Length 11.5cm (4.5″). Prior to hurricane Ivan, Grassbirds were one of Grand Cayman’s most common birds: a daily sight, foraging for seeds in gardens, grassy fields and roadside verges. While all our local birds were hard hit by the storm, Grassbirds faired worst than most. They suffered staggering losses, estimated in the region of 99% of the entire population. Survey’s during 2005-6 revealed less than a dozen pairs surviving on Grand Cayman. The decimation of the once common Grassbird highlights the fragility of small island populations, and serves as a warning of the importance of taking steps to maintain and preserve our existing species and habitats, to the best of our abilities. Complacency walks hand-in-hand with extinction.