just imagine trying to ‘sneak up’ on 20,000 pair of ibis who are all looking out for the young in their nest! Also, colonies are located in areas that are difficult for even field biologists to get to! This is why so little is known about the birds of Biramas, and this is why we are doing our research.
©The Wild Ones 2001