Black-headed whistler

The black-headed whistler (Pachycephala monacha) is a species of bird in the family Pachycephalidae. It is found on the Aru Islands and New Guinea. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

Black-headed whistler
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Pachycephalidae
Genus:	Pachycephala
Species:	P. monacha
Binomial name
Pachycephala monacha Gray, GR, 1858
Subspecies
See text
Synonyms
Pachycephala rufiventris monacha

Taxonomy and systematics

Some authorities have considered the black-headed whistler to be a subspecies of the rufous whistler.

Subspecies

Two subspecies are recognized:^[2]

• P. m. monacha – Gray, GR, 1858: Found on Aru Islands (off southwest New Guinea)
• P. m. lugubris – Salvadori, 1881: Found in central New Guinea