Zosterops poliogastrus
The Ethiopian White-eye (*Zosterops poliogastrus*), a delightful and often active member of the Zosteropidae family, is a small passerine typically measuring around 11-12 cm (4.3-4.7 in) in length and weighing between 9-14 grams. Its plumage is characterized by striking olive-green upperparts, a vibrant yellow throat and vent, and a grayish-white belly, making it a familiar sight in its montane habitats. The most defining feature, from which the family derives its name, is a prominent white e...
Primarily inhabits montane forests, woodlands, forest edges, and cultivated areas, typically found at elevations ranging from 1,500 to over 3,000 meters above sea level.
Omnivorous, primarily feeding on insects, nectar from a variety of flowering plants, and small berries or fruits.
This diurnal species is an incredibly active and agile bird, spending its day constantly foraging amongst foliage. Ethiopian White-eyes employ a varied foraging strategy, gleaning insects from leaves and branches, probing flowers for nectar with their brush-tipped tongues, and occasionally plucki...
The Ethiopian White-eye (*Zosterops poliogastrus sensu stricto*) is primarily endemic to the high-altitude regions of Ethiopia. Its core breeding and resident range spans the central, northern, and eastern Ethiopian Highlands, often found at elevations typically above 1,500 meters, extending up t...
Least Concern
- The family Zosteropidae, to which the Ethiopian White-eye belongs, is renowned for its rapid evolutionary diversification, leading to a complex and often debated taxonomy with many subspecies and species splits. - Despite its small size, this species is incredibly agile, often observed hanging ...