In a national campaign spearheaded by the Trust and culminating in a polling in May/June 1995, the people of the islands were asked what they thought represented Cayman best. They voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Silver Thatch Palm for their National Tree, the Wild Banana Orchid for their National Flower, and the Cayman Islands Parrot as their choice for National Bird.
Cayman Islands Parrot: Parrots have a long-standing association with people. In early Caymanian folklore, pirates were described as having a Cayman parrot on their shoulder and old "Polly" was a common family pet. Today, however, it is illegal to take a parrot from the wild and keep it as a pet. You are more likely to hear their raucous squawking before actually seeing one, especially in the early morning and late afternoon when they are most vocal. When feeding quietly in the treetops, they are so well camouflaged you may never realise they are there. The Cayman Islands' parrots are two subspecies of the Cuban Parrot. The Cayman Brac is smaller than the Grand Cayman, and is found only on that island.National Song
"Beloved Isle Cayman" was written by Mrs. Leila Ross-Shier, an organist in the Presbyterian Church in 1930, who sung it and played it on her guitar for many years before it was adopted as the National Song.
Cayman Islands Parrot: Parrots have a long-standing association with people. In early Caymanian folklore, pirates were described as having a Cayman parrot on their shoulder and old "Polly" was a common family pet. Today, however, it is illegal to take a parrot from the wild and keep it as a pet. You are more likely to hear their raucous squawking before actually seeing one, especially in the early morning and late afternoon when they are most vocal. When feeding quietly in the treetops, they are so well camouflaged you may never realise they are there. The Cayman Islands' parrots are two subspecies of the Cuban Parrot. The Cayman Brac is smaller than the Grand Cayman, and is found only on that island.National Song
"Beloved Isle Cayman" was written by Mrs. Leila Ross-Shier, an organist in the Presbyterian Church in 1930, who sung it and played it on her guitar for many years before it was adopted as the National Song.