Zosterops mysorensis
The Biak White-eye (Zosterops mysorensis) is a vibrant, small passerine bird, a true jewel endemic to the unique island ecosystem of Biak, Indonesia. Measuring approximately 11-12 cm in length, it is characterized by its brilliant yellowish-green upperparts and strikingly bright yellow underparts, with flanks often washed in a slightly duller olive-yellow. Its most defining feature, shared by all white-eyes, is the prominent, unbroken white ring of feathers encircling each eye, which sharply ...
This species primarily inhabits various forested and wooded habitats, including primary and secondary lowland forests, forest edge, overgrown plantations, and gardens. It is typically found from sea level up to around 600 meters elevation.
Its diet is omnivorous, primarily consisting of small insects and their larvae, as well as nectar gleaned from flowers and small fruits. It forages actively by gleaning insects from leaves and bark, and probing flowers with its brush-tipped tongue.
The Biak White-eye is a highly active, diurnal species, often observed foraging energetically within the canopy and sub-canopy layers of its arboreal habitat. It typically forages in small, agile flocks of its own kind, and frequently joins mixed-species foraging flocks, moving quickly through fo...
The Biak White-eye is entirely endemic to Biak Island, located in Geelvink Bay (also known as Cenderawasih Bay) off the northern coast of Papua, Indonesia. Its distribution is restricted solely to this single island, where it is reported to be fairly common within suitable habitats. There is no e...
Least Concern
- The Biak White-eye is a true island endemic, found nowhere else in the world except Biak Island, Indonesia. - Its scientific epithet "mysorensis" refers to "Mysore Island," an older name sometimes used for Biak Island. - This species belongs to the Zosteropidae family, which is famous for its "...