Conception Island National Park (20354)
Bahamas, Caribbean
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1e, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2019
National site name: Conception Island National Park
Central coordinates: Latitude: 23.8357, Longitude: -75.1138
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): -8 to 23
Area of KBA (km2): 29.05414
Protected area coverage (%): 94.02
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Conception Island is approximately 3 miles by 1.5 miles,located 25 miles west-southwest of San Salvador. It is unhabited and its pristine reefs and beaches make it an attractive destination for yachts. Conception Island is a national park under the protection of the Bahamas National Trust. Booby Cay and South Rocks and the surrounding shallow water are not included in the protected area.
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. KBA identified in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Caribbean Islands Hotspot (2019). Taxonomy, nomenclature and threat category follow the 2017 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: During spring and summer White-tailed Tropicbird, Audubon's Shearwaters, Bridled Terns, Sooty Terns and Brown Noddies nest on the island and its offshore rocks. Conception Island is believed to have the largest concentration of nesting Tropicbirds in the Bahamas, and Booby Cay which lies off the northeast corner has one of the largest nesting colonies of Sooty Terns and Brown Noddies. Landbirds such as Bahama Mockingbirds, Bahama Woodstar, BananaQuits, Black-faced Grassquits, White-crowned Pigeons, Common Ground Doves, Yellow Warblers and Ospreys can be found year round. In summer Gray Kingbirds and Antillean Nighthawks are common. Ducks, herons and shorebirds are common in the interior lagoon. Non-bird biodiversity: Green Turtles and Hawksbill Turtles
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: This site is uninhabited and encompasses various habitats; beach, rocky shoreline, mangrove, saltwater wetland, low scrub and coppice.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 17 | |
| Marine Neritic | 33 | |
| Shrubland | 17 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Hunting, illegal egging by boaters and fishermen stopping over on the island can cause disturbance of birds. The mouth of the large inland creek is sometimes illegally blocked by fishermen in order to catch fish and turtles trapped in the creek.
Additional information
References: White, A.W. 1998b. A Birder's Guide to the Bahama Islands (Including Turks and Caicos). American Birding Association. Colorada Springs, CO. 302pp.