The small bird with rings around its eyes
The Oriental White-eye is one of the smallest birds found in Bangladesh, coming second to the smallest of the bunch, the Pale-billed Flowerpecker
The name of this beautiful bird is Oriental White-eye. With a white circle around each eye, it appears to be wearing a pair of spectacles; giving it the moniker of "Chosma Tuni". The zoological name of this aesthetic avian is Zosterops palpebrosus.
The Oriental White-eye is one of the smallest birds found in Bangladesh, coming second to the smallest of the bunch, the Pale-billed Flowerpecker. The White-eye is only 10 centimeters long and weighs 9 grams. It has golden-green feathers that can at times appear yellowish. Its neck is bright yellow, its paunch has gray-white feathers and its feet are black.
It most recognisable feature is the white circle around each eye. Its narrow beak curves downward. Both males and females look alike.
This bird is a local inhabitant. Other than Bangladesh, it can also be seen in Oman, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar and other countries.
These birds are totally dependent on trees – the branches, flowers, fruits and so on. At times they suck honey from the flowers while hovering upside-down. Insects, nectar of flowers, ripe fruits, beans are among its favorite food.
They sing during the mating season; the Oriental White-eye isn't a long singer, crooning for 8 to 10 seconds at best.
Their mating season is from April to June. They usually take 3-4 days to build their hanging nests. They lay 2-3 eggs, and the eggs hatch in 10-12 days only. No other bird eggs in Bangladesh are recorded to hatch in such a short time. The hatchlings take 30-35 days to mature.
These birds are skittish, making them difficult to photograph – an effort that demands patience. The photos were taken at Satchari National Park, Habiganj in Sylhet.