Mauritius White-eye
Zosterops chloronothos
An unusual white-eye with dark plumage and a long, curved bill. Mostly gray with an olive-green wing and rump and a broad white eye-ring. Found on the island of Mauritius in remnant scraps of humid forest, including secondary areas dominated by exotic plants, mostly at middle and high elevations. Vaguely similar to Mauritius Gray White-eye, but easily separated by the white eye-ring and the olive-green color in the plumage. The most common calls are accelerating series of “veet” and “sit” notes.
Identification
This species was first described in 1817 by French ornithologist Louis Pierre Vieillot as Zosterops chloronothos. It can reach a size of about 10 cm. The upperparts are a dull olive-green, the underparts a paler color. The belly and vent have a yellow hue and the eyes are surrounded by a conspicuous white ring. The males and females are similarly coloured. The habitat of the Mauritius olive white-eye is the evergreen bushes and forests in the area of the Black River Gorges National Park, the Macchabée-Bel Ombre Biosphere Reserve and, following re-introduction, on Île aux Aigrettes. Its diet consists of nectar and insects.<p>During the breeding period, between September and March, two pale eggs are laid in a cup-shaped nest, which is well-hidden in the foliage. Males and females share brooding tasks. Normally only one juvenile is reared, which becomes fully fledged in about 14 days.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Zosterops chloronothos
- Authority
- (Vieillot, 1817)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Zosteropidae
- Genus
- Zosterops
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
There are a few organizations that have been working on the protection of the Mauritius olive white-eye but the MWF has had the most impact. From 2005 to 2009, they've collected nests all around Mauritius for two major reasons. First, so the eggs wouldn't be eaten, and secondly, so that when they grow, they can be released on predator-free islands. To achieve that outcome, when the egg hatches, the chick immediately needs to follow a restricted diet that consists of eating a small portion of nutrients every forty minutes. After that, the chicks are put in small cages where they learn how to drink for themselves, to adapt to the food they will be eating soon enough and then teach them how to fly. When the birds have finally adapted to that, they are freed on a predator-free island, the Ile aux Aigrettes, where they have started to reproduce.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Yellow-breasted Forest Robin
Stiphrornis mabirae
A short-tailed understory robin with a bright yellow-orange throat. Also shows a dark-green back, buff belly, and a white spot in front of the eye. Most often encountered by its song: a duet, in which the male gives high-pitched whistles and the female makes an accompanying chatter. Similar to Orange-breasted Forest Robin (potentially very limited overlap in range), but underparts more extensively yellowish-orange. Otherwise most likely to be confused with Lowland Akalat, but can always be distinguished by the white spot in front of the eye, as well as the dark-green rather than rufous-brown back, and the buff rather than white belly.
Red-tailed Vanga
Calicalicus madagascariensis
Small vanga that is built like a chickadee or tit. Male is colorful and female plain brownish. Madagascar endemic that is found in all forest types, though absent from much of the southwestern spiny forest. Very active and vocal bird that often leads forest flocks. Most common vocalization is a wolf whistle. Separated from Red-shouldered Vanga by its dark eye and less red on the wing. Female very similar to the rare and localized Red-tailed Newtonia, but identified by its larger size, much larger bill, and buffy ring around the eye.
Common Poorwill
Phalaenoptilus nuttallii
Small, compact night bird with short wings and tail. Intricately patterned with shades of gray; flight feathers are barred with rufous. Males have white corners on tail, females have browner tail corners. Named for its song: a whistled "poor-WILL," sometimes with a faint third note. Strictly nocturnal; more often heard than seen. Prefers rocky desert slopes with some dry vegetation; sometimes perches prominently when singing but also sings from the ground.
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