Helmeted Friarbird

Overview

The helmeted friarbird (Philemon buceroides) is a bird in the Meliphagidae family, commonly referred to as 'leatherhead' by the birding community. It is categorised as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, though its population is suspected to be declining.

Identification

• Grey-brown plumage that fades to white on the chest, darkening again towards the feet.
• Dark grey face with striking red eyes.
• Medium-sized bird ranging from 32 to 36 centimetres in length, with males averaging around 38 cm.
• Distinctive loud vocalisations described as 'keeyo-keoway' or 'kurr-rk', often repeated in quick succession.

Habitat

Most prominent on the coasts of Australia's Northern Territory and in Indonesia, this species inhabits subtropical or tropical dry forests, lowland forests, and mangrove forests. Nests are constructed from bark, leaves, and stems, typically located high in trees near bodies of water.

Diet

The species primarily feeds on nectar, fruits, and seeds, but will occasionally consume invertebrates and rarely lizards. They frequently gather in groups of 10 to 30 individuals to forage around flowering trees and shrubs.

Did you know?

Despite its name suggesting a resemblance to hornbills, the helmeted friarbird is a member of the honeyeater family rather than the hornbill family. Its specific epithet, 'buceroi'des', reflects a historical misconception by its describer that it resembled the genus Buceros (hornbills).