Scientific Name: Zosterops simplex
Malay Name: Kelicap Kacamata Biasa
Range:
Breeding Range: Eastern China, Taiwan and northern Vietnam to Thai-Malay Peninsula to Sumatra and Borneo
Taxonomy:
Polytypic: Subspecies are: simplex, hainanus, erwini, williamsoni, salvadorii
Local Subspecies: erwini (native) and simplex (introduced)
Size: 10.5-11 cm
Identification:
Olive-green upperparts with white eye-ring. Throat, upperbreast and forehead yellow. Lower breast and belly pale grey with yellow undertail coverts. Yellow ventral stripe that extend to the belly for native subspecies erwini that is lacking in introduced simplex.
Habitat: Occurs in secondary forests, forest edge, old plantation, scrub, mangroves, parks and gardens.
Behaviour/Ecology:
Highly gregarious. Usually seen in small flocks gathered to feed at flowering trees.
Local Status: Common native and introduced resident
Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Location: Suitable habitat across Singapore.
Photos:
External Links:
Photos: Oriental Bird Images
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
Reference:
Wells D. R. (2007). The Birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Volume Two
Craig Robson (2011) A Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia
Lim, B.T.M., Sadanandan, K.R., Dingle, C. et al. J Ornithol (2019) 160: 1. Molecular evidence suggests radical revision of species limits in the great speciator white-eye genus Zosterops
