Southern Abaco (19822)
Bahamas, Caribbean
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B1, B2
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Southern Abaco
Central coordinates: Latitude: 25.9825, Longitude: -77.2285
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 6
Area of KBA (km2): 238.35811
Protected area coverage (%): 35.68
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Abaco National Park was established in May 1994, it comprises 8,296 hectares of undeveloped land in southern Abaco, set aside to protect the parrot. Included in this area is 2,024 hectares of Caribbean pine forest, the major habitat of the Bahama Parrot.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: Abaco is considered to have some of the best birding of any island in the Bahamas, it is estimated that species and numbers probably doubles during the winter. In a study done by Frank Riverea of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2006 the population of Bahama Parrots was estimated to be approximately 3,200 individual birds. In addition to the parrots, Loggerhead Kingbirds, Bahama Woodstars, Cuban Emeralds, Bahama Yellowthroats, Olive-capped Warblers and Pine Warblers are numerous in the park. Zenaida Doves, Key West Quail Doves, Mangrove Cuckoos and Bahama Mockingbirds are there, but a little harder to find outside the breeding season (Mar to Jun). American Kestrels, Hairy Woodpeckers and local race of Yellowthroated warblers are also found in the park. Non-bird biodiversity: Another rare occupant of the southern Abaco is the Atala hairstreak butterfly, (Eumaeus atala) These small dark butterflies with red abdomens are abundant in pinelands of southern Abaco.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: This area is made up of pine forest, black land coppice and inland freshwater wetlands.The area is utilized as a National Park with adjacent unprotected land . Game and pig hunting takes place in the park and its environs.
Land use: nature conservation and research
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 53 | |
| Forest | 20 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 27 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The Bahama Parrot's habit of nesting on the ground in limestone sinkholes makes them vunerable to predation by feral cats, introduced raccoons and other predators. Hunters deliberately set fires in the pine forest to drive out the wild pigs.
Additional information
References: White, A.W. 1998b. A Birder's Guide to the Bahama Islands (Including Turks and Caicos). American Birding Association. Colorado Springs, CO. 302pp. Bainton, Aileen M. and Anthony W. White. 2006. A Bibliography of Birds, Ornithology and Birding in The Bahamas and Turks & Caicos Islands. Media Enterprises Ltd. Nassau, Bahamas. 96pp.