Montserrat oriole

Male Montserrat oriole

The Montserrat oriole is a critically threatened, single-island, endemic species, confined to the Lesser Antillean island of Montserrat, which is a UK Overseas Territory.

The recent volcanic eruption in the south of the island has destroyed over 60% of the species' hill-forest habitat. The remaining population in the intact Centre Hills forest has declined dramatically since 1997; the reason is unknown, though likely to be an indirect ecological consequence of the eruption.

A major RSPB research project began in 2001, aiming to determine the cause of the decline, and develop potential conservation solutions. The project is conducted jointly by RSPB, Montserrat Forestry & Environment Division, and the Montserrat National Trust, in collaboration with Montana State University. It is funded by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

Related websites

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Montserrat National trust
Montana State University Department of Entomology