Other Names (World)
Golden Whistler, Balim Whistler, Golden-breasted Whistler, Robust Whistler, White-throated Whistler, Yellow-breasted Whistler, Golden-breasted Thickhead, Robust Thickhead, White-throated Thickhead, Yellow-breasted Thickhead, Golden Thickhead, Western Thickhead, Black-breasted Flycatcher, Common Golden Whistler, Coachwhip-bird, Thunderbird, Cut-throat, Ring-coachman, Ring-coachie, Whipbird, Lord Howe Island Whistler, Lord Howe Island Robin, Lord Howe Island Yellow Robin, Norfolk Whistler, Norfolk Island Whistler, Norfolk Island Thickhead, Tamey, Banda Sea Whistler, Bismarck Whistler, Black-chinned Whistler, Fiji Whistler, Fulvous-tinted Whistler, Yellow-throated Whistler, Oriole Whistler, Australian Golden Whistler
Habits
Usually alone, but during breeding season in twos.
Food
Mainly insects, occasionally fruit but rarely seeds.
Voice
Persistent, loud, ringing, whistled call. A loud, rapid sequence rising in volume, 'whit-whit-whit-whiet-whiet-wheet-quwhite'. Also a repetitive shorter version, 'whit-whit-whew-whit' or 'chwit-chwit-chew-wit'. A single, rising, 'tseeip' uttered in contact.
Australian Golden Whistler (Pachycephala pectoralis) [XC270026]
by Frank Lambert from Crater Lakes National Park (Lake Barrine), Queensland, Australia (song)
Australian Golden Whistler (Pachycephala pectoralis) [XC529221]
by Ramit Singal from Ravenshoe District, Queensland, Australia (song)
Nest
A shallow cup composed of rootlets and plant stems, lined with finer materials, usually in the upright fork of a tree or sapling up to about 4 meters above the ground.
Eggs (Guide)
2; pale salmon or stone, with dark red-brown and grey spots; oval; about 23 x 17 mm. Incubation: 14 - 17 days; by both sexes.
Young
Altricial, nidicolous. Fledge in 10 - 13 days. Fed by both parents.
In addition, other named subspecies include: in Lesser Sundas jubilarii (Lomblen east to Alor), merged with fulvotincta, and arthuri (Wetar), merged with calliope; in southern Moluccas alfurorum (Seram), synonymized with macrorhyncha; and in Australia occidentalis (south-western Western Australia), merged with fuliginosa, and queenslandica (region of Big Tableland, in north-eastern Queensland) and ashbyi (southern Queensland, extreme northern New South Wales), both synonymized with nominate.
The following 59 subspecies are recognised:
pectoralis (Latham, 1801) - Eastern Australia (eastern Queensland, north-eastern New South Wales).
javana E. J. O. Hartert, 1928 - Eastern Java and Bali. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Rusty-breasted Whistler (Pachycephala fulvotincta).
fulvotincta Wallace, 1864 - Lesser Sunda Is (Sumbawa east to Alor). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Rusty-breasted Whistler (Pachycephala fulvotincta).
fulviventris E. J. O. Hartert, 1896 - Sumba. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Rusty-breasted Whistler (Pachycephala fulvotincta).
teysmanni Büttikofer, 1893 - Salayer I (off south-western Sulawesi). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Selayar Whistler (Pachycephala teysmanni).
everetti E. J. O. Hartert, 1896 - Islands of Tanahjampea, Kalaotoa and Madu (south of Sulawesi). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Rusty-breasted Whistler (Pachycephala fulvotincta).
pelengensis Neumann, 1941 - Banggai Is (east of Sulawesi). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Yellow-throated Whistler (Pachycephala macrorhyncha).
clio Wallace, 1863 - Sula Is (east of Sulawesi). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Yellow-throated Whistler (Pachycephala macrorhyncha).
mentalis Wallace, 1863 - Morotai, Halmahera, Bacan. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Black-chinned Whistler (Pachycephala mentalis).
tidorensis van Bemmel, 1939 - Ternate and Tidore (off western Halmahera). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Black-chinned Whistler (Pachycephala mentalis).
