Tauhou Pins and Buttons

Tauhou is a small bird that lives in the New Zealand forest. The European Name is Silvereye or Wax-eye. The bird in this print is drawn incorporating Maori Koru patterns. The koru (Māori for “loop”) is a spiral shape based on the shape of a new unfurling silver fern frond and symbolizing new life, growth, strength and peace. This design started life as a stencil which I made for a New Zealand birds mural. The mural is long gone but I still had the stencils. I redrew them, using vector, to create a series of bird designs. Others in this series are KIWI, TAKAHE, FANTAIL, TOMTIT and the ROCK WREN.

Tauhou is the Maori name for the Silvereye. This design features 3 Tauhou flying in formation. This Bird is designed with curving korus and curving colours which represent the true colours of the beautiful Silvereye. The silvereye, also know as Wax-eye (Zosterops lateralis) or White-eye, colonised New Zealand from Australia and is one of New Zealand’s widespread bird species. It is found throughout New Zealand. Silvereyes are small songbirds that are easily recognised by a white eye-ring; their feathers are olive-green above and cream below.

Small bird, wax-eye flying towards camera.

New Zealand is well know for it's unique birds. This one is the silver-eye, waxeye, white eye, or tauhou. It was self-introduced to NZ and is not considered a native bird. A cute small bird found throughout the country.

In the Winter the wax-eyes arrive for a feed and a bath.

waxeye - Sylvereye bird

Waxeye, White-eye or Silvereye ... a cute little garden bird. Watercolour and collage illustration

The Silvereye or Wax-eye / White-eye is a very small bird found in south-west pacific including Australia and New Zealand. This design features a stylised Silvereye, drawn in red, it has Koru designs on its body. The design in inspired by an airforce roundel.