The ashy-bellied white-eye is a species of bird in the family Zosteropidae found in the Lesser Sunda Islands in the Indonesian Archipelago and northern Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, Australia. It is sometimes called the pale white-eye or pale-bellied white-eye, but should not be confused with the pale-bellied white-eye.
Region
Lesser Sunda Islands and Cape York Peninsula
Typical Environment
Primarily found across the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia, including lowland forests, edges, and scrubby second growth. In Australia it occurs in the far north of Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula, mainly in coastal and near-coastal habitats. It frequents mangroves, monsoon forest, woodland, gardens, and plantations. The species adapts well to disturbed habitats, often foraging in the canopy and at forest margins.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The ashy-bellied white-eye is a small, active songbird recognized by its crisp white eye-ring and soft greyish underparts. It inhabits the Lesser Sunda Islands and reaches Australia on the northern Cape York Peninsula. It often joins mixed-species flocks and regularly visits flowering shrubs, helping pollinate while feeding on nectar. Sometimes called the pale or pale-bellied white-eye, it should not be confused with the distinct pale-bellied white-eye found elsewhere.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically forages in small, lively groups and often joins mixed-species flocks in the canopy. Pairs form during breeding, building a small cup nest suspended from fine twigs. Both parents usually participate in incubation and feeding of nestlings.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
High-pitched, tinkling song composed of rapid twitters and thin, sibilant notes. Calls include soft tsee and seee contact notes given frequently while foraging.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with a distinctly ashy to greyish belly and paler vent, often with a yellowish wash on throat and undertail. Clean, narrow white orbital ring contrasts with dusky lores and olive head. Wings and tail are olive with slightly darker flight feathers.
Diet
Feeds on small insects, spiders, and other arthropods gleaned from foliage and bark. Regularly takes nectar from blossoms and also consumes soft fruits and berries. Will sally short distances to snatch flying insects and probe flower clusters for nectar.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the mid to upper canopy of forest edges, mangroves, gardens, and secondary growth. Also uses flowering shrubs and trees in plantations and village environments.
