Indian white-eye

 

      Introduction of Indian white-eye

    The Indian white-eye also formerly known as the Oriental white-eye (Scientific name: Zosterops palpebrosus) is a small passerine bird which  belongs to the  Family: Zosteropidaethe. It is a resident bird that is found primarily in the Indian subcontinent. The average body length of the species is around 3.14-3.54 in (8-9 cm). Their name (white-eyes) comes from the ring of white feathers around their eyes.

        How to identify Indian white-eye

   Both males and females look similar. The upperparts of the bird is either green or yellowish-olive and the belly is whitish-gray. It has a white ring around their eyes. The bill is black and very sharp. The throat and vent are yellow.

        Habits and habitats

   Indian white-eyes lives in small flocks and  separate during the breeding season. They are highly arboreal and rarely descend to the ground. They call frequently as they forage. the usual contact call is a soft nasal cheer. Adults generally groom the feathers of their offspring and their mates to strengthen their bond. They also take bath in dew accumulated on leaves.

   These birds inhabit lowland forests, mangrove areas, and moist forests, and they have also adapted to live in villages, farms, and parks.

      Distribution

   The range of these Indian white-eye birds includes India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China, and Indonesia. 

      Food

   Indian white-eye are mainly insectivorous and their diet includes small insects. But they also eat various kinds of fruits, nectar and seeds. 

       Call

   The Indian white-eye communicates with loud contact calls that are used to find each other. Several musical notes are also used during the breeding season.

        Nesting and Breeding

    The Indian white-eye birds are monogamous which means they mate for life. The breeding season occurs from February to September and peaks in the month of April. Several courtship displays are seen during this time. Male Indian white-eye performs loud songs for several minutes during the day and the evening. Soft warbles and areal shows are also performed to attract the female.

Indian white-eye birds make a hammock-shaped nest on the fork of a branch during the breeding season. Nest are made up of cobwebs, lichens, and plant fiber.  Sometimes they steal nest material from the nests of other birds. 

    It takes around four days to construct the nest. Around two eggs are laid within a couple of days. Color of the eggs is pale blue. Incubation period are around 10 days and both the female and male are involved in incubating the eggs. Both parents take care of brooding the chicks and fledging occurs after 10 days.