Passeriformes

Whistlers (Pachycephalidae)

HBW 12, p. 374 Learn more about the Handbook of the Birds of the World - Volume 12 on the Lynx Edicions website.

• Small to medium-sized passerines, generally with short broad wings, square-ended or slightly notched tail of variable length, most with sturdy bill with pronounced tomial notch and terminal hook, two species with bill laterally compressed and disproportionately deep, many with robust legs; plumage mostly various combinations of grey, black, brown, white, rufous, greenish and olive, some bright yellow below, a few streaked.
• South Asia and Wallacea east to Australasia and islands of central and south Pacific.
• Wooded habitats, especially rainforest, sometimes mangroves, also scrub.
• 12 genera, 56 species, 247 taxa.
• 2 species threatened; none extinct since 1600.