Bonaire Bird Photography Tours

22/02/2025

Fast & Fierce: The Peregrine Falcon in Bonaire!

Did you know the Peregrine Falcon—the world’s fastest bird—visits Bonaire as a winter migrant? With speeds reaching 240 mph (386 km/h) in a dive, this incredible raptor is built for high-speed hunting.

During the winter months, peregrines make their way to Bonaire, soaring over our shores and salt flats in search of prey. Keep an eye out for their sharp silhouettes against the sky!

22/02/2025

Epic Travelers: The Red Knots in Bonaire!

Right now, the rufa subspecies of Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa) has already begun its northward spring migration, and uncredible numbers are arriving in Bonaire’s salt ponds. This area is a very important rest stop for these globe-trotting shorebirds as they migrate over 18,000 miles (30,000 km) roundtrip each year, connecting the Arctic and South America. Here on Bonaire, they will rest and eat, creating fat deposits that will fuel their continued journey to the Arctic tundra where they will breed in the summer months. As they fly over water, those fat deposits will dwindle, and they will make other stops along the way, doing their best to time these stops with food availability along the route.

During their spring migration, they begin transforming into their breeding plumage—their faces, necks, chests, and bellies turn a stunning red, signaling their upcoming nesting season in the Arctic tundra. You’ll see the beginning of this transformation on some of the arriving Red Knots.

Keep an eye out for these incredible travelers while they rest and refuel—it won’t be long before they take off again!

08/02/2025

Are Bonaire’s Snowy Plovers Expanding Their Breeding Season?

Historically, Snowy Plovers (Charadrius nivosus) on Bonaire have been observed breeding primarily in May and June, with chicks hatching and developing rapidly in early summer. However, recent observations suggest a potential shift in their breeding patterns.

Last summer, I encountered a very young chick in late August—possibly the result of a second clutch or a late-nesting pair. But now, in February, an unusually high number of Snowy Plovers have gathered at traditional nesting sites, all in full breeding plumage. During a survey last Thursday, I recorded seven individuals—both males and females—with at least two appearing to be incubating eggs.

Could this signal a broader change in Bonaire’s shorebird breeding cycles? In 2024, I documented similarly early breeding and chick success in other species, including Southern Lapwings (Vanellus chilensis) and Black-necked Stilts (Himantopus mexicanus). Notably, the Southern Lapwings have already repeated this early breeding behavior in 2025.

What environmental factors might be driving these changes? Could shifts in precipitation patterns, such as later rainy seasons, be influencing breeding timing? Or might rising year-round temperatures create more favorable conditions for prolonged or earlier breeding? Or have we just not documented early breeding in prior years?

Understanding these patterns is crucial for monitoring the impacts of climate and environmental change on Bonaire’s bird populations. Continued observations and data collection will help determine whether this is an isolated anomaly or an emerging trend.

Have you observed similar shifts in breeding behavior among shorebirds in other regions? Let’s discuss!

Image Note: It should be noted that at no time did anyone leave the vehicle to approach the nests. All images were shot using the vehicle as a blind and with a telephoto lens. The birds on the nests were not disturbed and did not leave their nests due to discomfort with our presence, nor did they indicate any signs of stress.

07/02/2025

A Treasure Trove of Warblers!

What a discovery—three Prothonotary Warblers spotted at once! This striking golden-yellow songbird is usually seen on Bonaire only during migration, as it travels between its North American breeding grounds and wintering sites.

But this sighting raises some fascinating questions...

Are they early migrants, making their way north ahead of schedule? Or did they overwinter on Bonaire, choosing to stay rather than continue their journey?

Only they know for sure! But one thing’s certain—it’s always a thrill to witness these beautiful travelers.

25/01/2025

The Greater Ani—from Rare Vagrant to Bonaire Breeding Bird?

Exciting birding news from Bonaire! Recently, we were thrilled to spot the Greater Ani (Crotophaga major)—a very rare vagrant to our island. This striking bird, native to the tropical lowlands of Central and South America, has been officially recorded on Bonaire (via eBird) only a handful of times.

But here’s where things get even more interesting… it was carrying a twig! Could this mean what we think it does? Nest-building?

The Greater Ani has never been known to breed on Bonaire, but seeing one transporting nesting material to a prime location—deep foliage overhanging water—is a promising sign. And if there’s a nest in the works, that might mean there’s a second Greater Ani nearby!

Interestingly enough, Greater Anis are considered cooperative breeders, a joint-nesting species where multiple pairs cooperatively breed in the same nest. So, without several breeding pairs on Bonaire, nesting here would be definitely considered to be out-of-the-norm.

However, this wouldn’t be the first time a previously rare visitor, such as the Least Grebe, decided to settle down and become a breeding resident on the island. Could the Greater Ani follow suit? Only time will tell!

We’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for more signs of nesting!

