Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine October 2018 | Page 437

Montserrat Oriole, the island’s National Bird
These birds can only be found on Montserrat. Weighing about 35 grams, slim, with a small,
triangular beak, the male is black the top with an orange-yellow under belly. The female also has
an orange-yellow underbelly but is olive-green at the top. They usually build their nests under the
leaves of banana and heliconia plants and eat insects and fruits. Sadly, after the volcanic eruptions
in 1990, their existence was threatened but with no recent volcanic activity, and the island’s
government working with partners to protect their natural habitat, their numbers have started to
increase. On one of your nature walks on the island, be on the lookout for this national treasure.
Photo Credit: Tim Ellis