Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Northern Variable Pitohui
Pitohui kirhocephalus
Northern Variable Pitohui (Pitohui kirhocephalus) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Australia & Oceania.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Northern Variable Pitohui (Pitohui kirhocephalus) is a member of the Oriolidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 72 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 Oriolidae Figbirds, Old World Orioles, Piopios
- Genus Pitohui
- Species kirhocephalus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 72 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Oriolidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Northern Variable Pitohui is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Northern Variable Pitohui is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Northern Variable Pitohui (Pitohui kirhocephalus) is a species of bird in the Oriolidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU n New Guinea.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 72 g, with a wing length of about 11.4 cm and a tail of around 10 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 244,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Northern Variable Pitohui?
The Northern Variable Pitohui is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 72 g.
Where does the Northern Variable Pitohui live?
The Northern Variable Pitohui is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU n New Guinea, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Northern Variable Pitohui belong to?
The Northern Variable Pitohui (Pitohui kirhocephalus) belongs to the Oriolidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Northern Variable Pitohui eat?
The Northern Variable Pitohui is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Northern Variable Pitohui migrate?
The Northern Variable Pitohui is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Northern Variable 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 Northern Variable Pitohui make?
1 real field recording of the Northern Variable Pitohui — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Northern Variable Pitohui's range?
The Northern Variable Pitohui has a mapped global range of about 244,000 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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Guides for this bird
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