Bird Guide

Warbling White-eye

Zosterops japonicus

Least ConcernOmnivoreForestCup nestTiny · 11 g

About the Warbling White-eye

The warbling white-eye is a small passerine bird in the white-eye family. 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 the Russian Far East, Japan, Indonesia, Korea, and the Philippines. It has been intentionally introduced to other parts of the world as a pet and as pest control, with mixed results. As one of the native species of the Japanese islands, it has been depicted in Japanese art on numerous occasions, and historically was kept as a cage bird.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

The warbling white-eye is 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, as the bird is known in Japan, translates to "white eye"). Adults range from 4 to 4.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

What the Warbling White-eye sounds like

Recording: Peter Wilton · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Peter Wilton · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where the Warbling White-eye lives

Regular rangeRare visitor

Recorded as a rare visitor in Thailand, Russia.

When to see the Warbling White-eye

Peak activity in March · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Side by side: Indian White-eye vs Warbling White-eye · Cape White-eye vs Warbling White-eye

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