birding-aus

Capricornian White eye RFI

To: "michael hunter" <>
Subject: Capricornian White eye RFI
From: "Peter Woodall" <>
Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2007 15:36:29 +1000
Hi Michael

No one has yet answered your query about the "Capricorn White-eye" so
I'll give some (limited)info.

It has long been known as a subspecies of the Sivereye, Zosterops
lateralis chlorocephalus, found in the Capricorn and Bunker group of
islands of the Great Barrier Reef, including Heron Island where there
was a long term study by Jiro Kikkawa, Carla Catterall and others.

In 2003, Jiro published a paper in the Sunbird, entitled "The Capricorn
white-eye Zosterops lateralis" (33:64-76) in which he proposed that it
be recognised as a full species.

It is one of these very difficult island forms - clearly different from
the mainland forms, but sufficient to warrant specific status ?? This is
very difficult to judge because there is no/little chance for mixing
with other forms.

However, it was treated as a subspecies, not a full species, by Schodde
and Mason (1999) and by the latest HANZAB.

I guess we will just have to wait and see what the next BA/RAOU list
does with it.

Peter

-----Original Message-----
From: 
 On Behalf Of michael hunter
Sent: Tuesday, 20 March 2007 11:01 AM
To: 
Subject: Capricornian White eye RFI

       All this talk about North Queensland's birds, Brazilians and rain
have caused a stirring in my withered, drought affected psyche, a
yearning
to return to those fabulous  places. But, there has to be an
ornithological
excuse, a new bird to see..

       Is the Capricornian White eye a valid species, or a discrete
subspp.
worth ticking ?, what is its distribution ?,  is it accessible by tinnie
from the coast or how?,  when is the best time of year to see it, ?
when
are mainland Silvereyes  present for comparison?.

                                                       TIA
Michael

Michael Hunter
Mulgoa Valley
50km west of Sydney Harbour Bridge

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