Zosterops japonicus
The Warbling White-eye (Zosterops japonicus) is a diminutive and sprightly passerine bird, instantly recognizable by its striking white eye-ring against an olive-green back and yellowish-white underparts. Measuring a mere 10-12 cm in length with a wingspan of 12-18 cm and weighing 9-12 grams, this active avian gem also sports a bright yellow throat and vent, and a slender, slightly downcurved bill. Its appearance remains consistent year-round, with no significant sexual dimorphism, making ide...
This highly adaptable species thrives in a wide range of habitats, from dense evergreen and deciduous forests to urban parks, gardens, orchards, and coastal scrub, typically found from sea level up to moderate elevations.
Highly omnivorous, the Warbling White-eye primarily consumes insects such as caterpillars, aphids, and beetles, supplemented with abundant nectar from flowers and various small fruits and berries throughout the year.
Warbling White-eyes are diurnal, displaying continuous high-energy activity throughout the day, often foraging in small, agile flocks outside the breeding season, which can sometimes intermix with other passerine species. Their foraging strategy is characterized by acrobatic gleaning, where they ...
The Warbling White-eye boasts an expansive native range across East Asia, encompassing the entirety of Japan, the Korean Peninsula, eastern and central China, Taiwan, and the northern Philippines. Northern populations, such as those from Hokkaido, Japan, undertake seasonal migrations southwards, ...
Least Concern
- Introduced to Hawaii in 1929, it has become one of the most ubiquitous bird species on the islands, often outnumbering native birds. - In Hawaii, it is considered an invasive species, actively competing with native honeycreepers for nectar resources and potentially spreading avian diseases like...