Japanese White-eye
Zosterops japonicus
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<birdfyi-bird slug="japanese-white-eye"></birdfyi-bird>About
The Japanese white-eye is a familiar garden bird across East Asia, beloved in Japan where it is called mejiro. These sociable birds form flocks outside the breeding season and are important pollinators of plum and cherry blossoms. Unfortunately, introduced populations in Hawaii have become invasive, competing with native honeycreepers.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Body Length | 11.5 cm | 4.5 in |
| Wingspan | 17.0 cm | 6.7 in |
| Weight | 11.0 g | 0.39 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with a bright white eye-ring. Yellow throat and undertail coverts. Greyish-white belly.
Bill
Thin, pointed, slightly decurved dark bill
Habitat & Range
Broadleaf evergreen forests, gardens, parks, and suburban areas. Highly adaptable and common in East Asian gardens.
Geographic Range
East Asia including Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Introduced to Hawaii and other Pacific islands.
Diet & Feeding
Insects, nectar, and fruit. Active gleaner that flits through foliage and visits flowers. Important pollinator of native plants.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: CP. Incubation: 11 days. Fledging: 10-12 days.
Clutch Size
2-6
Sound
Song
Sweet, high-pitched 'tsee-tsee-tsee' whistle and soft melodic warbling. Flocks produce a continuous tinkling chorus. Alarm is a sharper 'tset'. Song is gentle and rhythmic.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes (Songbirds) |
| Family | Zosteropidae (White-eyes) |
| Genus | Zosterops |
| Species | Zosterops japonicus |
Names in Other Languages
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| German | Japanbrillenvogel |
| Spanish | Zosterops Japonés |
Distribution
Japanese White-eye has been recorded in 7 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Japanese White-eye eat?
Where does the Japanese White-eye live?
Is the Japanese White-eye endangered?
How does the Japanese White-eye nest?
What does the Japanese White-eye sound like?
How big is the Japanese White-eye?
What order and family does the Japanese White-eye belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Zosteropidae family