Bird Guide

Indian White-eye

Zosterops palpebrosus

Least ConcernOmnivoreForestCup nestTiny · 9 g

About the Indian White-eye

The Indian white-eye, formerly the Oriental white-eye, is a small species of passerine bird in the white-eye family. It is a resident breeder in open woodland on the Indian subcontinent. They forage in small groups, feeding on nectar and small insects. The distinctive white eye-ring and overall yellowish upperparts easily identify them. The range previously extended eastwards to Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Their name was recently changed because previous members of Zosterops palpebrosus in Southeast Asia were reclassified as a new species, making the Indian White-eye a more geographically accurate term for this species.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

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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.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where the Indian White-eye lives

Regular rangeRare visitor

Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, United Kingdom.

When to see the Indian White-eye

Peak activity in February · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Side by side: Indian White-eye vs Silvereye · Cape White-eye vs Indian White-eye · Indian White-eye vs Warbling White-eye

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