Rufous Whistler
Pachycephala rufiventris
Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyPachycephalidae (Whistlers and Allies)
- GenusPachycephala (Typical Whistlers)
- SpeciesPachycephala rufiventris (Rufous Whistler)
About the Rufous Whistler
The rufous whistler (Pachycephala rufiventris) is a species of whistler found in New Caledonia and Australia. Predominantly a reddish-brown and grey bird, it makes up for its subdued plumage with its song-making ability. Like many other members of the Pachycephalidae, it has a variety of musical calls.
The rufous whistler was originally described in the genus Sylvia by the English ornithologist John Latham in 1801. It was subsequently classified within the genera Turdus, Laniarius, and Lanius before being classified in its present genus, Pachycephala. Alternate names for the rufous whistler include the rufous-bellied whistler and white-bellied whistler. The latter name should not be confused with the species of the same name, Pachycephala leucogastra. Some authorities have considered the black-headed, drab, and cinnamon-breasted whistlers to be subspecies of the rufous whistler.
Five subspecies are recognized: P. r. minor – Zietz, FR, 1914: Found on Melville and Bathurst Islands (off northern Australia) P. r. falcata – Gould, 1843: Originally described as a separate species. Found in northern Australia
P. r. pallida – Ramsay, EP, 1878... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Rufous Whistler in Kakadu National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Kakadu National Park
Grey Whistler
Pachycephala simplex
Black-tailed Whistler
Pachycephala melanura
Sandstone Shrike-Thrush
Colluricincla woodwardi
Arafura Shrikethrush
Colluricincla megarhyncha
Gray Shrikethrush
Colluricincla harmonica
Torresian Crow
Corvus orru
Willie Wagtail
Rhipidura leucophrys
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
Coracina papuensis
Green Oriole
Oriolus flavocinctus
Paperbark Flycatcher
Myiagra nana
White-gaped Honeyeater
Stomiopera unicolor
Lemon-breasted Flycatcher
Microeca flavigaster
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flinders Ranges National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 2 | Kosciuszko National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 3 | Kakadu National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 4 | Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 5 | Grampians National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 6 | Nitmiluk National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 7 | Blue Mountains National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 8 | Springbrook National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 9 | Great Otway National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 10 | Litchfield National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 11 | Booderee National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 12 | Royal National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 13 | Noosa National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 14 | Wilsons Promontory National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 15 | Lamington National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 16 | Daintree National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 17 | Cape Range | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 18 | Ningaloo Marine Park | 🇦🇺 Australia |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Rufous Whistler in Kakadu National Park?
About 30% of wildlife watchers report a Rufous Whistler sighting in Kakadu National Park, based on 556 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Rufous Whistler in Kakadu National Park?
June has the highest sighting rate for Rufous Whistler in Kakadu National Park in our monthly data.