The distribution of Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis has been expanding in East Asia in recent decades. Since the 2000s it has even bred sporadically in mainland Japan, in both Kyushu and Honshu, which it may have reached by natural dispersal. In this study, we aimed to clarify the origins of the birds seemingly colonising western Japan. First, we reviewed observations of the species in South Korea and western Japan and clarified spatiotemporal changes in its distribution since the 2000s. Second, we captured Light-vented Bulbul in Kitakyushu, where it has been observed since 2017 and compared its morphological characteristics and ND2 sequence in the mitochondrial DNA with those of other populations. We obtained three key results: 1) the number of observations of the Light-vented Bulbul has increased since the late 2000s in western Japan, which is consistent with the timing of its expansion in South Korea; 2) individuals captured in Kitakyushu had morphological characteristics similar to those of P. s. sinensis in China; and 3) we observed multiple haplotypes in the Kitakyushu population, which were all included in the cluster of P. s. sinensis and P. s. hainanus, but not included in the cluster of P. s. formosae in Taiwan, P. s. orii in the Yaeyama Islands, or in the unidentified subspecies on Okinawajima Island. These results suggest that China is the origin of individuals recently observed in western Japan, and it is considered likely that dispersal has occurred naturally from the Eurasian continent via the Korean Peninsula. Since the Light-vented Bulbul has already become established, and is still increasing in numbers, in southeastern South Korea, observations are also likely to increase in western Japan.

Two Carrion Crow Corvus corone kept at a bird conservation facility in Niigata, Japan, had entirely white plumage, pink feet and beaks, and red eyes, indicative of a lack of melanin pigments. Tyrosinase, an enzyme essential for melanin biosynthesis, is encoded by the TYR gene. Sequencing analysis of TYR of the white individuals revealed a deletion of 18 consecutive nucleotides, leading to the loss of six amino acids from the tyrosinase protein. The body color mutation is likely to have been caused by this 18-nucleotide deletion. White crows have been found frequently in the Niigata region for over 30 years. The deletion mutant gene is considered to persist in the natural Carrion Crow population of this region, mainly in heterozygous carriers and primarily owing to random genetic drift.

A new breeding site for Lesser Kestrel was identified and the nesting area was monitored between 2019–2022 at Diyarbakır, Türkiye. Birds arrive at the nesting site at the end of March and breeding commences with courtship behaviour and copulation at the beginning of April. Incubation starts in mid April and lasts until mid-May when the eggs hatch. The juveniles fledge at the end of June, and begin to practice hunting with adults in early July. Further monitoring of the population is recommended.

Previous studies on urban bird diversity have paid attention to green spaces. However, non-green spaces in urban areas may also be important for bird species nesting in artificial structures. We established a study area in Hakodate City, Hokkaido, Japan, and searched for all nests of birds breeding in the area. We found that 15% (N=22) of these nests were built on natural substrates and 85% (N=129) on artificial substrates. Of the 14 species recorded nesting, eight species nested only in natural substrates and four species nested only in artificial substrates.

The Western Ghats is a global hotspot of biodiversity. In this descriptive study at the foothills of the Western Ghats, our aim was to further our understanding of the complex interaction between frugivorous birds and trees. The bird numbers were assessed using the distance line transect method and the fruit preferences of birds were recorded using a 4K video camera. A strong positive correlation was found between the number of plant species and the abundance of bird species in each study area, which emphasizes the importance of avian seed dispersers in an ecosystem, and the essential value of studies of frugivory to devise conservation measures for frugivores and frugivore dispersed plants.

The retina of a Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis was investigated in a whole-mount preparation using Nissl's staining method. The total number of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) was 4,427.2×10³. The visual streak extended horizontally across the retina with an RGC density of 10.3–22.8×10³ cells/mm². This area included two foveal areas in central and temporal locations with densities of 22.8×10³ and 22.7×10³ cells/mm², respectively. The localization of RGCs larger than 10 µm in diameter was observed in the periphery of the dorsal, nasal, and temporal retina. These results may reflect adaptation of the goshawk's eye to its ecological environment and behavior.