JAPANESE WHITE EYE
JAPANESE WHITE-EYE (Zosteros japonicus) – (See images below)
DESCRIPTION: The Japanese White-eye is a small bird of the passerine family. As with other white-eyes, this bird has a conspicuous white ring around the eye, which is black. The top parts are olive, the throat is yellow, and the under parts light grey. The bill and legs are grey. Sexes are similar. Japanese white-eyes are around 4 inches (10 cm) long.
VOICE: https://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Zosterops-japonicus
NAME: The Latin genus name is for birds with a white circle around the eye – ‘Zosterops’ means ‘belt’ and ‘eye’. The Latin species name ‘japonicus’ as well as part of its English name refer to its native range. Its Japanese name is ‘Mejiro’.
HABITAT: Forest, but also urban gardens where it was introduced.
DIET: It is very agile and quickly flitting from one flower to the next in search of nectar, fruit or insects. The Japanese white-eye is omnivorous.
NESTING: Breeding pairs are monogamous. The nest is a woven structure hanging from a branch. About four white eggs are laid.
DISTRIBUTION: The native range of the Japanese white-eye is East Asia. It was introduced as a pet to Hawaii between 1929 and 1937. Since then it adapted so well that it is now considered as one of the most abundant birds on the islands.
CONSERVATION: The Japanese white-eye is widespread both in its native range and where it was introduced, therefore is not considered at risk. Its successful spread in Hawaii comes at a price though – out-competing native birds for sources of food (see reference below). There’s even consideration of culling them.
NOTES: This white-eye is a social bird, foraging in flocks, sometimes with other species.
SIMILAR SPECIES: Hammond’s Flycatcher
REFERENCES: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_white-eye
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_white-eye_in_Hawaii
https://identify.whatbird.com/obj/1119/_/Japanese_White-eye.aspx
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090917131540.htm
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2005/01/13/environment/japanese-white-eye/
The video below shows the same bird foraging in the large Coral Tree flowers:
DESCRIPTION: The Japanese White-eye is a small bird of the passerine family. As with other white-eyes, this bird has a conspicuous white ring around the eye, which is black. The top parts are olive, the throat is yellow, and the under parts light grey. The bill and legs are grey. Sexes are similar. Japanese white-eyes are around 4 inches (10 cm) long.
VOICE: https://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Zosterops-japonicus
NAME: The Latin genus name is for birds with a white circle around the eye – ‘Zosterops’ means ‘belt’ and ‘eye’. The Latin species name ‘japonicus’ as well as part of its English name refer to its native range. Its Japanese name is ‘Mejiro’.
HABITAT: Forest, but also urban gardens where it was introduced.
DIET: It is very agile and quickly flitting from one flower to the next in search of nectar, fruit or insects. The Japanese white-eye is omnivorous.
NESTING: Breeding pairs are monogamous. The nest is a woven structure hanging from a branch. About four white eggs are laid.
DISTRIBUTION: The native range of the Japanese white-eye is East Asia. It was introduced as a pet to Hawaii between 1929 and 1937. Since then it adapted so well that it is now considered as one of the most abundant birds on the islands.
CONSERVATION: The Japanese white-eye is widespread both in its native range and where it was introduced, therefore is not considered at risk. Its successful spread in Hawaii comes at a price though – out-competing native birds for sources of food (see reference below). There’s even consideration of culling them.
NOTES: This white-eye is a social bird, foraging in flocks, sometimes with other species.
SIMILAR SPECIES: Hammond’s Flycatcher
REFERENCES: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_white-eye
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_white-eye_in_Hawaii
https://identify.whatbird.com/obj/1119/_/Japanese_White-eye.aspx
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090917131540.htm
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2005/01/13/environment/japanese-white-eye/
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| Japanese white eye, Diamond Head, Oahu |
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| Japanese white eye in coral tree, Oahu |
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| Japanese white eye, back view, Oahu |
The video below shows the same bird foraging in the large Coral Tree flowers: