Aruba is a small island filled with natural wonders, and one of its most special animals is the Prikichi – a beautiful green parakeet scientifically known as Aratinga pertinax. Unique to Aruba, the Prikichi has adapted well to the island’s dry, desert-like climate and is a beloved symbol of the island’s natural heritage.
A National Symbol
The Prikichi is the national bird of Aruba. While parakeets also live on the neighboring islands of Bonaire and Curaçao, each island has its own local variety. The Yellow-shouldered Amazon parakeet found on Aruba is also seen along the coast of Venezuela. Sadly, this unique species is under threat because of interbreeding with other breeds, often due to pet birds from Curaçao being released into the wild on Aruba.
Appearance and Behavior
Weighing between 90 to 100 grams, the Prikichi has a greenish-brown head, yellow around the eyes, and dark green wings and back. Its underbody is a lighter green, with touches of blue in the wings and a gray to black beak.
These birds live throughout Aruba’s natural landscapes (mondi) and often choose termite nests as breeding spots. Their defense mechanism is to fly away quickly while letting out loud, sharp cries.
Diet and Threats
Prikichis feed on seeds from native trees like the Kwihi, Divi Divi, and columnar cacti, along with natural fruits. However, they face serious threats – primarily from habitat loss due to deforestation and from predators such as boa constrictors and humans.
