Animals

1. Bestia

   Animal (general)

   Usage

   A catch-all for creatures you cannot name; dive shops say "bestia peligroso" for dangerous animals

2. Kachó

   Dog

   Usage

   Many roam free on the islands. "Kuidou ku e kachó" = watch out for the dog

3. Pushi

   Cat

   Usage

   A distinctly Papiamentu word, neither Iberian nor Dutch

4. Kabritu

   Goat

   Usage

   The most common livestock; they wander onto roads, so drive carefully. "Stoba di kabritu" is the local goat stew

5. Buriku

   Donkey

   Usage

   Bonaire has many feral donkeys and a sanctuary for them. Aimed at a person the word is an insult, so keep it about the animal

6. Kabai

   Horse

   Usage

   Some islands offer horseback tours

7. Baka

   Cow

   Usage

   Beef is "karni di baka"

8. Porko

   Pig

   Usage

   Aimed at a person the word is an insult

9. Karné

   Sheep

   Usage

   Often kept alongside goats and hard to tell apart from a distance

10. Galiña

    Chicken / hen

    Usage

    Chicken as food is "galiña" or "pollo"

11. Gai

    Rooster

    Usage

    Crows at dawn; something to consider when staying in a residential area

12. Para

    Bird

    Usage

    The general word for birds; the same spelling is also the verb "to stop"

13. Chogogo

    Flamingo

    Usage

    Bonaire's emblem, gathering in salt pans and brackish lagoons. Nesting areas are off limits and the flock flushes if you approach, so watch from a distance

14. Lora

    Parrot (yellow-shouldered amazon)

    Usage

    A protected species on Bonaire and Curaçao; you hear the flocks calling in flight. Capture and trade are illegal

15. Trupial

    Troupial

    Usage

    A striking orange-and-black bird, a local emblem that shows up on souvenirs

16. Barika hel

    Bananaquit

    Usage

    Literally "yellow belly"; the little bird that raids sugar bowls on café tables, so keep the lid on

17. Yuana

    Iguana

    Usage

    The big lizard you see everywhere; "sòpi di yuana" (iguana soup) is a traditional dish

18. Lagadishi

    Lizard (small)

    Usage

    The small lizards darting over walls and gardens; harmless. The big ones are Yuana

19. Kolebra

    Snake

    Usage

    Island snakes are essentially non-venomous, but do not handle them

20. Turtuga

    Sea turtle

    Usage

    Often met while snorkelling; a protected species, so do not touch or chase them

21. Piská

    Fish

    Usage

    Both the animal and the dish; you can point at it in the market

22. Tribon

    Shark

    Usage

    Useful before a dive: "Tin tribon den awa aki?" = are there sharks in this water?

23. Kangreu

    Crab

    Usage

    Found on rocky shores and in mangroves

24. Raton

    Rat / mouse

    Usage

    Covers both rats and mice; use it to report one at your lodging

25. Sangura

    Mosquito

    Usage

    Worst at dusk in the rainy season; they carry dengue, so use repellent

26. Muska

    Fly

    Usage

    Comes up when eating outdoors

27. Kakalaka

    Cockroach

    Usage

    Use it to report one at your lodging

28. Vruminga

    Ant

    Usage

    They arrive quickly if food is left out

29. Abeha

    Bee

    Usage

    Honey is "miel di abeha"

30. Barbulètè

    Butterfly

    Usage

    More numerous around flowers after rain

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