The Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis) is a common small bird in the eastern and souther parts of Australia, all of New Zealand and some South Pacific islands.
We get them in our garden, and my attention is often caught by their high pitched calls.
Silvereyes are between 11 to 13 cm in length and around 10 g in weight, and they have conspicuous ring of white feathers around its eye. There small size does not prevent them from migrating internally in Australia, including flying across Bass Straight from Tasmania to the mainland of Australia.
These birds were photographed on Stewart Island in New Zealand. The Maori name for this species is Tauhou. This means "stranger" or "new arrival", and this name related to its relatively recent arrival in New Zealand. The Silvereye was first recorded in New Zealand in 1832. It then arrived in greater numbers in 1856, and it is assumed that a migrating flock was swept eastwards from Australia by a storm.
These pictures were taken on Stewart Island, in the main settlement - Oban. I saw this little flock of birds as the sun was setting, and the bushes were just outside the hotel I was staying in, and I may or may not have been having a pint when I first saw them! In my opinion, anyone planning a trip to NZ should consider a trip to Stewart Island.
Hope all is well. As ever, to join in with WBW click on the link below. SM
Such lovely birds. I now see that their shape and size is wrong, but at first I thought they were white-spectacled bulbuls, the most common member of the bulbul family here in Israel.
ReplyDeleteBeauties and so tiny. I love how such small birds can be so loud! Don’t underestimate them for sure!
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteI always enjoyed these wee charmers in my Sydney garden - lovely shots. They may not have the colours of the parakeets, but are evey bit as dapper, in my view! YAM xx
A great set of photos they look quite similar to the South African White Eye (Zosterops virens) except I think the South African birds are greener in colouring. Hope all is well, Cheers Diane
ReplyDeleteThey remind me of Hawaii birds I have seen here in the islands. Perhaps it is a Pacific lineage. Thanks for sharing them with us Stewart. Aloha
ReplyDeleteSuch delightful birds!
ReplyDeleteA well named bird Love the first shot of the two of them together Stewart. Can u help with the ID of my bird? Thanks for hosting and commenting. Have a great week ahead
ReplyDeleteStewart Island sounds interesting place to visit...
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing photos and details.... Have a great day.
A delightful little bird!
ReplyDeleteInteresting creatures. Thanks for sharing.
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