The black-ringed white-eye or lemon-throated white-eye is a species of bird in the family Zosteropidae. It is endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
Region
Sulawesi, Indonesia
Typical Environment
Found throughout suitable lowland and foothill habitats on Sulawesi, favoring subtropical and tropical moist lowland forest. It frequents forest edges, secondary growth, and gardens near forested areas. The species moves actively through the midstory and canopy, often in small groups. It can tolerate some habitat disturbance but declines where continuous forest is heavily removed.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also called the lemon-throated white-eye, it is restricted to the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. It forages in small, active flocks and often joins mixed-species parties in forest edges and secondary growth. The species is adaptable and may occur in disturbed habitats, but it remains most common in lowland moist forests. Its distinctive white eye-ring edged by a dark ring makes it easy to recognize.
The nominate subspecies in Meyer & Wiglesworth (1898)
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in small, chattering flocks that move quickly through foliage, and it often joins mixed-species foraging parties. Breeding pairs build small cup nests in shrubs or trees and defend a small area around the nest. Outside the breeding season it is more gregarious and ranges widely while foraging.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of thin, high-pitched twitters and trills interspersed with soft contact calls. The song is fast and buzzy, delivered from cover while the bird forages or pauses briefly in the canopy.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with a bright lemon-yellow throat and upper breast, grading to grayish-white on the belly. A bold white orbital ring is bordered by a distinct dark or blackish ring, giving a masked look. Wings and tail are dusky with green edges, and the under-tail coverts are yellowish.
Diet
Eats small insects and other arthropods gleaned from leaves and twigs. Also takes nectar from blossoms and consumes soft fruits and berries. Occasionally hawks tiny insects in short sallies from perches. Its mixed diet allows it to exploit both forest interiors and edge habitats.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the midstory and canopy of moist lowland forest, along edges, and in secondary woodland. Frequently visits flowering trees and fruiting shrubs in forest margins and nearby gardens or plantations.
