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Whistlers (Pachycephalidae)

Crested Bellbird (Oreoica gutturalis) - HBW 12, p. 410

French: Carillonneur huppé German: Haubendickkopf Spanish: Silbador Campanillero
Other common names: Bellbird, Crested Oreoica

Taxonomy: Falcunculus gutturalis Vigors and Horsfield, 1827, “Kent’s Group, Bass Strait”, Australia.
Has in the past been placed with Falcunculus frontatus in a family Falcunculidae, often including also the whipbirds and wedgebills (Psophodes) from the family Eupetidae; basis for this apparently the fact that all possess a crest, but no other evidence for such an association. Present species sometimes placed close to genus Collurincla, as it resembles Colluricincla harmonica in size and shape, and females of the two are similar to each other in plumage; recent molecular-genetic studies, however, hint at closer relationship with Pitohui. Races intergrade. T.. View all taxonomy...

Taxonomy: Falcunculus gutturalis Vigors and Horsfield, 1827, “Kent’s Group, Bass Strait”, Australia.
Has in the past been placed with Falcunculus frontatus in a family Falcunculidae, often including also the whipbirds and wedgebills (Psophodes) from the family Eupetidae; basis for this apparently the fact that all possess a crest, but no other evidence for such an association. Present species sometimes placed close to genus Collurincla, as it resembles Colluricincla harmonica in size and shape, and females of the two are similar to each other in plumage; recent molecular-genetic studies, however, hint at closer relationship with Pitohui. Races intergrade. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

  • pallescens Mathews, 1912 - Western Australia (except SW & S), Northern Territory (except N), South Australia (except S) and W & C Queensland.
  • gutturalis (Vigors & Horsfield, 1827) - SW & S Western Australia, S third of South Australia, SC Queensland, W two-thirds of New South Wales and N Victoria.

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