General

Japanese White-eye: Small songbird with olive-green upperparts and a prominent white eyering. Chin, throat and undertail coverts light yellow, belly off-white with dusky wash on sides and flanks. Gray wings and tail are outlined in green. Sexes are similar, juveniles are indistinguishable from adults 30 days after hatching.

Range and Habitat

Japanese White-eye: Abundant and widespread on all main islands in wet forests and suburban areas from sea level to the tree line.

Breeding and Nesting

Japanese White-eye: Three to four white eggs are incubated for 11 days in a cup-shaped nest of fibers and grasses. Both parents incubate and tend to the nest. Will raise up to three clutches per season.

Foraging and Feeding

Japanese White-eye: Forages at all heights and eats a variety of fruits and nectar as well as insects. May hawk for flying insects. Since this bird eats a large variety of exotic fruit it widely disperses seeds of invasive plants such as raspberries and blackberries in native forests.

Vocalization

Japanese White-eye: Song is a warbling twitter and call is a high "tseet", sometimes mimics the songs of other birds.

Similar Species

Japanese White-eye: Hawaii Creeper, Hawaii Amakihi, Alauahio, Akeke'e, and Anianiau all share olive-green and yellow coloring, however they lack the white eye-ring, buff flanks, and off-white belly.