Cape white-eyes can be found in your garden

CAPE white-eyes have rounded wings, strong legs, and a conspicuous ring of white feathers round the eyes. The upperparts are green, and the throat and vent are bright yellow.

They are very common residents throughout South Africa. They like forests, woodlands, savannas, parks, gardens, exotic plantations, riverine scrubs and bushes.

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These white-eyes are found in pairs when breeding, otherwise gregarious in small or large flocks. They forage restlessly from the canopy of trees to undergrowth below. They are able to agilely hang in all kinds of postures and often probe tubular flowers for nectar. Frequently drink and bathe in streams, birdbaths, puddles and dew on foliage.

The flight is straight and slightly undulating. Food comprises insects, spiders, fruit, nectar and fleshy flower petals and sepals.

They are highly vocal at all times, starting at dawn and the voice is a loud warbling song with constant chittering contact calls.

Breeding takes place from August to April in the south of South Africa and June to February in the north. The nest is a neat thin walled cup of fine grass, stems, roots and hair. Two to three plain white, pale green or light blue eggs are laid. Incubation is from 10 to 12 days and the nesting period is 12 to 13 days. Chicks are fed by both parents.

The isiZulu name is umBicini and in Afrikaans die Kaapse glasogie.

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