• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species has a restricted range and the area and quality of its habitat are declining as a result of ongoing forest loss and degradation. It is therefore classified as Near Threatened.

Population justification
This species is poorly known and the population size has not been quantified, but it is described as fairly common (Dutson 2011) and expert opinion suggests that the population numbers more than 1,000 mature individuals (G. Dutson in litt. 2016).

Trend justification
Remote sensing data (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein) indicate that in the ten years to 2020, forest loss in this species' range has been equivalent to c.4-6%. However, the population trend of this species is considered unknown given its apparent tolerance of degraded forest (Dutson 2011).

Zosterops vellalavella is endemic to the small islands of Vella Lavella (630 km²) and Mbava (25 km²) in the Solomon Islands.

It occurs in forest, usually forest edge but also primary forest, logged forest (Gibbs 1996, G. Dutson pers. obs. 1998, Hornbuckle 1999) and in regrowth, including coconut plantations with some undergrowth and scattered old trees (Dutson 2011). It is considered to be tolerant of degraded forest (Dutson 2011).

The main threat to this species is forest loss within its range (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein), although the population trend is considered unknown given its apparent tolerance of degraded forest (Dutson 2011).

Conservation Actions Underway
None is known.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Research its tolerance of logged and degraded forest. Regularly monitor the population at selected sites. Protect significant areas of primary forest on Vella Lavella.

Text account compilers
Vine, J.

Contributors
Derhé, M., Dutson, G., Mahood, S., North, A. & O'Brien, A.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Vella Lavella White-eye Zosterops vellalavella. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/vella-lavella-white-eye-zosterops-vellalavella on 23/11/2024.
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 23/11/2024.