Fernando Po speirops facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fernando Po speirops |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Zosterops
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| Species: |
brunneus
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| Synonyms | |
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Speirops brunneus |
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The Fernando Po speirops (Zosterops brunneus), also known as the Bioko speirops, is a small bird that lives only on Bioko Island in Equatorial Guinea. It belongs to the Zosteropidae family, which includes many types of "white-eye" birds. This special bird is known for its brown feathers and its home high up in the mountains.
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About the Fernando Po Speirops
This unique bird was first described in 1903. It is called "Fernando Po" because that was the old name for Bioko Island. The bird is special because it is endemic to Bioko Island. This means it is found naturally nowhere else in the world.
What Does It Look Like?
The Fernando Po speirops is mostly brown. Its upper parts, like its back and wings, are a darker brown. Its lower parts, such as its belly, are a lighter brown color. It is a small bird, well-suited for its mountain home.
Where Does It Live?
This bird lives in special places high up on Bioko Island. Its natural habitats are cool, moist montane forests, which are forests found on mountains. It also lives in high-altitude shrubland, which are areas with bushes and small trees found at great heights. The bird is found only on the higher slopes of Pico Basilé, which is the tallest mountain on the island. It usually lives above 1,900 meters (about 6,200 feet) in elevation. Here, it makes its home in forests covered with lichen and in mountain heathland.
What Does It Eat?
The Fernando Po speirops usually travels in small groups of four or five birds. They look for food together. Their main diet includes insects, which they find on trees. They also enjoy eating fruit and seeds.
How Many Are There?
Scientists estimate that there are between 10,000 and 19,999 Fernando Po speirops birds in the wild. Even though this sounds like a lot, their numbers are a concern.
Why Is It Threatened?
The Fernando Po speirops is considered a vulnerable species. This means it is at risk of becoming endangered if its situation does not improve. The biggest threat to this bird is habitat loss. This happens when the forests and shrublands where it lives are destroyed or changed by human activities. The IUCN Red List of threatened species keeps track of animals like the Fernando Po speirops to help protect them.
See also
In Spanish: Anteojitos de Fernando Póo para niños
