A charming little bird that’s only found on the Caribbean island of Barbados, making it a true local treasure. Unlike many other birds that might avoid humans, this smart and stocky bird has made itself quite at home in backyards, gardens, and even inside houses. One of the coolest things about the Barbados bullfinch is how fearless and friendly it can be. In fact, many Barbadians say that “every house has its own bullfinch,” with some birds bold enough to eat straight from a person’s hand or even hop into kitchens looking for crumbs.

This little bird doesn’t just live in forests or wild places—it thrives in cities, parks, coastal areas, and even schoolyards. It’s not picky about food, either. During the dry season, it eats mostly seeds and insects, but in the wet season, it adds fruit, flowers, leaves, and even nectar to its menu. Observations have shown bullfinches sipping nectar from flowers like the Yellow Bamboo Palm, and it’s suspected they may help pollinate some plants along the way.

These birds are known for their curious nature and can sometimes be seen inspecting shiny objects or pecking at mirrors. They also communicate using a range of chirps, whistles, and trills, and they often form small flocks outside the breeding season. But even with all their smarts and adaptability, bullfinches face some serious challenges. Their natural habitats are shrinking because of construction and farming. Introduced animals, such as green monkeys, mongooses, and feral cats, pose threats by hunting or outcompeting native species.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Barbados

LC

2016

Breeding