Discover Nature at JCU Animals Birds by scientific name Philemon buceroides

Philemon buceroides

Philemon buceroides

(Helmeted Friarbird)

FAMILY

Meliphagidae

Species

Philemon buceroides

Common name

Helmeted Friarbird

Main colour

Grey brown

Distinctive feature

Bare skin head and part of neck, large gently sloping knob on forehead, size 30-37 cm

Campus

Cairns, Townsville

Description

This bird is common on the Townsville campus and elsewhere, readily distinguished by the grey-brown body, dark grey head with bare skin and the neck, which seems out of proportion to the body, and the gently sloping knob on the forehead. Underparts are a paler grey. Legs and feet grey, eyes with red-brown iris, bill black. Bird is pictured on Bombax ceiba flowers