Last Updated on October 20, 2020, 8:05 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Flocks of yellow-billed cuckoos, which usually migrate from North to South America for escaping winter, were seen in Jamaica in recent weeks.
Terrestrial Biologist Damion Whyte believes this unusual spectacle is a result of Hurricane Delta.
Whyte said that occasionally, they would see one or two birds for the winter migration season. It seems like the regular migration of the birds was affected by Hurricane Delta, and as a result, so many species being observed in Jamaica this year.
He said that he is getting reports on social media regarding the sightings of the birds in Spanish Town, Portmore, Salt River in Clarendon and Jacks Hill.
People saw flocks of 20 of birds flying at their windows and roosting. Another person posted a picture of one of the birds on Twitter which died from the long trip to Jamaica.
He explained that the yellow-billed cuckoo, has the scientific name, Coccyzus americanus, and is one of the five species of cuckoos which have been reported in Jamaica.
Whyte stated that it is regarded as a bird which is rarely seen in Jamaica. It has a distinct yellow bill or beak, a long tail and is slender and also has distinct white spots on the underside.
He added that the birds are occasionally confused with the northern mockingbird or doves.
One of the migration routes of these birds to South America takes the birds through the Caribbean. Another route passes them through Central America and Mexico.
Whyte retirated that only a few of the yellow-billed cuckoos would normally be seen arriving in September before migrating in March.
He said that this year Jamaicans reported seeing large flocks of cuckoos in October.
He said that during a visit in the Dunbeholden area on October 12, he observed that over 100 birds along a half-mile trail sitting on fences and trees, from where they swooped down on caterpillars feeding on weeds or migrating from the road to other plants.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
