Monday, June 8, 2026

[Ornithology • 2022] Zosterops paruhbesar • A distinct New Species of Zosterops White-eye (Passeriformes: Zosteropidae) from the Sulawesi Region, Indonesia


Zosterops paruhbesar 
 Irham, Prawiradilaga, Menner, O'Connell, Kelly, Analuddin, Karya, Meads, Marples & Rheindt, 2022
   
Wangi-wangi White-eye || DOI: doi.org/10.1111/ibi.13148 
photo: James Eaton
  
Abstract
We describe a new species of Zosterops white-eye, which is restricted to Wangi-wangi, a single island of roughly 155 km2 in the Wakatobi Archipelago, Indonesia. Informally known as the Wangi-wangi White-eye, the new species is highly distinct both morphologically and genetically. It is considerably larger in body and bill size compared with other regional Zosterops species. The Wangi-wangi White-eye remains locally common but its habitat is dwindling. Given its minute area of occupancy and the threat from the bird trade, we recommend the IUCN status Endangered.

Keywords: bill size, body size, IUCN status Endangered, Wangi-wangi Island


 Wangi-wangi white-eye and  Wakatobi white-eye 
photo: Nicola Marples and David Kelly



Zosterops paruhbesar sp. nov.
Wangi-wangi White-eye
Kacamata Wangi-wangi

Etymology: Zosterops paruhbesar exhibits a prominent massive bill unique among white-eyes in the region. The species epithet is based on the word ‘massive bill’ in Bahasa Indonesia (paruh besar) and is used as an inalienable noun in apposition. 

  
Mohammad Irham, Dewi M. Prawiradilaga, Jochen K. Menner, Darren P. O'Connell, David J. Kelly, Kangkuso Analuddin, Adi Karya, Martin Meads, Nicola M. Marples and Frank E. Rheindt. 2022. A distinct New Species of Zosterops white-eye from the Sulawesi Region, Indonesia. Ibis. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/ibi.13148 
  twitter.com/Dar_OConnell/status/1064858735754035200