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BonaireBird Watching
Bonaire has no native species of birds, however, there are a number of subspecies,
or geographical races that are found on the islands
Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.
Bonaire's most famous is the pink flamingo, which most evenings around sunset, you may be able to see
small flocks leaving the southern tip of Bonaire, near the Willemstoren Lighthouse. Contrary to popular belief,
they are not all flying off to Venezuela, although some undoubtedly will reach the South American coast.
There are a number of environmental factors that have made Bonaire a very intresting site for birders to
enjoy, and there is always the chance that an alert birder will record the occurrence of an extra-limital
bird. The Island boats over 190 species including the Lora, which is now protected against capture
by international treaty. There are a number of publications for use by the visiting birder (hopefully obtained
beforehand because they cannot be purchased in the islands).
A Guide to the Birds of Venezuela
by Raadolphe M. De Schauensee
Review: This is the granddaddy of excellent neotropical guides. This was first good guide and the
one that almost all other quality neotropical guides have copied (including Birds of Colombia and Costa Rica).
As such, it is not up to the standard of those later books, but it is still excellent. Very worth having in
your library and in the field. Just watch out, the plates in the middle fall out in humid climates (like most
of Venezuela!). I had my guide rebound and it now is just fine.
A Field Guide to Birds of the West Indies (The Peterson Field Guide)
by James Bond, Don R. Eckelberry, Arthur B. Singer
Review: THE field guide to West Indian birds, a must-have for birders travelling in the Carribean,
Northeast coast of South America, or the Bahamas. This book has only gotten better since being taken over by
those wonderful folks at Peterson, and it was fine before that. Make sure you have this with you when you hit
the airport, but consider taking along a North American guidebook, as well, and be aware that a few of the names
vary from one book to another.
Book Available on the Island
A bird book that is available on the island is 'Our Birds', written by Bart A. De Boer, 1993,
and has photographs of some of the more common birds with descriptions in three languages of the islands:
Papiamento, Dutch and English.
Vistors to Bonaire can stop in at the Tourist Office in town for more information on the best sites to
visit.
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Birds of
Venezuela
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Birds of the
West Indies
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