My yard has quite thick bush (planted by us) around much of its perimeter . Almost every day recently I have whip birds in my yard. some days with 3 metres of my bedroom window. I just don't see them . well when I do they are a dark moving blob.. I did manage to see them scuttling (you couldn't call it flying) across my drive. I can get close to them and even see them in the bush but they just don't come out into the light and they can move around as if by magic.
One of the birds is juvenile (less than two years old) so has not white on its throat which makes it harder.
The only time I have ever got good photos of a whip bird was at Healesville sanctuary years ago.
Any hints. they don't seem to be interested in water close to one of their regular spots.
Vera