The Zapata Rail and Zapata Wren are two species of bird which are endemic to the island of Cuba and which have been identified as critical for the conservation of global bird diversity (Collar et al, 1992, Threatened Birds of the Americas). Both species inhabit the Zapata Swamp, an area of high flora and fauna diversity, and appear to have declined in numbers due to dry-season burning of habitat and perhaps also from introduced predators such as the mongoose and rats.

In 1994, a Spanish and Cuban team of six carried out a number of surveys on the Zapata Rail and Zapata Wren in order to improve current records on conservation status, distribution and threats to these endemic species. Methodology used included territorial mapping/point counts, capture and recapture, ringing of individuals and searching for the species using taped calls. The results will be used to recommend conservation measures for the species and the Zapata Swamp and initiate some future sustainable development in the area with local/national institutions and the BirdLife International Partnership.

The Zapata Wren was found to inhabit mainly the north-west area of the Zapata Swamp, although some individuals were captured and ringed in two new south-westerly sites. Additionally, the breeding period was discovered to start two months earlier than previously thought. The Zapata Rail was located in twodifferent areas, one of these had been, until that time, unknown and it now also seems likely that that the species moves to different habitats depending on whether it is a dry or wet season.