Zosterops vellalavella
The Vella Lavella White-eye, Zosterops vellalavella, is a vibrant and highly localized passerine, endemic solely to Vella Lavella Island in the Solomon Islands archipelago. Measuring a diminutive 11-12 cm in length and weighing approximately 8-12 grams, this species exhibits striking bright olive-green upperparts that seamlessly transition to brilliant yellow underparts, particularly on the throat and vent, often with a slightly duller belly. Its most distinguishing field mark, shared by its ...
Primarily inhabiting primary and secondary forest, including disturbed areas and forest edges, from coastal lowlands up to the higher elevations of Vella Lavella Island.
Primarily insectivorous, consuming a variety of small arthropods, but also supplements its diet with nectar probed from flowers and small, soft fruits or berries.
The Vella Lavella White-eye is a highly active and arboreal diurnal bird, often observed gleaning small insects and arthropods from the dense foliage of trees and shrubs with acrobatic precision. Outside of the breeding season, it frequently forms small, cohesive flocks, sometimes joining mixed-s...
The Vella Lavella White-eye is an insular endemic, found exclusively on Vella Lavella Island within the Western Province of the Solomon Islands archipelago. It is a resident species, with no known migratory patterns or vagrant records beyond its home island. Its distribution covers the entire lan...
Near Threatened
- This species is an extreme endemic, found naturally only on the single island of Vella Lavella in the Solomon Islands. - The 'white-eye' ring, its most iconic feature, is formed by tiny, specialized feathers, not bare skin. - The Zosteropidae family, to which it belongs, is one of the most spec...