of the common name) and some follow-on notes – is one of the most distinctive sounds of the eastern Australian bush. The call is usually a duet between the male and female, the male producing the long note and whip crack and female the following notes. Calls are most frequent in the early morning, though do occur through the day with small peaks at noon and sunset. Though male calls are consistent across the species range, a high degree of variation in female calls has been reported. The call samples have been used in many films such as: Bush Christmas (1983) and The Dark Crystal (1982). Distribution and habitat The eastern whipbird is found in wet temperate forests including both rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests, generally near water. It occurs from eastern Victoria north through to central Queensland. A northern race, sometimes known as the northern whipbird (Psophodes olivaceus lateralis) is found in the wet tropics of North Queensland from Cooktown to Townsville. At least one study has found it to be a specialist species in terms of habitat and threatened by urbanisation. Behaviour The eastern whipbird is insectivorous, recovering insects from leaf litter on the forest floor. Breeding Whipbirds are monogamous. Breeding occurs from late winter through spring; a loosely built bowl of twigs and sticks lined with softer material such as grasses, located in shrubs or trees less than above the ground. Several broods may occur in an extended breeding season. A clutch of two eggs, pale blue with blackish splotches and spots, measuring 28 x 20 mm, is laid. The female incubates and the eggs and broods the nestlings, though the male helps feed and take a more active role in looking after fledglings for 6 weeks after leaving the nest. References External links Eastern whipbird videos, photos & sounds on the Internet Bird Collection Eastern whipbird Fact Sheet on the Birds in Back Yards site. Eastern whipbird description and call. Eastern whipbird call. Eastern whipbird call in the Atherton Tablelands of Australia. eastern whipbird Birds of Queensland Birds of New South Wales Birds of Victoria (Australia) Endemic birds of Australia eastern whipbird