From Opus

Photo by Neil
Sydney, Australia, August 2004

Zosterops lateralis

[edit] Identification

12cm, 13gm. Also known as wax-eye, or white-eye, it has a conspicuous white ring around the eye, thus giving the bird it's name. The head and upperparts are olive green with a grey band across the back, which extends around the chest. The underparts are a peachy brown with white under the tail.

[edit] Distribution

An abundant native to Australia and New Zealand. Recent colonist to New Zealand - 1856, at the settlement stage. The Maori name is Tauhou meaning "Stranger". Was not known in NZ until the middle of the 19th century, but it is thought that a storm caught a migrating flock and diverted them to New Zealand. As they arrived naturally and colonised NZ on their own, they are protected like other native species.

[edit] Taxonomy

The Silvereye, in NZ, is a Tasmanian sub–Australian species which migrates to the eastern states of the Australian mainland in winter. First described by Latham, 1802.

[edit] Habitat

Tree cover, up to 1000m

[edit] Behaviour

Silvereyes feed on a variety of foods, invertebrates, fruit, and nectar and will feed in flocks over winter in gardens and parks they have a fine tapered bill and a brush tipped tongue for drinking nectar. They prefer the fruit of native trees but do feed on other fruiting species.

As the breeding season approaches the pair break away to form individual territories. They are prolific breeders, raising 2-3 broods per season, with between 2-5 eggs per brood.

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