Zosterops mysorensis, A.B.Meyer, 1874

Bishop, K. David, 2023, The avifauna of Biak Island, Papua, Indonesia with comments on status, conservation, natural history and taxonomy, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 143 (1), pp. 3-62 : 52

BIAK WHITE-EYE Zosterops mysorensis # RR, Near Threatened

Range Biak, Supiori.

Taxonomy Affinities unclear, although the Zosterops atrifrons superspecies group (including Halmahera Z. fuscifrons and Bacan White-eyes Z. atriceps ) both bear a strong resemblance to Z. mysorensis , and together with New Guinea White-eye Z. novaeguineae have been suggested to be sister species ( van Balen 2008 , Beehler & Pratt 2016).

Status Endemic species. Obtained by four collectors and seen by many visitors. Nevertheless, this distinctive taxon is often scarce, usually encountered in small flocks, seeming to prefer scrub and secondary forest, sometimes quite close to Kota Biak. In July 1982 KDB found it common in flocks of 3‒12 from sea level to c. 450 m in forest on Supiori .

Voice The song is apparently undescribed, apparently due to its notably infrequent and sporadic vocalisations. SvB noted that in this respect the species is very different from Z. atrifrons sensu lato and Z. novaeguineae , which are both generally frequent songsters.