Bird Guide

Little Friarbird vs New Zealand Bellbird

Little Friarbird (Philemon citreogularis)

Little Friarbird

Philemon citreogularis

Medium61 gForest

The little friarbird ranges from 25–30 centimetres (9.8–11.8 in) in length. The average size tends to be 27 centimetres (11 in) with an average weight of 67 grams (2.4 oz). Although males and females tend to be very similar in appearance, males are larger. The little friarbird can be easily distinguished from other friarbirds by the absence of a casque (a prominent ridge or bump present on the beak). Another key recognisable feature is the bare blue skin present under the eye which widens over the cheek. (The bare blue skin can vary from grey to black in tone. Voice: The little friarbird has a very distinct voice consisting of a repeated liquid mellow "gee-wit" or "chewip". When breeding, the song is extended and includes chattering scoldings. A common sequence may be paraphrased as "rackety-crookshank".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Rob Nicholson · CC BY 4.0
Photo: Vicki Nunn · Public domain
New Zealand Bellbird (Anthornis melanura)

New Zealand Bellbird

Anthornis melanura

Small27 gForest

Bellbirds are medium-sized honeyeaters, about 17–20 cm in length from the tip of their beak to the end of their tail. Females weigh about 25 g and males 33 g. Males have an olive-green body with a dark purplish sheen on their head. Their belly and flanks are lighter. The uppertail is black-brown with a narrow iridescent blue-black edge on most feathers. The upperwing coverts are mostly dark olive-green, with blackish inner webs. The vent and undertail-coverts are pale yellow to off-white, and the thighs are grey.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: craig wilson · CC BY 4.0
Photo: Sid Mosdell from New Zealand · CC BY 2.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Little Friarbird and New Zealand Bellbird.