The eyebrowed heleia, also known as the cream-browed white-eye, cream-browed ibon or yellow-browed white-eye, is a species of bird in the white-eye family Zosteropidae. It is endemic to the Lesser Sunda Islands. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.
Region
Lesser Sunda Islands
Typical Environment
Occurs in subtropical to tropical moist montane forests, favoring mossy ridges, forest edges, and mature secondary growth. It forages from mid-story to canopy, often moving quickly through foliage in small groups. The species tolerates some habitat disturbance but is most common in intact highland forest. It may descend slightly along forested slopes during non-breeding periods or when tracking flowering and fruiting trees.
Altitude Range
800–2000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also called the cream-browed white-eye, this species is a canopy-gleaning insect- and nectar-feeder that often joins mixed-species flocks. Its pale eyebrow is more distinctive than the typical bold white eye-ring of many white-eyes. By visiting flowers and small fruits, it likely contributes to pollination and seed dispersal in montane forests.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often travels in small, chattering parties and readily joins mixed flocks with other insectivorous songbirds. Pairs form during the breeding season and build small cup nests suspended in foliage. Both adults participate in nest defense and provisioning.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A high, thin series of tinkling trills and rapid twittering notes, delivered in short bouts from within the canopy. Contact calls are soft, high-pitched seeps that help keep flocks together while foraging.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with yellow-olive underparts and a paler, slightly whitish throat. A distinct creamy supercilium contrasts with darker lores and ear-coverts. The eye-ring is faint or incomplete compared with many white-eyes, and the wings and tail are dusky with olive edging.
Diet
Takes small insects, larvae, and spiders gleaned from leaves and twigs. Also consumes nectar from flowering shrubs and trees, and small berries and soft fruits when available. Will opportunistically hawk tiny flying insects in short sallies from perches.
Preferred Environment
Feeds primarily in the mid to upper canopy of montane forest, including edges and gaps where flowers and new growth are abundant. It also uses mature secondary growth and occasionally visits forest-edge gardens with flowering plants.
