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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Pachycephalidae
  4. ›
  5. Pachycephala
  6. ›
  7. Olive Whistler
Olive Whistler
Photo · Vigors & Horsfield, 1827

BirdUp · Species

Olive Whistler

Pachycephala olivaceaVigors & Horsfield, 1827

Updated 11 June 2026

Origin: Endemic
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Pachycephalidae
Genus
Pachycephala

At a glance

The Olive Whistler is a small bird, about 18–21 cm long, endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
18–21 cm
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Endemic
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Voice
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does an Olive Whistler look like?

The Olive Whistler is a small bird, about 18–21 cm long and weighing 31–50 g.

The olive whistler or olivaceous whistler, is a species of bird in the family Pachycephalidae, the whistlers, that is native to southeastern Australia.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
18–21 cm
Weight
31–49.5 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see an Olive Whistler?

The Olive Whistler is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

04 · Voice

What it sounds like

Call

Peter Crowcroft · Lorne VIC 3232, Australia

Call

jimchurches · Harolds Cross NSW 2622, Australia

Call

jimchurches · Harolds Cross NSW 2622, Australia

Call

jimchurches · Cotter River ACT 2611, Australia

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does an Olive Whistler eat?

The Olive Whistler feeds on seeds and terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

6 photos

The BirdUp app

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Olive Whistler live in Australia?

The Olive Whistler is endemic to Australia, recorded across 28 of Australia’s bioregions, with a core range spanning south-east Australia and Tasmania.

BreedingSouth-east Australia and Tasmania

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Vagrant

7 regions recorded