Helmeted Friarbird

The helmeted friarbird, a member of the Meliphagidae family, is a distinctive bird with a dark gray visage and piercing red eyes. Its plumage is a muted gray-brown, which gently transitions to a paler white towards the chest. The chest is adorned with spots that darken as they near the feet. Males are larger, averaging 38 centimeters in length and weighing between 127 and 179 grams, while females are slightly smaller, weighing in at 92 to 112 grams.

Identification Tips

To identify the helmeted friarbird, look for its unique facial features and coloration. The dark gray face and red eyes are key identifiers, along with the spotted chest that fades to white and then darkens again towards the feet. The size difference between males and females can also be a helpful indicator.

Habitat

This bird is found in a variety of environments, including subtropical or tropical dry forests, lowland forests, and mangrove forests. They exhibit a preference for nesting near water bodies and in the higher reaches of trees to ensure safety from potential threats.

Distribution

The helmeted friarbird is predominantly found along the Northern Territory coasts of Australia and in parts of Indonesia.

Behaviour

The helmeted friarbird is a vocal species, known for its loud "squawks" that carry over long distances. Their calls, which sound like "keeyo-keoway" or "kowee ko keeyo," can be repeated up to a dozen times. Another common vocalization is a "kurr-rk" sound, repeated slowly 8 to 10 times. These birds are most vocal in the mornings and during storms, with males and females having only slight differences in their calls.

Song & Calls

The friarbird's calls are distinctive and can be identified by their "keeyo-keoway" or "kowee ko keeyo" sequences, as well as the slower "kurr-rk" sounds.

Breeding

Breeding season for the helmeted friarbird typically spans from September to February, with some activity also occurring from February to May and October to December. They lay 2 to 4 eggs per clutch, with an incubation period of 15 to 18 days. The species has a lifespan of approximately 5 to 7 years.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the helmeted friarbird consists mainly of nectar, fruits, and seeds. They will also consume invertebrates and, on rare occasions, lizards. The specifics of their diet can vary depending on their location.

Conservation status

The helmeted friarbird is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, there is concern that the population may decrease by 10% over the next decade, potentially leading to a vulnerable status. The species is experiencing a decline of ten percent with each generation, which is alarming given their relatively short lifespan of 5 to 7 years.

Similar Species

The hornbill friarbird (P. b. yorki) from Cape York Peninsula and coastal northeastern Queensland, as well as the New Guinea friarbird (P. b. novaeguineae), are sometimes considered subspecies of the helmeted friarbird or as full species in their own right.