Colorful Birds on Bonaire

A significant portion of the birds on Bonaire displays stunning colors, making it one of the reasons why we adore this island so much. Are you interested in discovering the birds you can spot here, or have you already seen a colorful bird on Bonaire that you’d like to know more about? Below, we’ll introduce you to the most colorful birds of Bonaire.

Are you interested in the nature of Bonaire? Take a break from the crowds during one of our tours. That’s when the island’s nature truly comes alive! Bird enthusiasts can join us on a customized birdwatching tour.

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Lora / Yellow-Shouldered Amazon (Amazona barbadensis)

The yellow-winged amazon is commonly referred to as lora by everyone on Bonaire. These colorful birds are often seen in the green hills of Bonaire, but they sometimes visit the neighborhoods of Kralendijk and the surrounding areas as well. They feed on various seeds and fruits, often perching on top of columnar cacti to nibble on the cactus fruit.

This sizable bird has a short tail and is primarily green in color. It has yellow feathers around the eyes and beak. When the lora spreads its wings, more colors come into view. The underwing is yellow, with blue and red accents. Their distinctive calls make it hard for them to go unnoticed. They are very social animals, constantly communicating with each other.

Unfortunately, loras are also kept in cages on the island, subjected to solitary confinement while their wild counterparts fly past, calling loudly. This is a significant reason why the Yellow-winged Amazon is critically endangered. The birds are taken from their nests by poachers at a young age to be sold as pets. Loras nest in cavities in the cliffs of Bonaire. They can also create a cavity in a termite nest. These are found in trees, whereas Bonaire mostly has shrubs and cacti. In the colonial History of Bonaire, many trees were cut down, and most seedlings are eaten by free-roaming goats. To give the loras (and other birds) a chance, many reforestation projects are being carried out in goat-free zones.

Prikichi / Brown-Throated Parakeet (Eupsittula pertinax)

The brown-throated parakeet is usually called by its name in Papiamentu on the island: prikichi. This bird makes even more noise! We often encounter them during our tours, just like when Hiking on Bonaire. These birds are the aerial acrobats of Bonaire, frequently zooming by while screeching loudly. Like the loras, they are green with yellow on the head, but they are noticeably smaller than the loras. They have a long tail, and the yellow color covers a larger portion of their head and neck. Unlike loras, the parakeets do not display other colors in their wings.

Similar to loras, parakeets are social birds that feed on seeds and fruits and also nest in termite mounds. Fortunately, they are not kept in cages, so this bird is under less pressure compared to the lora.

Venezuelan Troupial (Icterus icterus)

The Venezuelan troupial (trupial in Papiamentu) makes quite a noise even before sunrise. With its singing, it enlivens the morning walk of our tour through the north and east. Just like the cuckoo, it calls its own name, although it also makes some variations on it. It is an orange bird with a black head, neck, wings, and tail. They have white accents in their wings, which are unique for each individual. Around their eyes, they have a patch of blue-colored bare skin.

The troupial can be spotted almost everywhere on the island. They have an extensive menu of fruits, seeds, and insects, but they also raid nests of other birds. They are fond of the sugar that people offer at feeding tables. Do this in moderation, as birds can also develop diabetes! It’s better to treat them with some orange or the leftover scraps of pineapple or mango. They also love (unsalted) peanuts.

The troupial is not native to Bonaire. It was introduced by humans, most likely from Curaçao or Aruba, where it has been traditionally found.

Yellow Oriole (Icterus nigrogularis)

The yellow oriole (trupial kachò in Papiamentu) is slightly smaller than its orange counterpart. It is yellow with a black throat patch, wings, and tail. It barks like a little dog (kachò), but also sings occasionally. During its song, it strings together a series of whistling notes that are difficult to find any melodic coherence in. Some notes even sound a bit off-key!

The yellow oriole feeds on insects, seeds, fruits, and nectar. These birds also love sugar and can often be seen at feeding tables. In the wild, we encounter them less frequently. They are fantastic nest builders, weaving elongated nests that hang from the branches of tall trees.

The yellow oriole and Venezuelan troupial have a similar-looking relative on Bonaire. The Carib grackle (Quiscalus lugubris) is a loud, entirely black bird. It compensates for its lack of color with a beautiful sheen in the sunlight.

Scaly-Naped Pigeon (Patagioenas squamosa)

The scaly-naped pigeon (Palomba di baranka in Papiamentu) is a rarely seen, beautifully colored bird. These birds lead a secluded life in the mangroves and wooded areas of Bonaire. It is a rather plain bluish-grey dove, with a dull brown head and neck. However, this bird deserves a place on this list because of its neck, which is beautifully adorned with chestnut-brown “scales”.

The scaly-naped pigeon mainly feeds on fruits and seeds and requires access to drinking water to survive. During the dry season, it can be spotted in places where water is available, such as springs, ponds, and wells. Join us on a excursion to Washington-Slagbaai National Park. In the dry season, we frequently encounter them at Put Bronswinkel and Pos Mangel.

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Other Colorful Birds

In our other blogs, we discuss some smaller colorful birds. To complete this blog, you will find links to these blogs below the photos.

Hummingbirds of Bonaire

Hummingbirds also display stunning colors. Learn more about the green hummingbird (blue-tailed emerald, known as blenchi in Papiamentu) and the red hummingbird (ruby-topaz hummingbird, known as dòrnasol in Papiamentu). Both hummingbirds are featured in the bird blog about the Bird Small Five.

Three Small Yellow Birds

A yellow (with black) bird that is commonly seen is the bananaquit (known as barika hel in Papiamentu). This bird is featured in our blog about the Garden birds of Bonaire.

The saffron finch (known as saffraanvink in Papiamentu) is a yellow bird that is widespread on Bonaire. The yellow warbler (known as para di misa in Papiamentu) is also predominantly yellow. Both of them are featured in our bird blog about the Bird Small Five.

The Caribbean Flamingo

The most famous colorful bird of Bonaire is, of course, the Caribbean flamingo (known as chogogo in Papiamentu). In our richly illustrated photo blog, you’ll get an in-depth look at The Flamingos of Bonaire!

A Tour with HopiBonaire

During a tour with HopiBonaire, you will embark on a journey to the most remote and beautiful places of Bonaire. Additionally, you will be with only your own group, ensuring an intimate and personalized experience at your own pace. We don’t mind taking some extra time!

All tours can be customized to your preferences. We can even create a completely customized birdwatching tour just for you. Are you eager to join us on an adventure? Check out Our tours!

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