Wednesday 30 April 2014

Silvereye - Zosterops lateralis

Silvereye - Zosterops lateralis - 11–13 cm.  I only managed to get 1 shot of this bird.

The many races occupy diverse habitats: eucalypti woodland, forest, coastal heath, mallee, mangroves and many other vegetation types; also can be found in gardens, orchards and vineyards. Foraging Silvereyes are lively, busily active little birds, constantly on the move; they depart to the next patch of shrubbery with brisk, bouncy flight and much calling. All races are gregarious: after breeding they gather into small parties and then into large flocks, these foraging through foliage of trees and undergrowth. 

Major migrations occur along Australia’s E coast. The southernmost populations seem to undertake the longest migrations to escape the approaching southern winter. 


Breeding
Sep.–Jan. Builds a small, deep cup of fine grass and other plant matter bound with webs. In drier regions the nests are the pale golden buff of freshly-dried grass; in more humid coastal regions such as Tasmania, and elsewhere that such materials are available, the nest may be quite green with fine threads of moss. The nest is suspended by the rim from slender twigs, usually well hidden in the dense foliage of a shrub or a tree’s lower canopy. Usual clutch 2–4 eggs. Both parents share the nest building, incubation of eggs (10 days), and feeding of the young. 

I am linking this post with WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY.

Thank you for visiting.

Many thanks for comments left on any of my  posts.

29 comments:

  1. Hi Margaret, very nice picture of the Silvereye. They also occur in New Zealand and are known as Wax Eyes over there.

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  2. They are very, very difficult to get a good photograph of. They make greased lightening look slow, and predictable. I love that you have clearly captured the name sake 'silver eye'.

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  3. What a beautiful striking eye ring!!

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  4. Beautiful bird and a great shot! Have a happy day,Mmargaret!

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  5. One shot of Silvereye is enough, beautiful image Margaret.

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  6. I agree with Anni...the ring around the eye is stunning..."silver eye” is the perfect name for this speedy little bird. Its colors blend beautifully with the foliage around it. I read about your life and it is a wonderful story. Every morning when you awaken you must be so excited about what awaits you in nature.

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  7. The eye ring makes it easy to see where that bird got its name. Handsome bird.

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  8. He is wearing my favorite color. Nice eye! Both you and the bird.

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  9. THAT IS quite an excellent shot of this silver eye! Great capture of this bird!

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  10. a wonderful snapshot of the beautiful Silvereye Margaret

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  11. one shot is all you need! beautiful!

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  12. What a pretty little bird. I have never seen one so I am glad you did get one shot. MB

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  13. Splendid photo and a fantastic bird, which I never seen before!
    Thanks for your congrats on our grandchild, Margaret!
    Greetings Pia

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  14. Only one shot? Wow, impressive. A beautiful bird for sure. Congrats on a fine shot!

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  15. and a great one shot it is... that eye is the most distinctive i've seen besides our local robin... your garden walk (in post below) was beautiful. so many gorgeous blooms and that pond... i think i could have walked around their all day... and i can't leave without saying your Copeland Island series was a lot of fun seeing and watching. thanks for sharing all you have. i'm now following your youtube channel too. hope all is well. have a great day~

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  16. What a nice shot. I love the little white circle around it's eye.
    Thanks for stopping by my blog. Many people thought that first duck was a Wigeon.

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  17. It's a great shot Margaret! Lovely muted colours on this bird, and that white eye ring is striking!

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  18. He is the EXACT same colors as the green leaves and grey branches. Very well camouflaged...except for the eye, of course.

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  19. What a beautifully striking bird Margaret - amazing eye ring!! A very informative post - thank you :)

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  20. The coloring on this bird is quite beautiful. And congrats on the picture. I know how it can be sometimes trying to get some of these birds to cooperate! Love the large eye ring....plus I'd love to see how it moves through the reeds......and I would love to hear the calls it makes.

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  21. What a beautiful bird. An awesome capture.

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  22. These guys are IMPOSSIBLE to photograph, so this is a great shot! My favourite thing about the Silvereye is the way it will sit deep inside a shrub and just quietly mimic the songs of all the other birds around it, like it's trying to wrap its little mind around all these other songs!

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  23. That bird is so beautiful. I have never heard of the Silvereye before, much less seen one in person!

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  24. Fortunately your one photograph is a wonderful one. I really like that eye.

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  25. This is a handsome fellow for sure.

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  26. Beautiful photo! Enjoy your day.

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  27. wel, that is an eye hard to miss. :) Cool!

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