Bananaquit-(Coereba flaveola)

The Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola) is a common resident of most of the Caribbean area and has even strayed to south Florida on occasion. The species varies in appearance from one area to another with individuals showing both a pale and a dark throat depending upon the area. Completely black colored Bananaquits occur on the islands of Grenada and St. Vincent. Visitors to some areas of the Caribbean may encounter these birds in large numbers hanging around outdoor restaurants where they may land at your table to seek a snack. The species can be quite tame and very easy to see. The bananaquit is a very small bird (length 10 cm) that often visits gardens. It lives high in trees and there you can hear its high sweet song, but my taperecorder had difficulty recording it. If you imitate the sound it will come close, to chase away the intruder. The bird eats nectar from the flowers in gardens. It can (as some hummingbirds) pierce the flowers of hibiscus plants from the side, so 'stealing' the nectar without pollinating the plant. He leaves behind a small hole in the red petals. Because of this and because it will also, at some places, boldy pick some sugar from a table, it is named 'suikerdiefje' (sugar thieve) in Dutch

» Length: 4-5 inch

» Weight: 16-19g

» Food: They entertain guests at breakfast by alighting on tables to steal sugar.

» A honeycreeper commonly found throughout the Caribbean and parts of Central and South America. It has many local names including Paw Paw bird, Marley Quit, Bessie Coban, Yellow See-see, Gusanero, and Sucrier.