Bananaquit

This is probably the most popular bird on the islands. With its yellow belly and black back and wings it looks as if dressed in a tailcoat. It got its Dutch name ("Sugar thief') because it has adjusted so remarkably to the human environment that it has become a well-known raider of sugar pots on breakfast and coffee-tables. It also likes to build its nest in lampshades and decorative trelliswork.

In a more natural environment it collects nectar from flowers, snapping up small insects as well. If they cannot reach the nectar in the normal way they will puncture the base of the flower to get at it. This robs the flower of its chance of pollination of course. Fruits are also pierced to get at the sweet juice. They breed the whole year round, building one nest after another. (from " Our Birds" by Dr. Bart A. De Boer)

Thanks, Ellen! I wondered when we would hear from you again! As usual, you are in tip top form. We will look for the sugar thief.

Ellen, post the animated chibi chibi! I first encountered these little guys being fed sugar water at Jibe City...surprised they don't suffer from "beak decay" with all the sweet stuff they consume :- )

Ok Dara, this was one of the first animations I experimented with so it's not that good. This is a chibi chibi (bananaquit) that likes to use my dog's water bowl to take a bath. This was taken last year during the time of the 2000 Olympic games. I think he is in perfect form!

Ellen --- that's marvellous!! You are SO talented with the computer.

Thx, Ellen! Makes me giggle as I imagine your dog sitting by observing the spectacle, frowning with a rumpled brow :- )

Pretty good form yourself, Ms.Ellen. Is the bananaquit related to the banana daquiri? They appear to share a 'hiccup' gene. Not a bad spelling lesson, for those who don't know how many 'a's and 'n's in banana. B-A-N-A-N-A-Quit! See. LAMOJ...that's Laughing at My Own Joke, for you scholars. I made it up. Works for me........

Way to cute. I'll have to get my kids in to see that one.

After the little fellows finished stealing sugar they would bathe in the water glasses at the old Sunset Beach Hotel..between that and feeding the mice breakfast was always a fun affair.

Lovely pictures ELLEN thanks we wait others !!! SONIA