Aruba boasts many species of native (and a few introduced) birds, and some of these are quite common and tame around the resorts and hotels. Others must be sought out at special places like Arakok National Park, Spanish Lagoon, Bubali Bird Sanctuary, and the Salina (natural salt pan flats north of the hi-rise district). The photos below are based on my experience from three, week-long family trips I made in June (2011, 2013, 2015) where I spent a couple of days birding on each trip. Photos in 2011 and 2013 were taken with a Canon 20d using only a 100mm macro lens, which is not intended for bird photography, and the purpose of this webpage is clearly not to showcase great photos but rather to provide information on birding Aruba. In 2015 I shot with a Canon PowerShot sx50.
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)Ciribana, Santa Cruz, Aruba20 June 2013Rare to uncommon vagrant to Aruba, perhaps becoming regular?Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)Ciribana, Santa Cruz, Aruba20 June 2013Distant whistling-ducks with a couple of White-cheeked Pintails and 3 Greater Yellowlegs (far left).
White-cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis)Bubali, Aruba1 June 2015Common island-wide in landlocked bodies of water.White-cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis)Bubali, Aruba1 June 2015With Caribbean Coots.White-cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis)Bubali, Aruba1 June 2015White-cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis)Aruba20 June 2013With a preening Killdeer.White-cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis)Bubali Sanctuary, Aruba16 June 2011White-cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis)Bubali Sanctuary, Aruba16 June 2011
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)Bubali, Aruba1 June 2015Adult and chick
Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)Salina, Aruba18 June 2013Frigatebirds have the longest wingspan proportional to their body weight of all bird species in the world. Magnificent Frigatebirds are common around Aruba.Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)Salina, Aruba18 June 2013Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)Salina, Aruba18 June 2013Usually seen along the coast over the ocean, this frigatebird came in to the Salina to hunt (or drink?).Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)Salina, Aruba23 June 2013Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)Bubali, Aruba1 June 2015Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)Palm Beach, Aruba6 June 2015
Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)Bubali, Aruba1 June 2015Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)Bubali, Aruba1 June 2015Neotropic Cormorants (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)Salina, Aruba17 June 2013The only species of cormorant found in Aruba, they are quite common in aquatic habitats island-wide.Neotropic Cormorants (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)Salina, Aruba22 June 2013Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)Aruba20 June 2013Neotropic Cormorants are smaller than the other North American cormorants and have relatively longer tails.Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)Aruba20 June 2013
Brown Pelican (Pelicanus occidentalis)Palm Beach, Aruba18 June 2013CommonBrown Pelican (Pelicanus occidentalis)Palm Beach, Aruba6 June 2015
Great Egret (Ardea alba)Bubali Sanctuary, Aruba16 June 2011Common yet stunning birds. Note large size, yellow bill, and dark legs.
Green Heron (Butorides virescens)Bubali, Aruba1 June 2015
American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber)Salina, Aruba17 June 2013Flamingoes are vagrants to Aruba.American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber)Salina, Aruba17 June 2013The grayish individual is a youngster.
Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinicus)Bubali, Aruba1 June 2015
Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata)Bubali Sanctuary, Aruba1 June 2015
Caribbean Coot (Fulica caribaea)Bubali, Aruba1 June 2015With Common GallinulesCaribbean Coot (Fulica caribaea)Bubali, Aruba1 June 2015
Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)Salina near Ritz Carlton, Aruba5 June 2015Very commmon on Aruba, stilts (and Killdeers) are among the first birds to "sound the alarm" when birders show up!Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)Salina, Aruba18 June 2013Very commmon on Aruba, stilts (and Killdeers) are among the first birds to "sound the alarm" when birders show up!Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)Salina, Aruba18 June 2013Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)Salt flats by Marriott Surf Club, Palm Beach, Aruba13 June 2011
American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus)Salina near Ritz Carlton, Aruba6 June 2015
Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)Salt flats behind the Marriott Surf Club, Palm Beach, Aruba17 June 2013Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)Salt flats behind the Marriott Surf Club, Palm Beach, Aruba2 June 2015Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)Salina near Ritz Carlton, Palm Beach, Aruba2 June 2015
Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis)Mill Resort Salina, Aruba1 June 2015Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis)Bubali, Aruba1 June 2015Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis)Bubali, Aruba1 June 2015
Collared Plover (Charadrius collaris)Salina by Ritz Carlton, Aruba6 June 2015
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)Mill Resort Salina, Aruba1 June 2015Not sure why eBird flags this species as rare in June. I've seen multiple individuals in multiple places all three times I've birded in Aruba.
Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)Salina near Ritz-Carlton5 June 2015
Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)Salina by Ritz Carlton, Aruba6 June 2015
Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla)Graves Beach near Baby Beach, Aruba20 June 2013Fairly common along the beaches in Aruba.
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)Salina by Mill Resort, Aruba1 June 2015
Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)Salina, Aruba22 June 2013Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)Mill Salina, Aruba1 June 2015Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)Mill Salina, Aruba1 June 2015Part of a large flock (41 individuals).Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)Salina by Ritz Carlton, Aruba6 June 2015Part of a flock of 37 individuals.
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)Palm Beach, Aruba6 June 2015
Bare-eyed Pigeon (Patagioenas corensis)Palm Beach, Aruba6 June 2015Bare-eyed Pigeon (Patagioenas corensis)Palm Beach, Aruba17 June 2013Very common all over Aruba. Bare-eyed Pigeons are easily recognized in flight by large size (for a Columbid) and the large white wing patch.Bare-eyed Pigeon (Patagioenas corensis)Palm Beach, Aruba22 June 2013Contemplating ignoring the sign...Bare-eyed Pigeon (Patagioenas corensis)Palm Beach, Aruba22 June 2013Sharing an afternoon snack with an Eared Dove.Bare-eyed Pigeon (Patagioenas corensis)Palm Beach, Aruba22 June 2013
Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata)Palm Beach, Aruba20 June 2013Seemingly omnipresent island-wide in Aruba, these cute doves with black ear markings are larger than Common Ground Doves and smaller than Bare-eyed Pigeons.Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata)Mill Resort Salina, Aruba1 June 2015Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata)Mill Resort Salina, Aruba1 June 2015Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata)Palm Beach, Aruba17 June 2013Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata)Palm Beach, Aruba15 June 2011Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata)Palm Beach, Aruba15 June 2011Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata)Palm Beach, Aruba17 June 2011Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata)Palm Beach, Aruba17 June 2011Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata)Palm Beach, Aruba15 June 2011Enjoying breakfast!
Common Ground Dove (Columbina passerina)Palm Beach, Aruba17 June 2013These dainty doves are common island-wide.Common Ground Dove (Columbina passerina)Bubali Sanctuary, Aruba18 June 2013While not too shy, they do scurry away when approached too closely.Common Ground Dove (Columbina passerina)Palm Beach, Aruba5 June 2015
Groove-billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris)Bubali Sanctuary, Aruba16 June 2011Very long tails and thick bills distinguish these from grackles. Groove-billed Anis are uncommon breeders on Aruba.Groove-billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris)Bubali Sanctuary, Aruba16 June 2011
'Aruba' Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia arubensis)Spanish Lagoon, Aruba20 June 2013Uncommon resident breeder on Aruba, Burrowing Owls spend much of the heat of the day in the shade of vegetation near their burrows. This subspecies is endemic to Aruba.Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia arubensis)Spanish Lagoon, Aruba20 June 2013Blurry photo of an individual that suddenly flew over my head.'Aruba' Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia arubensis)Spanish Lagoon, Aruba20 June 2013
Blue-tailed Emerald (Chlorostilbon mellisugus), femaleSpanish Lagoon, Aruba20 June 2013Fairly common on ArubaBlue-tailed Emerald (Chlorostilbon mellisugus), femaleSpanish Lagoon, Aruba20 June 2013Blue-tailed Emerald (Chlorostilbon mellisugus), femaleBubali Sanctuary, Aruba16 June 2011
Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway)Salina, Aruba18 June 2013Uncommon but island-wide on Aruba, Caracaras are in the falcon family and feed mostly on carrion, insects, and small animals.Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway)Salina, Aruba18 June 2013They may be found singly or in small groups.Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway)Palm Beach, Aruba17 June 2013Caracaras soar on flat wings with "fingertips" flipped up.Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway)Bubali Sanctuary, Aruba18 June 2013Two caracaras perched in a tree near Bubali.
