Réunion grey white-eye

The Réunion grey white-eye is a small passerine from the family Zosteropidae, which is native to the islands of Réunion.

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Distribution

Region

Mascarene Islands, western Indian Ocean

Typical Environment

Endemic to the island of Réunion, where it occupies a wide range of habitats from coastal scrub and secondary growth to mid-elevation forests and high-elevation heath and shrublands. It thrives in both native forest and human-modified landscapes, including gardens and plantations with flowering shrubs. The species forages from understory to mid-canopy, gleaning foliage and visiting blossoms. It can be especially common along forest edges, in ravines, and in montane thickets.

Altitude Range

0–2600 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size10–12 cm

Wing Span14–18 cm

Male Weight0.01 kg

Female Weight0.009 kg

Life Expectancy6 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 2/5

Useful to know

The Réunion grey white-eye is a small, highly adaptable songbird endemic to Réunion in the Mascarene Islands. It shows notable plumage variation across elevations, with some morphs displaying browner throats and others paler underparts. Energetic and gregarious, it often forms mixed-species foraging flocks and helps pollinate flowering plants while feeding on nectar.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

social and active

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with quick, bounding flight

Social Behavior

Outside the breeding season it forms lively flocks, often joining mixed-species parties. Pairs establish small territories during breeding and build neat cup nests concealed in shrubs or low trees. Both parents participate in incubation and feeding of nestlings.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

A high-pitched, rapid series of thin whistles and trills interspersed with soft chips. The song is energetic but delicate, delivered frequently while foraging and from low perches.

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Identification

Leg Colorblackish-grey

Eye Colordark brown

Plumage

Neat, compact white-eye with grey to grey-brown upperparts and pale grey to whitish underparts; some morphs show a warmer brown wash on the throat and breast. Feathers are smooth and close-fitting, giving a sleek appearance.

Feeding Habits

Diet

Feeds primarily on small insects, spiders, and other arthropods gleaned from leaves and twigs. Also takes nectar from a variety of flowering shrubs and trees, and supplements its diet with soft fruits and berries. This flexible diet allows it to exploit both native and cultivated plants and likely contributes to its success across habitats.

Preferred Environment

Forages in forest edges, secondary woodland, gardens, and montane shrublands. Often works methodically through the understory and mid-canopy, occasionally hovering briefly to probe flowers.

Population

Total Known PopulationStable population of several hundred thousand individuals

Réunion harrier

The Réunion harrier, also known as Réunion marsh harrier, is a species of bird of prey belonging to the marsh harrier group of harriers. It is now found only on the Indian Ocean island of Réunion, although fossil material from Mauritius has been referred to this species. It is known locally as the papangue or pied jaune. The Malagasy harrier of Madagascar and the Comoro Islands was previously treated as a subspecies of this bird but is increasingly regarded as a separate species. The Réunion harrier appears to be declining in numbers and it is classed as an endangered species.

Réunion ibis

The Réunion ibis or Réunion sacred ibis is an extinct species of ibis that was endemic to the volcanic island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean. The first subfossil remains were found in 1974, and the ibis was first scientifically described in 1987. Its closest relatives are the Malagasy sacred ibis, the African sacred ibis, and the straw-necked ibis. Travellers' accounts from the 17th and 18th centuries described a white bird on Réunion that flew with difficulty and preferred solitude, which was subsequently referred to as the "Réunion solitaire".

Réunion sheldgoose

The Réunion sheldgoose or Kervazo's Egyptian goose is an extinct species of sheldgoose from Réunion. It was a close relative of the Egyptian goose and was about the same size. There is only one description remaining, that of Dubois made in 1674. Apart from that, the species is only known from brief reports and subfossil bones, collected by British ornithologist Graham S. Cowles. Dubois' full account reads as follows:Wild geese, slightly smaller than the European geese. They have the same feathering, but with the bill and feet red. They are very good [to eat].

Réunion stonechat

The Réunion stonechat is a species of stonechat, endemic to the French Indian Ocean island of Réunion. It is found across the island in forests, shrublands and artificial environments such as gardens and plantations. This small passerine bird is common in clearings and open mountain bushlands there up to 2600 metres above sea level, including in the plains around Piton de la Fournaise.