IUCN Least Concern (LC)
Silvereye
Zosterops lateralis
Silvereyes are widespread in many parts of Australia, and there are many different populations throughout their range, some of which are highly mobile. Thus, in some places, local populations may be augmented or replaced by birds moving in from other areas. Although the species may be present at a particular location throughout the year, they may be birds from different populations that are being seen at different times.
The Silvereye is a small bird with a conspicuous ring of white feathers around the eye and belongs to a group of birds known as white-eyes. The Silvereye shows interesting plumage variations across its range. The grey back and olive-green head and wings are found in birds through the east, while western birds have a uniformly olive-green back. Breeding birds of the east coast have yellow throats, pale buff flanks (side of the belly) and white on the undertail. Tasmanian birds have grey throats, chestnut flanks and yellow on the undertail. To complicate this, the birds in the east have regular migrations within Australia and may replace each other in their different areas for parts of the year. Birds in Western Australia have yellowish olive, rather than grey, backs
The contact call, a thin “psip”, is given persistently. Bird call recorded by: Fred Van Gessel
The contact call, a thin “psip”, is given persistently.
Bird call recorded by: Fred Van Gessel
Silvereyes are more common in the south-east of Australia, but their range extends from Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, through the south and south-west to about Shark Bay, Western Australia. They are also found in Tasmania.
Silvereyes may occur in almost any wooded habitat, especially commercial orchards and urban parks and gardens.
Distribution map
The Silvereye can travel great distances during migration, with Silvereyes from the most southerly regions of Tasmania travelling all the way up to Southern Queensland. Birds are seen alone, in pairs or in small flocks during the breeding season, but form large flocks in the winter months.
Silvereyes feed on insect prey and large amounts of fruit and nectar, making them occasional pests of commercial orchards. Birds are seen alone, in pairs or in small flocks during the breeding season, but form large flocks in the winter months.
Silvereye pairs actively defend a small territory. The nest is a small, neatly woven cup of grasses, hair, and other fine vegetation, bound with spider web. It is placed in a horizontal tree fork up to 5m above the ground. The nest is constructed by both sexes, who both also incubate the bluish-green eggs. If conditions are suitable two to three clutches will be raised in a season.
IUCN status reflects the conservation status of this species globally.
