Orioles belong to a family of birds famous for their clear, flute-like songs. The Saint Lucia oriole sings from the trees in a series of rich, melodious whistles that carry through the forest and gardens. Once you learn its song, you will notice it often — these birds are found across the island wherever there are trees with ripe fruit and flowering plants.
The Saint Lucia oriole builds one of the most impressive nests in the bird world. The female weaves a deep, cup-shaped pouch of grasses and fibres that hangs from the tip of a slender branch, swinging gently in the breeze. This hanging design keeps eggs and chicks safe because it is hard for predators to reach.
The oriole feeds on nectar, fruit and insects. It is particularly fond of the nectar in the flowers of trees like the immortelle, which turns bright orange when it blooms. As the oriole pushes its beak into a flower to drink the nectar, it picks up pollen on its head and carries it to the next flower — making it an important pollinator for the forest.