Heleia pinaiae
The Grey-hooded Heleia (Heleia pinaiae), also known as the Buru White-eye, is a captivating passerine endemic to the montane forests of Buru Island, Indonesia. Measuring approximately 12.5 cm in length and weighing around 12-15 grams, this active songbird is characterized by its distinctive pale grey head, nape, and throat, which sharply contrast with its olive-green upperparts and whitish underparts, often with a yellow wash on the flanks. A subtle, incomplete white eye-ring adds a touch of ...
This species exclusively inhabits humid montane and submontane forests and forest edges on Buru Island, typically found at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 meters above sea level.
Primarily insectivorous, the Grey-hooded Heleia actively gleans invertebrates such as beetles, caterpillars, and spiders from leaves and branches, supplementing its diet with nectar from flowers and small fruits.
The Grey-hooded Heleia is a highly active and social bird, often observed foraging in small, agile groups or joining mixed-species flocks, particularly in the canopy and subcanopy layers. Its primary foraging strategy involves rapidly gleaning insects from foliage and bark, though it readily supp...
The Grey-hooded Heleia is strictly endemic to Buru Island, one of the larger islands within the Maluku Islands archipelago of Indonesia. Its distribution is confined to the island's interior, specifically within the humid montane and submontane forest habitats. While its presence spans the centra...
Least Concern
- The Grey-hooded Heleia is endemic to a single island, Buru in Indonesia, making it a true island specialist with a highly restricted natural range. - Despite its common name, its distinctive pale grey hood is a more prominent field mark than the subtle, often incomplete, white eye-ring found in...