Zosterops is a genus of passerine birds containing the typical white-eyes in the white-eye family Zosteropidae. The genus has the largest number of species in the white-eye family. They occur in the Afrotropical, Indomalayan, and Australasian realms. Typical white-eyes have a length of between 8 and 15 cm. Their most characteristic feature is a conspicuous white feather ring around the eye, though some species lack it. The species in this group vary in the structural adaptations of the tongue. The Zosterops [griseotinctus] group is an example of a "great speciator" inhabiting a vast area and showing a remarkable morphological differentiation on islands, some of which may be as close as 2 km (1.2 mi) apart.
The warbling white-eye is a small passerine bird in the white-eye family. The specific epithet is occasionally written japonica, but this is incorrect due to the gender of the genus. Its native range includes much of East Asia, including the Russian Far East, Japan, Indonesia, Korea, and the Philippines. It has been intentionally introduced to other parts of the world as a pet and as pest control, with mixed results. As one of the native species of the Japanese islands, it has been depicted in Japanese art on numerous occasions, and historically was kept as a cage bird.
The Seychelles white-eye is a rare warbler-like perching bird from the family of white-eyes (Zosteropidae). It is endemic to the Seychelles. At one time thought to be extinct, it was rediscovered and is now listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
The black-crowned white-eye is a songbird species. It is closely related to the Old World babblers, and its family Zosteropidae might better be included in the Tiimalidae. Its subspecies from the Sulawesi region might warrant recognition as distinct species Z. subatrifrons. The Sangihe white-eye and the Seram white-eye were formerly included in Z. atrifrons, as is still, on occasion, the black-fronted white-eye.
The bridled white-eye is a species of white-eye native to the Mariana Islands and formerly Guam. The species' natural habitat is tropical forests, shrublands and urban areas.
The Bismarck white-eye or black-headed white-eye is a species of bird in the family Zosteropidae. It is endemic to the Bismarck Archipelago in Papua New Guinea, where it occurs in New Britain, New Ireland and a number of smaller islands. It is sometimes considered to be the same species as the black-fronted white-eye of the mainland of New Guinea. The species is found in forests, forest edges, secondary forest, gardens and plantations, generally in hill and mountain areas and more rarely down to sea level.
The lowland white-eye is a species of bird in the family Zosteropidae. It is near endemic to the northern part of the Philippines but is also found on the Taiwanese islands of Lüdao and Lanyu. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forest, second growth and gardens.
The green-fronted white-eye is a songbird species. It is closely related to the Old World babblers, and its family Zosteropidae might better be included in the Tiimalidae. Some sources include this species within Z. atrifrons, the black-crowned white-eye. The black-fronted white-eye was formerly considered a subspecies, and until it was split as a distinct species, the name "black-fronted white-eye" was also used for Z. minor.
The Sangihe white-eye is a species of bird in the white-eye family. It is endemic to Sangihe, Indonesia.
The yellowish white-eye or golden-yellow white-eye, is a species of bird in the family Zosteropidae. It is endemic to the Philippines. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forests.
The Ethiopian white-eye, formerly known as Heuglin's white-eye or montane white-eye, is a small passerine bird in the white-eye family Zosteropidae. It is found in southeast Sudan, Eritrea and north, central and east Ethiopia. Its natural habitats range from subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, to subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland, plantations, and rural gardens.
The Makira white-eye, also known as the grey-throated white-eye, is a small passerine bird in the white-eye family, Zosteropidae. It is also known as Zosterops ugiensis because Z. rendovae has often been used for the Solomons white-eye.
The northern yellow white-eye, formerly the African yellow white-eye, is a species of bird in the family Zosteropidae. It is found across sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal in the west across to southern Sudan in the east and south to northern Angola. It was formerly considered to be conspecific with the Angola white-eye.
The Seram white-eye is a small passerine bird in the white-eye family. It is an endemic resident breeder in open woodland in Seram, Indonesia.
The Togian white-eye is a species of bird in the family Zosteropidae.
The broad-ringed white-eye or Kilimanjaro white-eye is a bird species in the family Zosteropidae. It is found in northeast Tanzania.
The sangkar white-eye is a bird species in the family Zosteropidae. It is also known as the Sunda white-eye. It is found in forested habitats on the Indonesian islands of Java and Bali. In Java it is typically found at elevations between 200–1,600 m (660–5,250 ft), but it sometimes occurs at lower elevations as well.
The Oya Tabu white-eye is a species of bird in the family Zosteropidae. It is native to the Fergusson and Goodenough islands. Its natural habitat is in subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. The Oya Tabu white-eye was formerly considered a subspecies of the capped white-eye.
The Bougainville white-eye is a species of bird in the family Zosteropidae. It is found on Bougainville Island. Its natural habitat is in subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. The Bougainville white-eye was formerly considered a subspecies of the grey-throated white-eye.
The Meratus white-eye is a species of bird in the white-eye family, Zosteropidae. The species was described in 2021 by the Indonesian ornithologist Mohammed Irham and his colleagues based on genetic, morphological, and vocal differences from other Zosterops white-eyes. It is endemic to the Meratus Mountains of Indonesian Borneo, where it has been observed on Mount Besar and Mount Karokangen. It inhabits the mid and lower storeys of closed-canopy montane forests at elevations between 1,300 and 1,650 m. It is a typical Zosterops white-eye, with deep olive-green upperparts, yellower underparts, a yellow stripe across the lores, and a distinctive bicoloured bill. Adults have a length of around 11–12 cm (4.3–4.7 in) and a mass of 8.5–9.5 g (0.30–0.34 oz). Both sexes look alike.
