BIRDS
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Smooth-billed Ani
With a recorded diversity of 11,145 species, birds stand out as one of the most readily identifiable and species-rich animal groups globally. They inhabit virtually every corner of the Earth, from the Emperor Penguins in Antarctica to the Common Ostrich of the Sahara Desert.
The West Indies is well known for its exceptional wildlife diversity, which includes 185 species of endemic birds. The Bahamas, the northernmost extent of the West Indies is home to six (6) endemic birds and several specialty species. According to the online database Ebird, 360 species of birds (excluding escapees, hybrids or unidentified species) have been reported from The Bahamas. Of these, over 100 species breed in the country.
Additionally, the Lucayan Archipelago is home to 20 uniquely identified taxa. Click here to see the full list. Six of these are full endemic species. All taxa are members of the following 12 families:
1. Parulidae
2. Trochilidae
3. Icteridae
4. Hirundinidae
5. Sittidae
6. Ardeidae
7. Tyrannidae
8. Psittacidae
9. Spindalidae
10. Thraupidae
11. Cuculidae
12. Picidae
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Least Tern
Presented below are the six full endemic species found in The Bahamas.
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The Bahama Yellowthroat (Geothlypis rostrata)
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Bahama Swallow (Tachycineta cyaneoviridis)
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Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi)
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Bahama Nuthatch (Sitta insularis)
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Bahama Warbler (Setophaga flavescens)
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Inagua Lyretail (Nesophlox lyrura)
Birds within The Bahamas fulfill various ecological roles, functioning as seed dispersers, pollinators, waste managers, controllers of arthropod populations, and contributors to invasive pest control. Their distribution spans the entire country, with some species exhibiting nationwide presence while others are restricted to one or two specific islands.
Cuban Emerald
These avian inhabitants can be categorized into distinct groups, including landbirds, shorebirds, seabirds, and wetland birds. Our exploration will specifically focus on permanent resident bird species within each group, inviting a closer examination of the diverse avian life that calls The Bahamas home.
Bahama Warbler
