Red Bays (20524)
Bahamas, Caribbean
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a
Year of last assessment: 2013
National site name: Red Bays
Central coordinates: Latitude: 25.2212, Longitude: -78.1893
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 7
Area of KBA (km2): 13.69501
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: 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.
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: 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.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: 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.
Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 25 | |
| Forest | 50 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 25 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Resort Development causing destruction of habitat and disturbance of birds.
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.