Yellowish white-eye

Yellowish white-eye
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Zosteropidae
Genus:	Zosterops
Species:	Z. nigrorum
Binomial name
Zosterops nigrorum Tweeddale, 1878

The yellowish white-eye (Zosterops nigrorum) or golden-yellow white-eye, is a species of bird in the family Zosteropidae. It is endemic to the Philippines. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forests.

Description and taxonomy

Ebird describes it as "A small bird of lowland and foothill forest and more open wooded areas. Olive-green above and bright yellow below with a yellow patch between the eye and bill. Note the broad white eye-ring. Usually found in single- or mixed-species flocks where it is a core species. Occurs together with Lowland and locally with Mountain White-eyes, but Yellowish has a yellow rather than pale-gray belly. Song consists of jumbled whistles. Calls include a typical white-eye “tweet” or trill."[2]

Subspecies

Eight subspecies are recognised:

• Z. n. nigrorum – – Found in Cresta de Gallo, Masbate, Ticao, Caluya, Panay and Negros.
• Z. n. mindorensis – Found in Mindoro
• Z. n. catarmanensis – Found in Camiguin Sur.
• Z. n. richmondi – Found in Cagayancillo
• Z. n. luzonicus – Found in SE Luzon and Catanduanes
• Z. n. innominatus – Found in Northeast and Central Luzon
• Z. n. aureiloris – Found in North and Northwest Luzon
• Z. n. meyleri – Found in Camiguin Norte[3]

Ecology and behavior

Forages in the understory for insects and often joins mixed-species flocks that include Blue-headed fantail, Golden-crowned babbler, Lemon-throated leaf warbler, Black-crowned babbler, Flame-templed babbler and other small birds. Adults with enlarged gonads from January to May but not much else is known.[3]

Habitat and conservation status

Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forest, second growth and plantations up to 1,250 meters above sea level.

The IUCN has classified the species as being of Least Concern as it has a large range and it is common throughout. However, deforestation in the Philippines continues throughout the country due to slash and burn farming, mining, illegal logging and habitat conversion.[4]

References

1. BirdLife International (2018). "Zosterops nigrorum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T22714071A132104786. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22714071A132104786.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
2. "Yellowish White-eye - eBird". ebird.org. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
3. van Balen, Bas (2020). "Yellowish White-eye (Zosterops nigrorum), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.yelwhe1.01. ISSN 2771-3105.
4. IUCN (2018-08-09). Zosterops nigrorum: BirdLife International: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22714071A132104786 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2018-2.rlts.t22714071a132104786.en.