White-chested White-eye
CR

White-chested White-eye

Zosterops albogularis

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-chested_white-eye

Overview

The white-chested white-eye also known as white-breasted white-eye or Norfolk white-eye was a passerine from the family Zosteropidae. It was endemic to Norfolk Island between New Caledonia and New Zealand and was regarded as either extremely rare or possibly extinct. Since 2000 the Australian government has considered the species extinct.

The White-chested White-eye faces severe threats primarily from habitat destruction and fragmentation across its limited range in Norfolk Island. Introduced species, particularly invasive plants and predators, have significantly altered the island's ecosystem and continue to impact remaining populations. The species' extremely small population size and restricted distribution make it highly vulnerable to extinction from environmental stochasticity and catastrophic events.

Threat summary

Habitat

Endemic to Norfolk Island, this species inhabits remnant native forests dominated by Norfolk Island pine and other indigenous trees, as well as modified habitats including gardens and plantations with native vegetation components. The species occurs from sea level to the island's highest elevations, showing preference for areas with dense canopy cover and native plant species.

Frequently asked questions

Why is White-chested White-eye classified as Critically Endangered?
White-chested White-eye is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The White-chested White-eye faces severe threats primarily from habitat destruction and fragmentation across its limited range in Norfolk Island. Introduced species, particularly invasive plants and predators, have significantly altered the island's ecosystem and continue to impact remaining populations. The species' extremely small population size and restricted distribution make it highly vulnerable to extinction from environmental stochasticity and catastrophic events.
Where does White-chested White-eye live?
White-chested White-eye occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to White-chested White-eye?
The main threats to White-chested White-eye are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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