Endemic Animals of Cuba

The Cuban crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer ) is a small-medium species of crocodile endemic to Cuba. Despite its modest size, it is a highly aggressive animal, and potentially dangerous to humans. The Cuban crocodile is of interest to biologists, for its unique physical and behavioral traits. Long- and strong-legged, it is the most terrestrial of extant crocodiles. Its preferred habitat comprises freshwater environments such as marshes and ...
rivers. There, the adults feed on fish, turtles and small mammals, while the young eat invertebrates and smaller fish. Mating occurs between May and July. Captive animals have displayed cooperative hunting behavior, and can be taught tricks, suggesting intelligence. The Cuban crocodile is listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Once spread across the Caribbean, its range has dwindled to including only the Zapata Swamp and Isla de la Juventud, due to hunting by humans. Captive breeding projects are in place to help the species recover.The species fossil record reveals it had at one point a greater range, with fossil remains being found in The Bahamas, Hispaniola (in the Dominican Republic), and the Cayman Islands. Less

The Cuban solenodon, or almiquí (Atopogale cubana ), is a species of eulipotyphlan endemic to Cuba. It is the only species in the genus Atopogale. It belongs to the family Solenodontidae along with a similar species, the Hispaniolan solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus ). The solenodon is unusual among mammals in that its saliva is toxic and acts as venom. Less

The Cuban trogon or tocororo (Priotelus temnurus ) is a species of bird in the family Trogonidae. It is endemic to Cuba, where it is also the national bird. Its natural habitats are dry forests, moist forests, and heavily degraded former forest. Less

The Desmarest's hutia (Capromys pilorides) is a species of rodent endemic to Cuba. It is the largest of the extant species of hutia (although the extinct Giant hutias were far larger). Less

The Cuban rock iguana (Cyclura nubila) is a species of lizard of the iguana family. It is the second largest of the West Indian rock iguanas, one of the most endangered groups of lizards. Less

The Cuban ivory-billed woodpecker (Spanish: carpintero real) (Campephilus principalis bairdii ) is a subspecies of the ivory-billed woodpecker native to Cuba. Originally classified as a separate species, recent research has indicated that C. p. bairdii may, in fact, be sufficiently distinct from the nominate subspecies to once again be regarded as a species in its own right.There have been no confirmed sightings of the bird since 1987; it is ...
generally believed to be extinct, although the survival of some individuals is considered a remote possibility. Less

The Cuban tody (Todus multicolor ) is a bird species in the family Todidae that is restricted to Cuba and the adjacent islands. Less

The Cuban black hawk (Buteogallus gundlachii ) is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is endemic to Cuba and several outlying cays. Less

Gymnogyps varonai, sometimes called the Cuban condor, is an extinct species of large New World vulture in the family Cathartidae. G. varonai is related to the living California condor, G. californianus and the extinct G. kofordi, either one of which it may have evolved from. The species is solely known from fossils found in the late Pleistocene to early Holocene tar seep deposits in Cuba. G. varonai may have preyed upon carcasses from large ...
mammals such as ground sloths. Less

The Cuban kite (Chondrohierax wilsonii ) is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, eagles and harriers. It is endemic to Cuba.This species is classified as critically endangered by BirdLife International and the IUCN. The current population is estimated 50 to 249 mature birds. In the last 40 years the species has only been observed a handful of times with the latest published ...
sighting in 2010 in Alejandro de Humboldt National Park.The Clements Checklist and the AOU consider it as subspecies of the hook-billed kite. A molecular phylogenetics analysis using mitochondrial DNA suggests that it warrants species status having diverged from the mainland lineage approximately 400,000 to 1.5 million years ago.Forest destruction and degradation is the leading cause of population decline, as well as the reduction in prey snail numbers and persecution by local farmers. Its apparently tame nature makes it an easy target for shooters. Less

The blue-headed quail-dove (Starnoenas cyanocephala), or blue-headed partridge-dove, is a species of bird in the pigeon and dove family Columbidae. It is monotypic within the subfamily Starnoenadinae and genus Starnoenas. Less

Fernandina's flicker (Colaptes fernandinae ) is a species of bird in the woodpecker family. Endemic to Cuba, its small population of 600–800 birds makes it one of the most endangered species of woodpecker in the world. Fernandina's flicker is threatened by habitat loss. Less

