Ethiopian White-eye
Zosterops poliogastrus
A small, sharp-billed warbler-like bird. Note the yellow throat and the broad white spectacles around the eyes. Found in montane forest and lush gardens and scrub, usually in hyperactive flocks. Similar to Abyssinian White-eye, and some individuals are difficult to separate, but generally shows a broader eye-ring. Most common call is a high-pitched rising rattle. Song is a subdued, chatty sequence of “chew” notes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Zosterops poliogastrus
- Authority
- Heuglin, 1861
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Zosteropidae
- Genus
- Zosterops
Range and habitat
During the dry season, the Heuglin's white-eye are commonly found in large flocks of up to fifty birds. However, in the wet season, flocks of this size are only seen in the early mornings or late afternoons. The habitat of the Heuglin's white-eye varies by subspecies.<p>The Heuglin's white-eye (Kulal) habitat typically consists of forest edges and wet bush. However, during the wet season they can be found in drier bush at lower altitudes, and in the dry season they can be found in montane forests at higher altitudes. <p>The Heuglin's white-eye (Ethiopian) habitat generally consists of woodland and forest edges, as well as isolated cultivations. In these areas, they commonly live in younger growths or shorter trees. They live anywhere from 1340 to 3640 meters in Ethiopia and above 1800 meters in South Sudan. <p>The Heuglin's white-eye (Kaffa) habitat generally consists of woodland and forest edges, as well as highlands with younger areas of secondary growth. They typically live within the 1340 to 3640 meter elevational band (a section of altitude above sea level).
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Rusty-margined Flycatcher
Myiozetetes cayanensis
One of several medium-sized, kiskadee-like flycatchers that are bright yellow below, with bold black-and-white head pattern. Rusty-margined is one of the smaller ones, with a smaller bill than Great Kiskadee. Most similar to Social and White-ringed Flycatchers; look for combination of black cheek (not gray) and especially obvious rufous in the wings. Shorter bill than White-ringed. Voice is helpful: listen for lazy-sounding, slightly burry “wheeer” call. Found in a variety of open wooded habitats such as forest edge and second growth, often around water.
Spotted Owlet
Athene brama
A small uncrested owl with a round head and a short tail. It is grayish-brown overall with white spots above while its underparts are white with brown bars. Note the distinctive white eyebrows and neck-band. Often active at dawn and dusk when it utters a loud “chirurr-chirurr-chirurr” laugh in addition to a variety of high-pitched squeals and whistles. Inhabits all kinds of open habitats but avoids dense forest and wetter regions.
White-winged Scoter
Melanitta deglandi
Large scoter, with distinctive white patch on wing. Dark chocolate-brown overall; males are darker than females and have small white mark under eye, dark knob on the bill, and pink bill tip. Females have two rounded white patches on face. At a distance, separated from Surf Scoter by more sloping head shape and white in the wing. Winters on coastal waters and large freshwater lakes. Occasionally found on large inland lakes during migration. Dives frequently, feeding on mollusks and crustaceans.
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