Last updated on 1-Nov 2017
The Rufous Whistler is one of Australia’s finest songsters, and its far-carrying, rich, musical song can be heard throughout most of Australia. This song is sometimes triggered by a loud noise, such as a clap of thunder, gunshot or passing train or car, though the response is reduced if the sound is repeated. This has led to the species sometimes being referred to as the ‘thunderbird’. The song is characterised by repeated whip-cracks interspersed with a variety of whistles and trills given at various volumes, rhythms and tempos.
The Rufous Whistler is a stocky bird with a large head, short stubby bill and a narrow, relatively long tail with a square or slightly forked tip. The sexes differ, with the male dark grey above with a white throat, black breast and a reddish underbody. Many males also have a black face mask (except in northern subspecies). Females are dull grey to brown, with streaked underparts. Young birds are much redder than adults and have heavily streaked underparts.
A long loud series of ringing notes. Bird call recorded by:
Found throughout mainland Australia, the Rufous Whistler is also found in New Caledonia.
Habitat: Woodland, Forest, Urban
The Rufous Whistler is found in forests, woodlands and shrublands, with a shrubby understorey. Is also found in gardens and farmland with some trees, and in remnant bushland patches.
Sedentary bird, with some seasonal migratory movements in eastern Australia; south during spring and north in autumn.
The Rufous Whistler mainly eats insects, and sometimes seeds, fruit or leaves. It usually forages at higher levels than other whistlers, and rarely is seen on the ground.
The Rufous Whistler breeds in monogamous pairs, and both sexes incubate the eggs and care for the young. The female builds a fragile, cup-shaped nest from twigs, grass, vines and other materials bound and attached to a tree fork with a spider web. Two broods may be produced in a season.
