Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a small range, being restricted to just two islands. It remains fairly common, and persists in degraded habitats, suggesting that it is not at imminent threat. However, there is evidence that some areas of habitat are being completely cleared on a scale that may be causing a slow decline as breeding and feeding habitat is removed. Accordingly, it is currently listed as Near Threatened.
Population justification
The population size of this species has not been quantified, but it is described as uncommon in all wooded habitats, including cleared land with scattered trees (Eaton et al. 2021), and appears to be among the most commonly observed species on Kai Besar (eBird 2022). Nonetheless, given the area it occupies is just c.400 km2 in size (and much of this has now been cleared of suitable habitat), its population size may be moderately small.
Trend justification
In the ten years to 2022, forest loss on Kai Kecil was 4-5% (Global Forest Watch 2022, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein). Although this species is somewhat tolerant of open woodland (Eaton et al. 2021), much of the habitat loss of Kai Kecil has amounted to total destruction (Google Earth 2022) and this is thought to have caused loss of feeding and breeding habitat that may be having broadly equivalent (set here in the band 1-9%) impacts on population size.
Zosterops uropygialis is restricted to the Banda Sea Islands Endemic Bird Area, Indonesia, where it occurs on the islands of Kai Kecil and Tual only.
This species inhabits forests, scrub and cleared land with scattered trees (Eaton et al. 2021).
This species is vulnerable to the conversion of forest to agriculture and urban areas. In the ten years to 2022, approximately 4-5% of this species' mapped range was lost to this.
Conservation Actions Underway
None is known and none of Kai Kecil lies within a protected area.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Monitor populations on Kai Kecil and Tual, as well as rates of habitat loss or degradation. Protect significant areas of forest and scrub habitat on both islands in community-led multiple use areas.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A.
Contributors
Mahood, S., Khwaja, N., Symes, A., Gilroy, J. & Benstead, P.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Kai Kecil White-eye Zosterops uropygialis. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/kai-kecil-white-eye-zosterops-uropygialis on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.