Current view: Text account
Site description (2007 baseline):
Site location and context
The Dos Pos/Roi Sangu IBA is at the north end of Bonaire on the leeward side of the island. It lies south east of the Washington Slagbaai National Park IBA and immediately east of the Gotomere Lake. The area is characterised by numerous small hills and sheltered valleys.
• This IBA is important for the Yellow-shouldered Amazon, the Bare-eyed Pigeon, Pearly-eyed Thrasher and Caribbean Elaenia
• The population estimate for the Yellow-shouldered Amazon is 650 individuals on the island (January 2007 estimate).
• In winter 40% of the island’s parrot population roosts in the IBA: 267 birds are in three separate roosts, the third, forth and fifth largest roosts on the island.
• Following island wide searches by researchers and a team of volunteers this area represented 20% of known parrot nests (6 pairs).
• In 2007 fledglings from this area represented 43% of known fledglings for the parrot population.
• Dos Pos is a valuable location for migrating passerines including Scarlet and Summer tangers Blackburnian warblers and Rose- breasted Grosbeaks.
Peregrine flacons and Merlins are frequent winter vistors to this area.
A former fruit plantation, mainly mangoes, is found here and though small (c15 fruit trees) this is important for species including the Yellow-shouldered Amazon, the Bare-eyed pigeon, Pearly-eyed Thrasher and Caribbean Elaenia. A small pond forms near the plantation and will remain through the summer if sufficient rains occur (although it is not a permanent pond). Single pairs of Caribbean Coot and Least Grebe have been recorded breeding here. Roi Sangu is located in the east of the IBA. This 100m wide canyon with 25m cliffs is unique on the island and is an important nesting area for the parrot.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
• Feral donkeys and high densities of goats have had a considerable effect on habitat structure and composition. Their continued presence and an apparent increase of feral pigs prevent natural regeneration of the flora.
• Urban development of natural land is presently occurring at a dramatic rate on Bonaire, however this area is not likely to be under immediate threat.
• The parrot is threatened by habitat loss and degradation, introduced mammalian predators including cats and rats and by poaching for the local pet trade.
• This area is not presently under any protection
. Land ownership is partly governmental and partly private.
Sam Williams and Jerry C. Ligon
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Dos Pos, Bonaire (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (to Netherlands)). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/dos-pos-bonaire-iba-bonaire-sint-eustatius-and-saba-(to-netherlands) on 23/12/2024.
