Zosterops citrinella
The Ashy-bellied White-eye (Zosterops citrinella) is a delightful small passerine, typically measuring 10-11.5 cm in length with a slender, slightly decurved black bill and strong dark legs. Its most striking feature is the prominent white eye-ring, which beautifully contrasts with its yellowish-olive upperparts and distinct ash-gray belly, complemented by yellowish flanks. Sexes are monomorphic, sharing this vibrant yet subtle plumage year-round. This species belongs to the family Zosteropid...
Primarily inhabits tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, secondary growth, forest edges, and coastal scrub, from sea level up to around 1,000 meters elevation.
Primarily insectivorous, consuming small insects and their larvae gleaned from foliage. Also a significant nectivore, probing flowers for nectar, and occasionally consumes small fruits and berries.
Highly active and diurnal, the Ashy-bellied White-eye often forages restlessly in the canopy and understory. It employs gleaning and probing techniques, meticulously searching leaves, flowers, and bark for insects, nectar, and small fruits. Outside the breeding season, these birds frequently form...
The Ashy-bellied White-eye is endemic to the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia, a biogeographically rich region within Wallacea. Its distribution encompasses several islands, notably Timor, Wetar, Rote, Semau, Sawu, and Sumba. Five recognized subspecies inhabit distinct parts of this range: *Z. c...
Least Concern
- The "white-eye" in its name refers to a prominent ring of tiny white feathers around its eye, not bare skin. - Its scientific species name "citrinella" means 'lemon-yellow', referencing the yellowish tinge of its plumage. - White-eyes are renowned for their 'great speciation event,' rapidly div...