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DESCRIPTION 4 to 6 inches (10 to 14cm). Named for the bold circle of white feathers around the eye. Olive on top, head and neck, becoming paler at sides and blending into bright yellow underside and greyish stomach. Eyes brown, beak black, legs greyish. Immatures greener and duller, white around eyes.
NATURAL DISTRIBUTION India, Sri Lanka, Indo-China and the Greater Sunda Islands.
HABITAT Lowland woods, but can also be found at high altitudes. Leave for breeding grounds in April.
DIET Place food on small table of some sort, approximately 16 to 24 inches (40 to 60cm) because they are rarely on the ground; are usually in foliage looking for insects, larvae, berries, fruit, leafbuds and even nectar drawn with their pointed beak. Also like soaked or cooked rice, berries, bilberries, bananas, dried fruits; mashed-fruit concoction of cherries, apples, pears, apricots, oranges and dates sweetened with fruit sugar; and mixture of small ant pupae, sponge cake and grated apples and carrots.
SPECIAL NEEDS Low tolerance of temperature changes and low temperatures; preferable to keep indoors in winter. Bathing an absolute must. Slowly pine away if not kept in pairs.
CAGE LIFE Tolerant towards other species, extremely tame with keeper. Male has pleasant song. Show to full advantage in glass area or cage 27 ¥2 X 20 X 24 inches (70 X 50 X 60cm). Build shallow, cup-shaped nest in trees and thick bushes of moss and plant fibres. Lay 2 to 4 green-blue eggs, incubation 10 to 12 days by both parents, fledging 10 to 13 days. Separate young as soon as become independent to avoid father chasing them aggressively. Nest never used again, and is sometimes partially destroyed and materials re-used.
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