Zosterops finschii
The Dusky White-eye (Zosterops finschii) is a petite and unassuming passerine endemic to the Yap Islands of Micronesia, embodying the classic 'little brown bird' with a touch of unique charm. Measuring approximately 10-11 cm (4 inches) in length and weighing a mere 6-9 grams, it sports a generally dull olive-green upper plumage that transitions to grayish-white on its underparts, often with a faint yellowish wash on the flanks and vent. Its most distinctive and eponymous field mark is the cri...
This species primarily inhabits various forested and semi-open woodland environments, including native forests, coconut plantations, and disturbed secondary growth, from coastal areas up to the highest elevations on Yap. It favors areas with dense understory and ample foliage for foraging and cover.
Its diet is omnivorous, primarily consisting of small insects and their larvae gleaned from foliage and bark, supplemented by nectar from flowering plants and the pulp of small fruits.
The Dusky White-eye is a highly active and agile diurnal forager, often observed gleaning insects and probing flowers among the canopy and understory vegetation. They typically move in small, cohesive flocks of 3-10 individuals, especially outside the breeding season, occasionally joining mixed-s...
The Dusky White-eye is strictly endemic to the Yap Islands, a small archipelago located in the western Pacific Ocean within Micronesia. Its distribution is confined to the four main islands of the Yap proper (Yap, Gagil-Tamil, Maap, and Rumung), where it is a permanent resident throughout its ran...
Least Concern
- The Dusky White-eye is a true island endemic, found only on the Yap Islands in Micronesia, highlighting the unique biodiversity of oceanic islands. - Despite its 'dusky' name, its most prominent feature is a bright white eye-ring, a signature trait of most white-eye species. - It is one of the ...