Tuesday, March 8, 2011

My world Tuesday; I am thirsty;














Zosterops lateralis;   Silvereye
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.

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.
Silvereyes move north each autumn, and move back south in late winter to breed.

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 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.



19 comments:

  1. What a delightful looking little creature sitting on the rim of a glass! I Don’t think I’ve ever seen this species of bird before. It is very aptly named, indeed, not only because of the rim around its eyes but also because of the way it is eyeing what is in the glass. To drink or not to drink, it seems to be wondering.

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  2. Priceless :-)
    Will I - won't I?
    Did he?

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  3. Love, love, LOVE those photos! Such a cute silvereye and how wonderful you had your camera handy! Hmmmm. I want to attract some orioles to my garden this spring. I wonder if orange juice will work. :))

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  4. Oh, I love your photos, Trudi! And what an adorable little bugger he is! Camera in hand at just the right time! I don't think I've ever seen one like him either! Thanks for introducing us!! Hope you both have a great week!!

    Sylvia

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  5. Lovely shots! Was she planning to finish the juice, I wonder!

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  6. White-eyes come to my garden sometimes.
    They are lovely birds! I love the third one where he is holding the rim and thinking.
    Have a nice day!

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  7. Splendid little birds - always like them in the garden!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  8. Great captures. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  9. He definitely has nice colouring. I suspect he might have fallen in had he tried to actually the juice!

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  10. Oh what a pretty looking bird that is!! Interesting to see how it gets its name. I wonder if it managed a sip, or sips, from the glass?!

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  11. These shots are adorable, Titania! Love the way you captured the little bird.

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  12. Wonderful photo. I'm so glad you were able to capture it. I tried taking such photos of birds that flew in to the hotel restaurant where I was staying in Nairobi but they flew off anytime I tried to move, lol. So well done!

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  13. You were very quick to capture these. :)
    I hope it had its fill.

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  14. cette serie est superbe, bravo cela ne devait pas etre facile

    Publicity ;o) Every Friday (and the Weekend), The Challenge "Walk In The Street Photography"

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  15. Wonderful post. Beautiful little guy.

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  16. What delightful shots!

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  17. Such a beautiful little bird. Lucky you to have such a pretty visitor. Thanks for the info, too.

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  18. Oh I love the Silvereye. Beautiful pictures Titania.
    Have a nice day!
    Elfe

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