Northern Yellow White-eye
Zosterops senegalensis
A small, sharp-billed warbler-like bird that is saturated with yellow. Note the yellow underparts, olive-yellow back, and bold white spectacles around the eyes. There is some geographical variation in the overall coloration, darkness of the back, and extent of yellow above the bill. Found in forest, savanna, scrub, gardens, moist woodland, and plantations, usually in hyperactive flocks that can contain many individuals. Often joins mixed flocks with other small birds. Most common call is a high-pitched rising rattle. Song is a quiet, chatty sequence of “chew” notes. Similar to Pale White-eye, but usually separated by range; shows more yellow above the bill, is more richly-colored overall, and prefers moister habitats. Similar to Green and Forest White-eyes, but slightly paler, and usually separated by its range and preference for drier habitat. Also similar to Southern Yellow White-eye, though usually separated by range; identification in areas of overlap is poorly understood.
Identification
A small yellow bird with a prominent white eye ring surrounding a dark eye. The underparts and head are yellow, with a black loral stripe, black bill, the flight and tail feathers are brown edged with yellowish olive. Some subspecies are greener, especially those occurring in forest. Juveniles are darker. This bird measures 11·5 cm in length and the weight varies from 6.8 to 14.1g.
Taxonomy
The northern yellow white-eye formerly included additional subspecies. These were split to create the southern yellow white-eye and the green white-eye based partly on the results of a molecular phylogenic study in 2013. <p>There are seven subspecies:
- Scientific name
- Zosterops senegalensis
- Authority
- Bonaparte, 1850
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Zosteropidae
- Genus
- Zosterops
Range and habitat
The northern yellow white-eye is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal, Gambia and Mauritania in the west east to Ethiopia and Eritrea then south to northern Angola.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The northern yellow white-eye has been recorded as a host of the brood parasite green-backed honeybird.<p>The northern yellow white-eye has a diet that mainly consists of insects; caterpillars, aphids and termite alates have all been recorded, supplemented with some fruit including those of figs and the cabbage tree Cussonia spp. It forages among the canopy of trees, gleaning prey from foliage and bark. It is frequently recorded as a member of mixed-species foraging flocks. Also takes nectar from flowers.<p>The nest is a small cup made out of dried grass and small twigs, placed among the foliage in a small tree about 3.5m above the ground and secured with spider web. The clutch of 2-4 eggs is laid from August–January, with most being laid in September–October. Incubation takes about 11–12 days and both sexes share this duty as well as the feeding of the nestling young which fledge after around two weeks.If disturbed in the nest the young will often panic and jump out of the nest.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Chunky, generally uncommon, rather grouselike bird of the high Andes. Found in pairs or small groups on bogs, stony slopes, and in bleak moorland of puna and páramo zones. Lacey “chainmail” pattern to upperparts is beautifully cryptic, and birds sometimes freeze when alarmed making them more difficult to see. No similar species in range; note the short stout bill and rusty underparts. Flight strong and fast, and flushes with loud shrieking choruses.
Greater Scythebill
Drymotoxeres pucheranii
Bulky woodcreeper with a stout, deeply curved bill. Very rare in tall, wet Andean cloud forest. Brown with buffy streaks on head, neck, and underparts. Dual white stripes on face and thicker bill distinguish it from Brown-billed Scythebill. Usually found alone, sometimes with mixed-species flocks; probes for insects while creeping along moss-covered trunks and branches. Gives a variety of nasal, whiny-sounding squeaks.
Black-crowned Scimitar-Babbler
Pomatorhinus ferruginosus
A large and vocal babbler of montane rainforest and shrubby edges. Note warm russet-brown body with bright rufous chest, white throat, white-bordered black mask, and a bright red bill. Forages actively in the dense midstorey, sometimes in mixed species flocks, and can be difficult to see well. Somewhat similar to Red-billed Scimitar-Babbler, but note Coral-billed’s deeper red, sturdier bill and rufous chest. Often gives harsh grating or excited chattering calls as well as soft, oriole-like notes.
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