Bonin White-eye

The Bonin White-eye ( Apalopteron family type ) is a small passerine bird in the family of white-eyes, which is endemic to the Japanese Ogasawara Islands in the Pacific. Until recently, the nature of the family of the honey -eater ( Meliphagidae ) has been assigned and therefore called Bonin Honeyeater.

The Bonin White-eye is classified by the IUCN as endangered ( vulnerable ).

Features

The Bonin White-eye is a small passerine bird of the order Passeriformes, which can reach a length of 13.5 centimeters. It has a yellowish to olive green back plumage. Crest and coat are also olive green. The wings are a little brighter with a yellow border of the flight feathers. The belly plumage is pale yellow with gray stripes on the sides. The front and rear ear covers and chin and throat have a bright yellow color, while the neck, like the flanks greyish - yellow. The tail feathers have a dark olive color. The bird has a striking black face pattern, from which the name for the Japanese name of the species (Japaneseメグロ, Meguro, " black eye"). The black stripe of the front crown and forehead widens in the eye area to a black spot, which extends in the form of an elongated triangle, far below the eye. Like most white-eye species has the Bonin White-eye a striking white eye ring ( cf. English white -eye ). The eyes themselves are reddish - brown. The bird has a narrow, pointed beak. The legs are built black and strong.

Habitat and behavior

The Bonin White-eye inhabited rural gardens with tall bushes and plantations, forest edges and open Subtropenwälder that represent the original vegetation of the Ogasawara Islands. Because much of the original vegetation has disappeared, the type had to turn to other habitats. On Hahajima the Bonin White-eye is also close to human habitation, in the scrub and undergrowth along roads in built-up areas and pine forests as well as to make mountain forests and valleys. Bonin glasses birds feed primarily on invertebrates, which they collect in two to six meters of branches and leaves. But fruits and berries also make an important contribution to the diet, especially papaya fruit.

The nests are usually six meters height in forks of branches, but sometimes also in tree holes. The breeding season lasts from March to June. The female lays up to May, two eggs, which are incubated together with the males. The raising of the boys shared by both parents birds.

Distribution and population

The Bonin White-eye is endemic to the Ogasawara Islands of Japan. The species was originally found on all three islands of the Ogasawara island chain, the nominate of the northern islands Muko -jima and Chichi -jima, however extinct. The last reports of sightings at Muko -jima date from the year 1930 and on Chichi -jima in the early 1970s. Thus, the incidence is now limited to Haha -jima and two smaller offshore islands. The total population is declining and is estimated to be 3500-15000 adult individuals.

System

The Bonin White-eye was made until recently to the honey -eaters ( Meliphagidae ), a molecular genetic analysis has shown that the type used is a member of the family of white-eyes ( Zosteropidae ) and closely related to the occurring in the Marianas Gold Brillenvogel ( Cleptornis marchei ) is. Since 1930, two subspecies are distinguished: The nominate A. f the family type of the northern Ogasawara Islands Chichi -jima and Muko -jima, and A. f hahasima Yamashina, 1930 by Haha -jima and several smaller islands. The northern subspecies and the nominate A. f family type, however, is already extinct, so that the type on the populations of the subspecies A. f hahasima of Hahajima and two small neighboring islands - is limited - Imoto -jima and Mukoh -jima. DNA analyzes have revealed that this is to be distinguished from each other three populations.

Threats and conservation

The almost complete clearing of the original forest cover on the Bonin Islands has led to the disappearance of the Bonin glasses bird on several islands and continues to be the biggest threat to the kind dar. Nestplünderungen by introduced black rats may represent a further threat represents the competition from the Japan Brillenvogel however, has little to no negative effect on the spread of the Bonin glasses bird.

The Bonin White-eye is provided by law in Japan under protection. Thus, the Ogasawara island chain is national nature reserve, primarily to protect the Bonin glasses bird. Native plants are reintroduced, measures to eradicate invasive species such as cats and rats are implemented.

Etymology and History of Research

Heinrich von Kittlitz described the Bonin White-eye under the name Ixos familiaris. The type specimen he brought from a two-week stay on Bonisima with in May 1828.

The term " Apalopteron " derives from the Greek words " hapalos ἁπαλός " from for " tender, soft 'and' ptilon πτίλον " for " spring ." The Latin epithet " familiaris " means " familiar, familiar, friendly ." So wrote Kittlitz about their behavior:

" In winter it should be-ing often come to those dwelling in quantity and have passed all fear. "

The word " hahasima " to describe the locality of the subspecies, the island Haha -jima.