Bananaquits (Coereba flaveola) are small, colourful, and delightful birds of the coppice and garden. They have also managed to generate one of the most complicated taxonomic conundrums in the whole of bird land. I’ll spare you the varied classification details, which include warbler, bunting, tanager, monotype (unique), and the uncomfortably vague incertae sedis (= ‘uncertain group‘).

Luckily, they are oblivious to all this controversy. Whatever their family background, Bananaquits will always be one of the most appealing small birds you’ll ever encounter. They are certainly high in the rankings of my own generalised designation ‘pretty little bird’ (Avis bellusparvus)

Photos: 1. Keith Salvesen / Rolling Harbour; 2 & 3 Craig Nash