From Opus
Alternative names: Whipbird; Coachwhip Bird; Stockwhip Bird
- Psophodes olivaceus
[edit] Identification
26-30cm.
- Dark olive green upperparts
- Grey white below
- Black head and breast
- Broad white patch on side of face
- Black crest
- Cream iris
- Black bill
- Lateralis with brighter upperparts and shorter wings and tail
Sexes similar. Juveniles are duller, have a smaller crest and no white cheek patch
[edit] Distribution
Eastern Australia from northern Queensland south to Victoria.
Common in its range.
[edit] Taxonomy
There are 2 subspecies:
Proposed magnirostris usually merged with nominate.
[edit] Habitat
Dense vegetation, wet habitats, rainforest, eucalypt forest and dense scrub near watercourses. Occurs from sea-level to 1500m.
[edit] Behaviour
The diet includes insects and small invertebrates.
Shy and hard to see. Forages on the ground singly or in loose groups. Attends foraging Australian Logrunner.
The female builds a cup shaped nest from sticks and bark, lined with fine grasses. 2-3 eggs are laid and are incubated by the female for 18 days. Both parents care for the young which fledge about 12 days later. Sometimes there are two broods.
Resident species.
[edit] Vocalisation
A long whip call; male - drawn out whip crack, female follows with sharp choo choo.
[edit] References
- Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist.
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2007. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 12: Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553422
- Simpson, K and N Day. 1998. Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. London: Christopher Helm. ISBN 0-7136-4877-5
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