Call for Abstracts

BirdsCaribbean is now accepting abstracts for oral and poster presentations at our 25th International Conference in Trinidad and Tobago, taking place July 23–27, 2026. All presentations must occur within these dates.

The conference theme is:

“Birds, People, Prosperity: Harnessing the Caribbean’s Natural Advantage.”

Important Dates

  • Submission Deadline (extended): Sunday, April 26, 2026
  • Notification of Acceptance: Early May 2026

Presentation Formats

Presentations may be delivered as oral talks or posters. The Scientific Program Committee reserves the right to assign accepted abstracts to either format based on program needs and available space.

Submission Guidelines

Abstracts must be submitted through the Whova platform. Creating an account is free and will also allow you to access the conference agenda, connect with participants, and receive updates. Please be prepared to provide:

  • Personal information for your Whova profile
  • Title and abstract of your presentation in English (follow the Abstract Guidelines below)
  • Names and affiliations of any co-authors
  • A Spanish translation is also required
  • Select the session theme that best fits your submission (or “Other” if needed)

How to Submit

  1. Register/Login: Create an account or log in to Whova
  2. Submit: Complete the submission process; your abstract will be saved as a draft if you do not press “Submit”
  3. Review Process: Abstracts will be reviewed by the Scientific Program Committee
  4. Notification: Applicants will be notified of decisions in early May

Session Themes

  • Education, Outreach, and Community Engagement
  • Sustainable and Regenerative Bird and Nature Tourism
  • Habitat Management and Restoration
  • On-the-Ground Conservation Action
  • Climate and Island Resilience
  • Landbird Research, Monitoring, and Conservation
  • Seabird Research, Monitoring, and Conservation
  • Waterbird and Wetland Research, Monitoring, and Conservation
  • Ecology and Applied Research
  • Technology and Innovation
  • Invasive Species
  • Endemic and Threatened Species
  • Trinidad & Tobago Day
  • Migratory Bird Ecology and Conservation
  • Caribbean Parrots
  • Illegal Bird Trafficking
  • Climate and Islands Resilience

Abstract Guidelines

Abstracts must be 1,750 characters (including spaces) or fewer and should clearly summarize your work. Capitalize standard bird names and italicize scientific names in the title and abstract.

A strong abstract should briefly address:

  • What you did (topic and objectives)
  • Why it matters (background or significance)
  • How you did it (methods or approach)
  • What you found (key results or outcomes)
  • What it means (conclusions, implications, or impact)

Be clear, specific, and concise—include only essential information and avoid unnecessary detail, jargon, or repetition. The goal is to give readers a quick but complete understanding of your work and why it matters.

We recommend preparing your abstract in a word processor first (to check formatting and character count), then pasting it into the submission form.

Presentation Details

  • Oral presentations are typically 12 minutes, followed by 3 minutes for questions
  • Lightning talks (if needed) are shorter (5 or 8-minute presentations)
  • Posters will be displayed throughout the conference, with dedicated poster sessions

Presentations may be delivered in English or Spanish. We encourage bilingual slides or posters to maximize accessibility.

Additional Notes

  • Presenting authors are generally limited to one contributed oral presentation; however, attendees who have been invited to present in an accepted symposium may submit a second abstract
  • Posters are strongly encouraged for projects in early or intermediate stages
  • Well-written abstracts with clear results are more likely to be selected for oral presentations
  • If you would like to be considered for the Founders’ Award for Best Student Presentation for Conservation or Management Research on Caribbean Birds, please indicate this on your submission. You must be a current student or recent graduate (within the past two years). You will be required to submit proof of your status to be eligible. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to share your work, connect with colleagues, and contribute to advancing the conservation of Caribbean birds and their habitats. We look forward to receiving your submissions!

Questions?

For questions about abstracts or the scientific program, please contact:

Lisa Sorenson | [email protected]
Jody Daniel | [email protected]
Zoya Buckmire | [email protected]
Co-Chairs, Scientific Program Committee