Silveryeyes are small songbirds easily recognised by their conspicuous white eye-ring and olive green and grey plumage. They colonised New Zealand from Australia in the 1850s, their Māori name, Tauhou, means new arrival. Today they are one of our most adaptable and widespread bird species. These gregarious little birds are well known for flocking especially in winter. They form monogamous pairs with the female laying a clutch of 2-4 eggs. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs. After hatching the parents share the responsibility of feeding and caring for the chicks. These delightful backyard buddies feed on the nectar of native and exotic plants and are often seen in gardens and orchards where fruit trees and grapevine provide a source of food. Their melodious, warbling song consists of a variety of notes and trills and they are welcome residents, enlivening many New Zealand homes and gardens.