Kikuyu White-eye
Zosterops kikuyuensis
A small, sharp-billed warbler-like bird. Note the olive-green back, the yellow underparts with broad olive flanks, and the very broad white spectacles around the eyes. Found in the highlands of central Kenya, in montane forest, forest edge, exotic tree plantations, and lush gardens and scrub. Usually in hyperactive pairs or flocks. Separated from similar broad-ringed white-eyes by range. Somewhat similar to African Yellow and Pale White-eyes, but found at higher elevations, and eye-ring is much broader. Song is a subdued, chatty sequence of “chew” notes. Calls include a high-pitched rising rattle, chattering notes, and “chew” notes like those from the song.
Identification
The Kikuyu white-eye (Zosterops kikuyuensis) is a species of bird in the family Zosteropidae. It was formerly considered a subspecies of montane white-eye (Z. poliogastrus). It is found in central Kenya, in the Aberdare Mountains and on Mount Kenya. IUCN categorizes it as of least concern.
Taxonomy
Genus: Zosterops; Family: Zosteropidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Zosterops kikuyuensis
- Authority
- Sharpe, 1891
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Zosteropidae
- Genus
- Zosterops
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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