Silvereye races

["Tobias Hayashi" <>]

Hi all,

I am just seeking clarification on the different races of Silvereyes we get around here. I am aware that we usually get race familiaris (or westernensis, or whatever the right terminology is these days) here, and that race lateralis (the buff-flanked Tasmanian one) comes from Tasmania and winters here (or at least part of that population does).

What are the defining features of each race? This photo here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/callocephalon/4033375295/?addedcomment=1#comment72157622637346634) shows a bird with nice rufous flanks which I immediately assumed was a race lateralis (buff-flanked) bird. However, according to Pizzey and Knight (a field guide, I know) they are also meant to have grey throats and grey undertails, and this one appears to have quite a yellow throat.

 

Clarification would be much appreciated.The photo was taken quite recently at Cooleman Ridge.

 

Cheers

Tobias