Zosterops meeki
The Tagula White-eye (Zosterops meeki) is a charismatic passerine bird strictly endemic to Tagula Island (also known as Sudest Island) in the Louisiade Archipelago, Papua New Guinea. Measuring approximately 12-13 cm in length, it embodies the classic white-eye morphology, distinguished by a prominent and complete white orbital ring that strikingly contrasts with its dark lores and the surrounding olive-green upperparts. Its underparts are a vibrant yellow, particularly on the throat and belly...
This species primarily inhabits lowland and hill forest, including primary and secondary growth, as well as forest edges on Tagula Island. It can be found from sea level up to the highest elevations of the island.
Its diet primarily consists of small insects and their larvae, supplemented with nectar from flowering plants and small, soft fruits. It forages actively by gleaning from leaves and flowers.
The Tagula White-eye is an active, highly arboreal, and social species, typically observed foraging in small, agile flocks, often associating with other small passerines in mixed-species foraging parties. They are diurnal, spending their days meticulously gleaning insects from foliage, probing fl...
The Tagula White-eye is strictly endemic to Tagula Island, also known as Sudest Island, which is the largest landmass within the Louisiade Archipelago, located off the southeastern tip of Papua New Guinea in Oceania. Its entire distribution is confined solely to this single island, encompassing a...
Least Concern
- The Tagula White-eye is named after Albert S. Meek, a British naturalist and bird collector prominent in New Guinea during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. - It is an extreme island endemic, found exclusively on Tagula Island, also known as Sudest Island, which is the largest island in t...