In 1929, Hawaii introduced Japanese white-eyes to control insects; they became its most abundant land bird and began competing with native birds for food

In 1929, Hawaii introduced a small bird from Japan to help control insect pests. The Japanese white-eye, also known as the mejiro, was brought to the islands because officials hoped it would feed on insects harmful to agriculture. Instead, the bird spread rapidly, established itself across the archipelago and became one of Hawaii's most abundant land birds.

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