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Noisy Friarbird

(Philemon corniculatus)
Alternative names: "Leatherhead", "Monk", "Four-o'-clock", "Pimlico", "Poor Soldier"
Aboriginal name: "dhaguway" [yuwaalaraay]
Size: 30-35 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

Noisy Friarbirds are found only in the eastern quarter of the Australian continent. Their range is limited, with only minor deviations, by a straight line from just to the east of the tip of Cape York going straight south, to the confluence of the Murray River and the Darling River. They can be found anywhere within this range, in various kinds of habitat, wherever there is nectar to be found. They do not cross the Bass Strait to Tasmania. Nominate race "corniculatus" is found north of about Mackay, QLD, race "monarchus" further south.

Noisy Friarbirds can usually be found in open forest and woodland, where there are flowering trees. They take nectar from various types of flowers, including different species of eucalypts, but they particularly like the flowers of grevilleas, especially Grevillea robusta. Noisy Friarbirds adapt very well to the presence of humans and will enter urban parks and gardens, often terrorising everybody else in the defense of their food source.

Sightings

Noisy Friarbirds were visible and audible around our place south of Narrabri, NSW, basically every day during the years 2003-2006, except the coldest seaon. They are often so busy chasing each other, other birds or feeding that it is quite easy to take photos of them. 20 km east of Narrabri they usually come in groups of several birds during spring and summer, when there are large numbers of flowers to feed on. When a single eucalypt tree flowerd in winter, only one bird came to feed on it, while other honeyeaters were present in larger numbers.

The photos below illustrate how they got their local nickname of "Leatherheads".

Photos

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Oi mate, you lookin' at me?

The same bird as above, different posture

This photo illustrates why they got their nickname, "Leatherhead"

Here some acrobatics...

Noisy Friarbird issuing its call; one can see how the neck feathers are spread like a collar

Here a different posture

Interesting detail: one can look straight through the bird's nostrils

Here a Noisy Friarbird preening; again one can look straight through the bird's nostrils (photo courtesy of C. Kellenberg)

If in spring or autumn you see a flock of 20-30 of these birds passing by over your head (notably silent!), it could be Noisy Friarbirds relocating to where there is nectar to be found

This photo shows the yellow throat of an immature Noisy Friarbird

Here a moulting young Noisy Friarbird seen in December 2008

Breeding information

Breeding season: Jul - Jan Eggs: 2 - 4 Incubation period: 17 days Fledging age: 20 days

Nest

Type: (Hanging) basket Material: Bark strips and grass, lined with fine grass and wool Height above ground: 2 - 20 m

Noisy Friarbird bringing nesting material to its almost complete nest

The inside still requires some improvements

Eggs

Size: 35 x 24 mm Colour: Creamy, with brown speckles Shape: Tapered oval

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial Mobility: Dispersive Elementary unit: Solitary/pair

Noisy Friarbirds are the most aggressive nectar-eating species in Australia. Although territorial, they congregate in large numbers where there is food to be found.

Food

Like many other honeyeaters, Noisy Friarbirds do not exclusively feed on nectar, but use their sticky tongue to take insects too. Known to feed on fruit as well.

Noisy Friarbird feeding on a bottlebrush flower