Bird Guide

Noisy Friarbird vs Tui

Noisy Friarbird (Philemon corniculatus)

Noisy Friarbird

Philemon corniculatus

Medium101 gForest

Measuring 31–36 cm (12–14 in) in length, the noisy friarbird is a large honeyeater with dull brownish grey upperparts and paler brown-grey underparts. Its black head is completely bald apart from tufts of feathers under the chin and along the eyebrow. It can be distinguished by its rounded knob above the black bill, which is visible at distance. It has dark blue-black legs and red eyes. As its name suggests, it is noisy; one of its calls has been likened to "four o'clock".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Noisy Friarbird
Recorded by James Ray · Song · Faulconbridge, Blue Mountains City Council, New South Wales, Australia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K · CC BY 2.0
Tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae)

Tui

Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae

Medium106 gForest

The tūī is a large honeyeater, 27 to 32 cm (11–13 in) in length. The Chatham Islands subspecies is larger on average than the nominate subspecies, and heavier. Males tend to be heavier than females. Nominate males weigh between 65–150 g (2.3–5.3 oz), and females 58–105 g (2.0–3.7 oz). Males of the Chatham subspecies are 89–240 g (3.1–8.5 oz) and females 89–170 g (3.1–6.0 oz). At first glance the bird appears completely black except for a small tuft of white feathers at its neck and a small white wing patch, causing it to resemble a parson in clerical attire. Voice: Tūī are known for their noisy, unusual, sometimes soulful calls, different for each individual, that combine bellbird-like notes with clicks, cackles, timber-like creaks and groans, and wheezing sounds. Tūī have a complex variety of songs and calls, much like parrots.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Tui
Recorded by craig wilson · Song · Granity, Buller District, West Coast Region, New Zealand · CC BY 4.0
Photo: Brian Ralphs from Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, UK · CC BY 2.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Noisy Friarbird and Tui.