This is a list of the bird species recorded in Bonaire. The avifauna of Bonaire (an island of the Leeward Antilles in the Caribbean Sea) has 208 confirmed species, of which four have been introduced by humans and 62 are rare or vagrants (including a species introduced elsewhere in the region). None are endemic. An additional four species are hypothetical (see below).
Except as an entry is cited otherwise, the list of species is that of the South American Classification Committee (SACC) of the American Ornithological Society. The list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families, and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) are also those of the SACC.
The following tags have been used to highlight certain categories of occurrence.
(V) Vagrant - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Bonaire
(I) Introduced - a species introduced to Bonaire by human actions
(H) Hypothetical - a species recorded but with "no tangible evidence" according to the SACC
Ducks
Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae
Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.
Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor (V) Black-bellied whistling-duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis (V) Comb duck, Sarkidiornis sylvicola (V) Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata Blue-winged teal, Spatula discors American wigeon, Mareca americana White-cheeked pintail, Anas bahamensis Northern pintail, Anas acuta (V) Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris (V) Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis Masked duck, Nomonyx dominicus (V)
Flamingos
Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down.
American flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber
Grebes
Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.
Least grebe, Tachybaptus dominicus
Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps
Pigeons
Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I) Scaly-naped pigeon, Patagioenas squamosa (Extirpated) Bare-eyed pigeon, Patagioenas corensis White-tipped dove, Leptotila verreauxi Eared dove, Zenaida auriculata Common ground dove, Columbina passerina Ruddy ground dove, Columbina talpacoti (V)
Cuckoos
Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs.
Groove-billed ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris
Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus
Mangrove cuckoo, Coccyzus minor
Gray-capped cuckoo, Coccyzus lansbergi (V)
Nightjars
Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.
Lesser nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis (V) Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor White-tailed nightjar, Hydropsalis cayennensis Chuck-will's-widow, Antrostomus carolinensis (V)
Swifts
Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae
Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.
Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica (V)
Hummingbirds
Order: ApodiformesFamily: Trochilidae
Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards.