BirdUp · Species
Australian Golden Whistler
Pachycephala pectoralis(Latham, 1801)
Updated
- Order
- PASSERIFORMES
- Family
- Pachycephalidae
- Genus
- Pachycephala
At a glance
The Australian Golden Whistler is a small bird, about 16–19 cm long, listed as Least Concern and endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.
- Size
- 16–19 cm
- Conservation status
- Least Concern
- Origin
- Endemic
- Best seen
- Year-round
- Commonness
- Endemic
01 · Identification
How to tell it apart
What does an Australian Golden Whistler look like?
The Australian Golden Whistler is a small bird, about 16–19 cm long and weighing 19–58 g, identified by its male's solid black head, male's crisp white throat, male's broad black chest-band and male's brilliant yellow underparts and nape.
The Australian golden whistler or golden whistler, is a species of passerine bird in the family Pachycephalidae. It is found in forest, woodland, mallee, mangrove and scrub in Australia. Most populations are resident, but some in south-eastern Australia migrate north during the winter. Its taxonomy is highly complex and remains a matter of dispute, with some authorities including as many as 59 subspecies of the golden whistler, while others treat several of these as separate species.
Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 01
Male's solid black head
Entire head is jet black, creating a strong contrast with the white throat and yellow nape. Highly diagnostic for males.
- 02
Male's crisp white throat
A distinct, clean white patch covers the chin and throat, completely enclosed by the black head above and a black chest-band below.
- 03
Male's broad black chest-band
A prominent wide black band stretches across the upper breast, separating the white throat from the yellow belly.
- 04
Male's brilliant yellow underparts and nape
Vibrant golden-yellow from the lower breast to the undertail coverts, extending up to form a collar on the hindneck.
03 · When
When to look
When can you see an Australian Golden Whistler?
The Australian Golden Whistler is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
04 · Voice
What it sounds like
Call
Maria Duynisveld · Mount Nelson TAS 7007, Australia
Call
ianrainbow · Upwey VIC 3158, Australia
Call
ianrainbow · Upwey VIC 3158, Australia
Call
John Cull · The Basin VIC 3154, Australia
05 · Behaviour
Habits and haunts
What does an Australian Golden Whistler eat?
The Australian Golden Whistler feeds on fruit and terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or alone.
06 · Gallery
Plumage up close
5 photos
The BirdUp app
Log your next Australian Golden Whistler in the field
A pocket field journal for 850+ Australian birds. Offline-first, smart ID, and a lifelist that travels with you.