Silvereye
Zosterops lateralis
Tiny bird with an obvious pale eyering. Subspecies vary in plumage; most have a green head, green lores (area between bill and eye), yellowish throat, gray (or green) back, pale gray underparts, and green wings and tail. The migratory Tasmanian subspecies has brownish flanks. Rather common, seen in small flocks that feed in bushes and shrubs in the mid-story. The only species of white-eye over much of its range.
Identification
A small bird 11 to 13 cm in length and around 10 g in weight, it has a conspicuous ring of white feathers around its eye. There are a number of plumage variations depending on the sub-species. Generally it has olive-green wings and either a grey or olive-green back, a lighter coloured throat - yellow or grey, flanks that range from chestnut to pale buff, and an undertail that may be white or yellow. Within Australia there are seasonal migrations and the ranges of the sub-species overlap. The other islands within its range tend to host only a single sub-species each so only one plumage variant is seen.<p>The sperm of Zosterops lateralis exhibits a head measuring 13.01 μm, a midpiece of 52.75 μm, a flagellum extending to 56.69 μm, resulting in a total length of 69.71 μm.
Taxonomy
The silvereye was first described by the English ornithologist John Latham in 1801 under the binomial name Sylvia lateralis.There are 17 subspecies:
- Scientific name
- Zosterops lateralis
- Authority
- (Latham, 1801)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Zosteropidae
- Genus
- Zosterops
Range and habitat
The silvereye is native to Australia, New Zealand and the south-west Pacific islands of Lord Howe, New Caledonia, Loyalty Islands, Vanuatu, and Fiji. It is common to abundant throughout the relatively fertile south-west and south-east parts of Australia (including Tasmania and the Bass Strait islands), and through the well-watered coastal zone of tropical Queensland, including Cape York Peninsula<p>The silvereye is liable to be found in any vegetated area, apart from open grasslands, within its distribution range, including forest, scrub, horticultural blocks and urban gardens.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
Silvereyes breed in spring and early summer (mainly between September and December), making a tiny cup of grass, moss, hair, spiderweb, and thistledown, suspended from a branch fork in the outer reaches of small trees or shrubs. They lay two to four pale blue eggs, and two (or sometimes three) broods may be raised during each breeding season. The eggs hatch after about 11 days, and the young fledge after another 10 days. The juveniles are independent at 3 weeks and able to breed at 9 months.<p>In late summer silvereyes gather into flocks and many Australian birds migrate, making their way north along the coast and ranges, foraging busily during the day with much calling and quick movement through the shrubbery, then flying long distances through the night. Partial migration in the silvereye might be partly controlled by genetics, as allelic variation at the CLOCK gene is associated with migratory status.<p>Most of the Tasmanian population crosses the 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; while the northernmost birds remain resident all year round. In western Australia they have been recorded moving between the mainland and offshore islands.<p>Silvereyes are omnivorous with a diet that includes insects, berries, fruit and nectar. In New Zealand they take fruit from native trees including kahikatea, and rimu. When food is scarce in winter they will take a wide variety of foods from bird tables, ranging from sugar water through bread and cooked meats, to solid lumps of fat.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Yellow-throated Honeyeater
Nesoptilotis flavicollis
Medium-large honeyeater with bright yellow throat. Back is olive green, head and breast are gray. Underbody and wings have subtle yellow coloration. Juveniles very similar to adults but are duller and have yellow at the base of the bill. Endemic to Tasmania and some surrounding islands; found in most forest and woodland habitats. Feeds primarily on insects and can often be seen foraging on tree trunks.
Golden-mantled Racquet-tail
Prioniturus platurus
An oddly shaped parrot with two thin tail rackets. Mostly green, with a golden wash on the back of males (absent in females) and a silvery-gray bill. Males show a small red crown patch. Juvenile resembles female, but lacks rackets. Found in pairs and groups in canopy of forest, forest edge, and clearings in lowlands and mountains. Restricted to Sulawesi, Sula, and Talaud islands. The only parrot with rackets in its range, outside of north Sulawesi. In north Sulawesi, where the larger Yellow-breasted Racquet-tail occurs, note Golden-mantled’s lack of a yellow breast patch. Noisy, giving shrill “kleer” notes and a sharp “kip.”
African River Martin
Pseudochelidon eurystomina
Enigmatic and distinctive, this compact all-dark martin has striking red eyes and a bright orange-red bill. Juvenile is duller. In lethargic flight it appears bulky-headed, short-tailed, and triangular-winged. Small to large groups forage high over forested rivers, swamps, and coastal scrub. Birds migrate between two breeding areas, one in coastal central Africa from Gabon to northern Angola (August to December), and another farther inland, centered on the Congo River in west-central Democratic Republic of Congo (January to May), but their habits remain poorly understood. Calls include a scratchy chattering “skeer-skeer”; large flocks can become cacophonous.
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