Noisy Friarbird
Philemon corniculatus
The Noisy Friarbird (Philemon corniculatus) is a common honeyeater found in 3 countries, weighing about 101 g. The noisy friarbird is a passerine bird of the honeyeater family Meliphagidae native to southern New Guinea and eastern Australia.
About the Noisy Friarbird
The noisy friarbird is a passerine bird of the honeyeater family Meliphagidae native to southern New Guinea and eastern Australia. It is one of several species known as friarbirds whose heads are bare of feathers. It is brown-grey in colour, with a prominent knob on its bare black-skinned head. It feeds on insects and nectar.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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".
What the Noisy Friarbird sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
The Noisy Friarbird can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Noisy Friarbird?
- 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. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Noisy Friarbird?
- The Noisy Friarbird is a medium sized bird weighing about 101 g.
- Where can you see a Noisy Friarbird?
- The Noisy Friarbird occurs in 3 countries, including Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
- What does a Noisy Friarbird sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Noisy Friarbird on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Noisy Friarbird?
- The Noisy Friarbird is most easily confused with the Little Friarbird, the Helmeted Friarbird and the Silver-crowned Friarbird.
- Is the Noisy Friarbird endangered?
- The Noisy Friarbird is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Noisy Friarbird for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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