Abyssinian White-eye

Overview

The Abyssinian white-eye, also known as the white-breasted white-eye, is a small passerine bird native to north-east Africa and the Southwestern Arabian foothills savanna. Classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, it belongs to the genus Zosterops in the white-eye family Zosteropidae.

Identification

• Small bird measuring 10–12 cm in length.
• Upperparts are green, appearing darker and greyer in northern races, with underparts ranging from pale yellow to greyish-white.
• Features a narrow white ring around the eye and a thin black line between the bill and eye.
• Produces various twittering and buzzing calls.

Habitat

Found in open woodland, scrub, wadis, and gardens, this species occurs from north-east Sudan south through Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somaliland, and Kenya to north-east Tanzania, as well as on Socotra Island and in south-west Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and southern Oman. Its altitudinal range extends up to 1,800 metres above sea level in Africa and 3,100 metres in Arabia.

Diet

The bird feeds mainly on insects and will also take nectar from flowers. It usually forages among branches in trees but sometimes descends to ground level.