Phil Bendle Collection:Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis)

Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Zosteropidae
Genera: Zosterops
Species: lateralis
Scientific Name: Zosterops lateralis
Common Names: Silvereye, white–eye, wax–eye, silver-eye, blight bird, tauhou. pihipihi

The Silvereye or Wax-eye (Zosterops lateralis) is a very small omnivorous passerine bird of the south-west Pacific. In Australia and New Zealand.
In New Zealand, the Zosterops lateralis was first recorded in 1832. It arrived in greater numbers in 1856, and it is assumed that a migrating flock was swept eastwards by a storm. As an apparently self-introduced bird, it is protected as a native New Zealand species. Its Māori name, Tauhou, means "stranger" or more literally, "new arrival".
Zosterops lateralis is a small green native bird (12 cm, 13 g.) with conspicuous white eye-ring. Head and upperparts olive green with grey back and wash on lower neck and onto breast; underparts creamy white with pinkish-brown flanks and white undertail. Sexes alike. Juvenile lacks eye-ring. Usually in small flocks, except when breeding. Readily attracted to bird tables in cold winters. Flight calls from flocks an excited 'cli-cli-cli'; single birds give a plaintive 'creel. Song a melodious mix of warbles, trills and slurs. Habitat: Forests, scrub, orchards, parks and gardens. Breeding: Sep-Mar.
Zosterops lateralis lay 3-4 eggs, pale blue, in a small nest of mosses and spiderwebs, which they build in shrubs and trees.
Early Maori use to preserve and eat them

 

Hear the Silvereye's call.

[http://ketenewplymouth.peoplesnetworknz.info/image_files/0000/0006/8784/waxeye3op.jpg
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Waxeyes around a sugar water feeder.

VIDEO

Photos below are of an empty Waxeyes nest built of mosses, fibres and spiderwebs.  These they build in shrubs and trees by binding the nest to the branches.

 

Thanks to Wikipedia for text and information     https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

 

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