Faichuk White-eye
Encyclopedia
The Teardrop White-eye (Rukia ruki), also known as the Faichuk White-eye, Truk White-eye, or Great Truk White-eye, is a species of bird
in the Zosteropidae family. Some advocate that it is the only true member of the genus Rukia, or the "Great White-eyes".
, in the Faichuk
group of islands within the Chuuk
(Truk) atoll
in Micronesia
. Its habitat is montane rainforest dominated by the endemic Chuuk Poisontree
. Due to its restricted range on one small mountaintop and the locals' disdain for the native poisontree, it is severely threatened by habitat loss.
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
in the Zosteropidae family. Some advocate that it is the only true member of the genus Rukia, or the "Great White-eyes".
Distribution and habitat
It is endemic to the summit of Mount Winipat on TolTol (island)
Tol is the largest and most populous island in the Faichuk group of islands in Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia. Located in the west of Truk Lagoon, it is surrounded by the smaller islands of Paata , Polle, Wonei , Fata Beguets, and Ulalu....
, in the Faichuk
Faichuk
Faichuk, also known as Tol, is a group of four islands separated from one another by narrow canals in the western part of Truk Lagoon, Chuuk, Micronesia. The tightly-knit islands are considered as one for statistical and administrative purposes....
group of islands within the Chuuk
Chuuk
Chuuk — formerly Truk, Ruk, Hogoleu, Torres, Ugulat, and Lugulus — is an island group in the south western part of the Pacific Ocean. It comprises one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia , along with Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap. Chuuk is the most populous of the FSM's...
(Truk) atoll
Atoll
An atoll is a coral island that encircles a lagoon partially or completely.- Usage :The word atoll comes from the Dhivehi word atholhu OED...
in Micronesia
Micronesia
Micronesia is a subregion of Oceania, comprising thousands of small islands in the western Pacific Ocean. It is distinct from Melanesia to the south, and Polynesia to the east. The Philippines lie to the west, and Indonesia to the southwest....
. Its habitat is montane rainforest dominated by the endemic Chuuk Poisontree
Semecarpus kraemeri
Semecarpus kraemeri, or Chuuk Poisontree, is a species of plant in the Anacardiaceae family. It is endemic to the island of Chuuk within the Federated States of Micronesia. A fellow endemic, the Great Truk White-eye is thought to depend on this plant for survival....
. Due to its restricted range on one small mountaintop and the locals' disdain for the native poisontree, it is severely threatened by habitat loss.