Curaçao

Curaçao is a constituent island country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the southern Caribbean Sea, specifically the Dutch Caribbean region, about 65 km (40 miles) north of Venezuela. It includes the main island of Curaçao and the much smaller, uninhabited island of Klein Curaçao (Little Curaçao). Curaçao has a population of around 185,000 people, with an area of 444 km2 (171 square miles); its capital is Willemstad. Together with Aruba and Bonaire, Curaçao forms the ABC islands. Collectively, Curaçao, Aruba, and other Dutch islands in the Caribbean are often called the Dutch Caribbean. It is the largest of the ABC islands in terms of area and population, as well as the largest in the Dutch Caribbean.

Curaçao, lies on the continental shelf of South America featuring a hilly topography, with its highest point reaching 1,220 feet above sea level named Christoffelberg. Curaçao has diverse range of beaches from coastline’s bays, inlets, lagoons, seasonal lakes, rough seas on its northern shore, and a freshwater spring. In addition, it has upwelling which is an oceanographic phenomenon that involves wind-driven motion of dense, cooler and nutrient-rich water from deep ocean moving towards the ocean surface, contributing to the source of natural minerals, thermal conditions, and seawater used in hydrotherapy and mesotherapy, making the island one of many balneo-climateric areas in the region. Furthermore, off the southeast coast of the main island of Curaçao lies the tiny uninhabited Isle of Klein Curaçao, which boasts a long, stretched beach.

Christoffelberg – ©Jerrye & Roy Klotz via Wikimedia Commons

Curaçao has a semiarid climate with a dry season from January to September and a wet season from October to December. The temperatures are relatively constant throughout the year. The trade winds cool the air during the day and warm it during the night. The coldest month is January with an average temperature of 26 °C and the warmest month is September with an average temperature of 29 °C. The year’s average maximum temperature is just over 31 °C, and the average minimum temperature is just over 25 °C. Curaçao lies outside the hurricane belt, but is still occasionally affected by hurricanes.

Birding Curaçao

Curaçao’s flora differ from typical tropical island vegetation. Guajira-Barranquilla xeric scrub is the most notable, with various forms of cacti, thorny shrubs, evergreen, and watapana trees Libidibia coriaria, which are characteristic of the ABC islands. Brassavola nodosa is a drought-tolerant species of Brassavola, one of the few orchids present in the ABC islands. Cacti include Melocactus and Opuntia species such as Opuntia stricta.

Green Iguana Iguana iguana – ©Aatu Dorochenko via Wikimedia

The country is semi-arid, and as such has not supported the numerous tropical species associated with rainforests. Other than field mice, small rabbits, and cave bats, Curaçao’s only notable mammal is the white-tailed deer, probably introduced by man in prehistoric times; the majority inhabit Chistoffel Park. There are several species of iguana, found lounging in the sun across the island. Unlike many islands that gave up the practice, iguanas are still hunted and eaten. Along the west end of the island’s north shore are several inlets with breeding turtles, which are protected by the park system in Shete Boka Park and can be visited accompanied by park rangers.

Curaçao Shore, Shete Boka National Park – ©Daniel Alfaro C. via Wikimedia Commons

280 species of avifauna have been recorded, although resident species are a much smaller number. However, dozens of bird species can be found on the island such as two hummingbird species (Blue-tailed Emerald and Ruby-topaz), bananaquits, Yellow Orioles, terns, herons and even flamingos make their homes near ponds or in coastal areas. The Troupial is common on Curaçao as are Tropical Mockingbirds. Other species regularly encountered in gardens include Black-faced Grassquit, Brown-throated Parakeet, Rufous-collared Sparrow, White-tipped Dove and Blue-tailed Emerald. There are four raptors, American Kestrel, White-tailed Hawk, Barn Owl and Crested Caracara. Black vulture has recently begun to colonise. Near shorelines, Brown Pelicans feed. There are, too, other seabirds including cormorants and several types of gulls such as Laughing Gulls and terns including Least and Royal Terns. Species number swell during migration periods.

Christoffel Mountain lies in the reserved wildlife park, Curaçao Christoffelpark, and can be explored by car, bike, horse or on foot. Several trails have been laid out. There are also Saliñas, salt marshes where flamingos rest and feed, along with migratory waders and heron species. 24km (15 miles) off the coast of Curaçao, to the southeast, lies the small, uninhabited island of Klein Curaçao (Little Curaçao).