Orange River White-eye (Zosterops pallidus)
This species is about 12 cm long with rounded wings, strong legs, and a conspicuous ring of white feathers round the eyes. There are a few sub-specie to the White-eye and how you tell them apart is not easy.. the colour of the body or chest is usually the give away sign…
They are very vocal, and constantly keep in touch with soft trilled pee, pree or pirreee.
This is a sociable species forming large flocks outside the breeding season. It builds a cup nest in a tree and lays 2-3 unspotted pale blue eggs. The eggs hatch in 11–12 days, and fledging occurs in another 12–13 days. The peak breeding season is September to December.
The Orange River White-eye feeds mainly on insects, but also soft fleshy flowers, nectar, fruit and small grains.
It apparently readily comes to bird feeders….
Just realised it is almost the same size as a small orange…
Whooowa what was that that flew by…???
The Photographic Journey of bulldog. 
Wonderful photographs of a tricky subject!
(I dont have this species on my birding list yet – perhaps we should come and visit your garden Bulldog! 😉 )
This was taken at my son’s house in Kathu.. I live in Pta, so miss those little birds as well… I must admit I’ve managed to fill a lot of birds on my birding list whilst visiting him..
Totally different environment to ours here in Gauteng. All that open space does the soul so much good!
Nice to “meet” another Pretorianer-Blogger by the way ;-)!
That it is… on my way right now to Rietvlei, live just around the corner from it… feel like it’s my own little stress relieving spot…
Hope you had a nice time at Rietvlei Bulldog!
Delightful and colourful photos. Definitely worth a few oranges and apples.
It worked far better than I thought.. thanks Mate…
Well, he really cleaned that orange out in no time. 🙂 Your fruit salad tree is a marvelous invention, bulldog.
I was actually amazed at the speed the birds clean up the fruit… totally unexpected…
Pwitty wittle twitter!
Tswank you very muchly…
Guess I should give this feeding method a try!
I’m sure it will work no matter were in the world… there are so many different fruit eaters…
Gorgeous! I feed Baltimore Orioles in the spring here with oranges. Woodpeckers seem to love them too.
Funny the woodies looked at the fruit and flew away… Thanks
Beautiful!
Thanks..
They are totally adorable bulldog and you’ve captured them so well! They look a lot like the ‘Kraalogies’ that visit us now and then. Thanks for sharing. 😀 *big hugs*
Thanks Sonel… I have yet to capture the “Kraalogies” on camera…
Yes, those little ones are so fast. I love watching them. 😀
Absolutley wonderful again…. Thank you!
Thanks Ute…
Fantastic shots 🙂
Thank you..
Wonderful photographs. I told my children that the next time we go to the store we have to buy a few extra oranges and apples. They asked why? For a pie maybe? Ummmm…no, to nail to our trees, of course!! Thanks for stirring it up at my house so many times, Bulldog!! 😀 Hugs!!
Sorry … but they will reap the benefit…
Bulldog is a household name here. We are forever fans!!! And you, are an honorary part of the family! 😀
The birds in your part of the world are so much more colourful than ours. Beautiful!
Thanks Anneli… they certainly do give us a lot of pleasure and sometimes a lot of difficulty IDing them…
Another beautiful bird.
Thanks Maralee…
What a cute and pert little friend!
I can imagine them spreading the word about your bird-feeder: “gotta fly!…headin’over to Bulldog’s..fresh fruit plate today! ”
Hahahahahahahahaha!!
Thanks … yes I’m sure the word spread fast, what started off as two Bulbuls quickly joined by a white-eye, soon became a tree full…. and that I’m sure is what we call bush telegraph…
What a graceful little bird. And he likes his vitamin C!
Thanks Elisa… they sure do like the oranges… the apples went the fastest though…
They are all so beautiful, fascinated me, you are amazing dear Rob, Thanks and Love, nia
Thank you Nia…
Stunning pics. Used to get the Cape White-eye at my farm (assuming I am correct in my assumption thereof) and truly wouldn’t be able to tell the difference
I will be posting on the Cape white-eye as they were also all over the apples and oranges… the only difference is a slightly greyish chest… I often wonder when you get them like this if they don’t cross breed….
Good point. If I ever misidentify one, I’ll blame it on inbreeding (there’s – not mine 😀 )
Love the action shot! And for some reason I want an apple!
Thank you… now why would you want an apple..I wonder??
keep the doctor away???
OMG They are SO CUTE!!! Nothing makes mornings better than an orange!
You can say that again… specially if it is shared with the birds…
How much time does it take for them eat a halved orange? I remember going hiking with my students while camping and I had left a whole watermelon out. By the time we got back the birds had eaten about a third of it.
In one day I placed 7 apples and 3 oranges and they eat the lot.. the stronger birds tended to take over the feeder, but when full off they went allowing others to come on in… it was actually a hive of activity…
What a great activity to share with your grand daughter. 🙂
They are cracking photos
Thanks Alastair
You’re welcome 🙂