The Zapata wren (Ferminia cerverai ) is a medium-sized grayish-brown bird that lives in dense shrubs of the Zapata Swamp, Cuba. It is the only member of the monotypical genus Ferminia, which is endemic to Cuba and endangered. This species was first described in 1926 by Thomas Barbour and named after its co-discoverer, Fermín Zanón Cervera. Less

The Cuban green woodpecker (Xiphidiopicus percussus ) is a species of woodpecker in the family Picidae and tribe Melanerpini, known locally in Cuban Spanish as carpintero verde (literally "green woodpecker"). It is the only species within the genus Xiphidiopicus and is one of two woodpeckers endemic to Cuba. It is the most widespread and common woodpecker in Cuba, inhabiting primarily woodlands, as well as dry and wet forests, pine forests and ...
mangroves. The population of the Cuban green woodpecker is stable and its status is listed as "Least Concern". Less

The Cuban parakeet (Psittacara euops ) is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae that is endemic to the island of Cuba. It was extirpated from the Isla de la Juventud south of Cuba soon after 1900.Its natural habitats are dry forests, dry savanna, and arable land. The species breeds seasonally, nesting from April to July. It nests in holes in trees or termite nests, particularly those created by the Cuban green woodpecker. Three to five ...
eggs are incubated for around 22 days, and the nestling period is between 45 and 50 days. The species was once very common but is now much reduced due to habitat loss and trapping for the cagebird trade. As a consequence it is now listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. Less

The Cuban blackbird (Dives atroviolaceus ) is a species of bird in the family Icteridae.Measuring 27 cm (11 in) long, this species has entirely black plumage with a slight violet sheen on the upperparts. The only non-black body part is the brown eye.It is endemic to Cuba, where it is widespread and common. It is entirely absent from the Isla de la Juventud and some of the offshore cays.Its natural habitats are lowland moist forests and heavily d ...
egraded former forest. Less

The giant kingbird (Tyrannus cubensis ) is a species of bird in the tyrant flycatcher family Tyrannidae. It is endemic to Cuba, although there are historical records of it on other islands. The species is probably mostly closely related to the loggerhead kingbird, which also occurs in Cuba as well as several other nearby Caribbean islands.While this species has been reported in the past to average only 23 cm (9 in) long, this may be excessively c ...
onservative with the overall length being 23 to 26 cm (9.1 to 10.2 in). Although it is not the largest tyrant flycatcher, its body mass was reported is significantly higher than the next largest known kingbird, the thick-billed kingbird, with an average of 93.6 g (3.30 oz), sometimes scaling up to 108 g (3.8 oz), meaning it can be nearly as heavy as the largest tyrant flycatcher, the great shrike tyrant. The giant kingbird is found in tall lowland forest. In particular it favours pine forests and the wooded borders of waterways. It is also found in mixed pine barrens, open woodlands, swamps and savanna. It has also been seen in cloud forest.It is threatened by habitat loss. Less

The Cuban crow (Corvus nasicus ) is one of four species of crow that occur on islands in the Caribbean. It is closely related to the white-necked crow (C. leucognaphalus ) and Jamaican crow (C. jamaicensis ), with which it shares similar features. The fourth Caribbean crow, the palm crow (C. palmarum ), is a later arrival in evolutionary terms, and shows characteristics more akin to North American species, such as the fish crow (C. ossifragus ), ...
which it is probably closely related to. Less

The Zapata rail (Cyanolimnas cerverai ) is a medium-sized, dark-coloured rail, the only member of the monotypic genus Cyanolimnas. It has brown upperparts, greyish-blue underparts, a red-based yellow bill, white undertail coverts, and red eyes and legs. Its short wings render it almost flightless. It is endemic to the wetlands of the Zapata Peninsula in southern Cuba, where its only known nest was found in sawgrass tussocks. Little is known of ...
its diet or reproductive behaviour, and its described calls may belong to a different species.The species was discovered by Spanish zoologist Fermín Zanón Cervera in March 1927 in the Zapata Swamp near Santo Tomás, in the southern Matanzas Province of Cuba. The swamp holds one other bird found nowhere else, the Zapata wren, and also gives its name to the Zapata sparrow. Due to ongoing habitat loss in its limited range, its small population size, and predation by introduced mammals and catfish, the Zapata rail is evaluated as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Tourism and climate change may pose threats in the future. Less

