Notes on the Breeding Biology of the Tropical Mangrove-dwelling Yellow White-eye Zosterops luteus

Abstract

The Yellow White-eye Zosterops luteus is endemic to the monsoonal tropics of Australia, where it occurs chiefly in mangrove communities. Opportunistic observations in the Darwin region indicate that the species breeds all year round, and that nests are mostly built in the top third of short mangroves. The limited data suggest that the incubation and nesting periods each occupy between 9 and 11 days, similar to those reported for the closely related Silvereye Z. lateralis. If these nests are typical, white-eyes may well have the shortest known incubation periods for Australian passerines.