Bananaquit
Coereba flaveola
Click
here to LISTEN to the song
A lively little bird with blackish
back and head, white stripe above the eye, and bright yellow
belly. Coming from the eastern U.S. where one of the most familiar
and beloved backyard birds is the chickadee has inspired us
to nickname the Bananaquit the "chickadee of the Caribbean.”
The locals call them chibichibi, and when you hear
them, you’ll know why. They are common throughout the
island including around hotels and will likely arrive at your
breakfast table to sip juice or sample the jelly or syrup. They
can be drawn to the balcony at your room by setting out fresh
fruit or juice in a shallow bowl or dish. The buzzy song, repeated
all day, soon becomes familiar and delightful background “noise.”