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Site description (2006 baseline):
Site location and context
Red Bays is the only settlement on the west coast of Andros, located near the northwest end of the island. It was founded in the 1800s by Seminole Indians and escaped slaves from Florida. Sponge fishing is an active occupation as is the unique woven straw work produced by the residents.
Bahamas Swallows, Hairy Woodpeckers and Red-tailed Hawks. Bahama Woodstar and Cuban Emerald hummingbirds, Bahama Yellowthroats, Pine Warblers, Black-faced Grassquits, Bananaquits and Striped-headed Tanagers abound in this habitat. At the edge of the pinewoods, in the broadleaf coppice are many species of wood warblers during fall/spring migration . There are also the resident White-crowned Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Great Lizard Cuckoo, Smooth-billed Ani, Cuban Pewee and many others. At the seashore you can expect to see any variety of Gulls, Terns, Herons, Egrets and smaller shorebirds. The coconut palm trees in the settlement provide habitat for the resident Black-cowled Oriole.
The primary habitat is pine forest with broadleaf coppice, mangroves and shoreline scrub. Agriculture is small scale with second growth after slash and burn land clearing.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Resort Development causing destruction of habitat and disturbance of birds.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Red Bays (Bahamas). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/red-bays-iba-bahamas on 23/11/2024.
