Noisy Friarbird

## About

A noisy friarbird perched on a dead branch

The noisy friarbird ***(Philemon corniculatus)*** is a passerine bird of the honeyeater family. They are commonly found within southern New Guinea and the eastern regions of Australia. They are one of many species of friarbirds that are completely bare of feathers on their head given them their name, in reference to the bald heads of friars. The noisy friarbird displays a brownish grey colour on the majority of its body and a slightly white underbelly shown on its chest. The species is characterised by the small bump or knob that is presented near the middle of the beak. The noisy friarbird's name is in reference to the distinctive calls they regularly broadcast in their ecosystems. These can often include harsh, loud squawks that are very observable within their habitats. Animalia.bio states that the noisy friarbirds sizes can range between 31–36 cm (12–14 in) in length, being viewed as a large honeyeater in comparison to other species. These birds can often be found along the Murray river between the Australian states of Victoria and New South Wales. They are very adaptable and can occupy dry forests and woodlands to vast wetlands and wet forests.

## Diet

Like other honeyeater species, the noisy friarbird has a diet that primarily consists of fruits, nectar and insects as well as invertebrates. Australian museum states that noisy friarbirds are also sometimes even seen preying on eggs and baby birds from other nests on occasion. They spend most of their time feeding high up in the trees safe from danger only coming down to look for food and to hunt. Often you will find these birds feeding within large and noisy flocks that generally consist of other honeyeater species as well.

## Conservation Status

The noisy friarbird is listed as least concern via the IUCN. This means that the species as a whole is not under any major threat presently. Throughout the habitats and regions they occupy, the noisy friarbird has been observed to vary between uncommon and very common in the wild. Because of the lack of need to survey this species population and current threats, there are no current extreme conservation actions that have taken place surrounding the noisy friarbird. he noisy friarbird does not appear to be in a vulnerable position also due to their extremely large range size, which does not imply the possibility of them possibly falling under any sort of vulnerability.

## Range and Population

As shown in the accompanying image, the noisy friarbird has been observed to occupy the entire east-coast of Australia and the very southern parts of Papua New Guinea. These birds often inhabit the dense dry forest of east Australia and eucalypt woodlands. More north in the noisy friarbird's range it can be found in wetlands and wet forests. The noisy friarbird also occupies regions surrounded by rivers, like the Murray river ranging through Victoria and New South Wales. According to iNaturalist, the noisy friarbird is restricted to the Trans-Fly of Papua New Guinea where it has been observed to be locally abundant.

## Behaviour

iNaturalist also states that the noisy friarbird is a migratory species predominately in the southern regions of Australia. They have been observed to move north over winter and returning south in the spring. Large flocks of these birds are very common and can also include other friarbird species within their aggregations, like the related Little Friarbird ***(Philemon citreogularis)***. As mentioned before, the noisy friarbird has a distinct and loud call that can fill an entire area with the sound of their broadcast. These distinct calls often can be used as a form of communication not only for other noisy friarbirds, but for other species. These calls can often signify an individual's feeding territory or a certain food source that is viable to their flock. During their breeding season from July to January noisy friar birds are extremely territorial over their nests and are known to swoop potential threats, such as humans. These birds will build their nests around 1-3 m (3.2-9.8 ft) above the ground in a tree fork and will put an extensive amount of effort into them, forming a pouch shaped nest out of grass and bark, decorating it with spider webs. Noisy friarbirds breed in the latter half of the year from July-March. They remain pairs for the long-term and will both defend the nest together however, the male does not incubate. The pair will feed their chicks until they reach three weeks old, where they will begin to fledge.

### Relationship with Humans

As a widely spread species with a tendency to call loudly and swoop threats during breeding season, many local people hate the noisy friarbird. Some in these regions see noisy friarbirds as pests and do not appreciate their company.

## In Captivity

According to ZOOINSTITUTES and other various sources there are current records of the noisy friarbird being held in captivity.

## Sources

* Noisy friarbird - Animalia.bio | https://animalia.bio/noisy-friarbird
* Noisy friarbird - IUCN | https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22704227/93958502
* Noisy friarbird - Australian Museum | https://australian.museum/learn/animals/birds/noisy-friarbird/
* Noisy friarbird - iNaturalist | https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/taxa/12329-Philemon-corniculatus
* Noisy Friarbir - Birds in Backyards | https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Philemon-corniculatus