I have been told by Carla Catterall, when discussing the likely specific
status or otherwise of this bird, that when mainland silvereyes turn up on
the islands they are set upon and even killed by the island form. Not very
conducive to interbreeding I would imagine.
Terry
-----Original Message-----
From:
On Behalf Of Peter Woodall
Sent: Tuesday, 20 March 2007 3:36 PM
To: michael hunter
Cc:
Subject: Capricornian White eye RFI
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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