Sri Lanka White-eye
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| Sri Lankan White-eye | ||||||||||||||
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| Zosterops ceylonensis Holdsworth, 1872 |
The Sri Lanka White-eye, Zosterops ceylonensis, is a small passerine bird in the white-eye family. It is a resident breeder in forests, gardens and plantations which is endemic to Sri Lanka, mainly in the highlands.
It is sociable, forming large flocks which only separate on the approach of the breeding season. It builds a tree nest and lays 3 unspotted pale blue eggs.
Though mainly insectivorous, Sri Lankan White-eye will also eat nectar and fruits of various kinds.
This species is about 11cm long. The plumage above is olive green, and the underparts are white except for a bright yellow throat and breast. It has rounded wings and strong legs.
The English and scientific names refer to the conspicuous ring of white feathers round the eyes, Zosterops being Greek for girdle-eye.
This species can be distinguished from the widespread Oriental White-eye, Zosterops palpebrosus, by its larger size, duller green back and more extensive yellow on the breast. It has a darker patch between the eye and the bill.
Reference
- Birds of India by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp, ISBN 0-691-04910-6