Fig 1 : Swinhoe's White-eye
Fig 2 : Yellow-ringed White-eye
Fig 3 : Japanese White-eye
Fig 4 : Black-capped White-eye
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White-eyes form part of the family Zosteropidae (or
Timaliidae). These are small, fast-moving birds which have evolved into a
large number of species in the tropics. Many islands in the Indian
Ocean and the Malay Archipelago stretching eastwards to the Pacific Ocean
have evolved their own species.
Wikipedia
lists 86 species in all, while Robson (2000) mentions 96 species. Numerous
species occur in Southeast Asia, for example 24 species are listed for
Indonesia alone (Strange, 2012), with many more occurring in the Philippines
and on the mainland of Southeast Asia.
These birds typically have a circle of white feathers around the eye,
although some species lack this feature. The head, wings and tail are
typically yellow, olive or brown, and the chest and belly typically white
although there are many exceptions to this colour scheme.
Their bills are relatively short and decurved, and they are known to consume
a variety of food including berries and small insects. Typically their nests
are small cups constructed amongst slender twigs.
Examples :
Fig 1 :
Swinhoe's
White-eye
Zosterops simplex
Location : West Coast, Singapore
Habitat : Wooded, residential area
Notes : This bird is gathering soft, fibrous nesting material in early May.
Fig 2 :
Yellow-ringed White-eye
Zosterops wallacei
Location : Flores, Indonesia
Habitat : Secondary coastal forest
Notes : This bird appeared to be searching for small insects amongst leaf
litter.
Fig 3 :
Japanese White-eye
(introduced)
Zosterops japonicus
Location : West Coast, Singapore
Habitat : Wooded, residential area
Fig 4 :
Black-capped White-eye
Zosterops atricapilla
Location : Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo
Habitat : Montane forest
Fig 5 :
Chestnut-flanked White-eye
Zosterops erythropleurus
Location : Kaeng Krachan, Phetchaburi, Thailand
Habitat : Forest edge
Note : Photo by Charles Currin
References : B1, B2 |
