Zosterops atrifrons
The Black-crowned White-eye (Zosterops atrifrons) is a charming and active passerine, immediately recognizable by its striking black crown, which contrasts sharply with its bright white eye-ring-a hallmark of the *Zosterops* genus. Measuring a petite 11-12 cm in length and weighing around 8-12 grams, this species exhibits a vibrant olive-green on its upperparts, gradually fading to a greenish-yellow or yellowish-white on its underparts. Its distinctive field marks include the prominent black ...
This species primarily inhabits subtropical and tropical moist lowland and montane forests, but can also be found in secondary growth, plantations, and even gardens, from sea level up to approximately 2,000 meters.
Their diet is omnivorous, consisting mainly of small insects (such as caterpillars, beetles, and spiders), nectar from various flowering plants, and small berries or fruits.
Black-crowned White-eyes are highly diurnal and incessantly active, spending their days foraging in the canopy and mid-story. They are known for their social behavior, typically observed in pairs or small family groups, but frequently forming larger, dynamic mixed-species foraging flocks with oth...
The Black-crowned White-eye is endemic to Indonesia, found primarily on the large island of Sulawesi and its associated satellite islands. Its distribution spans across North Sulawesi (*Z. a. atrifrons*), Central and South Sulawesi (*Z. a. normalis*), Southeast Sulawesi (*Z. a. surda*), the Togia...
Least Concern
- The genus name *Zosterops* literally means 'girdle-eye' in Greek, referring to the characteristic white eye-ring. - Black-crowned White-eyes are often considered 'ecosystem engineers' due to their role in pollinating flowers and dispersing seeds across their habitat. - Despite their small size,...