Green-backed White-eye
Zosterops xanthochroa
A classic small greenish-yellow white-eye species with bold white eye-rings. Common in more humid habitats throughout New Caledonia; mostly replaced by Silvereye in drier and more disturbed areas, though the two can be found together. Green-backed is plainer overall than Silverye, without any contrasting plumage apart from the eyering. Has a typical white-eye vocal repertoire, with a high-pitched wheezy warbling song and high-pitched piercing quavering call notes.
Identification
The green-backed white-eye is 11.5–12.5 centimetres (4.5–4.9 in) in length and weighs around 8.5–12 grams (0.30–0.42 oz). The head and back are dark olive green with a wide white eye-ring and black lores (which breaks the eye-ring at the front), the throat and breast are yellow and the undersides are dirty white. The wings are brown and olive green. The bill is slate coloured with white at the base of the lower mandible, and the legs are pale slate coloured as well. Both sexes are alike, but the plumage of juvenile birds has not been described.
Taxonomy
The green-backed white-eye was described by George Robert Gray in 1858 from a specimen collected in Nu. The relationships between this species and other white-eyes are uncertain, but it may form a superspecies with the small Lifou white-eye, also from New Caledonia, the Fiji white-eye and the yellow-fronted white-eye (from Vanuatu). This speculative proposal is based upon the shared yellow underparts and their living in the same general region.
- Scientific name
- Zosterops xanthochroa
- Authority
- Gray, GR, 1859
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Zosteropidae
- Genus
- Zosterops
Range and habitat
The green-backed white-eye is endemic to the islands of New Caledonia, where it is found on Grande Terre, the main island, the smaller L'Île-des-Pins, as well as Maré in the Loyalty Islands. It is replaced on Lifou by the small and large Lifou white-eyes. It is primarily a bird of primary rainforest, from sea level up, although it becomes rare above 1,000 metres (3,300 ft). It will also enter native gardens and open glades, as well as more open areas opportunistically in order to reach ripening fruit and berries. In the more open brush and woodland habitats it is generally replaced by the related silvereye.<p>Although the green-backed white-eye has a tiny global range, it is common in its range, especially in the south of Grande Terre and the island of Maré. The species is thought to be decreasing in numbers, due to habitat loss and habitat fragmentation, but not at a rate sufficient to be evaluated as vulnerable. It is therefore listed as least concern by the IUCN. In a study of cave fossils this species and the silvereye are the most commonly found fossil remains.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Common hummingbird of high elevations. Breeds in open woodland with meadows and scrub. In winter, found at lower elevations. Male is distinctive in range with beautiful rosy-red throat and glistening green upperparts. Female is duller with buffy sides and speckled throat. Note broadly rounded tail feathers with restricted rufous. Feeds on nectar and small insects. Visits feeders.
Rufous Babbler
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Large rufous-brown babbler with a long tail and white eyes. Pale gray forehead evident if seen well. Not as bold and pugnacious as some of its close relatives; typically forages in dense undergrowth in foothill forest and forest edge, often in wetter areas than Jungle, Common, and Large Gray Babblers. Gives distinctive rising rattle-whistles: “trriIIII! trriiiIII!”
Western Black-eared Wheatear
Oenanthe hispanica
A small, slim wheatear. Males striking: black wings contrast with a yellowish back and crown and a black mask through the eye. Throat can be white or black. Females have a more muted version of the male’s overall pattern. The tail has a complicated black-and-white pattern that is conspicuous in flight. Found in open habitats with scattered trees, including savanna, rocky mountain slopes, and barren pastures. Very similar to Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, but usually distinguished by more extensive and warmer yellow wash on the head, back, and breast. Also similar to Pied Wheatear, but male’s black face patch is not connected to the black wing, and female is warmer and browner than the grayish female Pied. Call is a dry, hoarse “chercher.” Song is a short jumble of primarily descending trills and harsher notes.
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