1st Mar 2026: Brown-Eared Bulbuls with the Kawazu cherry blossoms in Odaiba Tokyo

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When the Kawazu cherry blossoms begin to bloom, you can see brown-eared bulbuls flitting busily among the deep pink flowers. They favor Kawazu cherry trees as a valuable source of nectar in early spring, skillfully using their long tongues to reach the sweetness hidden deep within each blossom.

Although bulbuls are known for their loud calls and cautious nature, during the flowering season they become so absorbed in sipping nectar that they sometimes appear unexpectedly unguarded. Their lively movements—hopping quickly from branch to branch as they inspect buds and blossoms one after another—bring a sense of vitality to the entire row of cherry trees.

Occasionally, you may even spot one hanging upside down to feed, a charming sight that makes you feel the arrival of spring. For the bulbuls, Kawazu cherry blossoms serve as an important source of nourishment, while the flowers benefit from the birds’ assistance with pollination. This small early‑spring interaction is one of the many quiet dramas woven by nature.

These bulbuls were photographed in Odaiba while I was capturing the Kawazu cherry blossoms. It was diligently drinking nectar. Although the air was still a bit chilly, the view through the viewfinder felt like full spring.