Tan-tan Terrace

St. Croix Kingbird: the song bird of the Caribbean.

The Kingbird has a special place in my heart, growing up as a child in the Caribbean. His cheerful trill, bravery, and courage are admired in folktales of Puerto Rico, where he is called Pitirre. He can often be seen chasing off red-tailed hawks many times his size.
The Kingbird is a flycatcher, eating many annoying insects. In urban areas he can be seen around streetlights in the early evening feasting on moths and flies.
'Tan tan' is the local name for a invasive weed tree here in the Caribbean that grows about as fast as a dandelion, and is just as difficult to keep out of your yard, except it is a tree. Kingbird has no aversion to this pesky tree and enjoys this plentiful perch.
Original painting available for purchase.