Silver Eyes

The silver eye came to New Zealand from Australia in the 1850's. They are now one of the most abundant birds, found all over New Zealand. Also known as wax eyes they are small songbirds, easily recognised by a white ring around the eye, and it's olive green colour.

Silver eyes mainly eat insects, nectar and fruit. They love soft fruit, especially grapes, cherries, apricots and apples and berries of any kind soon disappear with silver eyes around. They also are the bird most commonly seen bird feeders, and love fat and bread. They are an active bird that are often seen in flocks, especially in winter.Seeds are often spread by silver eyes.

They do not like open grassland, as they can easily become prey to predators.

Silver eyes are a major viticultural, horticultural and agricultural pest as they extensively damage ripening fruit. As they feed in flocks, crops can very quickly be ruined.