P. G. C. Brudenell-Bruce

Basics: 1984, softcover, 142 pages, 205 species discussed, 93 birds illustrated in 4 color and 9 b&w plates, no range maps

This book focuses on the expected 200+ species that can be found on the central Bahamian island of New Providence. Some other Bahama birds not found on New Providence are also briefly covered (e.g., Olive-capped Warbler, Brown-headed Nuthatch).

The illustrations (31 species in color out of 93) are of good artistic quality, although the Olive-capped Warbler is a bit discolored and the La Sagra’s (called Stolid at that time) Flycatcher has an odd posture/structure and is too-darkly colored. For the many birds with only one illustration, it is the breeding male that is shown.

The text for each bird ranges from 6 lines to a full page, depending on the bird’s abundance or its regional interest. The description/habits section receives most of the attention and does a good job, although, the female and fall warblers are limited.

The age of this book, first printed in 1974, shows with out-dated names of some of the birds (e.g., Stolid Flycatcher, Emerald Hummingbird, Ground Dove). More recent and superior field guides (see Raffaele or Hallett) make this older guide pretty much obsolete. I would recommend one of these newer guides for any trip to the Bahamas.

I’ve listed several related books below…
1) Birds of The Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos Islands by Hallett
2) Birds of the Bahamas by Paterson
3) The Birds of The Turks & Caicos Islands by Ground
4) Birds of the West Indies by Bond
5) Birds of the West Indies by Raffaele
6) A Guide to the Birds of the West Indies by Raffaele
7) Birds of the Bahama Islands by Cory… (plus d'informations)