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Silvereye
Conservation status
Least Concern
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family: ZosteropidaeBreeding occurs mainly between September and December and at least two broods may be raised during this time. The nest is a delicate cup-shaped structure made of grass, moss, and hair, and is slung like a hammock between branches at no great height from the ground. The eggs are pale blue and the average clutch size is three. Genus: Zosterops Species: Z. lateralis
Binomial name
Zosterops lateralis (Latham, 1802)

The Silvereye, White-eye or Wax-eye (Zosterops lateralis) is a very small passerine bird native to Australia but also found in New Zealand. It is common to abundant throughout the relatively fertile south-west and south-east parts of the continent (including Tasmania and the Bass Strait islands), and through the well-watered coastal zone of tropical Queensland, including Cape York Peninsula.

Several subspecies are known.

• Z. l. lateralis: The Grey-breasted Silvereye occurs in eastern Australia, distinguished by its grey breast.
• Z. l. halmaturinus: The Grey-backed Silvereye occurs in western Australia, distinguished by its grey back and chestnut flanks.
• Z. l. tephropleurus: The Lord Howe Island Silvereye is a threatened bird on Lord Howe Island.

Silvereyes breed in spring and early summer, making a tiny cup of grass, spiderweb, and thistledown, suspended from a small tree or shrub, and laying 2 to 4 pale blue eggs. Once the young have fledged, Silvereyes gather into flocks and many migrate north during late summer, making their way north along the coast and ranges, foraging busily through the day with much calling and quick movement through the shrubbery, gradually working north, then flying long distances at night.

Hen on nest

Most of the Tasmanian population crosses Bass Strait (an astonishing feat for 12 cm birds weighing only a few grams) and disperses into Victoria, New South Wales, and south-eastern Queensland. The populations of these areas tend to head further north, and the northern-most birds remain resident all year round. The Silvereye was first recorded in New Zealand in 1832 (its Māori name, Tauhou, means "little stranger"). It arrived in greater numbers in 1856, and it is assumed that a migrating flock was swept eastwards by a storm. Since there is no evidence that it was artificially introduced into New Zealand, it is classified as a native species there and consequently protected.

Silvereyes are omnivorous but have a particular fondness for fruit. Some orchardists, grape growers, and home gardeners regard them as a pest particularly as, being so small, Silvereyes simply ignore bird nets, popping in and out through the netting at will.

A silvereye juvenile

• BirdLife International (2004). Zosterops lateralis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 10 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Silvereye

• Silvereye videos on the Internet Bird Collection