Bird Guide

Cape White-eye vs Indian White-eye

Cape White-eye (Zosterops virens)

Cape White-eye

Zosterops virens

Tiny11 gShrubland

This species is about 12 cm long with rounded wings, strong legs, and a conspicuous ring of white feathers round the eyes. The upperparts are green, and the throat and vent are bright yellow. The members of the Z. v. capensis has a grey breast and belly, whereas Z. v. virens has a greenish-yellow breast and belly. They are very vocal, and constantly keep in touch with soft trilled pee, pree or pirreee call notes.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Derek Keats from Johannesburg, South Africa · CC BY 2.0
Indian White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus)

Indian White-eye

Zosterops palpebrosus

Tiny9 gForest

This bird is small (about 8–9 cm long) with yellowish olive upper parts, a white eye ring, a yellow throat, and a vent. The belly is whitish-grey, but may be yellow in some subspecies. The sexes look similar. The species is widespread and belongs to a superspecies complex that includes Zosterops japonicus, Zosterops meyeni, and possibly others. The group's taxonomy is still unclear, with some island populations distinctive while others lack strong support. The population from Flores, Indonesia, for instance, is found closer to the pale white-eye.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Ajay · CC BY 4.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Cape White-eye and Indian White-eye.