ABC Islands: Aruba (February 11, 2026)

Sooty Tern

Aruba was our last stop in the ABC Islands, and even before I was fully awake, I managed to add a new bird to the trip list. My mornings at sea follow a simple ritual: step out onto the balcony with a cup of coffee and a few of the ship’s complimentary cookies, breathe in the fresh air, and watch the sunrise. On this particular morning, a quiet surprise awaited me—a Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus) resting calmly on one of the lifeboats. I checked it carefully for any signs of injury, but it seemed perfectly fine, simply pausing to rest. I left it be, grateful for the unexpected encounter. For Aruba, my wife had set herself the ambitious goal of climbing all 600 steps of Hooiberg, a high point in the center of the island. My mission was simpler: to find the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia), known locally as the Shoco. Reports suggested that sightings often occurred near Hooiberg, so our plan was straightforward—she would tackle the climb, and I would bird the surroundings, keeping my eyes peeled for owls. We were among the first passengers off the ship when it docked at Oranjestad, and within minutes we were in a taxi heading toward Hooiberg. The driver was warm and talkative, and when he learned of my quest, he surprised me by saying he knew exactly where I could find a Shoco—guaranteed. He promised to take us there after our Hooiberg adventure. Intrigued but skeptical, I still intended to search on my own while my wife climbed.

Venezuelan Troupial @ Hooiberg

Looking up at the endless steps, I knew I had made the right decision to avoid the full climb. Still, peer pressure nudged me to go partway, and I managed about a quarter of the ascent before stopping to enjoy the view. The slopes were dry and dominated by cacti and acacia trees. Bare‑eyed Pigeons (Patagioenas corensis) were the most numerous, but I also spotted a Venezuelan Troupial (Icterus icterus) and a lively Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola). After descending, I wandered toward the nearby Aruba Water Park, birding along the way. I strayed off the path into the shrubs, which rewarded me with my closest look yet at a Blue‑tailed Emerald (Chlorostilbon mellisugus) —a dazzling hummingbird, though sadly I couldn’t capture a photo. From the steps I had noticed a pond not far away, so I made my way there next. Unfortunately, it was quiet, with no birds present, and my search for the Shoco remained fruitless. The taxi driver’s promise now felt like a lifeline.

Momma Burrowing Owl at Casibari Rock Formations

True to his word, the driver later took us to the Casibari Rock Formations, a popular attraction with striking boulders and plenty of visitors. He led us along a trail to a fenced‑off area, and to our delight, there were five Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) owlets huddled together. Nearby, a parent perched watchfully in a tree. I was elated—finally, the Shoco! A lifer at last.

White‑cheeked Pintail @ Bubali Bird Sanctuary

Afterward, we headed back to the ship. I was eager to check on the Sooty Tern and was pleased to find it gone—no longer perched on the lifeboat. I imagined it had regained its strength and flown off. But my birding wasn’t finished yet. I arranged for the taxi to take us to another hotspot—the Bubali Bird Sanctuary. My son Jason joined me, and almost immediately on the trail we heard the familiar call of a Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis), the second one for the trip. Beneath a tree at the trail entrance was a group of domestic Muscovy Ducks (Cairina moschata), but among them I picked out two more firsts for the trip: White‑cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis) and Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinicus).

Aruba added one lifer and nine species to the trip checklist, bringing the grand total to 63 species—including five lifers. A fitting finale to a memorable journey to the ABC Islands - Bonaire, Curaçao and Aruba.

The Stats:

Day's New Birds for the Trip:                 Trip Species Tally: 63
Day's New Lifer(s):   1                          Trip Lifer Tally: 5

New species for the trip: Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, White-cheeked Pintail, Blue-winged Teal, Purple Gallinule, Sooty Tern, Neotropic Cormorant, Burrowing Owl, Peregrine Falcon, Shiny Cowbird

Home | Bonaire | Curaçao | Trip Report