Olive Whistler.
Photo: Purnell Collection © Australian Museum
Olive Whistler at nest.
Photo: Purnell Collection © Australian Museum
Distribution map of Pachycephala olivacea
Map © Birds Australia Birdata
Olive Whistler
Scientific name: Pachycephala olivacea
Family: Pachycephalidae
Order: Passeriformes
- Featured Bird Groups
- Small insect-eating birds
What does it look like?
Description
The Olive Whistler is a medium-sized stocky bird. The males have grey heads, with a whitish throat. The upperparts are reddish-brown to grey and the underparts are a lighter reddish-brown. Females are similar, but generally less colourful. Immature birds have more rufous wings and blotches of paler feathers on the head.
Similar species
Olive Whistlers may resemble females of the related Golden Whistler, P. pectoralis, but these are grey to white underneath, with yellow near the vent.Where does it live?
Distribution
The Olive Whistler is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It occurs from the coast to the Great Dividing Range, ranging from Tasmania and south-east South Australia, through New South Wales to the McPherson Range in south-east Queensland. Olive Whistlers are usually uncommon throughout their range.
Habitat
The northern population of Olive Whistlers is found in mountain rainforests above 500 m to 1500 m, especially Antarctic Beech forests. In the south, Olive Whistlers occur in dense vegetation of eucalypt forests, rainforests, paperbarks, alpine forests and coastal scrubs and heathlands.Seasonal movements
The Olive Whistler is said to be sedentary or can show some local altitudinal movements, moving to lower areas in winter.
What does it do?
Feeding
The Olive Whistler mainly feeds on invertebrates, some seed and leaves. It forages from the trees down to the ground, usually in dense vegetation.Breeding
The Olive Whistler builds a cup-shaped nest of twigs, leaves and bark placed 1-3m off the ground in shrubs, trees or dense grass. The eggs are incubated by both parents.Living with us
Living with humans
The logging of mountain forests may adversely affect the Olive Whistler. It is listed as vulnerable in New South Wales.
References
Pizzey, G. and Knight, F. 1997. Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Angus and Robertson, Sydney.
Higgins, P.J. and J.M. Peter (eds) 2002. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 6: Pardalotes to Shrike-thrushes. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.