3 New Bird Species Observed on Bonaire in 2019
Bonaire added three new bird species to its checklist in 2019, thanks to the watchful eyes of Peter-Paul Schets, Steve Schnoll, and Martijn Hickmann.
Posted February 6, 2020
Each year new bird species are identified on Bonaire.
The number of bird species recorded on Bonaire is growing each year. In 2016, three new species were identified: the Lesser Black-backed gull, Pied Water-tyrant, and Dickcissel. Additionally, six new species were identified in 2017, Oilbird, Greater Ani, Smooth-billed Ani, Prairie Warbler, Black Vulture and Cory’s Shearwater. In 2018, an unexpected Crowned-slaty Flycatcher from South America was the only new bird identified.
eBird’s top birder for Bonaire, Peter-Paul Schets, recently detailed the three new species found in 2019, bringing the total number of bird species recorded on Bonaire to 235.
The Brown-chested Martin, White-collared Swift and Ringed Kingfisher were added to Bonaire’s increasing index of local birds.
2019 proved to be an exciting year for birders on Bonaire, as three new species were identified: The Brown-chested Martin, White-collared Swift and Ringed Kingfisher were added to Bonaire’s increasing index of local birds. Documenting and understanding local bird populations is crucial in developing management and protection plans for Bonaire’s natural resources.
New Bird Species #1: Brown-chested Martin (Progne tapera)
On June 7th, 2019, Peter-Paul Schets noticed two large martins that flew in very fast, wide circles in Lac Cai. These birds flew for hundreds of meters very low, near the ground, a behavior which he had not seen before in Caribbean martins (a species not uncommon on Sint Eustatius and Saba). Due to the brown coloration of the bird’s backs, Schets believed he had found Brown-chested martins. As the light was already poor, Schets was not able to take any decent photos. He sent resident birder and photographer Steve Schnoll a message and asked him if he could visit the location during the following day to photograph the birds. The next morning, Schnoll quickly found the two birds and was able to take several great photos. These proved the birds were, in fact, the Brown-chested Martins, a new bird for Bonaire. This species was recorded first on Aruba in 1993 and in June 2016 on Curaçao.
Two subspecies of Brown-chested Martins occur in South America. Birds that belong to the migrating population fusca can be identified by a brown vertical line down from the broad brown band on their breast. The birds spotted on Bonaire belong to this subspecies, as can be seen in the photos of these birds. Southern winter birds of this migrating population travel as far north as northern parts of South America and Panama.
New Bird Species #2: White-collared Swift (Streptoprocne zonaris)
On July 21 2019, Bonaire resident Martijn Hickmann was taking pictures of brown pelicans and terns at White Slave on the southwest coast of Bonaire. These birds were attracted to the area by the activities of fishermen at sea. Just before sunset Hickmann noticed a very different bird which had joined the terns. This bird seemed to be foraging by flying up and down, low over the surface of the water. Hickmann was able to take a few pictures of the bird. He thought a second one was foraging in the same way, further away, but was not certain. As Hickmann was not familiar with this bird, he put his pictures on Facebook. It did not take long before it was identified as the first White-collared Wwift for Bonaire.
Interestingly enough, the first record for the ABC islands was only six weeks earlier, when Michiel Oversteegen, from Aruba, recorded (and photographed) a similar bird which flew over Bubali Bird Sanctuary. So far, this bird has not been recorded on Curaçao. White-collared Swifts breed between southern Mexico and northern Argentina, in large parts of northern and central South America as well as within the Greater and some of the Lesser Antilles.
New Bird Species #3: Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata)
In July 2019, another new bird for the island was identified. On July 30th, local birder and photographer, Steve Schnoll, saw a large kingfisher near the old saltpans of Lac Cai. At first, he nearly identified it as a Belted Kingfisher, a common species for this location during migration and northern winter. However, the bird was much larger, had a huge bill and showed much more red on its belly. Fortunately, Schnoll was able to take some pictures within the few seconds he saw the bird. These pictures clearly show a female Ringed Kingfisher. Schnoll was thrilled to have recorded a new bird for Bonaire.
The Ringed Kingfisher occurs between southern Texas, USA, through Central and South America, as far south as Argentina and Chile. They also breed on some of the Lesser Antilles and on Trinidad. There are very few records of this species from Aruba and only one from Curaçao. Both islands had their first sightings in 1991.
2019 was an exciting year for birding on Bonaire.
Apart from these three new birds, 2019 proved to be an excellent year for rare and uncommon bird species on Bonaire. Unusual bird sightings for Bonaire included several Striated Herons, one female Ring-necked Duck, two Hudsonian Godwits and some Upland sandpipers, several Black Skimmers, at least one Eastern Kingbird, two Scarlet and one Summer Tanager, at least four Indigo Buntings, one male Common Yellowthroat, a Connecticut and a Black-and-white Warbler, and two Rose-breasted Grossbeaks.
Source: Dutch Carribean Nature Alliance; image of Ringed Kingfisher in flight, Steve Schnoll (all rights reserved); image of Brown-chested Martin in flight, Steve Schnoll (all rights reserved); image of White-collared Swift, Martijn Hickmann (all rights reserved).
About the author
Susan has been living on Bonaire for over 30 years. She is a certified bird guide, a PADI SCUBA Diving Master Instructor, and an underwater and topside photographer.
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If you have any questions in regard to your birding tour on Bonaire, feel free to contact Susan to get answers. She is always happy to elaborate on routes or best times for a tour based upon your own personal preferences. Tours can be tailored to your own interests, whether that be birds, photography, or both!
It is also recommended that you do some homework about Bonaire's birds before you visit. By knowing a little bit about the birds which might be encountered on tour, your enjoyment will be heightened! Be sure to check out these resources for Bonaire Birding. Reading the Bonaire Bird Blog will also accustom you to the birds that habitually are encountered on Bonaire.
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