After its discovery in 1897, the teardrop white-eye (Rukia ruki) was long believed to inhabit a microscopic range. Within the Western Pacific, endemic to Micronesia. Within Micronesia to the Caroline Islands. Within the Carolines, to Chuuk Atoll. Within Chuuk, only the Faichuk island group. And within that group, it was known only from the island of Tol, from the summit of its tallest mountain: Winipot.

Dominating the upper canopy of Mount Winipot is the endemic Chuuk poison tree (Semecarpus kraemeri). It produces a highly toxic sap that causes severe allergic contact dermatitis and painful blistering in humans. Historically, this toxic tree shielded Winipot’s native forests from fire and axe — offering sanctuary to the teardrop white-eye.

Unlike most of its white-eye cousins in the Zosterops genus — which are small, yellowish, and difficult to tell apart — the teardrop white-eye is noticeably larger, has sombre olive-brown plumage, and features bright orange legs. Beneath its eyes, it has distinct white feather crescents that look like permanent teardrops.

In the 1980s, surveys estimated that 382 teardrop white-eyes lived on Tol. They also found tiny, restricted populations of the species across a few neighbouring islands. But “restricted” is the key word here: 93 on Polle, 32 on Paata, and just 19 on Onei. Those same surveys estimated that the white-eye’s total known range was only about one square kilometre, or less than a third the size of Central Park. 

More recent surveys on neighbouring islands have either turned up empty or been impossible to undertake due to local opposition and other difficulties. We cannot say whether the teardrop white-eye exists anywhere outside of Tol today. 

There is some hope, however, for the species. A recent birding expedition, undertaken in June 2026, saw at least seven white-eyes creeping along vines and branches in the old-growth forest below Mount Winipot. 

Read the teardrop white-eye’s full story here!

The first 4 photos are from today. The last 2 are from 14/8/26. I had originally assumed that he was just molting into his adult plumage, but my understanding is that this generally would be done by now and there'd definitely at least be noticeable change.

He lives in an aviary in a local zoo. I'm almost certain it's the same individual, and the only other cardinal there is his mate.

Any idea what would cause this?

Hopefully the images capture this well. I noticed a mourning dove at the feeder with this growth on the beak. Initially thought it was dried fruit stuck to its beak but it was eating the feed with no change in the shape. Is this bad news or a deformation?

I've been studying the use of the pileus, or Liberty Cap, as an icon in the French and American Revolutions and I'm trying to figure out when it became red. While all French usage is red some early American usage has the caps as gold or white.

However, Linnaeus assigned the name picus pileatus before both Revolutions in 1759. Is there any way to find out if the red color was a factor in him choosing this name?

Hi everyone,

I reached out to the moderators before posting, and I appreciate them allowing me to share this with the community.

I created the Bird Watcher’s Journal because I wanted bird enthusiasts to have a practical and enjoyable way to preserve their observations—not simply check a bird off a list, but remember the sighting, long after, where they saw it, when they saw it, and what made that encounter special.

I also do hope that this journal finds its way into families with avid birdwatchers, as well as those who are just beginning to discover birdwatching as an exciting hobby and pastime—something parents, grandparents, children, and loved ones can enjoy and perhaps share precious moments together.

This journal has been carefully put together by me, and includes dedicated space for recording bird sightings, geographic location, dates, weather, temperature, and bird details, along with room for notes and a dotted-grid area where you can sketch the bird you observed. I’ve tried to make the interior clean, readable, user friendly and easy to use outdoors or while referring notes at home.

I’d genuinely appreciate feedback from all people of any age, who know and love birds. If this journal can make birdwatching a little more enjoyable and exciting, while also contributing toward something universally good, then I feel it has accomplished what I intended.

The universal good I mentioned is that there is also a charitable purpose behind this project. I intend to dedicate 15% of my earnings from my books to helping neglected and disadvantaged children, with the percentage increasing as book sales grow. This mission is personally important to me, and I hope that as JD Books grows, I’ll be able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children who need support.

The link is: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRDHSBKN 

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JD Books