Large headed, with a stocky build and between 16cm and 18cm long, the Rufous Whistler is known as one of Australia’s finest songbirds.
It has a rich, musical song that can be heard from a good distance. It is said that sometimes the Rufous Whistler’s call is triggered by a loud noise, such as a clap of thunder.
This has led to the species sometimes being referred to as the ‘thunderbird’.
Their songs are characterised by repeated whip-cracks interspersed with a variety of whistles and trills given at various volumes, rhythms and tempos.
These birds mainly eat insects but at times, consume seeds and fruit etc. Breeding in monogamous pairs, both male and female incubate their eggs and care for the young.
In this image, taken in bush near the mouth of the Boyne River, a male Rufous Whistler is shown.
