During several seasons we’ve been trying to discern between the two races of
Silvereyes seen in this neck of the woods, the race from Tasmania and southern
Victoria Zosterops lateralis and the more northerly race Z.
familiaris which seems to be resident in the ACT.
We’ve subscribed to the theory that the southern race has richer buffy flanks
than the local race. Some folks describe the flanks as chestnut rather than
buffy, but I describe them as buffy because I like watching Buffy on TV. Sorry,
I digress.
Then I noticed in our bird books that Z. familiaris has a lemon
coloured throat and under-tail coverts whereas in Z. lateralis these
areas are light grey. No, I don’t know why this never became apparent before.
Anyhow, I figured that looking for the lemon coloured parts would be a darn
sight less tedious than comparing degrees of buffiness.
When some Silvereyes landed in flowering plum trees near the bedroom window
recently one sunny morning I could discern their lemon throats and u-t coverts
without leaving the cot. Bird watching in bed is cool and kind of laid back, and
please keep your smart remarks to yourself.
We’ve had three sightings of Silvereyes in the garden since last Friday and,
interestingly, all were definitely grey in the aforementioned areas, so I guess
they were good ole southern boys and belles heading home for the summer. Also,
some of these birds had distinct buffy flanks while in others there was a mere
hint of buffiness.
I guess if my theory is flawed then I’ll soon hear about it. Probably be
floored so to speak.
John K. Layton
