


Golden Whistler
Pachycephala pectoralis


Pachycephala pectoralis
The Golden Whistler (*Pachycephala pectoralis*) is one of Australia’s most widespread and adaptable songbirds, found in a remarkable range of wooded habitats from rainforests to dry mallee scrublands. Its vibrant presence and varied song are sighted across much of the continent, including Tasmania and several offshore islands`.`
1. Male: black head, white throat, and bright yellow underparts
2. Female: grey-brown above, paler below, with a black bill
3. Juveniles: resemble females but with rufous tones on wings
Golden Whistlers primarily eat insects, spiders, and small arthropods, sometimes supplementing their diet with berries. They usually forage alone, gleaning prey from leaves and bark in the lower to middle tree levels. Breeding occurs from September to January. Both parents build a shallow, cup-shaped nest from twigs, grass, and bark, bound with spider web. The female lays 2–3 eggs per clutch, and both parents share incubation (about 15 days) and care for the chicks, which fledge around 12 days after hatching. Only one brood is raised per season. While most populations are resident, some in south-eastern Australia move to lower elevations during winter.
Golden Whistlers are found from northern Queensland, along the eastern and southern coasts, through South Australia, to southwestern Western Australia, and throughout Tasmania. They also inhabit Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands. Look for them in dense understoreys of rainforests, eucalyptus forests, mallee woodlands, Melaleuca thickets, and well-vegetated parks and gardens. They are most active and vocal in the early morning, often heard before seen due to their rich, musical calls.
17 cm
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