| Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola (Vieillot, 1809)) |
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Scientific name: Coereba flaveola (Vieillot, 1809) Common name: Bananaquit French name: Sucrier à ventre jaune Order: Passeriformes Family: Coerebidae Size: Size: 7,5 to 12,5 cm; Weight: 6 to 19 g. Habitat: Various open or half-open habitats, parks and gardens. It is missing in desert, in dense forests and above 2000 metres in altitude. Food: It feeds on nectar from flowers using its curved bill. It cannot feed in flight and must land near the flower. It also feeds on fruits and insects. Nesting: Bananaquits build a ball-shaped nest with a side entrance. There can be several broods, of two or three eggs, between March and early August. Migration: Sedentary. Geographic area: Central America and South America , from southern Mexico to southern Brazil. The Caribbean, missing in Cuba. |
The Bananaquit shows very contrasting bright colours. The cap, the upper side of the body, the wings and the tail are black. The chin and the throat are grey. The chest, the under side of the body and the rump are bright yellow. The head is crossed by a broad white eyebrow stripe which ends far at the back of the eye. The bill is thin and down curved. It shows a dark pink mark at the base. There are many, slightly different, subspecies. You can also observe Bananaquits in urban areas where they can come to pick sugar on tables. |
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It was very pleasant to see Bananaquits coming to us during breakfast. |
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I was not aware that Bananaquits were attracted to sugar. Next time, I will put some sugar on the table in exchange of some pictures. |
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I don't remember if this Bananaquit was singing or opening its bill for some other reason. |
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Nectar feeders are installed in the Balata Garden to attract hummingbirds. They also attract Bananaquits. |
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This Bananaquit doesn't look very happy. However, it is only its natural look that we interpret with our human criteria. Maybe it's its way of smiling in front of the photographer ;-) |
André Bon January 2024