Noisy Friarbird

A Red Wattlebird, with red lores enlarged, perching on a thin branch

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Scientific Name: Philemon corniculatus

Size: up to 35 cm

What does it look and sound like?

The Noisy Friarbird is a unique-looking bird that is relatively easy to identify. It is a large, grey-brown honeyeater, growing up to 35 cm long. Its most obvious feature is its featherless, black, leathery head. The large, black bill has a prominent triangular lump, known as a casque, on top. Adults have striking red eyes. The bird’s body is mostly grey-brown with a whitish-grey belly, and silvery-white plumes decorate the upper breast and the back of the neck. Its long, grey-brown tail has distinctive white tips.

Juveniles and Immatures

Young Noisy Friarbird individuals look different from adults. Juveniles lack the casque on their bill, have feathers on the back of their head, and possess dark brown eyes. Immature birds begin to show a small casque and may have a yellow wash on their throat.

Similar Species

The Noisy Friarbird is sometimes confused with the Little Friarbird. However, the Little Friarbird is smaller, has dark brown eyes, has feathers on its head, and completely lacks the distinctive casque on its bill.

Where is it found?

The Noisy Friarbird is found along the east coast of Australia, with a range that covers Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT, and Victoria. They are a migratory species, with their movements often dictated by the availability of food. Many birds will move south from their northern homes during spring and summer to breed. They are considered easy to spot seasonally between September and April.

What are its habitats & habits?

Habitats

These birds are adaptable and can be found in a range of wooded environments. You can look for the Noisy Friarbird in open eucalypt forests, box-ironbark woodlands, riparian woodlands along waterways, and even suburban parks.

Habits

As their name suggests, the Noisy Friarbird is a very loud and vocal bird. They are social (gregarious) and are often seen in small flocks. When feeding, they are known for being quite aggressive, often chasing other birds away from food sources. The breeding season for the Noisy Friarbird is typically between November and February.