Noisy Friarbird

Overview

The noisy friarbird (Philemon corniculatus) is a large passerine bird of the honeyeater family native to southern New Guinea and eastern Australia. It belongs to a group of species known as friarbirds, characterised by their featherless heads.

Identification

• Dull brownish-grey upperparts with paler underparts and a 31–36 cm body length.
• A completely bald black head featuring a prominent rounded knob above the bill, with only tufts of feathers under the chin and along the eyebrows.
• Dark blue-black legs and striking red eyes.
• A noisy call that has been likened to the sound of "four o'clock".

Habitat

Found in eastern Australia from the Lakes Entrance and Murray valley in Victoria, north through New South Wales and Queensland to Cape York, as well as the Trans-Fly region in southern New Guinea. It inhabits forests where it often forms large aggregations, particularly with little friarbirds.

Diet

This species feeds on nectar, insects, and fruit. It is known to consume commercially grown produce such as grapes and berries, which can lead to conflicts with humans.

Did you know?

The constant cackling and chattering of flocks can fill the forest with sound, serving not only to mark individual feeding territories but also to announce the location of valuable food sources to other bird species.