Zosterops albogularis
The White-chested White-eye, Zosterops albogularis, is a critically endangered passerine renowned for its striking plumage and extreme rarity. Measuring approximately 14 cm (5.5 inches) in length and weighing around 15 grams, this small bird exhibits vibrant dark green upperparts that contrast sharply with a pristine white chest and throat. Its flanks and lower belly are a bright yellow, creating a distinctive tri-colored pattern. A prominent, unbroken white eye-ring encircles its dark eye, a...
This species primarily inhabits mature subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests, preferring areas with a dense canopy and rich understory on Norfolk Island, typically found at elevations up to 300 meters.
Their diet consists primarily of insects, including caterpillars, beetles, and spiders, supplemented by nectar from native flowering plants and small, fleshy fruits.
White-chested White-eyes are diurnal and active foragers, often seen flitting through the canopy and mid-story of native forests. They employ a gleaning technique to find insects on leaves and bark, sometimes also hovering to extract nectar from flowers. While primarily observed in pairs or small...
The White-chested White-eye is strictly endemic to Norfolk Island, an Australian territory situated in the Pacific Ocean. Historically, its range included both Norfolk Island and the nearby Phillip Island, a small, satellite islet; however, it was extirpated from Phillip Island by the early 20th ...
Critically Endangered
- The White-chested White-eye is one of the world's rarest birds, with a wild population estimated to be fewer than 50 mature individuals. - It is endemic solely to Norfolk Island, a small island territory of Australia in the Pacific Ocean. - Its common name beautifully describes its most distinc...