Louisiade Whistler

Pachycephala collaris

An uncommon, medium-sized bird of coastal forest in New Guinea’s southeastern islands. Typical “golden whistler”. Olive back, yellow belly and white throat. Male has yellow patch on the back of the head, black head and a black or rusty chest band. Female has a brown head. No similar species in range. Medium-pitch, thrushlike song with a few typical whistlerlike “chew!” and “whip!” notes.

Identification

The Louisiade whistler (Pachycephala collaris) is a species of bird in the family Pachycephalidae, which is endemic to the Louisiade Archipelago south-east of New Guinea. It was split from the Bismarck whistler by the IOC in 2015.

Taxonomy

It has been variably considered a subspecies of a widespread golden whistler (P. pectoralis) or treated as a separate species, but strong published evidence in favour of either treatment is limited, and further study is warranted to resolve the complex taxonomic situation.<p>Two subspecies are recognized:

Scientific name
Pachycephala collaris
Authority
Ramsay, EP, 1878
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Pachycephalidae
Genus
Pachycephala

Photos

Distribution

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Black-bellied Bustard

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Chestnut-capped Flycatcher

Chestnut-capped Flycatcher

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A small, active flycatcher often found in small flocks or mixed-species groups in the understory of forests or patches of trees, constantly calling and moving its tail. Shows a reddish face, cap, and small crest, a buffy throat, and a reddish rump and tail. Shape is reminiscent of African Blue Flycatcher, African Crested-Flycatcher, and related species, but note Chestnut-capped Flycatcher’s distinctive patterning and vocals. Song is a series of short, high-pitched phrases with variable spacing between notes, and the calls are short “tsip” or “seep” notes. 

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