Saint Vincent Parrot
Flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Field Report
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a small island nation tucked in the southern Caribbean Sea, sitting between the larger islands of Saint Lucia to the north and Grenada to the south. It is made up of one main volcanic island and a string of smaller islands called the Grenadines, where turquoise water, steep green hills, and small fishing villages shape everyday life. About 100,000 people call these islands home, and the country is known for its lush landscapes, its active volcano, and a rich culture shaped by African, European, and indigenous Caribbean history.
From the Field Notebook
Saint Vincent Parrot
This brilliantly colored parrot, with its purple, green, and yellow feathers, lives only on the island of Saint Vincent and is the national bird of the country.
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Hawksbill sea turtles nest on the quiet beaches of the Grenadines, using their narrow, pointed beaks to find sponges and jellyfish along the coral reefs.
Whistling Frog
Tiny tree frogs called whistling frogs fill the forested hills of Saint Vincent at night with a high, clear chirping that sounds almost like birdsong.
Roasted Breadfruit
Breadfruit, a starchy fruit about the size of a cantaloupe, is roasted over open fire until the skin chars and the inside becomes soft and fluffy, tasting something like a baked potato.
Callaloo Soup
Made from the leafy tops of dasheen plants and often cooked with coconut milk, crab, or saltfish, callaloo is a thick, savory green soup that appears on tables all across the islands.
Fried Jackfish
Fresh jackfish, caught right out of the Caribbean Sea, is seasoned with lime and local spices and fried until crispy, making it a simple and favorite everyday meal for many Vincentians.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is actually made up of one main island and about 32 smaller islands and cays, though only nine of them have people living on them.
La Soufrière, an active volcano on Saint Vincent, erupted dramatically in April 2021, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes in just a few days.
The country grows a large share of the world's arrowroot, a starchy plant whose fine powder has been used for everything from thickening sauces to coating computer paper.
The island of Mustique, part of the Grenadines, is so private and exclusive that it has been a retreat for British royalty and famous musicians for decades.
Vincentians speak English as their official language, but most people also use Vincentian Creole — an English-based creole that developed on the islands — in everyday conversation at home and in the markets.
Daily Life
71
Years life expectancy
94%
Kids go to school
Missions Field Report
Most Saint Vincent and the Grenadines's people follow Christianity (89.2%). Evangelical Christians make up about 41.5% of the population.
What People Believe
Prayer Journal
Tick each one as you pray. God hears every word.