February 8th, 2019 The Japanese White-Eye is one of my favorite birds here in Japan. Also known as the Warbling White-Eye, for it’s beautiful voice, it is a very common native species here in Japan. This time of year, when the plum blossoms are blooming, you can often find these colorful birds among the flowers. They sip the nectar and eat the insects they find among the petals and twigs. This double duty of pollination and pest control is very beneficial to the plum trees and other flowering trees and bushes they forage upon, such as cherry trees and camellias, for example.
These particular photos were taken at Kanzeonji Temple; a great place for viewing flowers and watching birds. The Meijiro, (Japanese for White-Eye) were not shy at all this day, and little by little came closer to me. It was thrilling to view them within an arm’s length on occasion. When they are that close to you, you can hear a very soft twittering coming from them. I wonder if it is for letting other White-Eyes know exactly where they are, or could it be they are thanking the tree for the delicious nectar? Thank you for visiting my site, and have a great Spring.
(Please click on images for a larger view)
MOSTLY BIRDS 
Aloha,
The Japanese White eye is fairly common in Honolulu as well. I like the sharp color and the ring around their eyes, which you have captured very clearly. Thanks for sharing these nice photos!
LikeLike
Yes. An invasive species there. The Red-billed leiothrix is an invasive species here, where it competes for food with the native White-eyes. It is also thriving on Oahu I heard. It has a beautiful voice.
LikeLike