Teardrop White-eye
Rukia ruki
Strange-looking bird with a tiny range, found exclusively on the islands of Tol South, Onei, Paata, and Polle, in Chuuk, Micronesia. Only in dense native old-growth montane forest, where it is often found close to the endemic poison tree (“panaw” in Chuukese). Most numerous on Tol South, where it is restricted to Mt. Winipot. Dark olive-brown all over, with bright orange legs and a white “teardrop” crescent under the eye. Long-bodied appearance is quite different from most white-eyes. Gives a long series of musical warbles.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Rukia ruki
- Authority
- (Hartert, EJO, 1897)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Zosteropidae
- Genus
- Rukia
Range and habitat
It is endemic to the summit of Mount Winipot on Tol, in the Faichuk group of islands within the Chuuk (Truk) atoll in Micronesia. Its habitat is montane rainforest dominated by the endemic Chuuk poisontree. Due to its restricted range on one small mountaintop and the locals' disdain for the native poisontree, it is severely threatened by habitat loss.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Black-throated Robin
Plesiodryas albonotata
A medium-sized bird of montane forest midstory. Medium gray upperparts, black face and bib with indistinct, white, horizontal crescent moon below the cheek. Belly is also gray in central areas, and white on Bird’s Head and southeastern New Guinea. Juvenile is a distinctive rufous color and immatures, blotchy. Sits still in the midstory, slowly wagging its tail. Co-occurs with the similar-colored Blue-gray Robin, but is larger with a black throat. Black-bellied Cicadabird is also a similar color-scheme but much larger. Voice, a high-pitch whistle. Either a single note or identical notes given in a slurred series.
African Gray Flycatcher
Bradornis microrhynchus
A very plain gray-brown flycatcher of dry country. Note the distinct dark streaks on the crown and the dirty grayish underparts. Found in dry savanna and woodland habitats, usually in pairs or small groups, often sitting on open perches. Very similar to Pale Flycatcher, but found in drier habitat, and distinguished by the streaked crown and darker underparts. Similar to Spotted Flycatcher, but lacks streaking on the breast. Distinguished from all other flycatchers by the crown streaking. Gives quiet scratchy vocalizations.
Bismarck Crow
Corvus insularis
A medium-sized entirely black crow with a large, often pale-tipped bill and a pale bluish eye. Common in most open forest and forest-edge habitats. Often seen around towns. Voice consists of short, nasal cawing notes.
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