The citrine white-eye, or Caroline Islands white-eye, is a species of bird in the family Zosteropidae. It is found in Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia.
Region
Micronesia (Caroline Islands, including Palau and FSM)
Typical Environment
Occurs on multiple islands across the Caroline Islands, including Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia. It inhabits lowland tropical forests, second-growth thickets, coastal scrub, and mangroves. The species readily uses agroforestry, village gardens, and forest edges, where it gleans insects and takes fruit and nectar. On higher islands it ranges from coastal areas into hill forests.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also called the Caroline Islands white-eye, this small songbird is a classic member of the white-eye family with a bold white eye-ring. It adapts well to disturbed habitats and gardens as well as native forests, which helps it persist on many islands. Pairs often remain in contact with soft calls while foraging in mixed flocks. Its role as an insect predator and fruit/nectar feeder makes it an important pollinator and seed disperser.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick, agile dashes between foliage
Social Behavior
Often forages in small groups or mixed-species flocks, maintaining contact with soft chips. During breeding, pairs build a small cup nest suspended in shrubs or tree forks and share incubation and chick rearing. Outside the breeding season it forms loose flocks that move widely through available habitat.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A high-pitched, tinkling series of thin whistles interspersed with soft chips. The song is light and rapid, often delivered from within foliage while foraging.
Plumage
Small, compact white-eye with olive-green upperparts and bright yellow face, throat, and underparts; neat, complete white eye-ring. Plumage can appear more olive on the back with cleaner yellow below. Wings and tail are dusky with olive edges.
Diet
Takes small insects, spiders, and other arthropods gleaned from leaves and twigs. Also consumes berries and soft fruits, and frequently sips nectar from blossoms. This mixed diet varies seasonally with fruiting and flowering cycles, and the birds help disperse seeds and pollinate local plants.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in shrub layers and the mid to upper canopy of forests, forest edges, and secondary growth. Common in village gardens, agroforestry plots, and coastal thickets where flowering and fruiting plants are abundant.
