The Japanese white-eye (Zosterops japonicus) is a small passerine bird. The specific epithet is occasionally written japonica, but this is incorrect due to the gender of the genus. Its native range includes much of east Asia, including Japan, China, Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines.
Japanese white-eyes are found in orchards, gardens and open woods below 1,200 meters, but are seldom seen in old-growth forests.
Lively and active, they feed primarily on the nectar of cherry blossoms, cotton trees and coral bean trees. They are gregarious and always move about in a group. If one bird in the group senses danger, it will call to warn others.
Japanese white-eyes tend to form large flocks in the fall and winter. They are constantly moving around in trees in search of food and often hang upside down to peck at insects, pollen and fruits.
Japanese white-eyes give a melodious call, especially during the breeding season from April to July.
Their cup-shaped nests are built in groves of trees. They are completely suspended from the twigs or branches from which they hang and have no support underneath — a truly advanced method of nest construction.
© photos John&Fish
Moist montane forest: Vivid niltava photos by John&Fish on my blog
Temperate forest songbird: Taiwan yuhina photos by John&Fish on my blog