The great lizard cuckoo (Coccyzus merlini ) is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. The species is also known as the Cuban lizard cuckoo. It is found in The Bahamas (on Andros, Eleuthera and New Providence) and Cuba. Less

The red-shouldered blackbird (Agelaius assimilis ) is a species of bird in the family Icteridae. It is endemic to Cuba, but despite its limited range, the species is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Less

Gundlach's hawk (Accipiter gundlachi ) is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is one of 21 endemic bird species of Cuba. The common name and Latin binomial commemorate the German-Cuban ornithologist Juan Cristobal Christoff Gundlach (1810–1896). It is threatened by habitat loss and human persecution. Less

The Cuban bullfinch (Melopyrrha nigra ) is a songbird species of the genus Melopyrrha. It is a member of the tanager family Thraupidae and belongs to the subfamily Coerebinae which also includes the Darwin's finches.It is found on and endemic to Cuba. The Grand Cayman bullfinch, formerly considered a subspecies (M. n. taylori ), is now considered a full species by IUCN and BirdLife International. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical ...
moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, and heavily degraded former forest. It is not considered a threatened species by the IUCN. Less

The bare-legged owl (Margarobyas lawrencii ), also called the Cuban bare-legged owl or Cuban screech owl, is a species of owl in the family Strigidae that is endemic to Cuba and Isla de la Juventud. It belongs to the monotypic genus Margarobyas. Less

The Cuban pygmy owl (Glaucidium siju ) is a species of owl in the family Strigidae that is endemic to Cuba. Less

The Cuban pauraque (Siphonorhis daiquiri ), also known as the Cuban poorwill, is an extinct species of nightjar from the island of Cuba in the Caribbean. Less

The Zapata sparrow (Torreornis inexpectata ) is a medium-sized grey and yellow bird that lives in the grasslands of the Zapata Swamp and elsewhere on the island of Cuba. Measuring about 16.5 centimetres (6.5 in) in length, it is grey and yellow overall with a dark reddish-brown crown and olive-grey upperparts. Less

The Cuban kestrel (Falco kurochkini ) was a species of small falcon in the family Falconidae that was formerly endemic to the island of Cuba. It was described from fossil remains from late Quaternary deposits from several sites throughout the island.It was intermediate in size between two extant species of falcon known from Cuba, the American kestrel (F. sparverius ) and the merlin (F. columbarius ). The species' most distinctive trait is its ...
very long legs, possibly the longest of any species in the genus Falco. With these traits, F. kurochkini was likely a terrestrial bird of open areas, chasing prey on foot not unlike a small caracara. Due to the lack of mammalian predators aside from small insectivores, it also likely nested on the ground or in crevices.Fossil evidence indicates that F. kurochkini was sympatric with the endemic Cuban subspecies of American kestrel (F. sparverius sparverioides ), which remains extant today. F. kurochkini likely went extinct due to its terrestrial habits, which made it vulnerable to fires set by Paleo-Indians as well as invasive species introduced by Europeans. It may have become extinct as late as the 17th century, following European colonization of the area.The specific epithet kurochkini honours Evgeny Kurochkin, who discovered the type specimen. Less

The yellow-headed warbler (Teretistris fernandinae ) is a species of bird formerly placed in the family Parulidae, but is now in the Cuban warbler family, Teretistridae. It is endemic to extreme western Cuba and is the sister species to its fellow Cuban endemic, the Oriente warbler, which, as its common name implies, is found in Cuba's east.Its natural habitats are dry forests and lowland moist forests. Less

The Cuban oriole (Icterus melanopsis ) is a species of songbird in the family Icteridae. It is endemic to Cuba.Adults measure 20 cm (7.9 in) long with a 10 cm (3.9 in) wing length. They are black with yellow patches on the shoulders, underwings, rump and undertail. Sexes are alike. Juvenile birds are olive while immature birds are olive with a black face and throat.The taxon was formerly lumped with Bahama orioles (Icterus northropi ), His ...
paniolan orioles (Icterus dominicensis ), and Puerto Rican orioles (Icterus portoricensis ) into a single species known as the Greater Antillean oriole until all four birds were elevated to full species status in 2010.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical mangrove forests, and plantations. Less

