The broad-ringed white-eye or Kilimanjaro white-eye is a bird species in the family Zosteropidae. It is found in northeast Tanzania.
Region
East Africa
Typical Environment
The broad-ringed white-eye occupies montane evergreen forests, forest edges, bamboo and ericaceous zones, and adjacent secondary growth. It frequently uses forest clearings, shrublands, and high-altitude gardens, especially where flowering trees are present. The species is mainly arboreal, foraging from the mid-canopy to the canopy but will descend to bushes and forest edges. It is typically associated with intact or lightly disturbed highland habitats and can form mixed-species flocks with other small insectivores.
Altitude Range
1200–3600 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also known as the Kilimanjaro white-eye, this species has an unusually broad white eye-ring, which gives it its name and makes it easy to recognize. It inhabits highland forests on and around Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru in northeastern Tanzania. Like many white-eyes, it is highly social, often moving in lively flocks that chatter constantly as they forage.
Illustration by Keulemans (1889)
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found in small, noisy flocks outside the breeding season and often joins mixed-species foraging parties. During breeding, pairs separate from flocks and build a small cup nest suspended in shrubs or small trees. Both parents participate in incubation and feeding of the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A fast, high-pitched series of thin twitters and trills, interspersed with soft buzzes. Contact calls are sharp, sibilant 'tsee' notes given frequently while foraging.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with a yellow throat and vent, greyish to whitish underparts, and a conspicuously broad, clean white eye-ring. The wings and tail are darker olive with fine edging; the face shows dusky lores accentuating the eye-ring.
Diet
Feeds on small insects and other arthropods gleaned from leaves and twigs, often in the canopy. Consumes nectar from flowering shrubs and trees, and also takes soft fruits and berries. Occasionally sallies short distances to catch flying insects and will probe blossoms for nectar.
Preferred Environment
Forages mainly in the mid- to upper canopy of montane forest, along edges, and in secondary growth with abundant flowering plants. Will also visit high-altitude gardens and forest clearings where nectar and small fruits are available.
