From Opus

Photo by Rob Hutchinson
Kai Kechil Island, South Moluccas, Indonesia, May 2008

Alternative name: Island Robin-whistler

Pachycephala phaionota

[edit] Identification

16cm. An indistinctive whistler:

• Greyish-brown crown and side of head
• Brown ear-coverts, dark grey washed lores
• Brown upperparts
• Brown tail
• White chin and throat
• Dull white underparts with greyish-ochre wash (on breast and flanks mainly)
• Paler centre of belly and undertail-coverts
• Brown eye
• Black bill

Sexes alike. Juveniles have olive-brown upperparts

[edit] Distribution

Found on small islands from the Moluccas to west New Guinea (Indonesia).
Restricted-range species, common to uncommon in its range.

[edit] Taxonomy

Monotypic.
The proposed subspecies stresemanni is considered invalid by most authorities.
Forms a superspecies with Mangrove Whistler, White-vented Whistler and Green-backed Whistler.

[edit] Habitat

Found along the coast in beach scrub, secondary scrub and mangroves. Occasionally in plantations (cove and nutmeg).

[edit] Behaviour

Feeds on insects.
Nesting recorded in August and September. The nest is a small woven cup, placed around 2m above the ground. Lays 2 eggs.
Resident species.

[edit] References

1. 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.

• List of references

[edit] External Links