Reunion Grey White-eye
Zosterops borbonicus
The Reunion Grey White-eye (Zosterops borbonicus) is a rare white-eyes, yuhinas, and alli found in 2 countries, weighing about 8 g. The Réunion grey white-eye is a small passerine from the family Zosteropidae, which is native to the islands of Réunion.
About the Reunion Grey White-eye
The Réunion grey white-eye is a small passerine from the family Zosteropidae, which is native to the islands of Réunion.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
It has a length of 9.5 cm. Its plumage exhibits colour morphs which vary from gray to brown. The tail coverts are conspicuously white, unlike those of the Réunion olive white-eye. The rest of the body plumage is variable in hue, though invariably lighter than that of the previous species. It is typically blue-grey with a brownish wash to the mantle, and distinctly rufous-brown flanks. It has chestnut-coloured eyes with a very indistinct eye-ring, as opposed to that of the Réunion olive white-eye. In both species the breast and flank feathers create a white "epaulette" effect.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in October. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Reunion Grey White-eye?
- It has a length of 9.5 cm. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Reunion Grey White-eye?
- The Reunion Grey White-eye is a tiny sized bird weighing about 8 g.
- Where can you see a Reunion Grey White-eye?
- The Reunion Grey White-eye occurs in 2 countries, including Réunion and Mauritius.
- What birds look similar to a Reunion Grey White-eye?
- The Reunion Grey White-eye is most easily confused with the Chestnut-flanked White-eye, the Malagasy White-eye and the Southern Yellow White-eye.
- Is the Reunion Grey White-eye endangered?
- The Reunion Grey White-eye is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Reunion Grey White-eye for real
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