Birds

The Bahamas is home to six endemic species of birds: The Bahama Swallow, Bahama Oriole, Bahama Warbler, Inagua Woodstar, Bahama Nuthatch, and Bahama Yellowthroat. Of these, four were elevated to full species status within the last 15 years based on in-depth research on their plumage and body characteristics, vocalizations, behaviour, and genetics.

The Endangered Bahama Warbler was once considered a subspecies of the Yellow-throated Warbler until it was officially elevated to full species in 2011. The Endangered Bahama Oriole was considered a subspecies of the Greater Antillean Oriole before it and other members of the Greater Antillean Oriole group (which included the Cuban Oriole, Hispaniola Oriole, and Puerto Rican Oriole) was elevated to full species status in 2010.

The Inagua Woodstar, our only endemic Bahamian hummingbird species, was regarded as a subspecies of the Bahama Woodstar until it was elevated to full species status in 2015.

The critically endangered endemic bird species, Bahama Nuthatch, was once considered a subspecies of the Brown-headed Nuthatch. In 2021, the Bahama Nuthatch became the Bahamas’ sixth endemic bird species based on research focused on differences in their vocalizations compared to Brown-headed Nuthatches. This celebration is bittersweet, however, as the Bahama Nuthatch is believed to be extinct following the tragic events of Hurricane Dorian.

Reptiles

Many species of reptiles have also been elevated to full species status. The Bahamian Boa, one of five species of boas in The Bahamas, was once considered a subspecies of the Hispaniola Boa until its genetics and other aspects of its biology were studied more closely. Based on the new evidence and research, the Bahamian Boa was elevated to full species status in 2013. Since 2013, two other species of boa were found. In 2015, the discovery of the critically endangered Conception Island Boa took the reptile world by storm. This species is the most endangered boa in the world. The Crooked-Acklins Boa was once thought to be a subspecies of the Southern Bahama Boa. New research on this species revealed it to be distinct from the Southern Bahama Boa and, in 2018, it was elevated to full species.

Arthropods

Arthropods represent the largest group of animals in The Bahamas. It is not surprising that several species have been discovered in the country and are new to science. In 2013, entomologists discovered a new species of Katydid, endemic to Eleuthera. It was named the Blue-faced Katydid and is currently only found on the grounds of the Leon Levi Native Plant Preserve in Governor’s Harbour. In 2019, entomologists discovered four new species of plume moths, and three new species of hawkmoths in 2022, two of which were endemic to The Bahamas. These discoveries add to our growing list of endemic Bahamian arthropod fauna that include the Bahamian Cicada (what Bahamians call “singers”), the Bahamian Tarantula (also called Grants spider) and the Bahamian Stick Insect.

The Bahamas is home to a diverse array of terrestrial species. Many species, as mentioned in this article, have been declared new species based on thorough research. What is interesting is that all these animals became full species relatively recently, indicating a strong need for more research of our fauna and their unique characteristics. Many cryptic species, whose endemism is hidden in their genetics, are just waiting for the right Bahamian researchers to unlock their secrets. We may love Junkanoo, rake ‘n’ scrape, and conch salad, but nothing is more Bahamian than our endemic wildlife, the “tru-tru” Bahamians. Let’s do everything we can to protect and conserve what’s ours. UA

MRS. SHAVAUGHN MOSS is the lifestyles editor at The Nassau Guardian 1844 Ltd., The Bahamas’ oldest newspaper, and has three-plus decades of experience. She currently writes on a wide range of topics. She is known as the country’s premiere “foodie” and has traveled extensively in her culinary quest for the best bites (and some interesting ones as well). Shavaughn studied Mass Communication in the United States, and has done advanced courses in the United Kingdom as well.