Reunion Grey White-eye (Zosterops borbonicus) [XC463221]
by \u00c9tienne Leroy from La Roche Ecrite Nature Reserve, R\u00e9union, France (call)
Reunion Grey White-eye (Zosterops borbonicus) [XC157026]
by Cedric Mroczko from La Roche Ecrite trail, France (call)
Subspecies
Subspecies mauritianus sometimes considered to represent a separate species. Very variable in overall colour, and nominate subspecies polymorphic and with partly clinal variation.
Two additional subspecies described from Réunion, alopekion (Cilaos) and xerophilus (étang Salé les Bains), appear to be colour morphs of nominate.
The following 4 subspecies are recognised:
borbonicus (Forster, JR, 1781) - Réunion.
mauritianus (J. F. Gmelin, 1789) - Mauritius. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Mauritius Grey White-eye (Zosterops mauritianus).
alopekion Storer & Gill, FB, 1966 - Central highlands of La Réunion.
xerophilus Storer & Gill, FB, 1966 - Western coast of La Réunion.