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)Salina near Ritz Carlton, Aruba5 June 2015
'Aruban' Brown-throated Parakeet (Aratinga pertinax arubensis)Bubali Sanctuary, Aruba16 June 2011While this species is widespread in the Caribbean and northern South America, this subspecies of Brown-throated Parakeet is endemic to the island of Aruba.'Aruban' Brown-throated Parakeet (Aratinga pertinax arubensis)Bubali Sanctuary, Aruba16 June 2011
Northern Scrub-Flycatcher (Sublegatus arenarum)Bubali, Aruba1 June 2015
Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus)Spanish Lagoon, Aruba20 June 2013Uncommon breeding resident in the more heavily vegetated habitats on Aruba.Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus)Spanish Lagoon, Aruba20 June 2013
Gray Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis)Bubali, Aruba1 June 2015
Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus)Palm Beach, Aruba5 June 2015Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus)Palm Beach, Aruba5 June 2015Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus)Bubali Sanctuary, Aruba16 June 2011Common island-wide, Tropical Mockingbirds are reminiscent of Northern Mockingbirds but are a bit dingier and have less white in the wings and tail.Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus)Palm Beach, Aruba22 June 2013Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus)Palm Beach, Aruba22 June 2013Some species of birds walk while others only hop. Mockingbirds walk (and run)!Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus)Palm Beach, Aruba15 June 2011Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus)Palm Beach, Aruba22 June 2013Note the flank streaks.Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus)Palm Beach, Aruba22 June 2013Note the distribution of white in the wings and tails of these feisty individuals.Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus)Palm Beach, Aruba22 June 2013Sharing a fence with a Troupial.
Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola)Palm Beach, Aruba22 June 2013Bananaquits are colorful, high-energy birds found all over Aruba. It seems one is rarely out of earshot of their buzzy vocalizations.Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola)Palm Beach, Aruba22 June 2013Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola)Palm Beach, Aruba22 June 2013Nectaring in the flowers of what the locals called a Karawara tree.Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola)Bubali Sanctuary, Aruba22 June 2013Bananaquit nests are covered nest with side-entrances. This angle was shot from below the nest, which was constructed less than 2 meters off the ground.Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola)Bubali Sanctuary, Aruba22 June 2013Arrow points to the Bananaquit nest.Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola)Palm Beach, Aruba15 June 2011The resort staff call them "yellowbelly sugarbirds"!Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola)Palm Beach, Aruba15 June 2011Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola)Bubali Sanctuary, Aruba1 June 2015
Black-faced Grassquit (Tiaris bicolor), malePalm Beach, Aruba17 June 2013These tiny songbirds with very stout bills are common islandwide.Black-faced Grassquit (Tiaris bicolor), femalePalm Beach, Aruba17 June 2013Black-faced Grassquit (Tiaris bicolor), femalePalm Beach, Aruba17 June 2013Black-faced Grassquit (Tiaris bicolor)Bubali Sanctuary, Aruba1 June 2015
Carib Grackle (Quiscalus lugubris)Palm Beach, Aruba17 June 2013Common on Aruba, adult Carib Grackles have bright yellow eyes.Carib Grackle (Quiscalus lugubris)Palm Beach, Aruba22 June 2013Females are a bit smaller and browner than males.Carib Grackle (Quiscalus lugubris)Palm Beach, Aruba22 June 2013Adult males are glossy purple-black with long keeled tails.Carib Grackle (Quiscalus lugubris)Palm Beach, Aruba22 June 2013Carib Grackle (Quiscalus lugubris)Palm Beach, Aruba15 June 2011How do you take your coffee? Cream? Sugar? Grackle?Carib Grackle (Quiscalus lugubris)Palm Beach, Aruba13 June 2011Carib Grackle (Quiscalus lugubris)Palm Beach, Aruba2 June 2015
Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis)Palm Beach, Aruba22 June 2013Shiny Cowbirds, common on Aruba, can be distinguished from Carib Grackles in that the cowbirds have dark eyes, are smaller overall with shorter, non-keeled tails, and have relatively shorter/stouter bills. In this photo, the 2 birds on the right are Shiny Cowbirds and the two on the left are Carib Grackles.
