FAMILY NAME: Pachycephalidae SCIENTIFIC NAME: Pachycephala pectoralis SUBSPECIES: pectoralis, queenslandica, fuliginosa, youngi, glaucura.
SIZE: 16 to 18cm. (6.5 to 7") tip to tail.
LOCATION: Widespread and found down the east and across the south and southwest of Australia. Not found in the centre to north west. Also range to New Guinea and Pacific Islands. Within this species there are five subspecies or races, each with their own range.
BREEDING: The breeding season is from September to January, laying 2 to 3 eggs with both sexes incubating and rearing the young.
GENERAL: The male is much more striking in markings than the female. The female is generally grey with olive tinge on back and underparts grey-buff. The male with brilliant yellow underparts, white throat, black head, upper breast and wings with olive green back. Juvenile birds are rufous. Immature birds are generally grey/brown with rufous wing edges (see image below).
References:
Michael Morecombe. Field Guide to Australian Birds, Complete Compact Edtion.
Ken Simpson - Nicholas Day. The Birds of Australia.
M. Blakers - S. J. J. F. Davies - P. N. Reilly. The Atlas of Australian Birds.
Birds in Backyards. www.birdsinbackyards.net
