Quick Facts about Bonaire’s birds.

Get the facts about some of Bonaire’s most sought-after birds.

Bonaire Bird Quick Facts

Get ready to meet some of Bonaire’s incredible feathered residents! Our Quick Facts section provides a glimpse into the fascinating lives of these birds. Here, you’ll find essential information about each species, including:

Scientific Name

Learn the official scientific name for each bird, allowing you to delve deeper into its classification and evolutionary history.

Diet

Discover what these birds like to eat, from insect-loving insectivores to fish-eating specialists. Understanding their diet can help you picture their role in Bonaire’s ecosystem.

Breeding Habits

Learn about the clutch size for each species or other unique information about its breeding habits.

Conservation Status

Find out the conservation status of a species. The IUCN Conservation status gives the likelihood of a bird species’ disappearance from the wild.

These Quick Facts are just a starting point for your birding adventure on Bonaire. With a little knowledge, you’ll be able to appreciate these birds not just for their beauty, but also for their fascinating behaviors and ecological roles. So, get ready to be amazed by the diverse avian wonders of Bonaire!

Portrait of an American Flamingo on Bonaire.

American Flamingo

(Phoenicopterus ruber)

Diet:  Small shrimp, seeds, blue-green algae, microscopic organisms, and mollusks

Breeding: Lays 1 egg

Status:  Least Concern

 

American Golden Plover

American Golden Plover

(Pluvialis dominica)

Diet: Invertebrates, primarily terrestrial, some freshwater and marine; also berries, leaves, and seeds

Breeding: Lays 4 eggs

Status:  Least Concern

Blue-tailed Emerald Hummingbird

Blue-tailed Emerald

(Chlorostilbon mellisugus)

Diet:  Nectar and insects

Breeding: Lays 2 eggs

Status:  Least Concern

Portrait of Bonaire's Brown-throated Parakeet.

Brown-throated Parakeet

(Eupsittula pertinax)

Diet:  Feeds upon fruits, seeds, and cactus flowers

Breeding: Lays 3 to 6 eggs

Status:  Least Concern

The Dunlin's claim to fame is its long, black bill.

Dunlin

(Calidris alpina)

Diet:  Aquatic invertebrates

Breeding: Typically four eggs are laid and are incubated by both parents

Status:  Least Concern, but the population is diminishing

Glossy Ibis

Glossy Ibis

(Plegadis falcinellus)

Diet:  Insects, mollusks, crustaceans, and occasionally fish, amphibians, lizards, small snakes, or nestling birds

Breeding: Lays 3 to 4 eggs

Status:  Least Concern

A pair of Hudsonian Godwits make a rest stop on Bonaire during their fall migration.

Hudsonian Godwit

(Limosa haemastica)

Diet:  Aquatic invertebrates

Breeding: Lays 2 to 4 eggs

Status:  Least Concern, but the population is diminishing

Least Tern

Least Tern

(Sternula antillarum)

Diet:  Feeds by plunge-diving for fish

Breeding: Lays 2 to 3 eggs

Status:  Least Concern, but populations are decreasing

 

The Masked Booby.

Masked Booby

(Sula dactylatra)

Diet: Mostly fish and squid, which they capture in dives from the air, sometimes plunging into the sea.

Breeding: Lays one or two eggs in a shallow depression on the ground. 

Status:  Low Concern

Osprey

Osprey

(Pandion haliaetus)

Diet: Its main food source is live fish.

Breeding: Lays two to four eggs in a nest constructed of sticks located high on utility poles or trees. 

Status:  Least Concern

Royal Tern

Royal Tern

(Thalasseus maximus)

Diet:  Feeds on small fish, but they also eat insects, shrimp, and crabs

Breeding: Lays 1 or 2 eggs

Status:  Least Concern

 

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird

Ruby-Topaz

(Chrysolampis mosquitus)

Diet:  Nectar and some small insects

Breeding: Lays 2 eggs

Status:  Least Concern

Sandwich Terns on Bonaire

Sandwich Tern (Cayenne)

(Thalasseus sandvicensis eurygnathus)

Diet:  Feeds by plunge-diving for fish, almost invariably from the sea

Breeding: Lays 1 to 3 eggs

Status:  Least Concern

 

Portrait of Bonaire's Yellow-shouldered Amazon Parrot.

Yellow-shouldered Parrot

(Amazona barbadensis)

Diet:  Feeds upon fruits, seeds, and cactus flowers

Breeding: Lays 3 or 4 eggs

Status:  Vulnerable

 

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