General Information

Habitat Requirements

Since the late 1970s and 1980s until today the Rota white-eye has been regularly reported only at high elevations (greater than 150 meters [490 feet]) in the Sabana region of Rota. Sightings have been recorded in limestone forest, introduced Acacia confusa forest, introduced Leucaena leucocephala forest, and secondary vegetation (Craig and Taisacan 1994; Amidon 2000; Fancy and Snetsinger 2001; F. Amidon, unpubl. data). However, the majority of the sightings have been recorded in limestone forest.

Food Habits

Very little is known about the food habitats of this species. They are believed to feed primarily on insects; however, they have been observed foraging on the fruits of amahadyan (Pipturus argenteus) and pengua (Macaranga thompsonii) trees and probing the flowers, presumably to feed on nectar, of Elaeocarpus joga, Hernandia labyrinthica, Macaranga thompsonii, avocado (Persea americana), ahgao (Premna obtusifolia), and atoto (Eugenia thompsonii) trees (F. Amidon, unpubl. data). The Rota white-eye primarily by gleaning insects from leaves and branches of trees (Craig and Taisacan 1994, Amidon 2000). However, they have been observed sallying for insects, probing flowers for insects or pollen, and searching for food in epiphytes and moss (Amidon 2000; F. Amidon, unpubl. data). They typically forage in the outer layer of canopy trees on perches less than 1.0 centimeter (0.4 inches) in diameter (Craig and Taisacan 1994, Amidon 2000).

Movement / Home Range

The nosa Luta or Rota white-eye is endemic to the island of Rota and since the late 1970s and 1980s until today the nosa Luta has been regularly reported only at high elevations (greater than 150 meters [490 feet]) in the Sabana region of Rota.

Reproductive Strategy

The nosa Luta is a sexually monomorphic (sexes outwardly similar in appearance) forest bird. Observations of breeding activity indicate that this species breed from at least December to August (Lusk and Taisacan 1997; Amidon et al. 2004). However, the species may breed year-round, as was reported for the Guam bridled white-eye (Marshall 1949, Jenkins 1983), because nesting has been observed in both the wet and dry seasons. Nests are cup-like and typically suspended between branches and branchlets or leaf petioles (Yamashina 1932, Lusk and Taisacan 1997, Amidon et al. 2004); however, one nest was observed suspended from pugua-machena (Davallia solida) ferns below the branch of a tree (Amidon et al. 2004). Nests appear to be composed of rootlets, woven grass or Pandanus spp. fibers, spider webs, light green moss, and a yellow, cottony material (Yamashina 1932, Lusk and Taisacan 1997, Amidon et al. 2004). The inner cup appears to be of woven grass or Pandanus spp. fibers. Both male and female incubate, brood, and feed nestlings (Amidon et al. 2004). Eggs are light blue and clutch sizes of 1 to 2 eggs have been observed (Yamashina 1932, Amidon et al. 2004), though clutch sizes of 3 eggs are possible based on observed clutch sizes for bridled white-eyes on Guam, Tinian, and Saipan (Hartert 1898, Yamashina 1932, Sachtleben 2005). Incubation and nestling periods appeared to be at least 10 and as long as 12 days (Amidon et al. 2004). The post-fledging parental attendance period is unknown, but observations of one banded nosa Luta nestling indicate it is at least 8 days (Amidon et al. 2004). The estimated durations of post-fledging parental care are approximately 2 weeks for the silvereye (Kikkawa and Wilson 1983) and 15 to 20 days for the Japanese white-eye (van Riper 2000).

Other

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