South Pare White-eye

Zosterops winifredae

The South Pare White-eye, *Zosterops winifredae*, is a petite and vibrant passerine bird, immediately recognizable by its prominent, complete white eye-ring that gives the genus its name. Measuring a modest 11 cm in length and weighing around 8-12 grams, this active songbird sports olive-green upperparts, a bright yellow throat and vent, and a grayish-white belly and flanks. It lacks significant seasonal plumage variations or sexual dimorphism, with males and females appearing largely identic...

Habitat

Exclusively found in montane and submontane evergreen forests, as well as their edges and degraded patches, typically at elevations between 1,300 and 2,000 meters.

Diet

Primarily insectivorous, gleaning small insects and arthropods from foliage, supplemented by nectar from flowers and small fruits.

Behavior

South Pare White-eyes are highly active diurnal birds, spending their days foraging energetically through the canopy and subcanopy of their forest habitat. They employ an agile gleaning strategy, meticulously searching foliage for insects and nectar. Outside the breeding season, they frequently f...

Range

The South Pare White-eye is an exceptionally range-restricted species, endemic solely to the South Pare Mountains within the Kilimanjaro Region of northeastern Tanzania, East Africa. Its entire known distribution is confined to fragmented patches of montane and submontane evergreen forest. Key st...

Conservation Status

Endangered

Fun Facts

- This species is a 'hyper-endemic,' meaning its entire known global range is incredibly small, restricted to just a few forest fragments in the South Pare Mountains. - Its scientific name, 'winifredae,' honors Winifred (Mrs. C.J.P.) Ionides, who collected the type specimen of the species. - The ...

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