Photo: Schlegel, 1871 / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Black Pitohui
Melanorectes nigrescens
Black Pitohui (Melanorectes nigrescens) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Australia & Oceania.
Found on 1 guide in our atlas — open it for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Black Pitohui (Melanorectes nigrescens) is a member of the Pachycephalidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 76.9 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 Melanorectes
- Species nigrescens
Quick facts
- Weight
- 76.9 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Pachycephalidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Black Pitohui is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Black Pitohui is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Black Pitohui (Melanorectes nigrescens) belongs to the Pachycephalidae family of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU montane New Guinea.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 76.9 g, with a wing length of about 12.2 cm and a tail of around 10.4 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 132,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Black Pitohui?
The Black Pitohui is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 76.9 g.
Where does the Black Pitohui live?
The Black Pitohui is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU montane New Guinea, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Black Pitohui belong to?
The Black Pitohui (Melanorectes nigrescens) belongs to the Pachycephalidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Black Pitohui eat?
The Black Pitohui is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Black Pitohui migrate?
The Black Pitohui is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Black Pitohui endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Black Pitohui make?
1 real field recording of the Black Pitohui — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Black Pitohui's range?
The Black Pitohui has a mapped global range of about 132,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Pachycephalidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Songbirds
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Extinct
Least Concern
Guides for this bird
Best Bird Feeders for Garden Songbirds
How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.