Little Friarbird

## About

A little friarbird perched on a tree branch

The little friarbird ***(Philemon citreogularis)*** is a species of honeyeater, closely related to the noisy friarbird. The little friarbird occupies much of the north eastern coast of Australia and small regional areas in Papua new guinea. The little friarbird has a greyish brown feather coat with blueish grey facial skin as well as brown and cream coloured underparts. The species is easily distinguished by other friarbirds because of its much smaller size and noticeable lack of a 'horn' unlike some other friarbirds. When in their juvenile stages, they a distinctive yellow colouring that is present on their throat and bleeds into their shoulders, which gives them the alternate name; *yellow-throated friarbird.* This bird is mainly seen predominately around river and creek systems much like other friarbirds. Little friarbirds have a slightly curved bill almost identical to other friarbird species. Little friarbirds often range between 25–30 centimetres (9.8–11.8 in) in length and weigh in at around 67 grams (2.4 oz).

## Diet

Little friarbirds have varying hunting habits and patterns as they can be seen hunting solitarily, in small flocks and even in pairs. This factor is often dependent on which biome they live in and what type of habitats the birds occupy. Friarbirds are honeyeaters and their main food source is nectar and blossoms. When looking for these types of food sources little friarbirds have even been observed taking part in inter-species foraging meaning that they will forage with other honeyeater species. Animalia.bio sites that friarbirds typically favour foraging from the tree tops and skies, rather than the ground. Because of this foraging preference, they will consume a large portion of fruit, invertebrates, and on rare occasions flowers and seeds.

## Conservation Status

As the current population of the little friarbird is reasonably stable according to the IUCN, there are no current conservation actions directed towards the species. The species is seen to not be approaching or close to any sort of vulnerability in terms of numbers/range. There are no sources that lead to the re-introduction of little friarbirds in other ecosystems as of writing. As a result of these factors, the friarbird is currently recognised as least concern. There is seen to be a slight decline over the last three generations, yet the population is still viewed to be at a stable rate at this point in time.

## Range and Population

The little friarbird is very widely distributed across the entirety of Australia. The species is found all throughout northern and eastern parts of coastal Australia as well as being found in small regions of Papua New Guinea. According to Birdlife Australia, little friarbirds have been spotted from the city of Broome, Western Australia to being found in various regions across Northern Territory and Queensland. Little friarbird range stretches down beyond New South Wales and Victoria. One of the main little friarbird strongholds is the bush regions along the Murray river, which houses much of the southeastern little friarbird populations. The little friarbird also is seen in areas of Adelaide, South Australia, where the Murray river flows out into the sea. Wherever there is water the little friarbird can often be found, as the species is common throughout the continent's wetlands. Biomes that little friarbirds can be found in include; swamp woodlands, mangroves, shrub communities and open forests. They may also be found on various different Islands across the coasts of Australia and Papua New Guinea. Vineyards and high quantity agricultural regions also become habitats to little friarbirds surrounding them due to their high food source and easy access.

## Behaviour

In breeding season the calls that little friarbirds emit are often remarked as harsh piercing calls though, there is often a case were the little friarbird will emit some musical calls when in large flocks. They are extremely vocal in audial communication and much like other honeyeaters, communicate to other friarbirds within the flock to alert them about predators and possible foraging spots. They are migratory during spring and autumn, as northern populations are known to move southward as a part of a seasonal migration. These birds are monogamous and both males and females participate in raising their young and support each other in parenting. Nests are built of typical straw-like materials though, may also use softer materials. These nests are usually quite deep and usually border a water source, like the Murray river. Birds in backyards states that much like the noisy friarbird, both parents have been observed to feed the young.

### Relationship with Humans

Human-Little friarbird contact is quite frequent due to the little friarbird's large population along densely populated regions. This often doesn't lead to conflict because a large portion of the land in which little friarbirds occupy in protected and undisturbed by human contact. In the larger populated southeastern regions of Australia, the noisy friarbirds have had very small declines in their population though, their overall numbers still remain at a stable figure across their range.

## In Captivity

According to ZOOINSTITUTES there is only one zoo located in Germany that has a little friarbird.

## Sources

* Little friarbird | IUCN - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22731197/93956636#assessment-information
* Little friarbird | ZOOINSTITUTES - https://zooinstitutes.com/animals/little-friarbird-2108/
* Little friarbird | birdsinbackyards - https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Philemon-citreogularis
* Little friarbird | Birdlife Australia - https://birdlife.org.au/bird-profiles/little-friarbird/
* Little friarbird | Animalia.bio - https://animalia.bio/little-friarbird
* Little friarbird | eBird - https://ebird.org/species/litfri1?siteLanguage=en\_AU