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.
