Zosterops lacertosus
The Sanford's White-eye (Zosterops lacertosus) is a captivating small passerine, endemic to the remote island of Vanikoro in the Solomon Islands. Measuring approximately 11-12 cm in length, this species sports a striking plumage of bright olive-green on its upperparts, contrasting with a vibrant yellow throat and undertail coverts, and greyish flanks and belly. Its most distinguishing feature, common to its genus, is a prominent, broad white eye-ring encircling a dark eye, framed by a dark, s...
This species primarily inhabits subtropical or tropical moist lowland and montane forests, found from sea level up to approximately 700 meters elevation on Vanikoro Island.
Their diet is omnivorous, consisting primarily of insects such as caterpillars and beetles, as well as nectar from various flowering plants and small berries or fruits.
Sanford's White-eyes are highly active, often observed foraging in small, agile flocks, sometimes joining mixed-species assemblages within the forest canopy and mid-story. Their foraging strategy involves meticulously gleaning insects from foliage and probing flowers for nectar, moving swiftly th...
The Sanford's White-eye is strictly endemic to Vanikoro Island, situated in the Temotu Province of the Solomon Islands. Its distribution is entirely confined to this single, relatively small island, occupying suitable forest habitats across a varying elevation gradient. It can be found from areas...
Near Threatened
- The Sanford's White-eye is a true island endemic, found nowhere else on Earth but the small island of Vanikoro in the Solomon Islands. - It belongs to the genus Zosterops, often called 'the great speciators' due to their remarkable ability to evolve into distinct species across isolated islands...