Noisy Friarbird

Noisy Friarbird

Philemon corniculatus

Silhouette: James Klarevas · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
at Blue Mountains National Park
1,062 Verified sightings at Blue Mountains National Park From 2019 to 2026
1,941 Verified sightings across all 9 parks From 2019 to 2026
January Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

About the Noisy Friarbird

The noisy friarbird (Philemon corniculatus) is a passerine bird of the honeyeater family Meliphagidae native to southern New Guinea and eastern Australia. It is one of several species known as friarbirds whose heads are bare of feathers. It is brown-grey in colour, with a prominent knob on its bare black-skinned head. It feeds on insects and nectar.

The noisy friarbird was first described by ornithologist John Latham in 1790. The generic name is from the Ancient Greek philēmōn 'affectionate, kissing'. Its specific epithet is derived from the Latin corniculum '(having a) little horn'. It is sometimes known as a leatherhead. Wirgan was a name used by the local Eora and Darug inhabitants of the Sydney basin.

Molecular study shows its closest relative to be the silver-crowned friarbird within the genus Philemon. DNA analysis has shown honeyeaters to be related to the Pardalotidae (pardalotes), Acanthizidae (Australian warblers, scrubwrens, thornbills, etc.), and Maluridae (Australian fairy-wrens) in the large superfamily Meliphagoidea.

Measuring 31–36 cm (12–14 in) in length, the noisy friarbird is a large honeyeater with dull brownish grey upperparts and... Wikipedia →

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Noosa National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
~70%
2 Springbrook National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
~20%
3 Blue Mountains National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
~10%
4 Booderee National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
~10%
5 Kosciuszko National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
~10%
6 Royal National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
~10%
7 Lamington National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
~10%
8 Daintree National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
<5%
9 Grampians National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
<5%

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Noisy Friarbird in Blue Mountains National Park?

About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Noisy Friarbird sighting in Blue Mountains National Park, based on 1,062 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Noisy Friarbird in Blue Mountains National Park?

January has the highest sighting rate for Noisy Friarbird in Blue Mountains National Park in our monthly data.

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