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Project Noah Nature School
Zosterops japonicus
Olive green on its back, from anterior to posterior, and is pale green on its underside. Its feet, legs, and bill range from black to brown. It has a green forehead and a yellow throat. The White-eye has rounded wings and a long, slender bill – both of which indicate this bird to be very acrobatic. Its wings are dark brown, but outlined in green. Like other white-eyes, this species exhibits the distinctive white eyering that gives it its name (mejiro also meaning "white eye" in Japanese). Adults range from 4 to 4.5 inches in length, and weigh between 9.75 and 12.75 grams.
The Japanese White-eye is naturally found in Japan, Taiwan, eastern China, and the northern Philippines. Migratory populations of the bird spend winters in Burma, Hainan Island, and Vietnam. The White-eye is widespread and common in Japan, considered one of the more dominant bird species.
Spotted from my apartment in Tokyo.
I managed to get a closer shot of a mejiro - this time in a cherry tree :)
That's interesting to hear. In Japanese this is called a 'mejiro', which means white eye, and the area I spotted it is Mejiro in Tokyo!
The Japanese white-eye is endemic to where you spotted this, Colin. Cool!
I've also spotted this in Hawaii, where it's invasive.
Spotted on Feb 1, 2013
Submitted on Feb 1, 2013
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