Silvereye or wax-eye/tauhou
Introduction
The silvereye/tauhou – also known as the wax-eye, or sometimes white eye – is a small and friendly olive green forest bird with white rings around its eyes.New Zealand status: Endemic
Conservation status: Not Threatened
Found in: Throughout New Zealand
Threats: Predation
Species information: Silvereye or wax-eye/tauhou on NZ Birds Online
Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis) were self introduced in the 1800s and now have a wide distribution throughout New Zealand. They have made the forest their home and are now among the most common bird in suburbia too.
The silvereye's Māori name is tauhou, which means 'stranger' or more literally, 'new arrival'.
Facts
The silvereye has a wide distribution throughout New Zealand. They can be found from sea level to above the tree line but they are not abundant in deep forest or open grassland.
Slightly smaller than a sparrow, the silvereye is olive-green with a ring of white feathers around the eye.
Males have slightly brighter plumage than females. They have a fine tapered bill and a brush tipped tongue like the tui and bellbird.
Silvereyes mainly eat insects, fruit and nectar.
The silvereye was first recorded in New Zealand in 1832 and since there is no evidence that it was artificially introduced, it is classified as a native species. Its Māori name, tauhou, means 'stranger' or more literally 'new arrival'.
Sound recording
Silvereye/wax-eye song (MP3, 2,721K)
02:53 – Song at Apple Valley Road, west of Nelson.
Our bird songs can be reused, even commercially, according to our copyright terms.
Threats
Cats, rats and stoats are as great an enemy to silvereye as they are to other native birds.
Our work
Silvereye are not threatened, so DOC doesn't have specific work programme for them.
Of course the work that DOC does in plant and animal pest control increases the quality of whole ecosystems, and therefore contributes to the ongoing success of many common birds, such as the silvereye, as well as ensuring the ongoing survival of our rarer more susceptible species.
DOC prioritises its work to protect the rarer species, in the context of their overall environment. This is encapsulated in the whakatauki (Maori Proverb):
“Tiakina nga manu, ka ora te ngahere Ka ora te ngahere, ka ora nga manu”
“Look after the birds and the forest flourishes. If the forest flourishes, the birds flourish.”
