Yap White-eye Zosterops oleagineus Scientific name definitions

12·5–13 cm. Has well-developed satin-white eyering interrupted at front by blackish loral line, latter continuing under eyering; above, including forehead, generally brownish-citrine, flight-feathers and tail feathers blackish-brown with broad brownish edges; throat dull yellowish, becoming brownish-citrine (but paler than upperparts) towards upper breast, with centre of belly, flanks and remainder of underparts brownish-olive; iris reddish-white to reddish-brown; bill yellow-orange, darker on upper mandible; legs yellow-orange. Sexes similar, female perhaps darker than male. Juvenile undescribed.

Yap, in W Caroline Is.

All types of forest, dense jungle, underbrush near swamps and other woody vegetation, including mangroves. Not confined to native vegetation.

Not known.

No details of diet. Solitary, in small groups or, usually, in pairs. Generally forages in tops of small to medium-sized trees. Characteristically hangs with head downwards, exploring among leaves, flowers or fruits; especially fond of seed-pods of Leucena (tangen-tangen). Gleans items from foliage.

Melodic song of monotonously repeated loud whistled phrases, pattern varying somewhat, but typically resembling the phrase “Tickle me, Peter” or “fickle-éé-feedle-déé”. Call a shrill harsh “cheee”.

No information.

Not globally threatened. Currently considered Near-threatened. Restricted-range species: present in Yap Islands EBA. Confined to small island of Yap (less than 100 km²), where reported as rare. During a month’s survey in 1940s, seen only twice. In 1970s was reportedly widely distributed, but more recently appeared to have become scarcer. In 1991 total population estimated at 19,619 individuals.