Cape White-eye Zosterops capensis capensis
Suikerbosrand National Park, Gauteng, South Africa. October 2004

The Cape White-eye Zosterops capensis is endemic to southern Africa, and was split fairly recently from the more western Orange River White-eye.

The Cape White-eye is a common and familiar bird which is present in a variety of habitats including gardens, parks, forest, woodland, riverine bush and exotic plantations. Like most white-eyes I usually see these birds in pairs or small flocks, calling continuously - and loudly - to each other as they move through the (mainly) acacia trees here. Their diet consists of small insects, spiders, nectar, fruit, and flower petals, and they’re quite regular visitors to bird tables around Johannesburg and Cape Town, where they will take fruit, sugar or jam.

 

All photographs copyright Charlie Moores