Identification:  The head and crest of the Eastern Whipbird are black with  white sides on the throat. The back, wings and tail are dark olive-green with the tail having a white tip.
 

Call/Song: Distinctive "whip- crack" call made in duet with the male giving a musical crack and the female responding with short, sharp notes to finish the song. Sound: D. Stewart -used with permission

Found along the coast through to the ranges of eastern Australia.

Habitat: Found in rainforests, wet sclerophyll forests and brushes.

Feeding: Eats insects. It uses its powerful feet to overturn leaf-matter.

Breeding/Nesting:  Breeds mainly from October through to December. Builds a shallow, bulky nest of long, loosely interwoven twigs. Normally built is dense undergrowth.

Movement: Spends most of its time scavaging for food. It is shy, but is also inclined to be inquisitive if the observer is quiet and patient.

Photo: Glenn Threlfo

Other Common Names:  Coachwhip bird, stockwhip bird. 

Status:

Distribution: Throughout rainforest and thick scrubby areas at all altitudes. It is generally shy, although birds along the well-used walking tracks have become accustomed to the presence of humans.

Abundance:Common throughout the year

Queensland Museum (1995) Wildlife of Greater Brisbane, Queensland Museum, Brisbane.

Reader's Digest Services (1979) Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds, Surry Hills, NSW.