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SilvereyeAlternative names: "White-eye", "Blight-bird", "Sivve", "Grape-eater" Size: 11-13 cm |
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Habitat |
(for details refer to a field guide) |
There are in total eight races of Silvereyes in Australia. Recently a radical revision of these races has occurred - check a field guide for details. Altogether, Silvereyes populate the coastal fringe, the Great Dividing Range and small parts of the interior of the Australian continent. They are also found in Tasmania. On the continent their combined range extends from the tip of Cape York peninsula in QLD southward including all of eastern and parts of central QLD, down along the NSW coast and ranges, outside the breeding season also including the north-west slopes and plains and the entire Murry River catchment. They are found all through VIC, in the south-eastern corner of SA, the are around and to the north of Adelaide and Port Augusta, SA, and the Eyre peninsula. From the SA/WA border, along a narrow coastal fringe and throughout the south-western corner of WA race "chloronotus" is found. Its range extends along the west coast up to about Lyndon, WA. Nominate race "lateralis", which breeds in Tasmania, migrates to the mainland outside the breeding season.
Silvereyes can be found in all kinds of habitat within their range, from rainforest to open woodland.
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Sightings |
The nominate race, "lateralis", was observed by us 15 km east of Narrabri, NSW, in August 2011, as part of a mixed group of Silvereyes, together with specimens of race "cornwalli" and possibly also "westernensis".
Silvereyes visited us infrequently where we lived until 2006, 20 km south of Narrabri, NSW, where we saw them in our garden only a few times. Although we have obtained photos (below), the determination of which race we have seen still remains uncertain (most likely "cornwalli"). In 2006 the first Silvereye appeared in January. Also in previous years they were around in hot conditions, making use of our water supplies.
Race "cornwalli" was also observed by us in August 2008 in the foothills of the Nandewar Range, 30 km east of Narrabri. Seen there again, in large numbers, in August 2010 feeding on eucalypt flowers.
Race "westernensis" was spotted by us at Watagans National Park in June 2009. There was a flock of about 20 birds that, together with butterflies and bees, fed on the flowers of grass trees.
Race "pinarochrous" was observed by us in the Flinders Ranges in March 2008.
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Photos |
Race "lateralis"
Frontal view of a Silvereye "lateralis"
Race "cornwalli"
Frontal view of a Silvereye "cornwalli" in a pine tree
Lateral view of a Silvereye "cornwalli"
Dorsal view of a Silvereye (in this case "cornwalli")
Lateral view of a bird calling
Race "westernensis"
Silvereye "westernensis" trying to dislodge parasites
(psyllids?)
from a twig
Near-lateral view of a Silvereye "westernensis"
Race "pinarochrous"
Frontal view of a Silvereye in the first light of a new day
Lateral view of a Silvereye
Two Silvereyes taking advantage of a crack in a
water storage tank to get a drink
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Behaviour |
| Social behaviour: Communal | Mobility: Migratory/dispersive | Elementary unit: Small flock |
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Food |
Silvereyes have been observed by us feeding on the flowers of grass trees and eucalypts. But they clearly also take insects, as shown below.
Silvereyes ("cornwalli" or "westernensis") feeding on the blossoms
of a grass tree
Silvereye "westernensis" that has picked up a parasite
(psyllid?)
from a twig
Silvereye "cornwalli" having a go at parasites
(psyllids?);
note how hard it must be to dislodge the animals, because their
foothold is strong enough for the bird to get a strong grip to
steady itself on them in turn
