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Uploaded 2-Aug-07
Taken 2-Aug-07
Visitors 136
12 of 28 photos


Japanese White-eye or Mejiro

Scientific Name: Zosterops japonicus or japonica

The Japanese White-eye, or Mejiro (Zosterops japonicus or japonica) is a small passerine bird in the white-eye family. Its original native range includes much of east Asia, including Japan, China, Vietnam, 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.

The Japanese White-eye is about 4 to 4.5 inches in size, with a yellow forehead, a greenish back, and dark brown wings and tail outlined in green. Like other white-eyes, this species exhibits the distinctive white eyering that gives it its name (mejiro also meaning "white eye" in Japanese). It is omnivorous, feeding primarily on insects and nectar.

Thanks to Doug Hitchcox at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dhitchcox/

and

Ken aka Mr. Zoom at

http://ken.smugmug.com/

for helping ID this little guy.
Canon EOS-1D, f/5.6 @ 400 mm, 1/100, ISO 100, No Flash

Japanese White-eye or Mejiro