Orange River White-eye

The Orange River white-eye (Zosterops pallidus) is a species of bird in the family Zosteropidae, which is native to Namibia and South Africa. It was formerly deemed conspecific with the Cape white-eye (Zosterops virens), but the two species occur sympatrically in central South Africa, and they are genetically distinct. == Subspecies == Four subspecies have been proposed based on plumage colour and size differences: Zosterops pallidus pallidus — Northern Cape, North West, Gauteng, Free State Zosterops pallidus sundevalli Hartlaub — tributaries of upper Orange and lower to mid Vaal River Zosterops pallidus deserticola Reichenow — lower Orange River and its tributaries Zosterops pallidus haigamchabensis — northern Namibia to Northern Cape, South Africa == Range == It occurs at highest densities in the catchment areas of the Orange and Vaal Rivers, where it is locally very common. It is also present at more isolated locations in the Nama Karoo, Namaqualand, Namib, Namibian escarpment, uplands of Damaraland, and mopane-veld in the far north. In dry regions it associates with vegetation fringing periodically dry streambeds. No extensive movements have been recorded. == Habitat == Forages in native and introduced willows (Salix spp.), currant-rhus (Searsia spp.), thorn trees (Acacia) and reeds (Phragmites). Commonly found…