Birds of the Bahamas

"This beautiful species is a resident of the Bahamas. We found it most abundant on the island of New Providence, where it is one of the first birds that attracts the visitors attention on account of its brilliant coloration. Dr. Bryant states that its food consists almost entirely of small berries, and, according to my observation, this statement is correct; but they also eat many species of insects, and sometimes fruits. Although very abundant near Nassau, on the island of New Providence, they are rather uncommon on Long Island, and only a single specimen was seen on Inagua . . . . . . The Bahama Finch is known to the inhabitants by the name of Banana Bird, and they seem to apply this name indiscriminately to all the small fruit-eating birds with which they happen to be unacquainted. This is the Fringilla bahamensis of Catesby.

I met this bird but once. A single specimen taken at Nassau. Dr. Bryant states that it was quite abundant during his visits, and that the inhabitants called it Rain Crow. In this I think that he was mistaken in the species, as the negroes who saw my specimen considered it to be the same as C. minor, "only full grown." Ii is curious that Dr. Bryant did not meet with C. minor, while I found it abundant on many of the islands. He also says, "Its food during the winter consisted principally of a species of Phasma, found in great abundance in the leaves of the air plants. This bird is one of the tamest, considering its size, that I am acquainted with. I have frequently watched them searching for insects within two or three feet of my head." Nothing is known regarding its breeding habits.

This pretty little species was quite abundant at Inagua, frequenting the large salt ponds of the interior. In May, while shooting on a small island in the lake back of Mathewstown, I observed a number of these birds, and shot several, all of which were in full breeding dress. While passing through a small marsh, I discovered the nest of this species,. the old bird flying away as I approached. It was simply a mat of grass placed on the ground, and contained nine eggs of a pale brown color. Another nest, taken a few days later, contained eight eggs, slightly darker than the first set.

I was very much pleased to find this species abundant at Long Island during the month of June. Its occurrence on the Florida coast has been a question of dispute for some time, but can now no longer be doubted, as the near proximity of Long Island to Florida would render its occurrence on our coast more than likely. In all probability it is a regular summer visitant to our southeastern shores. Upon our arrival at Clarence Harbor we found it abundant, and breeding in company with the Sooty and the Roseate Terns. Until June 8 all the eggs which we found were fresh. In breeding habits the Bridled and the Sooty terns resemble each other. When about to lay, the female selects a sheltered cleft in some ledge, or a cavity among the loose rocks along the shore, and there deposits a single egg, which is slightly larger than that of the Sooty Tern, and has a faint reddish tinge.

Local Names - Rain Crow, Blackbird. The Ani, or Blackbird, as it is sometimes called by the inhabitants, is a very abundant resident in the Bahamas. Its habits much resemble those of our common Grackle. They are generally observed in flocks, feeding in the fields or perched upon the branches of a bush, uttering from time to time a curious, but not unmusical whistle. They appear to eat almost anything that comes in their way, insects of various kinds, beetles, berries, or fruits being equally acceptable. Incubation commences about the 1st of December, and we procured specimens of fully fledged young birds in January. It is probable that they rear two broods in a season, as Mr. Gosse found a nest containing eggs in July. He says, "In July I found a Blackbird's nest in a bastard cedar; it was a rather large mass of interwoven twigs, lined with leaves. Eight eggs were in the nest, and the shells of many more were also in it and scattered beneath the tree. The eggs were about as large as a pullet's, very regularly oval, of a greenish blue, but covered with a coating of white chalky substance, which was much scratched and eroded on them all, and which was displaced with a little force." Although very abundant around Nassau, they become quite scarce on many of the more southern islands, and it is considered a rare bird at Inagua.

Flamingos are to be found on the island of INAGUA, where there is a colony in excess of 50,000. To call them pink is an understatement. In the wild, they are almost red. Perhaps 'shocking pink' would do. Their colour is determined by their diets.

When the flock takes to the air, one sees a veritable pink 'cloud' in motion. From an aeroplane it is spectacular, but planes are not allowed to fly low over Inagua, so one does not get a close view.

At breeding time, mostly, when food becomes a little scarce, some birds leave Inagua and can bee seen at some of the other islands. I've seen them on Mayaguana and Andros. These are, however, temporary visitors who will return to Inagua for safety - the ones who don't get poached and eaten.