BIRD OF THE WEEK

Australian Birding Safaris' very own logo: The Noisy Friarbird. 

A Handsome Bird, you'll agree. We are not biased though...

BIRD OF THE WEEK WEEK 1 04/10/20 - Noisy Friarbird feeding on Bottlebrush nectar

The Noisy Friarbird is a large dark grey Honeyeater, with a bare black leathery head [indeed one of its previous common names was Leatherhead], downward angular bill and prominent casque on upper mandible. Its eyes are a striking red. Long-curved silver-white plumes accentuate the collar and upper breast. The sexes are generally alike but males are slightly larger.

Some people say it looks like a small vulture; the feathers on the head are sparse. The bald leathery head surrounded by neck feathers was thought to resemble the tonsured head of a friar.

Ken and I, sadly, have a strong affinity with this bird.

Noisy Friarbird. Contemplating the next move

It is widely distributed along the East Coast and adjacent inland; a common, easily-seen specie in the garden, especially during the breeding season between August and January.

It is a wanderer, enjoying a nomadic lifestyle, travelling between flowering foodplants, especially Eucalypts, Banksias, Grevilleas, Bottlebrushes and Melaleucas. It is a major pollinator of our native trees and shrubs, trapping pollen within the white feathers of the collar and transported between plants.

Friarbirds can be noisy [some may say almost deafening] when in large groups however they should be considered a welcome visitor to our gardens as they supply a zero-cost, chemical-free insect control. A large part of the diet is insects and spiders, taken opportunistically whilst searching for nectar. 

Noisy Friarbird. Feeding with one eye on me

Another benefit? The Noisy Friarbird has been recorded taking eggs and nestlings from the Common Starling (an introduced invasive species).

The Leaden Flycatcher will commonly nest near the Noisy Friarbird, presumably for protection from predators.

Although nesting is often parasitized by cuckoo species including the Pacific Koel and Pallid Cuckoo, its fledgling rate is quite high.

We hope you enjoy every encounter with Noisy Friarbirds and that you can look upon this bird with kindness.

As a common specie this bird will be encountered on many of our birding tours. Please check our 2021 calendar for options.

AUSTRALIAN BIRDING SAFARIS

Come birding with us.

Pictures and story by Steve Grainger.