The green iora is a species of bird in the family Aegithinidae. It is found in the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. Its habitats include lowland forests, secondary forest and mangrove forest. It is threatened by habitat loss, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed it as near-threatened.
Region
Sundaland (Thai–Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo)
Typical Environment
Occurs primarily in lowland evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, as well as secondary growth and mangrove forest edges. Most frequently encountered in the mid- to upper canopy, where it moves nimbly among foliage. It tolerates lightly disturbed habitats and forest edges but is scarce in heavily degraded landscapes. In mangroves it forages along sheltered creeks and the landward fringe.
Altitude Range
0–1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small canopy-dwelling bird blends remarkably with foliage thanks to its vivid green plumage. It often joins mixed-species flocks and forages by gleaning insects from leaves and twigs. The species builds a neat, shallow cup nest bound with spider silk in a forked branch. Ongoing lowland forest loss across Sundaland is the main threat to its persistence.
Temperament
active and alert
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often found in pairs or small family groups and frequently joins mixed-species canopy flocks. Builds a small, neat cup nest in a fork of a slender branch, typically well hidden among leaves. Both sexes participate in foraging; males perform brief display flights during courtship.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
High, thin whistles and sweet trills delivered in short, lively phrases. Calls include sharp seee and soft tsee notes, often repeated and slightly accelerating when excited.
Plumage
Compact, clean-lined iora with mostly green upperparts and yellow-green underparts; wings show faint pale wingbars and slightly darker flight feathers.
Diet
Primarily feeds on insects such as caterpillars, beetles, leafhoppers, and other small arthropods, which it gleans from leaves and twigs. Occasionally hawks for tiny flying insects and may probe into clusters of dead leaves. Will sometimes take small fruits or nectar opportunistically, especially in forest edge habitats.
Preferred Environment
Forages mainly in the mid- and upper canopy of lowland forest, forest edge, and mangroves. Often follows mixed flocks to exploit disturbed insects and shared foraging opportunities. Uses outer foliage where prey is abundant.
