Grey is the colour

Winter is well and truly upon us and the birds are matching the colour of the skies in recent days.

Both the Jacky Winter and Weebill (pictured below) are residents, the Silvereye (first image) is most likely a migrant, of the Tasmanian race ssp. lateralis. The rich chestnut flanks are diagnostic, however the intensity of this colour varies and I reckon local flocks might well often be a mix of this subspecies, ssp. westernensis and ssp. pinarochrous. The differences are subtle.

The Tasmanian birds cross Bass Strait twice each year, arriving in central Victoria to overwinter. Best described as a partial migration, not all birds make the trip. Meanwhile the ‘local’ silvereyes also move around, making the identification of subspecies quite a challenge.

Visit the Australian Bird Study Association website and type ‘silvereye’ into the search box, to learn more about this intriguing species.

Jacky Winter in Grey Box, Mia Mia Road, 29th May 2023

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Silvereye, Fence Track, Muckleford State Forest

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Weebill

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