The brazen and beloved Bananaquit will visit your patio if you leave out a "fruitful" invitation. Photo Jeff Wells

A lively little bird with blackish back and head, white stripe above the eye, and bright yellow belly. Coming from the eastern U.S. where one of the most familiar and beloved backyard birds is the chickadee has inspired us to nickname the Bananaquit the "chickadee of the Caribbean.” The locals call them chibichibi (in Dutch, zuiker diefje), and when you hear them, you’ll know why. They are common throughout the island including around hotels and will likely arrive at your breakfast table to sip juice or sample the jelly or syrup. They can be drawn to the balcony at your room by setting out fresh fruit or juice in a shallow bowl or dish. The buzzy song, repeated all day, soon becomes familiar and delightful background “noise.”