Common Name: Montserrat Oriole
Scientific Name: Icterus oberi
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED Montserrat Oriole Distribution: Montserrat Habitat: Forest Height: 20 - 22cm Diet: Omnivorous
Montserrat orioles are sexually dimorphic (the males and females look different). The males have black wings, tail and breast and their belly, rump and lower back are yellowish. The females are yellowish all along their underside and have dark green/brown wings and a green tail. They inhabit a small region on the island of Montserrat in the West Indies. These birds live in the forested areas of the island, but much of their habitat was destroyed by volcanic activity during the mid 1990’s. These Orioles eat mostly insects, but are also known to eat fruit and nectar. Montserrat Orioles breed seasonally, they nest from June until August and the females build hanging basket like nests from plant matter and incubate the eggs. However both parent feed their young. They are monogamous. The parents will continue to feed their young even after they have fledged. This species has always had an extremely small range, but recent volcanic activity has seriously reduced the size of their habitat and has damaged the forests. The increase in hurricane activity is also damaging their habitats. Predators such as rats are also decreasing the numbers of chicks to fledge.