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Photo: Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Critically Endangered

Mauritius Olive White-eye

Zosterops chloronothos

Mauritius Olive White-eye (Zosterops chloronothos) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Oceans & Seabirds.

The Mauritius Olive White-eye (Zosterops chloronothos) is a member of the Zosteropidae family found in Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 8.1 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Critically Endangered.

CR Critically Endangered

Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Where it fits

  1. Class Aves
  2. Order Passeriformes
  3. Family Zosteropidae White-eyes
  4. Genus Zosterops
  5. Species chloronothos

Where it lives

Mauritius (central Mascarenes; rare); introduced Ile aux Aigrettes (just east of Mauritius)

Quick facts

Weight
8.1 g
Family
Zosteropidae
Habitat
Woodland

How to identify

Similar birds

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Mauritius Olive White-eye is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.

Behaviour

A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.

Migration

The Mauritius Olive White-eye is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Mauritius Olive White-eye (Zosterops chloronothos) belongs to the Zosteropidae family of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers IO Mauritius (c Mascarenes; rare); introduced Ile aux Aigrettes (just e of Mauritius).

It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 8.1 g, with a wing length of about 5.2 cm and a tail of around 3.3 cm.

It is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Critically Endangered is the highest risk category before extinction in the wild.

The species has a mapped global range of roughly 62 km² — a relatively restricted global range.

Songs & calls

Mauritius Olive White-eye — Song

Recorded by Hans Matheve Licence: CC BY-NC-ND 3.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Mauritius Olive White-eye?

The Mauritius Olive White-eye is a very small bird that weighs around 8.1 g.

Where does the Mauritius Olive White-eye live?

The Mauritius Olive White-eye is found across Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering IO Mauritius (c Mascarenes; rare); introduced Ile aux Aigrettes (just e of Mauritius), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.

What family does the Mauritius Olive White-eye belong to?

The Mauritius Olive White-eye (Zosterops chloronothos) belongs to the Zosteropidae family, in the order Passeriformes.

What does the Mauritius Olive White-eye eat?

The Mauritius Olive White-eye is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.

Does the Mauritius Olive White-eye migrate?

The Mauritius Olive White-eye is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Mauritius Olive White-eye endangered?

It is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Critically Endangered is the highest risk category before extinction in the wild.

What sound does the Mauritius Olive White-eye make?

1 real field recording of the Mauritius Olive White-eye — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Mauritius Olive White-eye's range?

The Mauritius Olive White-eye has a mapped global range of about 62 km².

Conservation

Critically Endangered

Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.

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