Bonin White-eye
Encyclopedia
The Bonin White-eye Apalopteron familiare or is a small yellow and grey bird endemic to the Ogasawara Islands
(formerly Bonin Islands) of Japan. Until recently it was considered part of the Meliphagidae family of honeyeater
s and was called the Bonin Honeyeater.
A distinctive feature of the bird is the white rim around the eyes, which is then surrounded by black masking. Presently its habitat is restricted to Haha-jima
Island. Until several years ago it could also be found on Chichi-jima
Island. Because of the bird's small range of habitat, its status is listed as "Vulnerable".
A subspecies, the Mukojima White-eye
, is extinct.
Ogasawara Islands
The Bonin Islands, known in Japan as the are an archipelago of over 30 subtropical and tropical islands, some directly south of Tokyo, Japan. Administratively, they are part of Ogasawara Municipality of Ogasawara Subprefecture, Tokyo...
(formerly Bonin Islands) of Japan. Until recently it was considered part of the Meliphagidae family of honeyeater
Honeyeater
The honeyeaters are a large and diverse family of small to medium sized birds most common in Australia and New Guinea, but also found in New Zealand, the Pacific islands as far east as Samoa and Tonga, and the islands to the north and west of New Guinea known as Wallacea...
s and was called the Bonin Honeyeater.
A distinctive feature of the bird is the white rim around the eyes, which is then surrounded by black masking. Presently its habitat is restricted to Haha-jima
Haha-jima
is the second-largest island of the Ogasawara Islands or Bonin Islands south of the Japanese main island chain. It is about 21 km² in area.The highest points are Mt. Chibusa , approximately 462m, and Mt. Sakaigatake , 443m. The largest island of the group, Chichi-jima is approximately...
Island. Until several years ago it could also be found on Chichi-jima
Chichi-jima
, formerly known as Peel Island and in the 19th century known to the English as part of the Bonin Islands, is the largest island in the Ogasawara archipelago. Chichi-jima is approximately 150 miles north of Iwo Jima. The island is within the political boundaries of Ogasawara Town, Ogasawara...
Island. Because of the bird's small range of habitat, its status is listed as "Vulnerable".
A subspecies, the Mukojima White-eye
Mukojima White-eye
The Mukojima White-eye , incorrectly known as the Mukojima Honeyeater, is the extinct nominate subspecies of the Bonin White-eye . It occurred on Muko-jima and Nakodo-jima in the northern group of the Ogasawara Islands...
, is extinct.