August 2010
John W.

 

Last June when I was in Aruba I saw Bananaquits building and then Tearing apart their nest after a pair of Troupials stole their eggs. I was fascinated by the fact that the birds tore down their nest and in all likelihood recycled the many deversified parts.I took these pictures from December 2008 until March 2009.  I stay [on the island] three months in the winter and three months in the summer. The palm tree is now bare of all traces of their presence.

Banaquits building the nest.

 

 

 

Troupials raid the Banaquit nest.

 

 

 

The Bananaquits dismantle the now-eggless nest.

 

 

 

Soon there was no trace left of the nest.

John W.

 

Thanks, John, for this fascinating glimpse into the lives of these Aruba birds!

Allison and Jeff Wells