The Rota white-eye or Rota bridled white-eye is a species of bird in the family Zosteropidae. It is critically endangered and endemic to Rota in the Northern Mariana Islands, where it mainly occurs in mature, wet limestone forests.
Region
Mariana Islands, Western Pacific (Micronesia)
Typical Environment
Now restricted to Rota, it primarily occupies mature, wet limestone forests with a closed canopy and complex understory. The species is most frequently encountered on the island’s interior uplands and remaining tracts of intact native forest. It tends to avoid heavily degraded scrub, plantations, and urban areas. Occurrence is patchy, tracking the availability of older native trees and minimal disturbance. During foraging bouts it uses mid-story to canopy layers and occasionally edges adjoining intact forest.
Altitude Range
0–500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the Rota bridled white-eye, this tiny songbird is confined to the island of Rota in the Northern Mariana Islands. Its decline has been linked to habitat loss, severe typhoons, and introduced predators. Intensive conservation, including habitat protection and predator control, has been crucial for its persistence. It forages actively in the canopy, often moving in small, chattering groups.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often travels in small, vocal parties that move methodically through canopy foliage. Pairs form during the breeding season, building small cup nests suspended from fine branches. They are attentive parents, both sexes participating in feeding nestlings. Territories are modest in size but defended around nest sites.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A high, tinkling series of thin notes interspersed with rapid chips and trills. Calls are sharp contact notes used to keep flocks together in dense foliage.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with yellowish throat and underparts, clean white eye-ring, and a dark line forming a subtle ‘bridle’ through and behind the eye. Plumage is smooth and compact, with slightly paler belly and undertail. Wings and tail are dusky olive with fine edging.
Diet
Gleans small insects, spiders, and other arthropods from leaves and twigs. Also takes soft fruits and berries and laps nectar from blossoms when available. Foraging is rapid and methodical, often hanging briefly to inspect leaf undersides. Diet composition shifts seasonally with flowering and fruiting cycles.
Preferred Environment
Mid-story to canopy of mature limestone forest, especially on native flowering and fruiting trees. Occasionally uses forest edges and small gaps but prefers continuous cover. Rarely descends to the ground except to drink or bathe.
