Mayotte White-eye

Zosterops mayottensis - Zostérops de Mayotte

Systematics

Order
:
Passeriformes
Family
:
Zostéropidés
Genus
:
Zosterops
Species
:
mayottensis

Descriptor

Schlegel, 1867

Biometrics

Size
: 11 cm
Wingspan
: -
Weight
: -

Geographic range

Distribution

Identification

The Mayotte White-eye is one of the endemic species of the island. Like all the birds of the zosteropidae family, the Mayotte White-eye is the size of a warbler. Known locally as the bird with glasses due to its large white orbital circle. Not to be confused with its cousin, the Zosterops olivaceus, found on Réunion.
The Mayotte White-Eye is green-yellow on the back, while its head, throat, and chest are bright yellow. A well-visible black line connects the two orbital circles at the base of the beak. The flanks are beige-orange in color. The legs are greyish-blue and its beak black. There is no sexual dimorphism.
It is called Shilaputu in the Shimaorais language, or Shiberi in Shibushi.

Subspecific information monotypic species

Foreign names

Zostérops de Mayotte,
Anteojitos de la Mayotte,
olho-branco-de-maiote,
Dotterbrust-Brillenvogel,
mayotte pápaszemesmadár,
Mayottebrilvogel,
Occhialino di Mayotte,
mayotteglasögonfågel,
Ildflankebrillefugl,
okánik hnedoboký,
kruhoočko hnědoboké,
Mayottebrillefugl,
mayottenrilli,
zostèrops de l'illa Mayotte,
szlarnik żółtopierśny,
Каштановобокая белоглазка,
マヨットメジロ,
栗胁绣眼鸟,
安朱恩繡眼,

Voice song and cries

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pause

Typical calls of the Mayotte White-eye produce small, high-pitched cries which can be reminiscent of that of a Dunnock.

Habitat

The Mayotte White-eye prefers the arid forests of the island and open areas where it seeks out low shrubs.

A common bird, it is more easily seen in the south of the island but can also be found in public gardens such as the Mahabou headland and in private gardens on Grande Terre. On Petite Terre, the Mayotte White-eye frequents Lake Dziani-Dzaha as well as the mangrove of the Vasière des Badamiers, where it is almost unnoticed due to the colour of its feathers, which blend in with the leaves of the mangrove trees.
It is almost absent from humid forests.

Behaviour character trait

Like all White-eyes, the Mayotte White-eye is a gregarious bird that moves in groups and does not hesitate to mix with other species when searching for food. It maintains an auditory and visual contact with all its congeners in the group thanks to small, sharp cries. A lively and acrobatic bird, it does not stay in one place for long and remains somewhat shy.

Dietfeeding habits

The Mayotte White-eye is an omnivore. It feeds on nectar, insects, fruits, and berries.

Reproduction nesting

The nesting of the Mayotte White-eye is still poorly understood, so there is only limited information on this species. The nest is a small cup shape, made of woven grasses and suspended at a low height. The female lays 3 or 4 eggs there.

Geographic range

The Mayotte White-eye is an endemic species of Mayotte. It is resident there with a plentiful population.

Threats - protection

IUCN conservation status

Extinct

Threatened

Least
concern

Extinc
in the Wild

Near
threatened

Not
evaluated

EX EW CR EN VU NT LC NE

The Mayotte White-eye is common on the island where it is not threatened. Today there is a slight decline due to loss of habitat, but not enough to consider it vulnerable. Less than 10% decrease in the mature population over 10 years.