Olive whistler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Olive whistler |
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| in South West Tasmania | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pachycephala
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| Species: |
olivacea
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| Subspecies | |
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See text |
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The olive whistler (Pachycephala olivacea) is a special kind of bird found in southeastern Australia. It's part of a bird family called Pachycephalidae, which includes other birds known as whistlers. This bird is also sometimes called the olivaceous whistler.
Contents
About the Olive Whistler Family
Different Types of Olive Whistlers
Just like there are different breeds of dogs, there are also different types of olive whistlers. These are called subspecies. Scientists have found five main subspecies of the olive whistler:
- P. o. macphersoniana: This type lives in eastern Australia.
- P. o. olivacea: You can find this one in southeastern Australia.
- P. o. bathychroa: This subspecies also lives in southeastern Australia.
- P. o. apatetes: This type is found in Tasmania and islands near the Bass Strait in Australia.
- P. o. hesperus: This subspecies makes its home in southern Australia.
What Does the Olive Whistler Look Like?
Adult olive whistlers are about 18 to 20 centimeters (7 to 8 inches) long. Their feathers are mostly olive-brown, and they have a white throat with streaks. It can be tricky to tell them apart from female golden whistlers if you're not used to seeing them.
Male vs. Female Birds
Male olive whistlers have a dark grey head and a light grey chest. Their belly and rump (the back part of their body) have a reddish-orange tint. Female olive whistlers look a bit different. They don't have the reddish tint and their underparts are brown. Both male and female birds have brown-black legs, beaks, and eyes.
Their Special Song
The olive whistler is known for its beautiful, musical call. People have described its song as sounding like "I'll wet you" or "you're cranky." Many think it has one of the prettiest songs among all the whistler birds!
Where Do Olive Whistlers Live?
You can find the olive whistler in many parts of southeastern Australia. They live from the McPherson Range in far southeast Queensland, all the way south through New South Wales and into Victoria. They are also found in southeastern South Australia, on Flinders and King Islands, and in Tasmania.
These birds mostly live in wet forests. In northern New South Wales, they especially like forests with Antarctic beech trees.
Olive Whistler Habits
Reproduction and Nests
Olive whistlers build their nests and raise their young between September and December. They usually have one group of babies during this time. Their nest is like a delicate bowl made from twigs, grasses, and pieces of bark. They line it with soft plant material and use spiderwebs to hold it all together.
They usually build their nests in the fork of a tree, about 2 meters (6.5 feet) above the ground. A female olive whistler will lay two or three oval-shaped eggs. These eggs are about 20 by 28 millimeters (0.8 by 1.1 inches) and are shiny cream-colored. They have brown, black, and lavender spots and blotches, especially on the larger end.
What Do They Eat?
Olive whistlers mainly eat insects. They are insectivores, which means insects are their primary food source.
Olive Whistler Status
The olive whistler is not a very common bird. Globally, it is considered a species of "least concern" by the IUCN Red List. This means that worldwide, there are enough of them, and they are not currently at high risk of disappearing.
However, in New South Wales, the olive whistler is considered "vulnerable." This is because their homes are being broken up into smaller pieces. They also face threats from animals like feral cats and foxes.