14/01/2025

I’m beyond honored and deeply humbled to be featured in the Bird Guides of the World series by 10000Birds.com—a phenomenal hub for everything related to birds, birding, and blogging! 🐦🌍

This recognition wouldn’t be possible without YOU—the amazing community of birders who’ve joined me on countless adventures over the years. Whether we’ve spotted rare species or simply enjoyed the beauty of nature together, each moment has been a gift. 💚

Here’s to many more years of exploration, discovery, and shared passion for the incredible world of birds. 🦜🌿

From the bottom of my heart, thank you! 🙏

10,000 Birds

What is your favorite bird species? Ahh, I have so many! Being here on Bonaire in the Dutch Caribbean, we have many beautiful birds, and favorites always include the island’s icon, the American Flamingo, as well as the Yellow-shouldered Amazon Parrot. But I would have to say that my “spirit bird...

23/12/2024

20/12/2024

As water birds, we typically associate egrets with shorelines, wetlands, and other aquatic habitats where they gracefully hunt and forage. But every now and then, they surprise us!

Recently I came across this stunning Great Egret (Ardea alba) in an unexpected setting—perched against a backdrop of towering cacti. The contrast between the egret’s sleek, elegant form and the rugged, arid landscape is a fascinating dichotomy.

It’s a reminder of the adaptability and resilience of wildlife, and how nature continues to amaze us with its unexpected moments of beauty. Have you ever seen an egret in such a unique setting?

18/12/2024

The American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber), known for its vibrant pink plumage, engages in elaborate courtship rituals that are essential for pair bonding and successful reproduction. These social birds perform synchronized group displays to attract mates, often involving dozens of individuals. The most iconic of these behaviors is the courtship march, where flamingos gather in large groups and move in unison. With their necks extended and heads held high, the birds step deliberately in a coordinated sequence, creating a striking visual display. This group choreography not only strengthens bonds within the flock but also signals readiness to mate.

Another prominent element of their courtship is the head wave, which involves a series of rhythmic head movements. Flamingos swivel their heads from side to side in an exaggerated motion, often while vocalizing softly. This display is thought to signal individual fitness and attract the attention of potential mates. The synchronized nature of the head wave, when performed by a group, amplifies its impact, highlighting the cohesiveness and vitality of the flock. Such displays emphasize the importance of collective behaviors in flamingo mating success.

The wing spread is another visually impressive courtship gesture, where a flamingo fully extends its wings to showcase their vibrant underwing coloration. This dramatic movement often occurs during breaks in the group displays and serves to accentuate the bird's striking features. The bright hues of their wings, a result of carotenoid-rich diets, act as a visual cue of health and vigor. Together, these courtship behaviors—the march, head wave, and wing spread—create a captivating and effective strategy for mate selection in American Flamingos, underscoring the role of group dynamics and physical display in their reproductive success.

Learn more about the breeding habits of Bonaire’s American Flamingo: https://www.bonairebirdtours.com/courtship-breeding-of-bonaires-american-flamingo/

07/12/2024

The Legend of the Gatekeeper tells of a sentinel who stands watch over the threshold to sacred or transformative realms. In today’s tale, the guardian is not a fearsome creature or a towering figure but a majestic Great Blue Heron. Standing tall and motionless beside a historic entranceway, the heron embodies serenity, wisdom, and vigilance. Its piercing gaze seems to assess the worthiness of those who seek passage, as if discerning their true intentions and readiness for the journey ahead.

Many birds are often perceived to have mystical qualities, and those with a spiritual inclination view the Great Blue Heron as a symbol of patience and self-reflection. With this thinking, Its presence at the gate suggests that the path forward requires not just courage, but also stillness and inner clarity. To cross the threshold, one must align with the heron’s calm and deliberate nature, proving they are prepared for the transformation that lies beyond. This graceful guardian serves as a reminder that profound change is often preceded by quiet introspection.

And then again, maybe it’s just waiting for its next meal! 😆

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) on Bonaire.

21/11/2024

Say hello to the Grasshopper Sparrow, an endemic subspecies found on Bonaire!

This small, charming bird is a treasured endemic subspecies unique to the islands of Bonaire and Curacao, and it is known for its subtle beauty and its soft, insect-like song that echoes through Bonaire’s grasslands, especially during the fall breeding season.

Its presence here on Bonaire was noted as far back as 1893 when an ornithological expedition recorded the special subspecies Ammodramus savannarum caribaeus in the area of Plantage Aruba, where it still resides today.

As an irreplaceable part of the island’s natural heritage, the Grasshopper Sparrow is a reminder of the importance of protecting Bonaire’s unique ecosystems. Let’s do what we can to safeguard the incredible biodiversity that makes Bonaire so extraordinary!

16/11/2024

The Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) is a charismatic shorebird known for its distinctive and piercing call, which sounds like “kill-deer, kill-deer,” giving the species its common name. This vocalization is often heard in open habitats like grasslands, fields, and even urban areas, particularly during the breeding season when the bird is highly territorial. The call serves as a warning to potential threats and a means of communication between mates.

