The yellow-bellied whistler (Pachycephala philippinensis), or Philippine whistler, is a species of bird in the family Pachycephalidae that is endemic to the Philippines. Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forest and the lower reaches tropical moist montane forest.
EBird describes the bird as "A fairly small bird of lowland and foothill forest. Brown above and yellow below with a white throat. Races differ, with southern birds having more yellowish upperparts. Somewhat similar to Mindanao White-eye, but has a slightly thicker bill, lacks the olive-green back, and is usually found at lower elevations. Calls include a fairly high-pitched downslurred whistle. Song consists of a short phrase of slurred whistles."
Seven subspecies are recognized:[1]
Forages in the understory for insects and often joins mixed-species flocks that include Blue-headed fantail, Golden-crowned babbler, Lemon-throated leaf warbler, Black-crowned babbler Little pied flycatcher, Turquoise flycatcher, Negros leaf warbler and other small birds. Adults with enlarged gonads from January to May, nestlings in Apr and nest and eggs in May. Nest is an open cup made out of fine roots and elaves placed 3 meters above understorey.[2]
This species habitat is primary and secondary forest up to 1220m (4,000feet) above sea level.
IUCN has assessed this bird as least-concern species despite deforestation in the Philippines continues throughout the country due to slash and burn farming, mining, illegal logging and habitat conversion.
It is found in multiple protected areas such as Bicol Natural Park, Pasonanca Natural Park, Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape, Samar Island Natural Park but like all areas in the Philippines, protection is lax and deforestation continues despite this protection on paper.