Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
(
click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Pachycephala inornata
Profile last updated:
01 Dec 2017
Description
The Gilbert’s Whistler is a stocky whistler (17 to 20 centimetres), possessing a short but robust bill. The male is a brownish-grey, with a black patch between the red eyes and bill (the lores), and a distinctive orange-rufous chin and throat. The female is more uniformly brownish-grey, lacking the males lore and throat pattern and has a pale eye-ring. This species, particularly the female, can be difficult to distinguish from other whistlers. Both sexes of the adult Red-lored Whistler (Pachycephala rufogularis) possess red (rather than black or grey) lores, while immatures of this species can be very difficult to separate from female and immature Gilbert’s Whistlers. The female Golden Whistler (P. pectoralis) which overlaps with this species in the eastern parts of its distribution (particularly during winter) is separated from the Gilbert’s by its slightly smaller size, proportionally smaller bill, and overall browner (rather than grey) colouration (some may also possess a yellow vent). Young birds of this species usually have distinctive rufous feathers in the wing. The Gilbert’s Whistler usually occur singly or in pairs and can be unobtrusive and hard to see. Like other whistlers, this species is a wonderful bush songster and is often first detected by its call. Its powerful song is complex and far-carrying (up to 900 metres) and often consists of a series of 'chop' and 'er-whit' calls.
Distribution
The Gilbert’s Whistler is sparsely distributed over much of the arid and semi-arid zone of inland southern Australia, from the western slopes of NSW to the Western Australian wheatbelt. The species was probably once distributed almost continuously across the woodlands and mallee of southern NSW, but this range has been greatly reduced, chiefly by clearance of habitat. The eastern population extends from the central NSW mallee (Yathong, Nombinnie and Round Hill NRs), south and east through the Cocoparra Range to Pomingalama Reserve (near Wagga Wagga) then north through the South West Slopes east as far as Cowra and Burrendong Dam, to the Goonoo reserves (with scattered records as far north as Pilliga). The north western limits of this population are poorly known, with records from as far west as Cobar and recent records from Quanda NR, though records further west may be due to confusion with the Golden Whistler. In a number of reserves in this area there have been no recent records (last records from Pulletop NR 1982, Pomingalama Reserve 1995 and Ingalba NR 1999) and this species may be locally extinct. Occasional records are also made of this species in the Capertee Valley. The species is also recorded in River Red Gum forests along the Murray River valley between Mathoura and Wentworth, with the eastern populations (between Mathoura and Barham) apparently isolated from other NSW populations. West of Swan Hill, this population may interact with populations found to the north of the Murray River west of Balranald and as far north as the Scotia country (Tarawi NR and Scotia Sanctuary).
Habitat and ecology
- The Gilbert’s Whistler occurs in a range of habitats within NSW, though the shared feature appears to be a dense shrub layer. It is widely recorded in mallee shrublands, but also occurs in box-ironbark woodlands, Cypress Pine and Belah woodlands and River Red Gum forests, though at this stage it is only known to use this habitat along the Murray, Edwards and Wakool Rivers. Within the mallee the species is often found in association with an understorey of spinifex and low shrubs including wattles, hakeas, sennas and hop-bushes. In woodland habitats, the understorey comprises dense patches of shrubs, particularly thickets of regrowth Callitris pine. Parasitic 'cherries' (Exocarpus species) appear to be an important habitat component in Belah and Red Gum communities, though in the latter case other dense shrubs, such as Lignum and wattles, are also utilised.
- The Gilbert's Whistler forages on or near the ground in shrub thickets and in tops of small trees. Its food consists mainly of spiders and insects such as caterpillars, beetles and ants, and occasionally, seeds and fruits are eaten.
- Breeding takes place between August and November. Nests are usually built below about two and a half metres (but up to six metres) above the ground in the fork of dense foliage of plants such as wattles or cypress pines. At Cowra three pairs nested in a 25 ha area. The nest is either a lined cup or sometimes birds use the old nests of other species, particularly disused babblers’ nests. Two, three or occasionally four eggs are laid.
- The movements of this species are poorly known but it is believed that generally it does not make any regular large-scale movements and pairs may hold and defend territories all year round. However, the occasional record outside the normal distribution may indicate some dispersal does occur, particularly given the difficulty in detecting this species outside the breeding season when it isn’t calling.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Clearing and fragmentation of the species' mallee, woodland and Red Gum forest habitat.
- Overgrazing may remove the litter layer of foraging habitat and may also prevent or delay regeneration of the shrub layer and open dense thickets of cypress pine regrowth in Callitris woodlands.
- High frequency fires will restrict regeneration of the shrubby foraging and nesting habitat.
- Infestation of habitat by invasive weeds.
- Aggressive exclusion from forest and woodland habitat by over abundant Noisy Miners.
- Climate change impacts including reduction in resources due to drought.
Recovery strategies
A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.
Activities to assist this species
- Avoid burning mature mallee which provides valuable foraging habitat. Old growth mallee with intact shrub and litter layer is particularly important to protect from too-frequent fire.
- Identify and manage known and potential Gilbert's Whistler habitats, particularly those with an intact shrub understorey.
- Fence habitat and remove or reduce grazing pressure.
Information sources
- Boles, W. (1988) The Robins & Flycatchers of Australia. (Angus and Robertson, Sydney)
- Bourke, P.A. (1954) The Gilbert Whistler in New South Wales. Emu 54, 163-68.
- Higgins, P.J. and Peter, J.M. (eds.) (2002) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 6: Pardalotes to shrike-thrushes. (Oxford University Press, Melbourne)
- Hobbs, J.N. (1961) The birds of south-west New South Wales. Emu 61, 21-55.
- Robinson, D. and Traill, B.J. (1996) Conserving woodland birds in the wheat and sheep belts of southern Australia. RAOU Conservation Statement No. 10. (Birds Australia, Melbourne)
|
IBRA Bioregion
|
IBRA Subregion
|
Known or predicted
|
Geographic restrictions region
|
|---|