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Whipbird
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Illustration of an eastern whipbird (Psophodes olivaceus) showing a bird with olive-green upperparts, white throat, black crest, and a long tail, standing on the ground.
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Quick Facts
Also called:
Coachwhipbird
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Illustration of an eastern whipbird (Psophodes olivaceus) showing a bird with olive-green upperparts, white throat, black crest, and a long tail, standing on the ground.
Eastern whipbird (Psophodes olivaceus)

Whipbird

bird
Also known as: Psophodes, coachwhipbird
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Whipbird, either of the four songbird species of the Australian genus Psophodes, assigned to various families depending on the classification used. They are named for the voice of the eastern whipbird (P. olivaceus): the male gives a long whistle and a loud crack, and the female answers instantly with “choo” sounds. This species is 25 cm (10 inches) long, with broad, graduated tail, and is dark green, with white cheeks. The other, and similar, species is rare.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Richard Pallardy.