Grey Whistler
Pachycephala simplex
Grey Whistler (Pachycephala simplex) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Australia & Oceania.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Grey Whistler (Pachycephala simplex) is a member of the Pachycephalidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 17.4 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 simplex
Where it lives
Southern Moluccas, New Guinea and satellites, and northern Australia
Quick facts
- Weight
- 17.4 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Pachycephalidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Grey Whistler is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Grey Whistler is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Grey Whistler (Pachycephala simplex) is a member of the Pachycephalidae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU s Moluccas, New Guinea and satellites, and n Australia.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 17.4 g, with a wing length of about 7.6 cm and a tail of around 5.8 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 93,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Grey Whistler?
The Grey Whistler is a small bird that weighs around 17.4 g.
Where does the Grey Whistler live?
The Grey Whistler is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU s Moluccas, New Guinea and satellites, and n Australia, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Grey Whistler belong to?
The Grey Whistler (Pachycephala simplex) belongs to the Pachycephalidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Grey Whistler eat?
The Grey Whistler is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Grey Whistler migrate?
The Grey Whistler is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Grey 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.
What sound does the Grey Whistler make?
1 real field recording of the Grey Whistler — 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 Grey Whistler's range?
The Grey Whistler has a mapped global range of about 93,000 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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