I was exploring a beach in Bonaire when I noticed a bird atop a cactus, eating something. It was unexpected, since one would think the prickles on a cactus would discourage any animal from resting on it, let alone eat it. What is this bird? The colors and markings indicate that it’s a brown-throated parakeet, which is a widespread inhabitant of the Neotropics, which includes tropical Central and South America, the Caribbean, and parts of Mexico and southern North America.
Here’s the original view from a distance which first grabbed my attention (below):
I zoomed in with my camera to get the top shot, along with these pictures below. So, what exactly is this brown-throated parakeet eating? It is eating the fruit of a Stenocereus cactus (likely “Stenocereus griseus,” commonly known as a Yatu cactus). The parakeet is picking at a ripe cactus fruit (sometimes called a “cactus apple” or “cactus tuna”). These fruits are a vital source of hydration and sugar for desert-dwelling birds, especially in arid Caribbean climates.
It’s interesting to note that the parakeet is not just getting a meal – he or she is also playing a crucial role as a seed disperser. By eating the cactus fruit and later passing the seeds, it helps ensure that new cacti grow across Bonaire’s scrubland.
Let’s get one more look – close-up – of this activity by the brown-throated parakeet. If you look closely, he or she has navigated the cactus spikes very well – he or she is perched on the edge, and even position the “toes” to go around the spikes, with a few visible spikes going up right in-between and just under the belly.
