The Pachycephalidae are a family of bird species that includes the whistlers, shrikethrushes, and three of the pitohuis, and is part of the ancient Australo-Papuan radiation of songbirds. 

The name Pachycephalidae is derived from Ancient Greek: "pakhus" (παχυς) meaning "thick" and "kephalē" (κεφαλή) meaning "head". The family name thus refers to the "thick-headed" birds, a characteristic of the whistlers and other members of the family.