Whistlers and Shrike-thrushes
(Family Pachycephalidae)
Thirteen species, including seven endemics, occur in Australia. These stout-billed birds can be identified by their melodious calls, given by both sexes, from which the common name is derived. Some species show strong sexual dimorphism, with males being brightly-coloured; others show little or no dimorphism and are more drab. Most of the subspecies of the six wider-ranging species are endemic. The Western Whistler Pachycephala fuliginosa has recently been split from the Golden Whistler P. pectoralis complex.
