Zosterops chloronothos
The Mauritius Olive White-eye (*Zosterops chloronothos*) is an exquisitely small, entirely olive-green passerine endemic to the island of Mauritius, measuring roughly 10 cm in length and weighing a mere 6-8 grams. Its most striking field mark is the prominent, narrow white ring encircling its eye, contrasting elegantly with its bright yellowish-green upperparts and paler greenish-yellow underparts. This charming species belongs to the family Zosteropidae, a diverse group of white-eyes, and is...
This species is exclusively confined to humid, native upland forest remnants on Mauritius, primarily preferring dense canopy and undergrowth. It is typically found at elevations ranging from 200m up to 700m, where its specialized food sources are available.
The diet primarily consists of small insects, spiders, and nectar from endemic flowering plants. They also supplement their intake with small, soft fruits, foraging by gleaning and probing.
Mauritius Olive White-eyes are highly active, diurnal birds, constantly flitting through the forest canopy and undergrowth in search of sustenance. Their foraging strategy involves agile gleaning of small insects and spiders from leaves, twigs, and bark, often performed acrobatically while hangin...
The Mauritius Olive White-eye is strictly endemic to the tropical island of Mauritius, an island nation located in the Indian Ocean. Historically, its range encompassed much of the native humid forest across the island, but it has experienced a dramatic and severe contraction. Today, its distribu...
Critically Endangered
- Endemic to a single, small island, Mauritius, making it exceptionally vulnerable. - One of the world's most critically endangered birds, with a wild population of only a few hundred individuals. - Weighs just 6-8 grams, about the same as a couple of paperclips, yet it plays a significant ecolog...