The Annobón white-eye is a species of bird in the family Zosteropidae. It is endemic to the island of Annobón, part of Equatorial Guinea. It was listed as vulnerable by the IUCN until 2021 when they updated its status to least concern.
Region
Gulf of Guinea
Typical Environment
Confined to Annobón Island, it occupies a range of habitats from coastal scrub and gardens to moist evergreen forest and secondary growth. It is adaptable and often uses edges, thickets, and plantations where flowering and fruiting shrubs are common. In forested zones it forages from understory to mid-canopy, moving quickly through foliage. Its island-wide distribution is limited only by the small size of Annobón.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 700 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small white-eye is restricted to the tiny volcanic island of Annobón in Equatorial Guinea and is easily recognized by its bold white eye-ring. It forages actively in flocks, gleaning insects and sipping nectar, and likely contributes to local pollination and seed dispersal. Formerly listed as Vulnerable, it was reassessed as Least Concern by the IUCN in 2021 due to improved understanding of its population and habitat resilience.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often travels in small, chattering parties outside the breeding season, sometimes forming mixed flocks with other small passerines when available. Breeding pairs build neat cup nests in shrubs or small trees and defend a small territory. Both parents likely share incubation and chick provisioning.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A high, thin series of twittering notes interspersed with short trills. Calls include sharp contact chips used to keep flocks cohesive in dense foliage.
Plumage
Olive to grey-green upperparts with paler, greyish-white underparts and a subtle yellow wash on throat and vent. Feathers are smooth and compact, suited to rapid, agile movement through foliage.
Diet
Feeds on small insects, larvae, and spiders gleaned from leaves and twigs. Also takes nectar from blossoms and soft fruits, especially when insect prey is less abundant. Opportunistic feeding allows it to exploit gardens and edge habitats where flowering plants are common.
Preferred Environment
Forages in shrub layers, forest edges, and mid-canopy of secondary and primary forest. Frequently visits flowering shrubs in village gardens and plantations.
