Page 9 - AHATA

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LOCAL Thursday 4 sepTember 2025

Birds of Aruba: Soaring through the blue skies

(Oranjestad)—Aruba’s nature is spotted from a far distance. Known bird of Aruba back in 2015, at the
very diverse and is home to sev- to be the first bird to sing at the first request of Aruba Birdlife Conserva-
eral beautiful and majestic wild- sign of sunrise, this beloved song- tion. The bright green, adorable
life. Among these is the bright Tru- bird likes to wake up with a tune. parakeet usually flies in flock of
pial, whose angelic voice is always But don’t let their angelic songs 30 or more, but its population has
heard with the rising sun; the cud- fools you; the Trupial can be a bit been declining since the 2010s.
dly parakeet, always in company aggressive towards any threat, pro- Prikichis are a shier breed than the
of another, and the majestic War- tective over their nesting spots— trupial, often flying away at the
awara, a mighty bird that can be nesting spots they most likely stole sign of any threat. They use termite
seen soaring in the clear blue skies. from other birds. Trupials can be nests for breeding spots and feed
seen regularly, often in trees or on mostly on seeds from the Kwihi
Trupial top of a cactus. tree, Divi Divi tree and fruits.

Photo Credit: Daniel Ruben Gon- Photo Credit: Daniel Ruben Gon-
zalez zalez

Prikichi (parakeet) Warawara its head back onto its back while
The Brown-throated Prikichi (Aratin- The Warawara or Caracara is one calling.
ga pertinax) became the national of the biggest birds found in the
Aruban mondi. At a heigh of 41 to While these birds are a beautiful
60 cm, their wingspan can mea- sight to behold, it is very important
sure up to 125 cm. Known as the to keep your distance and respect
“garbage man”, this bird of prey their habitats. This is how we protect
mostly feeds on dead animals. Its our wildlife. By admiring the beauty
coat is dark brown, with a cream- of Aruba in a safe and respectful
colored neck, orange face, thick manner, we can do our part in pro-
Icterus icterus, or known locally as beak and long legs. The Warawara tecting our sacred nature.
the Venezuelan or Orange Trou- prefers to build its nest in the mid-
pial, is a striking songbird whose dle of tall cacti and produces a Photo Credit: Aruba Birdlife Con-
bright orange feathers can be rattling, screaming sound, throwing servation

Visit the historic museum at Fort Zoutman!

(Oranjestad)—Located in the tower was not part of the Fort Zoutman had a more
middle of downtown Oran- original structure of the fort, tumultuous past, including
jestad, situated right next and is actually called “Wil- the on-and-off reception of
to the government building lem III Toren”. Constructed in unwanted members of the
“Cocolishi”, is one of the old- 1867, this tower was named English military several times
est buildings of Aruba: Fort after the then-reigning king (The Netherlands was at
Zoutman. First constructed of The Netherlands, Willem III. constant war with England
in 1796, this site has been Willem III Toren was originally back in the colonial era).
used (or left unused) in many a light tower, but after a re- (CCA) petitioned for its ren- be. If you are interested in
ways and have survived eras quest from Lieutenant Gov- Over the years, both the ovation in 1964, turning the history and want to learn
of war and attempted dis- ernor Jan Helenus in 1866, it fort and the tower had site into the Historic Museum more about Aruba, then Fort
mantling. also became a bell tower. functioned as different it currently is. Zoutman should definitely be
government center points, included into your itinerary.
When anyone refers to Fort The fort itself was originally including a tax and stamps Despite its small size, The His-
Zoutman, they are actually constructed to protect the office. For some time these toric Museum guards a rich The museum is open Monday
referring to two separate commerce bay of Paarden- two buildings also housed a depository of the commer- to Friday from 9am-6pm, and
buildings that, over the years, baai from pirates and other police precinct and jail, and cial, military and social his- Saturday from 10am-2pm.
have been merged: the fort disreputable characters even experienced aban- tory of Oranjestad, offering
and the tower. That’s right, roaming the Caribbean Sea. donment until the Cultural a glance into how the social Source: The Old Fort of Aruba
the iconic 5-story, squared Unlike the Willem III Toren, Center Aruba Foundation culture of the town came to by Jan Hartog.