Indian White-Eye
- Status
- Critically Endangered
- Endangered
- Extinct in the Wild
- This animal is currently Least Concern
- Near Threatened
- Vulnerable
Indian White-Eye
Zosterops palpebrosus
Classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Indian White-Eye population is decreasing. Due to their beauty and the lovely songs they sing, they are popular pets and are often removed from the wild, leading to a decline in their wild population. Many of the songbirds at the Zoo are rescued and can now act as ambassador species to educate people on why songbirds should stay wild.
The Indian White-Eye mating season occurs from February through September, with April being the season’s peak for breeding. Nests are made into a compact, cup-like structure on the fork of a branch. Nests are made of cobwebs, lichens, and plant fiber and can take about four days to build. The Indian white-eye female lays two eggs within a couple of days of each other. Eggs hatch around 10 days after being laid. Both parents take care of brooding the chicks after hatching. In about 10 days, the chicks are fully fledged.
What are they like?
Physical Description: Indian White-Eyes have a white ring around the eye and yellowish olive feathers in their upper areas. The belly is whitish gray but may have yellow in some subspecies. Sexes look similar in this species. Their average size is 8-9 cm and their average is 28-34 grams.
Life Span: In the wild, Indian White-Eyes have an average lifespan of 7 years. In zoos, their average lifespan is over 10 years.
Diet: In the wild, Indian White-Eyes eat insects, nectar, and fruit. At the Zoo, they eat two types of bird pellets, insects, and fruit.
Social Structure: Indian White-Eyes are sociable, forming flocks which only separate on the approach of breeding season.
Habitat: These birds are found on the Indian subcontinent in open woodlands. At the Zoo, their habitat is one of the Islands habitats inside McNeil Avian Center. They can typically be spotted flying around or in the trees up high.
Where do they live?
Indian White-Eyes are Native to Southeast Asia, India, some Indonesian islands, and they are also found in the Hawaiian Archipelago.
Southeast Asia, India, some Indonesian islands
Did you know?
- Indian White-Eyes forage in small groups. They are highly arboreal and rarely found on the ground.
- The Indian White-Eye's predators include palm squirrels, bats, and other birds.
- Formerly known as the Oriental White-Eye, the recent name change is due to previous members of Zosterops palpebrosus in Southeast Asia being renamed to new species, making the Indian White-eye a more geographically accurate term for this species.