Australian Golden Whistler

Pachycephala pectoralis(Latham, 1801)

Least ConcernEndemic

Order: PASSERIFORMES
Family: Pachycephalidae
Genus: Pachycephala

Conservation: Least Concern
Commonness: Endemic
Best seen: Year-round

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

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.

Field specs

Length: 16–19 cm
Weight: 19–58 g
Wingspan: 25 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

behaviour

When singing, males often prominently flare their white throat feathers; birds typically maintain an upright posture while hopping methodically along branches.

plumage

Adult males feature a striking white throat completely encircled by a bold black breast-band and collar, contrasting with a vivid yellow belly and nape.
Both sexes possess a distinct reddish-brown iris; females are primarily plain grey-brown but often show a subtle yellowish wash on the undertail coverts.

size_and_shape

Look for the classic 'thickhead' silhouette: a large, rounded head, a short stout neck, and a strong black bill that create a distinctively front-heavy profile.

voice

Listen for a sequence of powerful, ringing musical whistles that typically end with a sharp, explosive, whip-like terminal note.

02 · Where

Where to find it

Breeding range: East Australia, Tasmania, and Lord Howe and Norfolk is. (east of Australia)
Non-breeding range: Partial migrant to northern Australia; altitudinal migrant in the southeast

03 · When