White eyes
(Zosteropidae)
White-eyed - a family of birds of the order of passerines. It includes about 12 genera and 85 species of very similar birds, and only narrow specialists can distinguish many of them. In Russia, in the Far East, there are two species: brown-eyed and Japanese white-eyed.
White-eyed are small birds (from 10 to 15 cm). They are characterized by white plumage around the eyes, which is reflected in their name. White-eyed moths have rounded wings, short legs and a short sharp beak. The tail is straight or slightly notched. Most species have olive or gray-brown plumage on the upper side. On the underside, they are yellow, white or gray. Some species are smaller and larger. Males and females practically do not differ in appearance from each other.
Representatives of this family are distributed in Indonesia, New Zealand, Japan, Africa and some islands in the Pacific Ocean. Their biosphere is primarily forest areas and gardens. In tropical forests, white-eyed beetles occupy the same ecological niche that in forests of temperate latitudes belongs to warblers. These are the most numerous small arboreal insectivorous birds of the Old World. Unlike warblers, which often make nests on the ground, white-eyed moths have completely moved into tree crowns and build nests in the forks of branches. White-eyed animals feed on insects, nectar, berries and fruits. With their forked tongues, they suck the nectar from the flowers. At the same time, they stick their short beak deep into the flower or drill it from the side. In some countries, they are considered dangerous for the harvest of berries and fruits and are persecuted in every possible way. The Australian white-eye was especially unlucky - at the beginning of the 20th century, 20 thousand birds were exterminated in the vicinity of the city of Perth. However, the overwhelming majority of species do not stray into large flocks, they prefer to stay alone or in pairs, and therefore birds cannot cause serious damage to gardens.
Nests are built on forks of branches or in bushes, the tray is lined with fluff and animal hair. In clutch there are 2-4 pale blue or greenish eggs. Incubation lasts 11-12 days. Both the male and the female participate in the construction of the nest, incubation and feeding of chicks. Singing is very pronounced in males and it is easy to distinguish them from females during mating periods.
White-eyed song is melodic and pleasant. They easily take root in captivity, and often keep birds at home. Feeding is not difficult: white-eyed women gladly accept mealworms, grated carrots and fruits.
