Moheli White-eye

Zosterops comorensis

A small, sharp-billed warbler-like bird. Note the yellow patches on the throat and undertail and the bold white spectacles around the eye. Common on the island of Moheli in the Comoros in habitats with woody vegetation, including remnant forest patches, plantations, woodland, scrub, and gardens. Usually found in hyperactive flocks. The most common calls are a high-pitched, rising rattle and a descending “chew” note, which is also the main component of the quiet, chatty song. In its small range, easily identified by the white spectacles. 

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Zosterops comorensis
Authority
Shelley, 1900
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Zosteropidae
Genus
Zosterops

Photos

Other Birds

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Beautifully patterned small parakeet found in northern South America. Mostly green body with a dark red belly and maroon tail. Complex head pattern: mostly deep brownish-maroon with pale cheek, blue crown, and scaly breast. Found in forests, edges, and savannah mostly in lowlands and foothills. Typically seen in fast-flying flocks, but look for them feeding in fruiting trees.

Thick-billed Longspur

Thick-billed Longspur

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New Zealand Storm-Petrel

New Zealand Storm-Petrel

Fregetta maoriana

Small seabird endemic to New Zealand. Dark blackish-brown head, breast, upperparts, and tail. Rump and belly white with variable dark streaking running down from breast. Underwings have pale panel with broad dark edge. Note especially long legs, with feet trailing well behind the square tail. Thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 2003 on Little Barrier Island, which remains the only known breeding location. At sea, recorded mostly around New Zealand’s northern waters. Four similar species: Wilson’s Storm-Petrel has dark underparts and underwing; Black-bellied Storm-Petrel is larger, with shorter legs that still extend past tail and with a white belly that has a black line down the middle; White-bellied Storm-Petrel is larger, with feet that do not extend past tail; Gray-backed Storm-Petrel does not have a white rump.

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