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Noisy FriarbirdAlternate name(s): "(Knobby-nose) Leatherhead", "Monk", "Four-o'-clock Pimlico", "Poor Soldier" ![]() Race "corniculatus": "jagaru" [ngadjon] Size: 30-35 cm Weight: 85-130 g |
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Similar |
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Photos |
Race "monachus"
Not the photos you want? Or are you after even better quality? Have a
look here .
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ADULT |
Sex unknown |
Oi mate, you lookin' at me? Nosy Noisy Friarbird...
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2011]
The same Noisy Friarbird as above, different posture
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2011]
Near-frontal view of a Noisy Friarbird (photo courtesy of R. Druce)
This photo illustrates why Noisy Friarbirds got their nickname,
"Leatherhead"
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2011]
Here some Noisy Friarbird acrobatics...
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2007]
Noisy Friarbird issuing its call; one can see how the neck
feathers are spread like a collar
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2011]
Noisy Friarbird issuing its call; different posture
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2011]
More lateral view of a Noisy Friarbird calling
[Eulah Creek, NSW, April 2012]
Interesting detail: one can look straight through a Noisy Friarbird's
nostrils
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2007]
Dorsal view of a Noisy Friarbird on the ground
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Durikai SF, near Warwick, QLD, August 2017]
Here a Noisy Friarbird preening; again one can look straight
through the bird's nostrils (photo courtesy of C. Kellenberg)
Noisy Friarbird taking off from a grevillea flower (photo
courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, August 2014]
If in spring or autumn you see a flock of 20-50 of these birds
passing by over your head (notably silent!), it could be Noisy
Friarbirds relocating to where there is nectar to be found
[Eulah Creek, NSW, May 2011]
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IMMATURE/JUVENILE |
Juvenile Noisy Friarbird, front left, with an adult behind it
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[St Albans, NSW, February 2017]
Frontal view of a juvenile Noisy Friarbird; note the tiny
casque and
the feathers at the back of the head
(photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, Ocotober 2013]
Lateral view of a juvenile Noisy Friarbird
(photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Swifts Creek, East Gippsland, VIC, January 2018]
Lateral view of a juvenile Noisy Friarbird (photo courtesy of A.
Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, Ocotober 2013]
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Breeding information |
Breeding season: Jul - Jan | Eggs: 2 - 4 | Incubation period: 17 days | Fledging age: 20 days |
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Nest |
"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal] |
Type: Suspended basket | Material: Bark strips and grass, lined with fine grass and wool | Height above ground: 2 - 20 m |
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Additional information |
A. Morris and S. Grey report that some bird species, most notably Leaden Flycatchers, like to take advantage of the protection offered by nesting under a Noisy Friarbird nest. There is now a separate page about various bird species nesting under the umbrella of a stronger, protective species.
Noisy Friarbird nest in a eucalypt tree
[Near Narrabri, NSW, October 2014]
This Noisy Friarbird has decided that its nest needs no
camouflage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cooloola NP, QLD, January 2019]
Noisy Friarbird sitting on its nest
[Bingara, NSW, October 2020]
Noisy Friarbird bringing nesting material to its almost complete nest
[Glacial Valley
near Rocky Creek, NSW, September 2008]
The inside still requires some improvements
[Glacial Valley
near Rocky Creek, NSW, September 2008]
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Eggs |
"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay] |
Size: 35 x 24 mm | Colour: Creamy, with brown speckles | Shape: Tapered oval |
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Behaviour |
Social behaviour: Territorial | Mobility: Dispersive | Elementary unit: Solitary/pair/flock |
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. Especially when the seasons change and nectar-eating species need to move to find flowering trees, Noisy Friarbirds can be seen "raiding" trees in groups of up to 50 birds.
Noisy Friarbirds are very aggressive, not only amongst each other,
but also towards other competitors for food; here a disagreement
between Noisy Friarbirds about who gets to feed first in a flowering
tree
[Near Narrabri, NSW, March 2013]
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Food, Diet |
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 the nectar of a Bottlebrush flower
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2011]
Noisy Friarbird feasting in a Lemon-scented gumtree (eucalypt)
[Eulah Creek, NSW, April 2014]
Noisy Friarbird feeding in a Grevillea (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, May 2013]
Noisy Friarbird feeding in a clump of
Mistletoe
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2011]
Noisy Friarbird feeding on nectar in a
garden
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead, QLD, February 2017]
Noisy Friarbird devouring a large insect, possibly a cicada
[Warrumbungle NP,
NSW, December 2012]
Noisy Friarbird taking a cicada (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, December 2012]
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Call(s)/Song |
For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The
interpretation of their meaning is our own;
comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.
noifriar_20170810.m4a |
monachus (NW NSW) |
Contact call | © MD | |
noifriar_20181014.m4a |
monachus (NW NSW) |
Contact call | © MD | |
noifriar_20200525_3.m4a |
monachus (NW NSW) |
Contact call | © MD | |
noifriar_20171101_2.m4a |
monachus (NW NSW) |
Territorial call(?) | © MD | |
noifriar_20171101_3.m4a |
monachus (NW NSW) |
Territorial call(?) | © MD | |
noifriar_20150920.mp3 |
monachus (NW NSW) |
Q&A | © MD | |
noifriar_20200531.m4a |
monachus (NW NSW) |
Mass feeding event + departure | © MD | |
noifriar_20181008_4.m4a |
monachus (NW NSW) |
Defending food source | © MD | |
noifriar_20181008.m4a |
monachus (NW NSW) |
Competing over food source | © MD | |
noifriar_20181008_5.m4a |
monachus (NW NSW) |
Competing over food source | © MD | |
noifriar_20200525.m4a |
monachus (NW NSW) |
Many competing over food source | © MD | |
noifriar_20170912.m4a |
monachus (NW NSW) |
Fighting over food source (against Blue-faced Honeyeaters) | © MD | |
noifriar_20140423.mp3 |
monachus (NW NSW) |
Annoyed call (with Galah) | © MD | |
noifriar_20140502_5.mp3 |
monachus (NW NSW) |
Stand-off (with Olive-backed Oriole) | © MD | |
noifriar_20141018_4.mp3 |
monachus (NW NSW) |
Shut up by Galahs | © MD | |
noifriar_art_20131120.m4a |
monachus (SE QLD) |
Feeding call? | © ART | |
noifriar_20200929.m4a |
monachus (NW NSW) |
"Currabubula" call | © MD | |
noifriar_20200525_2.m4a |
monachus (NW NSW) |
? | © MD |

More Noisy Friarbird sound recordings are available at
xeno-canto.org
.