The Montserrat oriole has a very small range on the Caribbean volcanic island of Montserrat. In the early 1990s, a large population of Montserrat orioles lived in the forests around the Soufrière Hills volcano. Then volcanic eruptions destroyed around two-thirds of the Montserrat oriels’ habitat.
In 1997, the population was still estimated at 4,000 birds. Following further volcanic eruptions accompanied by a destructive ashfall, the supply of insects dwindled. The volcanic ash also had a detrimental effect on the nestlings. The population fell to just a few hundred birds. There are now threats to the survival of this rare bird.
In addition, rats pose a threat to the Montserrat oriole because they steal its eggs from its nests. Nature conservationists are therefore working to keep rats out of this region.
In 1999, Durrell Wildlife Park on the Channel Island of Jersey launched a rescue operation and a breeding programme involving eight birds captured in Montserrat.
Taxonomy
Icteridae, Icterus (30 species)
Habitat
moist forests up to 900 metres above sea level, rarely found in banana plantations
Migratory behaviour
sedentary
Social structure
seasonal monogamy