Troupial (Icterus icterus)Palm Beach, Aruba17 June 2013Colorful and common island-wide, Troupials are always a delight to see and hear.Troupial (Icterus icterus)Palm Beach, Aruba17 June 2013Troupial (Icterus icterus)Palm Beach, Aruba17 June 2013Acrobatic!Troupial (Icterus icterus)Palm Beach, Aruba17 June 2013Troupials are equally at home in the lush vegetation around the resorts as on the cacti in the native arid habitats on the island.Troupial (Icterus icterus)Palm Beach, Aruba17 June 2013A common sight across the island!
Yellow Oriole (Icterus nigrogularis)Spanish Lagoon, Aruba20 June 2013Much more shy than its local cousin the Troupial, Yellow Orioles are smaller, more yellow, and found in more pristine native habitats on Aruba.Yellow Oriole (Icterus nigrogularis)Spanish Lagoon, Aruba20 June 2013Yellow Oriole (Icterus nigrogularis)Spanish Lagoon, Aruba20 June 2013Pendular nests are built at the ends of branches and often occur in 3's.
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), malePalm Beach, Aruba22 June 2013Common in developed habitats island-wide, House Sparrows are native to Europe.House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), malePalm Beach, Aruba22 June 2013House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), femalesPalm Beach, Aruba20 June 2013House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)Butterfly Farm, Aruba1 June 2015
Jeff's Aruba birding trip list from 17-23 June 2013
Comments are from personal experience from this trip. Many thanks to Olinda R. for showing me some great places and birds!
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, 12 at Ciribana near Santa Cruz
White-cheeked Pintail, common and widespread
Crested Bobwhite, Tierra del Sol
Pied-billed Grebe, fairly common
American Flamingo, 3 at Salina
Magnificent Frigatebird, common and widespread
Neotropic Cormorant, common and widespread
Brown Pelican, common and widespread
Black-crowned Night-Heron, fairly common
Green Heron, common and widespread
Cattle Egret, 1 at Tierra del Sol pond
Great Blue Heron, 1 at Salina
Great Egret, common and widespread
Reddish Egret, 1 at Salina
Tricolored Heron, a couple at Salina and Bubali
Snowy Egret, common and widespread
Roseate Spoonbill, 5 at Tierra del Sol pond
Crested Caracara, 4 at Salina, 2 at Bubali
American Kestrel, a few at Tierra del Sol
Common Moorhen, common and widespread
Caribbean Coot, fairly common
Southern Lapwing, 1 at Tierra del Sol
Black-bellied Plover, a few in the salt flats behind Mariott Surf Club
Collared Plover, 1 at Graves Beach near Baby Beach
Semipalmated Plover, 1 at Tierra del Sol pond
Killdeer, common and widespread
Black-necked Stilt, common and widespread
Greater Yellowlegs, common and widespread
Ruddy Turnstone, fairly common
Laughing Gull, fairly common
Herring Gull, 1 young gull at the Salina that I didn't pay enough attention to. I *think* it was a Herring Gull.
Royal Tern, common and widespread
Sandwich âCayenneâ Tern, several at Rodgers Beach area
Sandwich Tern, several at Rodgers Beach area
Roseate Tern, a few at Rodgers Beach area
Common Tern, common and widespread
Bridled Tern, several at Rodgers Beach area
Sooty Tern, several at Rodgers Beach area
Brown Noddy, several at Rodgers Beach area
Rock Dove, common and widespread
Bare-eyed Pigeon, common and widespread
Eared Dove, common and widespread
Common Ground-Dove, common and widespread
Brown-throated Parakeet, a few at Bubali Sanctuary
Groove-billed Ani, several at Tierra del Sol
Burrowing Owl, a few at Spanish Lagoon
Blue-tailed Emerald, 1 at Spanish Lagoon
Scrub Flycatcher, 1 at Spanish Lagoon
Brown-crested Flycatcher, 1 at Spanish Lagoon
Gray Kingbird, a couple at Bubali and Spanish Lagoon
Tropical Mockingbird, common and widespread
Yellow Warbler, 1 at Spanish Lagoon
Bananaquit, common and widespread
Black-faced Grassquit, common and widespread
Carib Grackle, common and widespread
Troupial, common and widespread
House Sparrow, common and widespread
