Page 14 - ARUBA TODAY

A14 LOCAL
Monday 15 april 2019

Birds of Aruba

Brown Pelican Blue-tailed Emerald - Blenchi

ring. Parakeets from Aruba are described as a
distinct subspecies and are drabber than the
subspecies from Curaçao and Bonaire, which
have brighter yellow on the face and throat.

Bananaquits - Barica Geel
One of two hummingbird species that occurs
regularly on the island, and the most common
and widespread of the two. You’ll undoubtedly
see a few individuals of this species around
your resort, frequenting blooming ornamental
plantings. A good, close look will reveal a green
that is brilliant, almost metallic. Males are all
green with a rather short, dark blue tail that
often appears black. Females and immature
have green backs and whitish under parts.
A very large, dark-bodied bird, unmistakable
with its long bill and gular pouch. Watch for Burrowing Owl - Shoco
them sitting on pilings and zooming along the
beach in front of your resort. You'll probably see
them feeding, too, plunging into the sea from
the air, then rising with their pouch full of sea
water and, if successful, a fish. Non-breeding
plumage shows a white neck, and immatures
are all dark with a white belly.
A lively little bird with blackish back and head,
Troupial white stripe above the eye, and bright yellow
belly. Bananaquits may remind visitors from
the eastern U.S. of the familiar and beloved
backyard bird, the chickadee, which is why
we fondly refer to the Bananaquit as the
"chickadee of the Caribbean.” The locals call
them chibichibi (in Dutch, zuiker diefje), and
when you hear them, you’ll know why. They
are common throughout the island including
around hotels and if possible, may arrive at your
The Burrowing Owl is a buffy-colored, long- breakfast table to sip juice or sample the jelly
legged owl with large, yellow eyes. This diurnal or syrup. They can be drawn to the balcony of
species can be seen sitting in open areas in your room by setting out fresh fruit or juice in a
small family groups, apparently unphased shallow bowl or dish. The buzzy song, repeated
by the hot afternoon sun. Burrowing Owls are all day, soon becomes familiar and delightful
much loved by the native islanders and appear background “noise” on Aruba. q
on Aruba’s currency and postal stamps. Sadly,
their populations seem to have declined
greatly.

Caribbean Parakeet- Prikichi
If we go back 10 years ago, visitors of Aruba
could delight at seeing flocks of native, wild
parakeets roaming the countryside, sometimes
Certainly one of most striking of Aruba's native coming near some of the resorts that maintain
birds, the Troupial is a large oriole with sharply native vegetation. Unfortunately, this bird has
contrasting bright orange and black pattern, experience steep declines in recent years,
with bright blue around the eye and at the apparently due to introduced boa’s. Although
base of the bill. The Troupial’s loud, piping song efforts are underway to eradicate the snake,
is thrilling to hear. Troupials make stops at some such a task is proving difficult.
of the resorts to look for food but they often To try and locate Brown-throated Parakeets,
typically don’t stay for long. Take a trip to the listen to their loud, raucous shrieks. The birds may
hills of Arikok National Park to make sure you appear green at first glimpse, but a closer view
don't leave the island without a look and a will reveal the beautiful bluish colors in the wings,
listen to this special bird. the yellow under the tail, and the yellowish eye