Western whistler

Last updated

Western whistler
Pachycephala occidentalis.jpg
Male
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Pachycephalidae
Genus: Pachycephala
Species:
P. fuliginosa
Binomial name
Pachycephala fuliginosa
Vigors & Horsfield, 1827

The western whistler (Pachycephala fuliginosa) is a species of bird in the family Pachycephalidae found in southwest Australia. Prior to 2015, the western whistler was considered as a subspecies of the Australian golden whistler until recognized as a separate species following molecular studies that suggested a closer relationship to the mangrove golden whistler species complex. [1]

Contents

Taxonomy

The history of this taxon is complex. [2] Western whistler (Pachycephala fuliginosa) is currently considered to occur both in southwestern and south-central Australia. [3] Both these populations were originally considered to belong to the golden whistler (P. pectoralis). However, the southwestern population was shown to be more closely related to Mangrove golden whistler (P. melanura) and was consequently recognised as a separate species (P. occidentalis). [4] The south-central Australian population was subsequently shown to be closer to the southwestern population. These two populations were consequently united in one taxon, with the common name 'Western whistler' and the binomial name Pachycephala fuliginosa. [3]

Identification

Male western whistlers exhibit a black head and nape, white throat, black collar, yellow underbelly extending behind its neck. The feathers of the wing are covered with alternating olive and grey linear stripes, with a thin grey tail. The female has a similar body shape with lighter features on its grey head, white underbelly, and brown and grey wing feathers, with a grey tail. There are two subspecies of the whistlers acknowledged in modern research including the: P. f. occidentalis and the P. f. fuliginosa. [2]

Location/habitat

Western whistlers span from Kalbarri south and east to drier regions of south Australia and western Victoria. They are found in drier habitats, and are adaptable to their environment. Their environments include forested shrubland with dense undergrowth, soft land scrubs, woodlands, occasional garden parks, and exotic pine plantations. They live at varying elevations, as they are found in mountainous regions. Depending on seasonal changes some populations are resident throughout the year. Others migrate altitudinally, shifting to open lower elevation areas in the non-breeding season – this movement depending on age and sex. Adult females and juveniles will move prior to males in some populations, while in others males migrate while females do not. [2]

Breeding

The season for breeding runs from August to February with September to October being the prime breeding period. During breeding they couple together; and separate for the off-season. Occasionally western whistlers will stay paired through both seasons for life. During the breeding season, they are prone to territorial behaviour, which is shown through singing, rivalry and physical dominance. In competition for female attention, male western whistlers will make shrieking sounds that differ in pace and amplification. Males face the female in a strained position with wings spread apart circling the female in courtship. Females build the nests with undergrowth, twigs, and other forms of foliage. [2]

Diet and foraging

Western whistlers are omnivores with diets containing both other creatures and plant-life. They consume mostly invertebrates like spiders and insects. They also eat fruit and very rarely eat seeds. They incapacitate their larger prey before they eat it. Most of their foraging happens in shrubs and in the crowns of trees, and they do not often hunt on the ground. It has been found that there are some differences in feeding depending on the sex of the bird in some areas. They have also been seen interacting with other species of birds when foraging for their food, in most locations. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grey fantail</span> Species of bird

The grey fantail is a small insectivorous bird. There is no sexual dimorphism. It is a common fantail found in Australia, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. The species is considered by many to be conspecific with the New Zealand fantail ; however, differences in its calls lead some authorities to treat it as a separate species. The studies of grey fantail in 1999 by Richard Schodde and Ian Mason recommended that Tasmanian grey fantail was formally classified as R. albiscapa and New Zealand fantails populations as R. fuliginosa

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black francolin</span> Species of bird

The black francolin is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes. It was formerly known as the black partridge. It is the state bird of Haryana state, India. Fried black francolin is eaten in Azerbaijani cuisine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grey-breasted prinia</span> Species of bird

The grey-breasted prinia or Franklin's prinia is a wren-warbler belonging to the family of small passerine birds found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. This prinia is a resident breeder in the Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka and southeast Asia. Like other prinias, it often holds the tail upright but it is easily told by a smoky grey band across the breast which contrasts with a white throat. The beak is all black while the legs are pink. The tail is graduated as in other prinias and the grey feathers are tipped in white. In the breeding plumage the upperparts are grey while non-breeding birds are pale above with rufous wings and a weak supercilium. It is found in scrub, forest clearings and other open but well vegetated habitats. It can be confused with the rufescent prinia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian golden whistler</span> Species of bird

The Australian golden whistler or golden whistler, is a species of bird 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stubble quail</span> Species of bird

The stubble quail is a native Australian species which is the most common quail species in Australia. The species is not under any threat of extinction. Stubble quail are widespread and found throughout all states and territories of Australia excluding Tasmania. Other common names include grey quail and pectoral quail.

<i>Pachycephala</i> Genus of birds

Pachycephala is a genus of birds native to Oceania and Southeast Asia. They are commonly known as typical whistlers. Older guidebooks may refer to them as thickheads, a literal translation of the generic name, which is derived from the Ancient Greek terms pachys "thick" + kephale "head". This lineage originated in Australo-Papua and later colonized the Indonesian and Philippine archipelagos to the west and the Pacific archipelagos to the east.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Splendid fairywren</span> Species of bird

The splendid fairywren is a passerine bird in the Australasian wren family, Maluridae. It is also known simply as the splendid wren or more colloquially in Western Australia as the blue wren. The splendid fairywren is found across much of the Australian continent from central-western New South Wales and southwestern Queensland over to coastal Western Australia. It inhabits predominantly arid and semi-arid regions. Exhibiting a high degree of sexual dimorphism, the male in breeding plumage is a small, long-tailed bird of predominantly bright blue and black colouration. Non-breeding males, females and juveniles are predominantly grey-brown in colour; this gave the early impression that males were polygamous as all dull-coloured birds were taken for females. It comprises several similar all-blue and black subspecies that were originally considered separate species.