Bubo osvaldoi, also known as the Cuban horned owl, is an extinct species of horned owl from Pleistocene of Cuba.It was described by Oscar Arredondo and Storrs L. Olson in 1994 from three bones found in a cave in the Guaniguanico mountain range in Pinar del Río. Analysis of these indicates that the species was larger than any current owl. Less

The Oriente warbler (Teretistris fornsi ) is a species of bird in the Cuban warbler family, Teretistridae, that is endemic to Cuba. Its natural habitats include dry forests, lowland moist forests, montane moist forests, and xeric shrublands. As its common name implies, the Oriente warbler is found in Cuba's east; it is the sister species to its fellow Cuban endemic, the yellow-headed warbler, which is found in extreme western Cuba.This species ...
measures 13 cm (5.1 in) long. Its upperparts are a uniformly medium-grey. The underparts are mostly yellow, with a light grey belly. A whitish eye ring and slightly decurved bill are distinctive traits.The Oriente warbler feeds on insects, spiders and small lizards. Less

The grey-fronted quail-dove (Geotrygon caniceps ) is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is endemic to Cuba. Less

The Cuban solitaire (Myadestes elisabeth ), also known as the Cuban nightingale, is a species of bird in the family Turdidae. It is endemic to Cuba.Its natural habitat is montane moist forests. It is threatened by habitat loss. Less

The Cuban vireo (Vireo gundlachii ) is a species of bird in the family Vireonidae that is endemic to Cuba. Its natural habitats are dry forests, lowland moist forests, xeric shrublands, and heavily degraded former forest.Its specific name is in honor of Cuban zoologist Juan Gundlach. Less

The Cuban nightjar (Antrostomus cubanensis ), is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It is endemic to Cuba. Less

The Cuban gnatcatcher (Polioptila lembeyei ) is a species of bird in the family Polioptilidae, the gnatcatchers. It is endemic to Cuba. Less

The Monte Iberia eleuth (Eleutherodactylus iberia ), also known as the Monte Iberia dwarf frog, is a species of eleutherodactylid frog. It is critically endangered and endemic to rainforest in a small part of easternmost Cuba. It is the smallest frog in the Northern Hemisphere and the third smallest frog in the world, at about 10 mm (0.4 in) in snout–to–vent length (only a few members of the Southern Hemisphere genera Brachycephalus, Mini, Paedo ...
phryne and Stumpffia are smaller).It was first discovered in 1993 on Mount Iberia in the Holguín Province, from which it gets its name. Much remains unknown about this small creature. It is part of a closely related Cuban group that contains five additional described species (E. cubanus, E. etheridgei, E. jaumei, E. limbatus and E. orientalis ) and at least one undescribed species; most of which are of tiny size, relatively brightly colored and possibly aposematic (at least E. iberia and E. orientalis have alkaloid toxins in their skin). Less

The yellow-striped pygmy eleuth (Eleutherodactylus limbatus ), also known as the yellow-striped dwarf frog, is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae from closed mesic and xeric forests in Cuba.The yellow-striped pygmy eleuth is relatively brightly marked in orange-yellow and among the smallest frogs in the world, up to 1.18 cm (0.46 in) in snout–to–vent length with males marginally smaller than females. It is part of a closely relat ...
ed Cuban group that contains five additional described species (E. cubanus, E. etheridgei, E. iberia, E. jaumei and E. orientalis ) and at least one undescribed species; most of which are of tiny size, relatively brightly colored and possibly aposematic (at least E. iberia and E. orientalis have alkaloid toxins in their skin). Among these, the yellow-striped pygmy eleuth is unique in being quite widespread in Cuba, whereas the others all have very small ranges in the eastern part of the island. Less

The Cuban spotted toad (Peltophryne taladai ), or Cuban Caribbean toad, is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to central and eastern Cuba.Its natural habitats are lowland mesic broadleaf forests, but it also occurs on cultivated fields as long as they are not too intensively farmed. It is common in suitable habitat but its distribution is severely fragmented and its habitat is threatened by intensive agriculture, ...
charcoaling, and nickel mining. Less

The Cuban small-eared toad (Peltophryne empusa ), also known as the Cuban toad or Cope's Caribbean toad, is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae that is endemic to Cuba including Isla de Juventud. Less

Peltophryne peltocephala is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to Cuba and found in central and eastern Cuba as well as on some outlying islands. It occurs in a range of habitats including broadleaf forest, grassland, savanna, and agricultural areas. It is a common species but locally threatened by habitat loss. Less