Birding Factoids

304 species
in 47 families

16 of the 58 Caribbean speciality species are 
represented here. 
7 endangered species
1 endemic

    Bahamas
    Hotspots
Checklist of Bahamas BirdsConservation, Biodiversity and the EnvironmentTours and GuidesEco-LodgesSpeciality BirdsMap and General Country Information
...
Bahamas Specialities

Greater Flamingo - Bahamas National Bird - Photo by Tina MacDonald

Photo by Tina MacDonald

Bahama Mockingbird - Photo copyright Larry Manfredi

Photo copyright Larry Manfredi

Stripe-headed Tanager - Photo copyright Larry Manfredi

Photo copyright Larry Manfredi

Giant Lizard-Cuckoo - Photo copyright Tyler Hicks

Photo copyright Tyler Hicks
     

    ....Eco-Treasures in The Bahamas - National Parks (lists bird locations

      within the 12 National Parks in the Bahamas island chain)
    ....
    ....Birdwatching in the Bahamas - Out of all the 700 islands and cays
      that make up The Islands of The Bahamas, Grand Bahama Island has the distinction of hosting the second highest number of native bird species. For birdwatchers and nature lovers, the island is a true mecca, a place where they can see 18 of the 28 species of Bahamian birds that are not seen in the U.S., Canada, or Europe. 
    ....
    ....Parks of the Bahamas - another list of currentBahamian 
      national parks and protected areas identifying which birds can be found in each park:
    ....
    ....Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park - the flamingos and other 
      endangered species have been saved, hundreds of thousands of acres of valuable wetlands, forests and islands have been reserved as national parks and protected areas.
    ....
    ....Rand Nature Centre - The Centre is a well-known"hot-spot" for 
      birdwatching with over 120 species sighted including migratory song birds and many Bahamian specialties.
    ....
    ....Inagua - Great Inagua can be called The Bahamas'"great outback"
      or "wild west." The traveller who is interested in something completely different will find this an unusual place to visit. It is a naturalist's paradise where rare birds and reptiles thrive in a rugged and salty environment.
    ....
    ....Birding on Andros, Bahamas - This site identifies the best birding ....
    ....Trip Report: Bahamas - by David Porter. March 28 - April 11, 1997. 
      As this was my first birding visit to this part of the world (Unfortunately I wasn’t a birder when I lived there) I made an extensive study of as much information as possible before the trip. 
    ....
    ....Trip Report - Bahamas - Spring, 1997 - by David Porter. 
      Part of John Girdley's trip report archive, follow the Caribbean, then Bahamas links from the main page). David Porter reports:   Between 1968 and 1972 my wife and I lived in Nassau whilst working for the Bahamian Government as teachers. This was our first return to the
      islands since 1972....On average I spent about 5 hours a day birding....
    ....
    ....Bahamas Trip Reports - an additional 16 Bahamas trip reports are
      available from Blake Maybank's "Birding the Americas: Trip Report and Trip Planning Repository". 
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Conservation, Biodiversity

and Environment

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West Indian Whistling Duck - Photo copyright Bill Scholtz
Photo copyright Margaret Scholtz
    ....Bahamas Wetland Project, Bahamas - The 250 acre wetland complex
      around Wilson and Harold Ponds forms the most important stopover for neotropical migrants on the Bahamian Island of New Providence. Although the Bahamas National Trust is working to establish the site as a National Reserve, it is still threatened by waste dumping which could prove a serious problem for both resident and migrant birds. The Trust aims to involve volunteers to help clear trails, remove waste, and build viewing platforms. The project will improve access for visiting bird watchers, school groups, and residents, to help build local pride in this important area. The ponds hold large colonies of egrets, herons, and ibises. In total, 101 bird species including migratory Wilson's Plovers, American Avocets, and Worm-eating Warblers have been recorded there. The area is easily accessible to visitors to New Providence Island. For more information see the Bahamas National Trust website. 
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Tours and Guides

See DISCLAIMER
...
birdingpal.com...>> A Birding Pal is not a paid guide, but someone who likes to help out of town visitors. You can become a Birding Pal today! Help someone to enjoy your local birding spots and find a pal to help you when you travel. Click here for Bahamian Birding Pal, or join to be a Birding Pal!
......
Bahama Woodstar female - Photo copyright Larry Manfredi
Photo copyright Larry Manfredi
    **..South Florida Birding with Larry Manfredi, Professional Bird Guide -
      “Birding North America and the Caribbean”. We offer tours that cover the Dry Tortugas, Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean.  New and exciting tours are being planned all the time.  By participating in one of our tours you can expand your horizons, birding in comfort and safety with an experienced guide.
       
       

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Eco-Lodges

See DISCLAIMER

West Indian Woodpecker - ENDANGERED - Photo copyright Tyler Hicks
Photo copyright Tyler Hicks
    **..Small Hope Bay Lodge, Andros, Bahamas - Small Hope Bay Lodge is
      an informal holiday resort that focuses around the central lodge built of coral rock and Andros pine. As the fifth largest land mass in the Caribbean /tropical Atlantic--most of it unexplored--and home of the third longest reef system in the world, Andros offers a remarkable natural environment. Its complex ecology is relatively pristine and the variety of eco-systems is astonishing. To the north, soft tropical sands sweep back into surprising sweet smelling pine forests. In the center of the island, thick low-lying bush opens to inland waterways and tidal flats. For nearly four decades, Small Hope Bay Lodge has had the privilege of exploring and enjoying the bounties of this delicate ecosystem, and sharing it with others.Small Hope Bay Lodge hosts several birding groups throughout the year (see Calendar of Events), and offers great birding all year long. 

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Caribbean Specialities in the Bahamas


Information derived from Sibley & Monroe checklists in Thayer's Birder's Diary - Version 2.02.
Information on endangered birds is derived from the IUCN Red List, Birdlife International, and supporting
data bases developed by Ian Patton, of Merlin Species Watcher. An international checklist system
was required to enable world-wide country to country comparisons.These speciality birds may be uncommon,
or extremely rare at this location, or may only be present in migration. However, documented sightings of
each species noted below have been made in the Bahamas. Species printed in red are extinct.


Bahamas Endemics

___ Bahama Yellow-throat ___ Brace's Emerald
Caribbean Endemic Specialities in the Bahamas

___ Antillean Nighthawk 
___ Bahama Swallow
___ Cuban Crow
___ Cuban Emerald
___ Cuban Parrot
___ Cuban Pewee
___ Fernandina's Flicker 
___ Key-West Quail-Dove
___ La Sagra's Flycatcher
___ Loggerhead Kingbird
___ Olive-capped Warbler
___ Red-legged Thrush 
___ Stolid Flycatcher
___ Stripe-headed Tanager
___ West Indian Whistling Duck 
___ West Indian Woodpecker

 
Endangered Birds in the Bahamas

Breeding Birds

Non-Breeding Birds

___ Bahamas Swallow
___ Cuban Parrot
___ Fernandina's Flicker
___ Giant Kingbird
___ West Indian Whistling-Duck
___ Piping Plover
___ Kirtland's Warbler

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