Zosterops oleagineus
The Olive-colored White-eye, *Zosterops oleagineus*, is a diminutive yet vibrant songbird belonging to the widespread Zosteropidae family, characterized by its distinctive eye-ring. Measuring approximately 11.5-12.5 cm in length with a weight typically ranging from 10-14 grams, this species exhibits a striking olive-green coloration across its upperparts, transitioning to a paler, olive-yellow on its underparts. A prominent, unbroken white eye-ring encircles a dark eye, providing the quintess...
Primarily inhabiting subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, the Olive-colored White-eye can be found at elevations generally between 800 and 2,000 meters, occasionally venturing into mature lowland forests.
This omnivorous species feeds primarily on small insects and their larvae, supplemented by a significant intake of nectar from flowering plants and, to a lesser extent, small berries and fruit pulp. Foraging typically involves gleaning and probing.
The Olive-colored White-eye is a highly active, arboreal species, often observed foraging in small, mixed-species flocks or loose family groups throughout the day, retreating to dense foliage for communal roosting at dusk. Its foraging strategy involves agile gleaning of insects and nectar from l...
The Olive-colored White-eye is endemic to the Veridian Archipelago, a chain of volcanic islands situated in the western Pacific Ocean, where it is a resident species. Its primary distribution encompasses the larger, central islands of Veridia Major and Veridia Minor, with smaller, disjunct popula...
Least Concern
- The Olive-colored White-eye's intricate cup-shaped nest is often bound to a forked branch using spider silk, making it surprisingly strong and resilient to tropical storms. - Despite its small size, this species has an exceptionally high metabolism, requiring it to feed almost continuously thro...