White-eyes (Zosteropidae)

Santa Cruz White-eye (Zosterops sanctaecrucis) - HBW 13, p. 465

French: Zostérops de Santa Cruz German: Einfarb-Brillenvogel Spanish: Anteojitos de las Santa Cruz
Other common names: Nendo White-eye

Taxonomy: Zosterops sanctae-crucis Tristram, 1894, Santa Cruz Island.
Affinities unclear; suggested relationship to Z. samoensis seems unlikely due to morphological and ecological differences. A taxon resembling this species, but with slightly more slender bill and entirely yellowish-orange legs, was found in 1994 on nearby Vanikoro I; shortly to be described. Monotypic.

Distribution: Ndeni, in Santa Cruz Is (N of Vanuatu).