Zosterops kaffensis
The Kafa White-eye (Zosterops kaffensis) is a captivating small passerine, approximately 11-12 cm in length and weighing around 10-14 grams, distinguished by its vibrant plumage and the iconic, sharply defined white eye-ring from which its family derives its name. Its dorsal surface is a rich olive-green, contrasting beautifully with a bright yellow throat and vent, while the belly is a paler greyish-white. This species exhibits no significant seasonal plumage variations or sexual dimorphism,...
This species thrives in Afromontane cloud forests, forest edges, and traditional shade coffee plantations, typically found at elevations ranging from 1,400 to 2,500 meters above sea level.
Its diet primarily consists of insects, including caterpillars, beetles, and flies, supplemented significantly by nectar gleaned from various flowering plants, and small, soft-skinned fruits and berries.
The Kafa White-eye is a highly active diurnal species, constantly on the move through the forest canopy and sub-canopy. It employs an energetic foraging strategy, gleaning insects, probing flowers for nectar, and plucking small berries and fruits from foliage, often hanging upside down in its pur...
The Kafa White-eye is an iconic resident endemic to the southwestern highlands of Ethiopia. Its entire global distribution is restricted to the Kafa Biosphere Reserve and surrounding remnants of Afromontane forest, primarily within the Kaffa Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People...
Least Concern
- The Kafa White-eye was only formally recognized as a distinct species in 2014, having previously been considered a subspecies of the Montane White-eye. - Its unique and complex vocalizations were a primary factor in its taxonomic reclassification. - It is an obligate endemic to a very specific,...