obiensis Salvadori, 1878 - Obi. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Black-chinned Whistler (Pachycephala mentalis).
buruensis E. J. O. Hartert, 1899 - Buru. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Yellow-throated Whistler (Pachycephala macrorhyncha).
macrorhyncha Strickland, 1849 - Seram and Ambon. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Yellow-throated Whistler (Pachycephala macrorhyncha). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Yellow-throated Whistler (Pachycephala macrorhyncha).
calliope Bonaparte, 1850 - Wetar, Timor and Semau. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Yellow-throated Whistler (Pachycephala macrorhyncha).
par E. J. O. Hartert, 1904 - Roma I (eastern Lesser Sundas). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Banda Sea Whistler (Pachycephala par).
dammeriana E. J. O. Hartert, 1900 - Damar I. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Yellow-throated Whistler (Pachycephala macrorhyncha).
compar E. J. O. Hartert, 1904 - Leti Archipelago (Leti, Moa), in eastern Lesser Sundas. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Yellow-throated Whistler (Pachycephala macrorhyncha).
sharpei A. B. Meyer, 1884 - Babar I. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Yellow-throated Whistler (Pachycephala macrorhyncha).
fuscoflava P. L. Sclater, 1883 - Tanimbar Is (Larat, Yamdena). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Yellow-throated Whistler (Pachycephala macrorhyncha).
balim Rand, 1940 - West-central New Guinea (northern slopes of Snow Mts). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Baliem Whistler (Pachycephala balim).
goodsoni Rothschild and Hartert, 1914 - Admiralty Is. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Bismarck Whistler (Pachycephala citreogaster).
sexuvaria Rothschild and Hartert, 1924 - St Matthias Group. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Bismarck Whistler (Pachycephala citreogaster).
citreogaster E. P. Ramsay, 1876 - Bismarck Archipelago (New Hanover, Djaul, New Ireland, Feni, Umboi, New Britain, Nusa, Tolokiwa). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Bismarck Whistler (Pachycephala citreogaster). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Bismarck Whistler (Pachycephala citreogaster).
tabarensis Mayr, 1955 - Bismarck Archipelago: Tabar (off eastern New Ireland). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Bismarck Whistler (Pachycephala citreogaster).
ottomeyeri Stresemann, 1933 - Bismarck Archipelago: Lihir (off eastern New Ireland). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Bismarck Whistler (Pachycephala citreogaster).
collaris E. P. Ramsay, 1878 - Louisiade Archipelago (Egum, Bonvouloir Group, Conflict Group, Teste, Deboyne Group, Misima, Renard), off south-eastern New Guinea. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Louisiade Whistler (Pachycephala collaris). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Louisiade Whistler (Pachycephala collaris).
rosseliana E. J. O. Hartert, 1898 - Rossel I (south-eastern Louisiades). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Louisiade Whistler (Pachycephala collaris).
bougainvillei Mayr, 1932 - Buka, Bougainville I and north-western Solomon Is (Shortland Is). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Oriole Whistler (Pachycephala orioloides).
orioloides Pucheran, 1853 - Western and central Solomons (Choiseul, Malakobi, Santa Isabel, Florida Is). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Oriole Whistler (Pachycephala orioloides).
pavuvu Mayr, 1932 - Russell Is (Banika, Pavuvu, Moie), in south-central Solomons. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Oriole Whistler (Pachycephala orioloides).
melanonota E. J. O. Hartert, 1908 - Western Solomons (Vella Lavella, Ranongga). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Oriole Whistler (Pachycephala orioloides).
centralis Mayr, 1932 - Western Solomons (Kolombangara, New Georgia, Vangunu, Nggatokae). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Oriole Whistler (Pachycephala orioloides).
melanoptera Mayr, 1932 - Western Solomons (Rendova, Tetepare). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Oriole Whistler (Pachycephala orioloides).
sanfordi Mayr, 1931 - Malaita (south-eastern Solomons). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Oriole Whistler (Pachycephala orioloides).
cinnamomea (E. P. Ramsay, 1879) - Guadalcanal and Beagle I. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Oriole Whistler (Pachycephala orioloides).
christophori Tristram, 1879 - Solomon Is: San Cristobal and Santa Ana. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Oriole Whistler (Pachycephala orioloides).
