Alternative names: Golden Honeyeater; Cleptornis
- Cleptornis marchei
Identification
14cm. An unmistakable bird.
- Yellow to orange head with narrow pale eyering
- Yellowish-green back
- Fringed orange-yellow wing and tail feathers
- Golden orange-yellow underparts washed cinnamon-red on flanks and undertail-coverts
- Dark brown eyes
- Orange bill and legs
Sexes similar but females shorter-winged and shorter-billed.
Juveniles are duller and have a paler plumage than adults with brownish-yellow areas on back side of head.
Distribution
Only found on Saipan and Aguijan in southern Northern Mariana Islands, Pacific.
A restricted-range species. The introduced Brown Tree-snake is likely to lead to a massive decrease of this species. Listed as critically endangered.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
It was initially placed in the genus Ptilotis and thought to be a Honeyeater but DNA analysis indicated the placement in the current family. Closely related to Long-billed White-eye.
Habitat
Found in the under-storey of wooded and semi-open habitats including suburban areas and strand forests. More common in native limestone forest than in disturbed areas. Not present in Susupe marshes.
Behaviour
Usually seen in family groups of 3 to 4 birds, sometimes in larger, noisy groups of up to 12 birds. Often followed by Rufous Fantails when foraging.
Diet
Feeds on berries, fruits, nectar, flowers, invertebrates and flying insects.
Breeding
A territorial species. Breeds in all months except November. The nest is cup-shaped and made of casuarina needles, grasses, vine tendrils and coarse hairs. It's placed 1.5 to 6.5m above the ground in a tree. Lays 2 eggs.
Movements not known.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2008. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 13: Penduline-tits to Shrikes. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553453
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Golden White-eye. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 6 October 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Golden_White-eye
