Melanesian Whistler

Melanesian Whistler
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Pachycephalidae
Genus:	Pachycephala
Species:	P. caledonica
Binomial name
Pachycephala caledonica (Gmelin, 1788)

The Melanesian Whistler (Pachycephala caledonica) is a species of passerine bird in the whistler family Pachycephalidae. It is found in New Caledonia (including the main island, Isle of Pines and Loyalty Islands), Vanuatu, and Vanikoro in far southeastern Solomons. Alternatively, all except the nominate subspecies are treated as subspecies of the Golden Whistler. In that case, P. caledonica is known as the New Caledonian Whistler, and restricted to the main island of New Caledonia and the nearby Isle of Pines. In the past, even the nominate subspecies has been treated as a subspecies of the Golden Whistler.

It inhabits humid forest, including degraded forest and forest edges, from sea level up to at least 900 metres (3,000 ft). They are relatively common in suitable habitat, particularly below 300 metres (980 ft), and are not considered threatened by the IUCN. The species is sedentary.

Description

The species is a medium sized whistler, typically around 14–16 centimetres (5.5–6.3 in) in length and weighing 18–25 grams (0.63–0.88 oz), though some subspecies are larger. In the nominate subspecies the male has a dark slate-grey crown, face and nape, a white throat, ochraceous-yellow belly and rump, and olive back and wings with a black line between the throat and belly. The legs are dark brown. Males of other subspecies share the white throat, but are less ochraceous below, and may –depending on the exact subspecies involved– have a far broader black band between the throat and belly, and a black or olive crown, face and nape.

In the nominate subspecies the female is duller than the male with a buff belly and rump, no line between the throat and belly, and an olive-brown head, back and wings. The legs are lighter brown than in the male. Females of some other subspecies have a yellow belly, and a greyish, brownish or olive throat.

Ecology

The Melanesian Whistler feeds on insects, also taking snails and seeds. It feeds in thefoliage of trees and shrubs, and on the branches, presumably in a similar fashion to the closely related Golden Whistler. At least in New Caledonia, the breeding season for this species is from December to January. A small nest (6 cm in diameter) is built out of sticks and spider web and suspended from small branches above the ground. Two eggs, which are white and blotched with brown, are laid and incubated by both parents.

References

• BirdLife International 2004. Pachycephala caledonica. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 26 July 2007.
• Del Hoyo, J.; Elliot, A. & Christie D. (editors). (2007). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 12: Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Lynx Edicions. ISBN 9788496553422