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Story: Small forest birds

Silvereye

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Silvereye

The tiny silvereye (tauhou) weighs just 13 grams, yet a number of these birds flew 2,000 kilometres from Australia to New Zealand – no doubt assisted (or blown off course) by strong westerly winds. Since they arrived in the 1830s, silvereyes have become one of the most common native species. Juveniles lack the white eye-ring.

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Department of Conservation

Reference: 10042159

by J. L. Kendrick

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How to cite this page

Christina Troup, Small forest birds – Fantails and silvereyes, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/12493/silvereye (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Christina Troup, published 1 March 2009, updated 1 August 2023.