birdwatching in Bonaire

Here is a list of birds I have properly spotted and identified during my stay in Bonaire:

magnificent frigate birds-You see them in the sky

caribbean parakeets-They fly in flocks and you can hear their raucous "cak cak cak!"

common ground doves-Like their name, you usually see them walking around on the ground

earred dove -Looks similar to the ground dove but are lighter brown and have a black ear dash

white faced dove-Looks similar to the earred dove but lighter color with a pale face.

bare-eyed pigeon-My favorite. They have a white ring around their eye. They make a "Whooo whooo" sound all day long. We had one perched in the tree next to our apartment all week.

brown pelican-you see them south at the beaches

tricolored heron- We saw them with the flamingoes in the salt panns.

caribbean flamingo- You periodically see them flying but you mostly see them at the salt panns

ruddy turnstones-You see them at the beaches scurring around the rocks.

laughing gulls-Common bird.

house sparrow-Common bird.

bananaquits-You hear them all the time with their "switzz switzz" sound

safrron finch-You see them everywhere as well. they are pretty and are usually in small flocks.

troupial-Beautiful and bright orange and black.

yellow oriole-People get the troupial mixed up with oriole. The oriole is smaller and yellow.

least sandpipers-Very common with yellow feet.. They look similar to the semi-palmated sandpipers which have black feet.

yellow shouldered amazon parrot* -I have not seen this parrot this year but before construction in the back of the residences were we usually stay. I would see them and hear them squawk roosting in the scrubby trees and hisbiscus in the morning and at dusk.

Since 1993, there was about 300 of these birds living in Bonaire. I have no idea how many are left due to habitat destruction and poaching.

*photographs above I took while in Bonaire.

Yes, ME!

the above photos are as followed:

bare eyed pigeon