• Submitted by: manso
• Environment
• 08 / 13 / 2010

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CIEGO DE AVILA, Cuba, Aug 12 (acn) New populations of blue-headed Quail-Dove and Antillean palm swift were found in areas of the Great Wetland of northern Ciego de Avila, one of the major bird shelters in Cuba.

The finding took place in the Loma de Santa Maria hill, Manga Larga, in the municipality of Bolivia, one of the four making part of Ciego de Avila's wetland.

Technician Oscar Ortiz Cedeño with the Flora and Fauna Preservation Enterprise said once the blue-headed Quail-doves are visually counted, an adequate management plans to preserve this threatened dove endemic to Cuba will be implemented.

Biologist Alvaro Espinosa Rojas said the Antillean palm swift is studied in captivity in the Loma de Cunagua hill, another important shelter of the province.

This is the first time Antillean palm swifts are seen in the area and 57 nests of the bird have been already counted in this wetland.

Espinosa Rojas explained that this bird is a very efficient biological control agent, however, it is threatened by the maja and birds of pray.

The Great Wetland of the North covers the Loma de Cunagua hill, Cayo Coco Centre-West Ecological Reserve, Venero and Milky Lagoon, which are considered natural labs international recognized for the presence of endemic, rare and threatened species.

Source: ACN