Often gathers noisily at flowering trees, where its smaller size lets it feed among foliage more nimbly than larger friarbirds.
Not listed
At a glance
FamilyHoneyeaters
SizeMedium
RarityCommon
HabitatOpen eucalypt woodland, forest edges, river corridors, flowering trees, and well-treed parks across northern and eastern Australia.
Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from July to November.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Peter Boesman
Range map
Range map
200approx hotspots
163956approx records
5states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
The smallest Australian friarbird, with gray-brown upperparts, cream underparts, blue-gray facial skin, and no prominent casque on the bill.
Behavior
Feeds actively on nectar, fruit, and insects, often joining mixed groups of honeyeaters in flowering trees.
Gallery
Regional timing
Queensland
Northern Territory
New South Wales
Victoria
Western Australia
South Australia
Australian Capital Territory