Resilience. Charm. Good cheer.
In the popular imagination, the coquí is the true symbol of Puerto Rico. The unique song of the male coquí, which gives the frog its name, is more complex than its sweet sound suggests. It is both a stirring call-to-arms and a sultry love song.
When the frog sings “co”, he’s asserting his presence—putting nearby males on notice lest they wander into his territory. When he sings “qui”, he’s inviting females of the species to ignore the competition and join him.
Although each coquí is tiny—some are as small as your thumbnail—they have an outsized presence on the island; hundreds of thousands of them sing together every night.
A most endearing symphony all around you.