There are many different species of animals on Aruba. A number of those are endemic and are found only on this island. The animals you will see first are usually the birds. One of the most conspicuous of them is with no doubt the Prikichi (Parakeet). Often they fly squawking loudly from cactus to cactus.

The tall barrel cacti are also used by other birds as a singing post. The most striking is the orange-black Trupial. Its relative, the Gonsalito, is yellow and black. The smallest bird in Aruba is the Blenchi. Besides the more common Blenchi Berde also the scarcer Blenchi Cora can be seen. The nests of these birds, as large as an egg cup, are made of small leaves and cobweb. Especially when the cacti and trees are in bloom, Blenchis can be seen. Like a helicopter they hoover in front of a flower to suck up the nectar.

Aruba also has several birds of prey, like the Shoco, a small burrowing owl that is endemic to Aruba, the Warawara, a real scavenger that also catches mice and lizards from time to time, the Gabilan Piscado that fishes over the sea and takes a rest on the rocks along the north coast and the kinikini who hunts for mice and lizards.

The Aruba Animal Shelter

Besides the beautiful birds and the lizards Aruba also has lot of cats and dogs. Unfortunately a lot of them live on the streets. The Aruba Animal Shelter try's to help as many of them as possible, you can read more about the work of the shelter at their website.