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20

Grey Whistler

(Pachycephala simplex)
Alternate name(s): "Grey-headed Whistler", "Brown Whistler"
Size: 14-15 cm
Weight: 15-20 g

Similar
species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description

Click here for a physical description

Taxonomy, classification

See Grey Whistler at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species

Click here for information on habitat and range

Sightings

Click here for sighting information

Photos

Race "simplex"

This race is also called the "Brown Whistler". Note how, possibly depending on light conditions, birds of this race can look entirely grey, rather than brownish.

ADULT

Sex unknown

Frontal view of a Grey Whistler (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[East Point, Darwin, NT, August 2020]

Frontal/ventral view of a Grey Whistler (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Lee Point, Darwin, NT, September 2018]

Near-frontal view of a Grey Whistler with some fluid stuck to its bill (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Coconut Grove, Darwin, NT, January 2020]

Near-frontal view of a Grey Whistler (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[East Point, Darwin, NT, August 2020]

Near-frontal/ventral view of a Grey Whistler (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Fogg Dam CR, NT, May 2018]

Near-lateral view of a ringed and banded Grey Whistler (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[East Point, Darwin, NT, August 2020]

Lateral view of a ringed and banded Grey Whistler (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[East Point, Darwin, NT, August 2020]

Lateral view of a Grey Whistler; this is one of the birds whose calls were recorded on 27 March 2020
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, NT, March 2020]

Lateral view of a Grey Whistler (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, NT, March 2013]

Lateral view of a Grey Whistler (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Buffalo Creek, Darwin, NT, July 2020]

Lateral view of a Grey Whistler (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Lee Point, Darwin, NT, September 2018]

Lateral view of a Grey Whistler (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Buffalo Creek Point, Darwin, NT, February 2018]

Lateral view of a Grey Whistler (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Buffalo Creek Point, Darwin, NT, February 2018]

In this view of a Grey Whistler one can see that they have all-round vision (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Buffalo Creek Point, Darwin, NT, February 2018]

Lateral/ventral view of a Grey Whistler (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Lee Point, Darwin, NT, October 2019]

Lateral/ventral view of a Grey Whistler (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Lee Point, Darwin, NT, September 2018]

Near-dorsal view of a Grey Whistler; this is the bird whose calls were recorded on 7 February 2020
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Buffalo Creek, Darwin, NT, January 2020]

Near-dorsal/ventral view of a Grey Whistler (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Fogg Dam CR, NT, May 2018]

Dorsal view of a Grey Whistler (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Buffalo Creek Point, Darwin, NT, February 2018]

Dorsal view of a Grey Whistler (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Fogg Dam CR, NT, May 2018]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Frontal view of a juvenile Grey Whistler; note the rufous feathers on the neck (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, NT, November 2018]

Near-lateral view of a juvenile Grey Whistler with a droplet of liquid stuck to its bill; now the rufous on neck and wings is prominently visible (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, NT, November 2018]

Lateral view of a juvenile Grey Whistler (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, NT, August 2018]

Lateral view of a juvenile Grey Whistler; note the rufous wing feathers and the brownish bill (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, NT, July 2014]

Lateral view of a juvenile Grey Whistler (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Buffalo Creek, Darwin, NT, August 2020]

Race "peninsulae"

This race is called the "Grey Whistler".

ADULT

Sex unknown

Frontal view of a Grey Whistler (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Iron Range NP, QLD, December 2018]

Near-frontal view of a Grey Whistler (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Julatten, QLD, July 2013]

Lateral view of a Grey Whistler (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Iron Range NP, QLD, December 2018]

Near-dorsal view of a Grey Whistler (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Iron Range NP, QLD, December 2018]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Lateral view of a juvenile Grey Whistler (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Rocky Creek, Cairns, QLD, July 2013]

Behaviour

Lateral view of a Grey Whistler harvesting a spider's web (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[East Point, Darwin, NT, July 2020]

Like its cousin, the White-breasted Whistler, the Grey Whistler is also often seen in mangroves, in this case having a bath (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, NT, March 2013]

Food, Diet

Lateral view of a Grey Whistler with its prey (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Darwin, NT, July 2013]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

greywhs_pb_20200327.m4a simplex
(Darwin, NT)
Territorial calls (male) © PB
greywhs_pb_20180914_1.m4a simplex
(Darwin, NT)
Territorial call (male) © PB
greywhs_pb_20180914_4.m4a simplex
(Darwin, NT)
Territorial call (male) © PB
greywhs_20140817.m4a simplex
(Top End, NT)
Territorial call (male) © MD
greywhs_pb_20190209.m4a simplex
(Darwin, NT)
Territorial calls © PB
greywhs_pb_20200222.m4a simplex
(Darwin, NT)
Territorial calls © PB
greywhs_pb_20200614_2.m4a simplex
(Darwin, NT)
Territorial calls (Q&A) © PB
greywhs_pb_20200614_3.m4a simplex
(Darwin, NT)
Territorial calls (Q&A) © PB
greywhs_pb_20180914_5.m4a simplex
(Darwin, NT)
Territorial calls (Q&A) © PB
greywhs_pb_20180126.m4a simplex
(Darwin, NT)
Territorial calls (Q&A) © PB
greywhs_pb_20200207.m4a simplex
(Darwin, NT)
Various © PB
greywhs_pb_20191023.m4a simplex
(Darwin, NT)
? © PB

More Grey Whistler sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

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If interested, please CLICK HERE. Credits to contributors are given HERE.