feminina Mayr, 1931 - Rennell, in southern Solomons. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Rennell Whistler (Pachycephala feminina).
ornata Mayr, 1932 - Northern Santa Cruz Is (Swallow Is, Reef Is, Duff Is). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Temotu Whistler (Pachycephala vanikorensis).
utupuae Mayr, 1932 - Central Santa Cruz Is (Utupua). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Temotu Whistler (Pachycephala vanikorensis).
vanikorensis Oustalet, 1877 - Southern Santa Cruz Is (Vanikoro). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Temotu Whistler (Pachycephala vanikorensis). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Temotu Whistler (Pachycephala vanikorensis).
intacta Sharpe, 1900 - Banks Is, and northern and central Vanuatu (south to Efate). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Melanesian Whistler (Pachycephala chlorura).
chlorura G. R. Gray, 1860 - Erromango (south-central Vanuatu). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Melanesian Whistler (Pachycephala chlorura). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Melanesian Whistler (Pachycephala chlorura).
cucullata ( G. R. Gray, 1860) - Anatom (southern Vanuatu). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Melanesian Whistler (Pachycephala chlorura).
littayei E. L. Layard, 1878 - Loyalty Is (Lifu, Uvea). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Melanesian Whistler (Pachycephala chlorura).
aurantiiventris Seebohm, 1891 - Yanganga and Vanua Levu (except south-eastern coast), in northern Fiji. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Fiji Whistler (Pachycephala vitiensis).
ambigua Mayr, 1932 - Vanua Levu (Cankaundrove Peninsula), Rabi and Kioa. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Fiji Whistler (Pachycephala vitiensis).
torquata E. L. Layard, 1875 - Taveuni. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Fiji Whistler (Pachycephala vitiensis).
graeffii Hartlaub, 1866 - Waya and Viti Levu, in western Fiji. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Fiji Whistler (Pachycephala vitiensis).
optata Hartlaub, 1866 - Viti Levu (south-eastern coast) and Ovalau. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Fiji Whistler (Pachycephala vitiensis).
koroana Mayr, 1932 - Koro (central Fiji). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Fiji Whistler (Pachycephala vitiensis).
vitiensis G. R. Gray, 1860 - Ngau (central Fiji). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Fiji Whistler (Pachycephala vitiensis).
kandavensis E. P. Ramsay, 1876 - South-western Fiji (Vanua Kula, Bega, Ono, Kadavu). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Fiji Whistler (Pachycephala vitiensis).
bella Mayr, 1932 - Vatu Vara, in east-central Fiji. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Fiji Whistler (Pachycephala vitiensis).
lauana Mayr, 1932 - Southern Lau Archipelago (Ogea Levu, Fulanga, Wangava), in south-eastern Fiji. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Fiji Whistler (Pachycephala vitiensis).
fuliginosa Vigors & Horsfield, 1827 - South-western and southern Australia.
youngi Mathews, 1912 - South-eastern Australia.
glaucura Gould, 1845 - Bass Strait islands (King I, Flinders I) and Tasmania.
contempta Hartert, 1898 - Lord Howe I.
xanthoprocta Gould, 1838 - Norfolk I.
Similar Species
Male Mangrove Golden Whistler (Pachycephala melanura) which has a longer bill, edges of remiges are grey, black hood has a glossy sheen, hindneck collar is broader and slightly brighter yellow, has brighter yellow underparts and rump, tail wholly black except for a narrow grey-olive tip, and female with with female, immature and juvenile Grey Whistler (Pachycephala simplex).
Compare Images
The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Pizzey, G., and Knight, E., 1997, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 19691 5
Field Guide to Australian Birds Morecombe, M., 2000, Steve Parish Publishing Pty Ltd. ISBN 1 876282 10 X
Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Simpson, K., and Day, N., 1999, 6th Edition, Viking ISBN 0 670 87918 5
Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds 1988, 2nd Edition, Reader's Digest ISBN 0 949819 99 9
What Bird is That? 1984, Revised Edition, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 14846 5
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds 1990 - , Oxford University Press, Melbourne ISBN 0 19 553244 9
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