Animals in Barbados

Barbados is known for its sun, sand and water. What few people know is that hidden closer inland, inside the rolling hills and deep gullies are an assortment of wildlife that has adapted to the presence of humans around the island. All of these animals arrived in Barbados either by human interactions or by crossing the sea that surrounds the island.

The most widespread and represented animal on Barbados is birds. Since the birds can fly across the sea, it was easy for them to migrate to the island. There are common icterids like the Carib Grackle and Shiny Cowbirds everywhere. There are a variety of smaller birds like the Black-faced Grassquit and two different types of finches. The Grassland Yellow Finch is considered almost locally extinct, while the Barbados Bullfinch has grown in population. Hummingbirds, Caribs and Bananaquits flitter around consuming nectar from flowers. The rare Green Heron makes Barbados its hunting grounds, while the Orange-wing Parrot adds flutters of colors in the trees. There are also a variety of ducks and other birds that occupy the wetlands such as the Masked Duck, Coot and Moorhen.

Mammals are in low supply in Barbados, since the only way they can transfer to the island is through human transportation. The most familiar mammals are the Norway rat, Indian Mongoose, European Hare and the house mouse. There is also an almost extinct feral pig population and the occasionally seen Green monkey. Bats fly about in the evening helping control the insect population. Along the shores of Barbados, you may see the Bottlenose Dolphins and Humpback whales.

There is a small amount of reptiles that roam the island. The Green Iguana is now extirpated but was once numerous. Other common species are the Anole lizard and house gecko. Every so often Underwood's Spectacled Tegus and Kentropyx Lizards are seen. Most of the snake population was devastated by the introduction of the mongoose. On the shoreline, there are Sea Turtles that nest, along with Hawksbill turtles and Leatherback Turtles.

The wildlife on Barbados tends to either flourish or go extinct due to introductions of other animals. There are frogs and toads found all over the island. In addition, wild guppies that humans let free years ago roam the freshwater steams and ponds.