Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Rufous Whistler (Pachycephala rufiventris), male
Rufous Whistler, Male

Rufous Whistler

Pachycephala rufiventris

The Rufous Whistler, Pachycephala rufiventris, presents a rather understated elegance with its reddish-brown and grey plumage. Yet, it is the bird's vocal prowess that truly captivates, as it is known for its extensive repertoire of melodious calls. This species exhibits sexual dimorphism; males are adorned with rufous underparts and a dark-grey back, while females are more subdued in coloration, with streaked underbodies.

Identification Tips

To identify the Rufous Whistler, look for a large-headed and stocky bird with a short beak and a long, narrow tail that ends in a sharp, forked tip. Males typically have a white throat and often a black mask that extends over the head and part of the neck. These birds measure between 16 and 18 centimeters in length and weigh around 25 grams.

Habitat

The Rufous Whistler can be found in a variety of environments, from forested areas and woodlands to shrublands. It is also known to frequent gardens and farmlands, adapting well to human-altered landscapes.

Distribution

This species is widespread across Australia and also inhabits New Caledonia. It exhibits seasonal migration patterns within Australia, moving southward in the spring and returning north in the autumn. In New Caledonia, the Rufous Whistler is a resident bird, not partaking in such migrations.

Behaviour

The Rufous Whistler is a monogamous bird, with both males and females sharing the responsibilities of incubating eggs and caring for their offspring. They never forage on the ground, which is somewhat unusual for members of the whistler family.

Song & Calls

The Rufous Whistler is celebrated for its musical calls, which consist of a series of lengthy, ringing notes that add a symphony to the landscapes they inhabit.

Breeding

During the breeding season, which spans from July to February, the female Rufous Whistler single-handedly constructs the nest. This structure is a cup-like assembly of twigs, vines, grass, and other materials, secured to a tree branch with spider web strands. The average incubation period is about 13 days.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Rufous Whistler primarily consists of insects, supplemented by seeds, fruits, and occasionally leaves and grasses. Their foraging habits are unique among whistlers, as they exclusively seek food above ground level.

Conservation status

The Rufous Whistler is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline or habitat loss at a global scale.

Rufous Whistler Sounds



Recorded by: © 
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Rufous Whistlers on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Whistlers & Allies

Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
David C
Very knowledgeable group
Nice friendly birding community. Very knowledgeable group with a willingness to help.
Unbridled Discoveries
Great app for bird lovers
I love this app! It’s a wonderful way to track birding sessions, and also connect you with fellow birders. I also really like the unidentified bird section, it’s a great community tool to help figure out what a never-before-seen bird is!
Foxgirl100
Great app for beginner twitchers
I’ve had a passion of photographing birds for a long time now but have only just gotten into proper birdwatching, and this app is brilliant for those just getting started. There is a great sense of community among users and the app is very easy to use and professional. Awesome app altogether
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
Hip An
Fantastic
Really enjoying Birda where I live i have a lot of Red kites really hard to photograph but I can video are you planning some place on the app where us Birda can post vids🦉🦅
778
Great bird recording
For a while I’ve been trying to find an app to easily record bird lists and day out and struggled to find one that I like. Birda is great for this, straightforward and a great community!
Abi.M
Awesome App
I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
SW H
Wonderful App
Birda is my go to app for keeping records of my bird sightings and sessions. It has fantastic information which is great at aiding identification. With all the updates that are coming in the new year, this app is something special.
Talli A
My favourite app
As a young birdwatcher who was always keen to be apart of a community but never seemed to find one, my problem was solved downloading this!!! Everyone is so friendly and just as excited to see birds as me 😁
Nedz53
Really useful
Downloaded to give it a try, everything worked perfectly, recorded my first bird watching walk. Very impressed. Have already recommended to friends!
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.