Little Friarbird

Philemon citreogularis

Least Concern · IUCN Red List

LCLeast ConcernOmnivoreForestCup nestMedium · 61 g

What the Little Friarbird sounds like

Sonogram of the Little Friarbird: time runs left to right, pitch bottom to top, and the brighter the mark the louder the sound.
Recorded by Rob Nicholson · Begging call · Greenup Meeting Place, 40 Greenup Limevale Rd, Coolmunda, Queensland, Australia · CC BY 4.0 · via xeno-canto

ID tip

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".

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When to see the Little Friarbird

One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is October, the month with the most records.

Where to see the Little Friarbird

Regular range

The map shades 3 countries with regular records. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.

About the Little Friarbird

The little friarbird, also known as the little leatherhead or yellow-throated friarbird, is the smallest of the friarbirds within the Philemon genus. It is found throughout northern and eastern Australia as well as southern Papua New Guinea. It lives a very prominent life, whereby it can easily be seen chasing other honeyeaters, and also it is very vocal. However, the little friarbird is usually spotted high up in trees, rarely being seen on the ground.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Easily confused with

Side by side: Little Friarbird vs Noisy Friarbird · Little Friarbird vs New Zealand Bellbird · Little Friarbird vs Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater · Helmeted Friarbird vs Little Friarbird

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