Noisy Friarbird

The noisy friarbird, Philemon corniculatus, is a passerine bird belonging to the honeyeater family Meliphagidae. It is a large bird, with a length ranging from 31 to 36 cm, and is characterized by its brown-grey plumage and a distinctive bare black-skinned head adorned with a prominent knob. This species is one of the friarbirds, so named for their featherless heads, which give them a monk-like appearance.

Identification Tips

When observing the noisy friarbird, look for its dull brownish-grey upperparts and paler brown-grey underparts. The bird's head is black and bald, save for tufts of feathers under the chin and along the eyebrow. Its rounded knob above the black bill is a key feature for identification and is visible even from a distance. The legs are dark blue-black, and the eyes are a striking red.

Habitat

The noisy friarbird is native to southern New Guinea and eastern Australia. It thrives in a variety of wooded habitats, including open forests and woodlands.

Distribution

Within Australia, the noisy friarbird's range extends from Lakes Entrance and the Murray valley in Victoria, north through New South Wales and Queensland to Cape York. In New Guinea, it is found in the Trans-Fly region in the south of the island, where it is locally abundant.

Behaviour

The noisy friarbird is known for its migratory habits in the southern parts of eastern Australia, where it moves north to overwinter and returns south in the spring. It can form large aggregations, sometimes alongside little friarbirds. The species is vocal, with a cacophony of calls that can dominate the soundscape of the forest. These calls serve to delineate feeding territories and to signal the presence of food sources. The noisy friarbird is also known for its aggressive protection of its nest, including swooping behaviors.

Breeding

The breeding season for the noisy friarbird may span from July to January, with the potential for one or two broods. The nest is a large, deep cup with a distinctive inverted lip, constructed from bark and grass and suspended from a horizontal branch. Typically, the nest is 1 to 3 meters above the ground and well-hidden. The clutch usually consists of two to four eggs, occasionally five, which are buff- to pale-pink in color and splotched with darker hues.

Similar Species

The noisy friarbird can be confused with other friarbird species, but its distinctive head knob and bald head are key differentiating features.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the noisy friarbird includes nectar, insects, and fruit. It has been known to feed on commercially grown fruits such as grapes and berries, which can sometimes lead to conflicts with humans who view them as pests.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the noisy friarbird as Least Concern, indicating that it is not currently at significant risk of extinction in the wild.