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Rufous Whistler

(Pachycephala rufiventris)
Alternative names: "Rufous-breasted Whistler", "Rufous-breasted Thickhead", "Ring Coachman", "Thunderbird", "Echong", "Little Thrush"
Size: 16-17.5 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

There are four races of Rufous Whistlers in Australia - for details see a field guide. Altogether their range extends over almost the entire Australian continent, including some of the most arid parts, but excluding Tasmania. Rufous Whistlers are not found in the Gibson Desert, WA, and only rarely venture into the Nullarbor, the Great Victoria Desert and the Simpson Desert. They are also rarely found in a narrow coastal region from Melbourne, VIC, to the south-eastern tip of SA. Especially in the arid interior they are nomadic and partly migratory.

Rufous Whistlers are mostly found in dry, open forest, often hunting from low perches, but also in mallee and low scrubs.

Sightings

In the years 2004-2006 we have seen Rufous Whistlers occasionally in Jack's Creek State Forest, 25 km south of Narrabri, NSW.

In 2005 we had two resident Rufous Whistlers. One had declared the trees of the property where we lived its territory, the competition sat just 100 m south, on the edge of Jack's Creek State Forest. The audience was pleased with the ensuing song contest... Previously seen only in summertime, but then again in June and August of 2006. This is related to the fact that during the winter the birds are quieter.

Also sighted on a trip to the east of the Great Dividing Range, in the area from Armidale to Dorrigo, New South Wales.

Also seen and heard occasionally in the area 20-30 km east of Narrabri in 2007-2009. Found in close proximity to their cousins, the Golden Whistler.

In 2010 a pair of Rufous Whistlers called the back part of our property, with mixed vegetation, their home. Also found at a neighbour's place, where a pair decided to nest on the porch, in a little decorative tree 0.5 m from the back door (see photos near the end of the page).

Photos

Frontal view of a male Rufous Whistler

Lateral view of a male Rufous Whistler, with a clear view of its back

Here a male bird issuing its characteristic call

Near-frontal view of a female Rufous Whistler

Different perspective of the same bird as shown above

Lateral view of a female Rufous Whistler

Lateral view, different posture

View of the back of a female Rufous Whistler

Dorsal view of a female preening...

... now scratching...

... and now almost back to normal

Here a female foraging on our lawn, something we have only seen once so far

Here a heavily streaked female Rufous Whistler, possibly a young bird

Immature Rufous Whistler(?) spotted in 2006 (I)

Immature Rufous Whistler(?) spotted in 2006 (II)

Fledgling Rufous Whistler(?) spotted in 2005

Breeding information

Breeding season: Aug - Feb Eggs: 2 - 4 Incubation period: 14 - 15 days Fledging age: ca. 14 days

Given the right conditions, Rufous Whistlers can breed any time of the year.

Nest

Type: Bowl Material: Twigs with finer lining Height above ground: 1 - 8 m

Female Rufous Whistler carrying nesting material (mid-July 2011)

Female Rufous Whistler on its semi-transparent nest 50 km east of Narrabri, NSW, in December 2007

Rufous Whistlers can choose to nest very close to humans, within reaching distance.

Nest with three chicks in a tree on a neighbour's patio

Here one can see the female feeding one of the chicks

Male Rufous Whistler bringing an insect to feed to its chicks

Here a female Rufous Whistler bringing a meal for its chicks

Eggs

Size: 23 x 17 mm Colour: Stone-coloured, with brown speckles Shape: Tapered oval

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial Mobility: Nomadic/migratory Elementary unit: Pair

Male Rufous Whistlers compete against each other for territory and the favour of females by means of an elaborate display contest. They puff themselves up to impress their opponents, bob their bodies and chase each other through the bush.

Male Rufous Whistler trying to impress a competing male

Food

Like all other members of the Pachycephala family known to us, Rufous Whistlers forage through trees for insects.