Malaita white-eye

Overview

Wikipedia

The Malaita white-eye is a species of bird in the family Zosteropidae. It is endemic to Malaita in the Solomon Islands.

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Distribution

Region

Southwest Pacific (Solomon Islands)

Typical Environment

Occurs only on Malaita, where it inhabits lowland and hill forests, forest edges, and secondary growth. It forages from understory to canopy, frequently visiting flowering and fruiting trees. Birds can also appear in gardens, plantations, and lightly disturbed habitats close to forest. It is generally more numerous where continuous tree cover remains.

Altitude Range

0–1300 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size10–12 cm

Wing Span16–20 cm

Male Weight0.01 kg

Female Weight0.009 kg

Life Expectancy5 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 2/5

Useful to know

A small white-eye restricted to Malaita in the Solomon Islands, it is easily recognized by its bold white eye-ring. It often joins mixed-species flocks and forages restlessly in the canopy and midstory. It adapts reasonably well to secondary growth but extensive logging could reduce suitable habitat. Like many white-eyes, it likely aids seed dispersal and pollination.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

social and active

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats

Social Behavior

Often travels in small, noisy parties and readily joins mixed-species flocks. Pairs likely maintain small territories during breeding, building a neat cup nest suspended in foliage. Outside breeding, it ranges widely while foraging.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Delivers high, thin twitters and sweet, rapid trills interspersed with short whistles. Calls are soft but persistent contact notes that keep groups together while foraging.

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Identification

Leg Colorblackish-grey

Eye Colordark brown

Plumage

Olive-green upperparts with yellowish throat and vent; underparts pale grayish-white. Feathers are smooth and sleek, giving a clean, neat appearance typical of white-eyes.

Feeding Habits

Diet

Consumes small insects, spiders, and other arthropods gleaned from leaves and twigs. Also takes nectar from blossoms and a variety of soft fruits and berries. Occasionally hawks briefly for flying insects between branches.

Preferred Environment

Feeds in the midstory and canopy of forests, along edges, and in secondary growth with flowering and fruiting trees. Will use village gardens and plantations where suitable food plants are present.

Population

Total Known Populationunknown

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