WHITE-EYE

any of the 80 to 85 species of birds of the Old World family Zosteropidae (order Passeriformes). They are so much alike that about 60 of them are often lumped in a single genus, Zosterops. White-eyes occur chiefly from Africa across southern Asia to Australia and New Zealand in warm regions. All of the white-eyes are short-tailed, short-winged birds about 11 cm (4.5 inches) long. The bill is fine and pointed, and the tongue is brush-tipped. The plumage is plain grayish, brownish, or yellow-green (sexes alike). Its main mark is the eye-ring of tiny, soft, usually white feathers. White-eyes are strictly arboreal, feeding on insects, nectar, and sweet soft fruits; some, including those the Australians call blightbirds, destroy cultivated figs and grapes. White-eyes are active and, except when tending their cuplike nests, highly gregarious.