Passeriformes / Zosteropidae / Zosterops
Lowland White-eye
Zosterops meyeni · 低地绣眼鸟
Introduction
A species in the family Zosteropidae, near endemic to the northern Philippines and also found on the Taiwanese islands of Lüdao and Lanyu. It inhabits tropical moist lowland forests, second growth, and gardens. The species is adaptable to human-modified habitats and is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN.
Description
Tiny songbird with green upperparts and gray underparts. Features a yellow throat and a broad white ring around the eye.
Identification
Distinguished by green above, gray below plumage, yellow throat, and prominent white eye-ring. Emits harsh, buzzy calls.
Distribution & Habitat
Found in the northern Philippines (subspecies meyeni on Calayan, Luzon, Lubang, Verde, Mindoro, Caluya, Marinduque, and Banton) and on Lanyu, Lüdao, and Batan Islands southeast of Taiwan (subspecies batanis). Typically occurs below 1,000 meters above sea level in tropical moist lowland forests, second growth, gardens, clearings, fishponds, rivers, scrubland, and forest edges.
Behavior & Ecology
Forages actively in the understory of tropical broadleaf forests and gardens, often joining mixed-species flocks. Breeding season is believed to be April to August. Builds a typical white-eye nest a few meters up in a small tree with a clutch size of 3-4 eggs.
Conservation
Assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN. The species is common throughout its range and has adapted well to human-modified habitats, allowing it to survive and thrive despite deforestation in the Philippines.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Zosteropidae
- Genus
- Zosterops
Subspecies (2)
-
Zosterops meyeni batanis
Lüdao (Green) and Lan-yü (Orchid) Islands (southeast of Taiwan) and Batan Islands (far northern Philippines)
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.
