Zosterops grayi
The Kai Besar White-eye, *Zosterops grayi*, is a captivating member of the Zosteropidae family, instantly recognizable by its prominent, broad white eye-ring against a backdrop of olive-green and yellow. This small passerine typically measures around 12-12.5 cm (4.7-4.9 inches) in length, possessing bright olive-green upperparts, a slightly brighter yellow-green wash on the head and nape, and a yellowish-green rump. Its underparts are predominantly greyish-white, subtly washed with yellow on ...
This species primarily inhabits lowland primary and secondary tropical forests, favoring forest edges, clearings, and sometimes venturing into coastal vegetation and cultivated areas at lower elevations.
Their diet is omnivorous, primarily consisting of small insects and their larvae gleaned from foliage, supplemented significantly by nectar from flowering plants and small, soft fruits.
The Kai Besar White-eye is a highly active and social diurnal bird, typically observed foraging in small, cohesive flocks, sometimes joining mixed-species foraging parties. They spend their days meticulously gleaning insects from foliage and bark, probing flowers for nectar, and plucking small fr...
The Kai Besar White-eye is a truly insular species, with its entire global population restricted exclusively to Kai Besar (also known as Great Kai or Nuhuroa), the largest island in the Kai Islands archipelago of Indonesia. This species is a year-round resident throughout its limited distribution...
Least Concern
- The Kai Besar White-eye is an extreme endemic, found naturally on only one island in the entire world: Kai Besar (also known as Great Kai or Nuhuroa) in Indonesia. - Its scientific name, *Zosterops grayi*, honors the British zoologist and curator John Edward Gray. - The genus name 'Zosterops' l...