Unusually adaptable, Killdeer are known for nesting in unconventional sites, including gravel rooftops, construction zones, and parking lots across North America. These birds create simple scrapes in the ground, often camouflaging their speckled eggs among rocks or gravel. Despite the risks of human activity, Killdeer thrive in these environments due to their bold behavior and clever strategies, such as feigning injury. This “broken-wing display” is used to distract predators and lure them away from nests. The adaptability of the Killdeer to human-altered landscapes highlights its resourcefulness.

In winter, Killdeer populations migrate southward to escape freezing temperatures. While some remain year-round in the southern United States, others travel as far as Central and South America. This migration is largely driven by food availability, as Killdeer primarily feed on insects, earthworms, and other invertebrates found in soft, unfrozen soils. Their migration patterns vary by region, with northern populations making longer journeys, while those in milder climates may not migrate at all. These seasonal movements ensure that Killdeer can continue to thrive in diverse environments year-round.

Here on Bonaire, we may come across the Killdeer during North American migration seasons, but sometimes they decide they like Bonaire and over-winter here as well.

05/11/2024

A Whistling Heron makes an appearance on Bonaire!

Allow me to set the stage...

Two enthusiastic birders and I were driving through Rincon, the oldest village on Bonaire, hoping to spot the lora—Bonaire’s own Yellow-shouldered Amazon Parrot. Suddenly, I caught sight of a large bird perched atop a tree.

I instinctively slowed the car and pointed. All three of us leaned forward, peering through the windshield at a heron-like bird gazing back down at us with steady eyes.

I brought the car to a stop. We sat, transfixed, then raised our binoculars for a closer look. The bird had a pink bill tipped in black. “Reddish Egret?” I murmured quizzically, puzzled as it wasn’t a normal habitat for the egret. But as I examined it more closely, moving my binoculars along the elegant line of its face and neck, I realized—this wasn’t a Reddish Egret.

No, it was a Whistling Heron! A bird that has only been recorded on Bonaire twice before!

South America’s unique and enigmatic bird

The Whistling Heron (Syrigma sibilatrix) is an elegant and distinctive bird native to South America, where it graces wetlands, grasslands, and savannas with its striking plumage and soft, melodic calls. Known for its characteristic whistling sound—hence its name—the Whistling Heron has developed unique adaptations that allow it to thrive across various South American regions and even make occasional visits to Caribbean islands like Bonaire. This post explores the fascinating world of the Whistling Heron, detailing its habitat, diet, movements, and the two subspecies that mark its place in South America’s rich biodiversity.

Continue reading at https://www.bonairebirdtours.com/rare-bird-alert-the-whistling-heron-visits-bonaire/

04/11/2024

Go Ahead, Make My Day!

That’s the vibe this bold Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus) is giving as it struts down a wet pathway, eyeing each worm in its way! Known for their opportunistic foraging habits, these striking birds of prey are always on the lookout for a meal, and today’s special is a hearty helping of fresh, juicy worms. 😋

With laser focus, this caracara took its time, carefully filling up its crop one wriggling snack at a time, as if challenging each worm, “Go ahead, make my day!” 😎 Talk about attitude!

Thanks go to Cate McLeod for the spot-on caption inspiration that perfectly captures this caracara’s confidence and charm!

04/10/2024

Whew, it’s a scorcher out there!

With little to no breeze on Bonaire lately, we’re all feeling the heat – and our feathered friends are, too! Just like us, birds are warm-blooded, and they need to regulate their body temperatures.

Check out this Bare-eyed Pigeon showing off a clever trick called "gular fluttering." By rapidly vibrating the membranes in their throat, birds can cool down through evaporative cooling – kind of like their own version of panting!

Nature always finds a way to adapt, even in the heat. Stay cool out there, everyone!

Learn more about how birds keep their cool here: https://www.bonairebirdtours.com/avian-thermoregulation-how-birds-keep-cool/

03/10/2024

It’s Migratory Songbird Season!

Get excited! The migratory songbirds are making their way to Bonaire, and it’s the perfect time to spot some beautiful, rare visitors. In this photo, you can see two stunning American Redstarts—can you tell them apart? The female is adorned with striking yellow accents, while the male showcases bold black plumage with bright orange highlights.

Now’s the time to grab your binoculars and hit the trails—there’s no better chance to see species we don’t usually get here. Happy birding!

30/09/2024

Flamingo Facts: The little-known info about their lamellae!

Did you know that flamingos have a unique feeding adaptation that helps them thrive in their watery habitats? Their lamellae—those comb-like structures lining their bills—are essential for their survival.

This young American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) is posing so we can get an excellent view of these specialized filters that allow flamingos to sift through mud and water to extract tiny shrimp, algae, and other tasty morsels. As they feed, they invert their heads, using the lamellae to trap food while letting the water flow out.

27/09/2024

The look on your face when you’ve been caught skinny-dipping and realize you cannot stand up.
Have a great weekend!

Green Heron (Butorides virescens) on Bonaire.