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Orange River White-eye
Captured close to Orange river, the border between South Africa and Namibia.

Wikipedia: "Traditionally, the western nominate group and the eastern capensis group have been treated as separate species; the Orange River White-eye (Z. pallidus) and the Cape White-eye (Z. capensis). The latter can be further divided into two subgroups, the south-western capensis subgroup and the eastern virens subgroup (the so-called Green White-eye). All subspecies interbreed where they come into contact (including members of the nominate group with members of the capensis group of both subgroups in Free State), but some authorities (e.g. IOC) maintain the Cape and Orange River White-eyes as separate species."

Bird Forum Opus treats them as subspecies of Zosterops pallidus.

I follow here IOC definition, due to coloring and distribution.
Habitat
Dryland near the river
Location
Richtersveld, South Africa
Date taken
1 September 2008
Scientific name
Zosterops pallidus
Equipment used
canon 40D, EF100-400
Supporter
Beautiful little bird. Great pose and a superb photograph that is exceptionally sharp and crisp. Great job!
 
Opus Editor
Nice one! Added to the Opus page for Cape White-eye. Opus will institute the split when (if?) the Clements or Howard & Moore lists follow IOC.
 
Thanks all for nice comments. :)

Added to the Opus page for Cape White-eye. Opus will institute the split when (if?) the Clements or Howard & Moore lists follow IOC.
Great, Alan! It's good to be consistent with the classification.
 
just thinking about posting a shot of a Cape white-eye and came across your beautiful one from long ago of the Orange River equivalent, which we've sadly never seen. The colouration seems so different as to make a bit of a nonsense of still treating them the same. Beautiful shot of a beautiful bird.
 
Thanks for the comment Max - and nice to have that after so many years. :)

I just have to agree what the pros are saying about the taxonomy of these lovely birds. Unfortunately I couldn't see a single white-eye during my trip in Botswana last summer. Maybe next time ...
 

Media information

Category
Africa
Added by
Olli
Date added
View count
293
Comment count
7

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