My two-bob’s worth:
When I was in NZ in February, I was sure that I was observing a distinct sub-species of Silvereyes because the cinnamon flanks were very prominent and the vent area quite yellow. This was a general observation and not just incidental, so perhaps less variation than is apparent in Australia.
I was surprised to learn that they are Z. l lateralis. Clearly they are evolving distinctive plumage colours. I wonder if it is genetic isolation or clinal variation that produces these changes.
David Rosalky
From: Lindsay Hansch [
Sent: Sunday, 24 April 2011 9:52 AM
To: 'Geoffrey Dabb'; COG-L
Subject: [canberrabirds] RE: Z l Lateralis v. Z l westernensis
I agree with your observations, Geoff. Even in Tasmania there are significant plumage variations. I am not sure whether or not other sub-species migrate to Tasmania. It is possible that some may get caught up in the general movement back across the Strait. Equally, it is likely that colour variations are entirely natural and couls be attributable to age, sex, etc. Incidentally the photo I provided was taken at Bruny Island several years ago.
Regards
Lindsay
From: Geoffrey Dabb [
Sent: Friday, 22 April 2011 10:17 AM
To: 'Lindsay Hansch'; 'Peter Ormay'; 'COG-L'
Subject: Z l Lateralis v. Z l westernensis
I might have known that Lindsay, as our Tasmanian authority would have one of those in his pocket.
This is one of this chatline’s recurrent topics, and I have commented on it elsewhere. The field guides are little use.
In my view the differences between the two subspecies can be elusive in the field. Jamie Mathew’s gave the best account based on available specimens, noting the overlap in relevant features when individuals were compared. See HANZAB Vol 7 (B) p1784.
I have photographed hundreds of these in an attempt to capture the difference in a useful way. So much depends on state of the plumage (and possibly age and sex) and the attitude and the light. Moreover the current fashion of over-editing images can easily turn one subspecies into another. Often the features said to be determinative point in different directions on the one bird.
In the below the first two snaps are of the same bird. I have edited them so the first shows the characters attributed to westernensis and the second shows the characters attributed to lateralis. Snaps 3 and 4 are of a bird photographed locally which stood out from the westernensis around about. It has not been edited as to colour. I take it to be lateralis. Note the relatively sharp demarcation on the underparts in the second snap.
Those are just my thoughts. I would be very interested if anyone can take it further.
From: Lindsay Hansch [
Sent: Friday, 22 April 2011 9:28 AM
To: 'Peter Ormay'; COG-L
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] {Spam?} Re: [canberrabirds] Honey-eaters galore
