Helmeted Friarbird

The helmeted friarbird (Philemon buceroides) is part of the Meliphagidae family. The Helmeted friarbird, along with all their subspecies, is commonly referred to as “leatherhead” by the birding community. The Helmeted Friarbird has a dark gray face with red eyes. This bird is a gray-brown bird with a fading white as it comes toward the chest. As the spotted chest approaches the feet, it starts to tint darker until it gets to the feet. The bird ranges from 32-36 centimeters weighing in at 127-179g for males and 92-112g for females. The average male measures about 38 centimeters, and is the largest subspecies of the 4 Helmeted friarbirds found in Australlia.