Photo: Reichenow , 1899 / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Golden-backed Whistler
Pachycephala aurea
Golden-backed Whistler (Pachycephala aurea) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Australia & Oceania.
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The Golden-backed Whistler (Pachycephala aurea) is a member of the Pachycephalidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 23.8 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Pachycephalidae Whistlers & Allies
- Genus Pachycephala
- Species aurea
Quick facts
- Weight
- 23.8 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Pachycephalidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Golden-backed Whistler is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open scrub and shrubland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Golden-backed Whistler is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Golden-backed Whistler (Pachycephala aurea) is a member of the Pachycephalidae family, within the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU patchily from wc to se New Guinea.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 23.8 g, with a wing length of about 8.8 cm and a tail of around 6.2 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 56,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Golden-backed Whistler?
The Golden-backed Whistler is a small bird that weighs around 23.8 g.
Where does the Golden-backed Whistler live?
The Golden-backed Whistler is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU patchily from wc to se New Guinea, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Golden-backed Whistler belong to?
The Golden-backed Whistler (Pachycephala aurea) belongs to the Pachycephalidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Golden-backed Whistler eat?
The Golden-backed Whistler is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Golden-backed Whistler migrate?
The Golden-backed Whistler is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Golden-backed Whistler endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the Golden-backed Whistler's range?
The Golden-backed Whistler has a mapped global range of about 56,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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