<i>Psophodes</i> Genus of birds

Whipbirds and wedgebills are collectively recognised in the genus Psophodes. Wedgebills are divided into the chirruping wedgebill and the chiming wedgebill. Whipbirds are divided into the eastern whipbird and the western whipbird. Subspecies of the western whipbird residing in Western Australia are known to be endangered. Psophodes is a genus of five species of songbirds endemic to Australia, known as whipbirds and wedgebills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-capped robin</span> A small passerine bird native to Australia

The red-capped robin is a small passerine bird native to Australia. Found in drier regions across much of the continent, it inhabits scrub and open woodland. Like many brightly coloured robins of the family Petroicidae, it is sexually dimorphic. Measuring 10.5–12.5 cm (4.1–4.9 in) in length, the robin has a small, thin, black bill, and dark brown eyes and legs. The male has a distinctive red cap and red breast, black upperparts, and a black tail with white tips. The underparts and shoulders are white. The female is an undistinguished grey-brown. This species uses a variety of songs, and males generally sing to advertise territories and attract females. Birds are encountered in pairs or small groups, but the social behaviour has been little studied.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rufous whistler</span> Species of bird

The rufous whistler is a species of whistler found in New Caledonia and Australia. Predominantly a reddish-brown and grey bird, it makes up for its subdued plumage with its song-making ability. Like many other members of the Pachycephalidae, it has a variety of musical calls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-throated honeyeater</span> Species of bird

The yellow-throated honeyeater is a species of passerine bird in the honeyeater family Meliphagidae. It is similar in behaviour and appearance to the white-eared honeyeater and is endemic to Australia's island state of Tasmania. It was formerly considered a pest of orchards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-winged fairywren</span> Passerine bird in the Australasian wren family

The red-winged fairywren is a species of passerine bird in the Australasian wren family, Maluridae. It is non-migratory and endemic to the southwestern corner of Western Australia. Exhibiting a high degree of sexual dimorphism, the male adopts a brilliantly coloured breeding plumage, with an iridescent silvery-blue crown, ear coverts and upper back, red shoulders, contrasting with a black throat, grey-brown tail and wings and pale underparts. Non-breeding males, females and juveniles have predominantly grey-brown plumage, though males may bear isolated blue and black feathers. No separate subspecies are recognised. Similar in appearance and closely related to the variegated fairywren and the blue-breasted fairywren, it is regarded as a separate species as no intermediate forms have been recorded where their ranges overlap. Though the red-winged fairywren is locally common, there is evidence of a decline in numbers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samoan whistler</span> Species of bird

The Samoan whistler, also known as the yellow-fronted whistler, is a species of bird in the family Pachycephalidae. It is endemic to Samoa, where found in forest, plantations and gardens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gilbert's whistler</span> Species of bird

The Gilbert's whistler is a monotypic species of bird endemic to Australia, scattered in semi-arid zones of southern Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western silvereye</span> Subspecies of bird

The western silvereye is a small greenish bird in the Zosteropidae or White-eye family. It is a subspecies of the silvereye that occurs in Western Australia and South Australia. It is sometimes called the white-eye or greenie. Aboriginal names for the bird include jule-we-de-lung or julwidilang from the Perth area and poang from the Pallinup River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lord Howe golden whistler</span> Subspecies of bird

The Lord Howe golden whistler, also known as the Lord Howe whistler or Lord Howe Island golden whistler, and locally as the “robin” or “yellow robin”, is a small bird in the whistler family, Pachycephalidae. It is a subspecies of the Australian golden whistler that is endemic to Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea, part of New South Wales, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norfolk golden whistler</span> Subspecies of bird

The Norfolk golden whistler, also known as the Norfolk Island whistler or Norfolk Island thickhead, and locally as the “tamey”, is a small bird in the whistler family, Pachycephalidae. It is a subspecies of the Australian golden whistler and endemic to Norfolk Island, an Australian territory in the Tasman Sea, between Australia and New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rusty-breasted whistler</span> Species of bird

The rusty-breasted whistler, also known as the fulvous-tinted whistler, is a species of bird in the family Pachycephalidae. It is endemic to Indonesia, where it ranges from Java east to Alor and north to the Selayar Islands.

The Baliem whistler or Balim whistler is a species of bird of the whistler family Pachycephalidae that is endemic to New Guinea.

References

  1. "Species Updates « IOC World Bird List". www.worldbirdnames.org. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Boles, Walter; Christie, David; Kirwan, Guy M. (2021). "Western Whistler (Pachycephala fuliginosa), version 2.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.weswhi2.02.
  3. 1 2 Joseph, L., Campbell, C. D., Drew, A., Brady, S. S., Nyári, Á., Andersen, M. J. (2020). "How far east can a Western Whistler go? Genomic data reveal large eastward range extension, taxonomic and nomenclatural change, and reassessment of conservation needs". Emu. Taylor & Francis.
  4. Joseph, L., Nyári, Á. S., Andersen, M. J. (2014). "Taxonomic consequences of cryptic speciation in the Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis complex in mainland southern Australia". Zootaxa. Magnolia Press.