The Herons of Bonaire

With a coastline spanning over a hundred kilometers, extensive mangrove areas, vast salt pans, and numerous saliñas and lakes, Bonaire is a haven for herons. Out of the many species found on the island, let’s explore the eight most commonly seen herons of Bonaire.

Want to spot herons at the best birdwatching locations on Bonaire? We’d be happy to create a birdwatching tour just for you. But even during all our tours, we’re eager to highlight all the beautiful birds of the island.

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Green Heron (Butorides virescens)

We’ll begin with the smallest of the group, the green heron (galina di awa in Papiamentu). This heron is called “green” because it has a greenish skin and various shades of green in its plumage. However, it’s the brown and white feathers that truly stand out. The green heron is frequently seen and heard. In flight, it produces a series of high-pitched “kuk-kuk” sounds. It doesn’t mind attracting attention with these calls, as this little heron is not afraid of people!

The green heron is not a picky eater. Wherever there’s water on Bonaire, you’ll find it searching for a meal. It’s a remarkably intelligent bird. Sometimes, they use insects or other food as bait while fishing. They drop it onto the water’s surface and easily catch the fish that come to investigate!

In addition to fish, green herons feed on various frogs, insects, snails, and small crabs. They primarily forage around sunrise and sunset. When they have chicks to raise, they are active during the daytime as well.

Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)

The snowy egret (garsa blanku chiki in Papiamentu) is another small heron, but you’re less likely to overlook it due to its distinctive white plumage. During the breeding season, snowy egrets have remarkably long feathers on their tails, crests, and breasts, which readily catch the wind on Bonaire. They turn into fluffy balls of feathers, as seen at the top of this page. Their bright yellow feet have earned them the nickname Lady with the golden slippers.

The hunting behavior of the American snowy egret varies considerably. Sometimes, they run around busily to flush out their prey, while at other times, they remain still and strike when their prey comes within reach.

Great Egret (Ardea alba)

The other white heron, the great egret (garsa blanku grandi in Papiamentu), is impossible to miss, primarily because it’s nearly twice the size of the snowy egret. When standing, they can be up to a meter tall!

On Bonaire, these herons seek more seclusion. They are mainly found near remote saliñas, such as Saliña Frans. There, they stand completely still on the shore, waiting for prey to come within reach before swiftly striking. Apart from fish, they also eat lizards and large insects.

Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens)

In most cases, the reddish egret (garsa kora in Papiamentu) lives up to its name. It has a red head and neck, with the rest of the body being dark gray. The bill, dipped in what seems like a pot of ink, is quite distinctive. However, sometimes, you might encounter a tricolored heron that looks completely different, a completely white variation. However, the black bill tip is a giveaway that it isn’t a great or snowy egret.

The reddish egret is far less patient than its counterparts. It prefers active hunting, often seen running gracefully through the surf or a shallow pool. It actively chases its prey, preventing them from reaching deeper water to escape. On sunny days, the tricolored heron uses its wings to create shade on the water’s surface, enabling it to see the bottom more clearly by reducing the sun’s glare. The shadow can even attract little fish.

Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor)

The names of birds are rarely more fitting than with the tricolored heron (garsa tres kolo in Papiamentu). This colorful heron indeed exhibits three colors: gray-blue with red and white accents. Its belly is also white, which is why the Dutch have chosen to name this colorful bird the white-bellied heron!

The tricolored heron thrives in slightly deeper water compared to other herons on Bonaire. They wade in still water up to their bellies and primarily hunt for fish.

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

The Great Blue Heron (garza blou grandi in Papiamentu) is also the largest heron species found on Bonaire. They stand over a meter (15 inches) tall! What’s striking about this heron is that all its colorful details are on the front side. From the back, it looks like an almost entirely gray heron. While this bird can be seen year-round on Bonaire, it does not breed here.

This Great Blue Heron is a true piscivore, capable of swallowing fish up to 60 centimeters (25 inches) in size whole. Crabs and mice are also not safe from this heron. It is mainly active around sunrise and sunset, hunting while standing still or taking slow steps.

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea)

The yellow-crowned night-heron (krabechi korona hel in Papiamentu) is particularly visible as a young bird. With their large orange eyes, they look somewhat uncertain about the world around them. Only after three years, their gray-brown feathers have given way to the beautiful adult plumage. Adult birds lead a more secluded life in the vegetation, especially in the mangroves.

With its strong beak, the yellow-crowned night-heron can crack sturdy prey, such as crabs and shellfish. They also consume crayfish and fish. When a crab hides in its underground burrow, the night-heron patiently waits for it. It ensures that its shadow does not fall over the entrance of the burrow. As soon as the crab comes out, it is swiftly captured. Its name is explained by the fact that, thanks to its large eyes, it is also skilled at hunting at night.

Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)

The Black-crowned Night-Heron has a vast range and is found in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. With some luck, you can also spot this beautiful heron on Bonaire. The night heron is truly nocturnal and will not easily be seen during the day. The photo above was taken just after sunset.

A tour with HopiBonaire

At HopiBonaire, we invite you to explore the hidden treasures of Bonaire during our tours. What makes our experiences unique is that you’ll have the chance to enjoy an intimate and personalized exploration at your own pace, exclusively with your own group. With us, there’s no need to rush!

Our tours are flexible and can be tailored to your specific desires. If you’re looking for a birdwatching tour, we can create one that’s perfect for you. Are you ready for an adventure? Please browse through our tours!

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