Marine Birds Around the Island
St Barts is home to the widest variety of marine birds in the West Indies. All of the 13 species that nest in the Antilles can be found on this small island. The three nesting areas are the small islets surrounding the island, the salt pond at Saline and the cliffs. The islets are home to the majority of the marine birds. The salt pond at Saline is home to the Least Tern. With only 1500 couples left in the Caribbean, this marine bird is threatened with extinction and is found only in the Gulf of Mexico and the Antilles. The White-tailed Tropicbird, the Brown Noddy, the Bridled Tern and the Petrel nest along the cliffs, especially those along Grand Fond. The biggest threats to these birds are land development and the increase of rats on the island.
