The distinctive calls of the whip-bird are often heard coming from dense and usually moist habitat, but they are rarely seen out in the open.
They are generally shy, so it was quite a surprise to see this bird happily foraging amongst leaf litter and fallen tibouchina flowers only metres from the road in downtown Paluma recently.
Whipbirds are found in dense habitats all the way as far south as eastern Victoria but two sub-species of Psophodes olivaceous are distinguished geographically.
The sub-species expected here at Paluma is the northern race, sometimes known as the northern whipbird (Psophodes olivaceus lateralis) found in the wet tropics from Townsville to Cooktown.
The call is usually a duet between the male and female, the male producing the long note and whip crack and female the following notes.
Whipbirds are monogamous. Breeding occurs from late winter through spring; a loosely built bowl of twigs and sticks lined with softer material such as grasses, located in shrubs or trees less than 3–4 m above the ground. Several broods may occur in an extended breeding season
The female incubates the eggs and broods the nestlings, though the male helps feed and take a more active role in looking after fledglings for six weeks after leaving the nest.
The male and female are similar in plumage, so it’s hard to tell which pronouns the bird pictured bird might prefer.
Photos by Peter Cook. Text gleaned mostly from Wikipedia by Peter Cooke.
Interesting article on this elusive birdn and stunning photographs. I am enjoying the ‘bird of the month’ series. Thank you Peter, for sharing .