The canary white-eye or yellow white-eye is a species of white-eye endemic to northern Australia in subtropical or tropical mangrove forests. Its common name reflects the circle of white feathers around its eye.
Region
Northern Australia
Typical Environment
Found along tropical coasts from the Kimberley region of Western Australia through the Top End of the Northern Territory to the Gulf of Carpentaria and parts of Cape York Peninsula. It is strongly tied to mangrove forests, especially along tidal creeks, estuaries, and sheltered bays. Birds may also visit adjacent coastal scrub, paperbark fringes, and monsoon vine thickets for foraging. Occurrence inland is rare and typically limited to areas immediately adjacent to tidal habitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 50 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
This small white-eye is tightly associated with tropical mangrove ecosystems across northern Australia, where it forages among flowering mangroves. The bold white eye-ring gives the group its name and makes the bird easy to recognize. By taking nectar and small insects, it likely contributes to pollination and natural pest control. Local declines can occur where mangroves are cleared or suffer dieback.
Yellow white-eye at Moochalabra Dam, WA
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often travels in small, chattering parties outside the breeding season and may join mixed-species flocks in coastal thickets. Pairs form during the breeding season and build small cup nests suspended in mangrove foliage. Both parents typically participate in feeding the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A thin, high-pitched series of twitters and trills delivered rapidly from within mangrove canopies. Contact calls are soft, piping notes used to keep groups together while foraging.
