Aruba’s Shoko (burrowing owl)

[Pegmeister]

Aruba is home to a small burrowing owl. They have long legs and a small 7.9 inch body. They live in burrows near cactus and dry areas. they are referred to as Shoko by the people of Aruba. The closest I’ve come to seeing one is a photo the Bucuti shared of a Shoko resting on one of their chairs in the lobby. If it counts, the Mopa Mopa shop has small hand crafted Shokos in their gift shop that are cute and colorful.

What I realize in posting this, is there is a lot more for us to explore in Aruba.

[WaltVB]

Peg you are right, there is so much to explore in Aruba. I think even folks that would rather sit on the beach at the resort their entire trip should at least take a guided taxi tour and discover some of the wonderful local things that are everywhere on the island. I understand people that want to go to Aruba, sit on the beach and have a nice dinner in the evening. They get along well without the use of a car and have a wonderful trip/vacation, they return year after year and are thoroughly satisfied. And that's great, I get it. Then there are folks like us, who rent a car and drive down dirt roads finding that special rum shop hidden away off the beaten path or take a drive to the "other side" to see the wilderness that makes Aruba so diverse and interesting. We saw a Shoko on a trip to Arikok once quite by accident. We were driving along, looked over and there it was sitting on a cactus. I was so surprised I didn't get a photo.

[JoeW]

I see them all the time at the Divi Golf course, they nest in the sand traps.

[Pegmeister]

I see them all the time at the Divi Golf course, they nest in the sand traps.

I might have to take up golf!

[Andrea J.]

Artmando is on FB and his postings are public.
He is an unbelievable artist.

I encourage all to follow him on FB

[LeaveTheKidsWithMom]

Aruba Golf Club in San Nicolas has hundreds of them, they are all over the place.