The Morotai friarbird or dusky friarbird is a species of friarbird in the honeyeater family Meliphagidae. It is a dark brown bird with pale undersides. The area around the eye is bare and pink. It is around 30 cm long. The species is mimicked by the dusky-brown oriole, which is almost identical in appearance, a situation that has arisen in many species of orioles and friarbirds that exist in the same habitat. This is thought to reduce aggression by the friarbirds against the smaller orioles. It is endemic to the island of Morotai in North Maluku, Indonesia.
Region
North Maluku, Indonesia
Typical Environment
Primarily associated with Morotai, where it occupies lowland and foothill habitats. It uses primary and secondary forest, forest edges, coastal scrub, and village gardens with flowering trees. The species readily visits coconut groves and other human-modified areas when nectar sources are abundant. It forages from understory to canopy but is most often seen in the mid- to upper layers.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This friarbird is a nectar-feeding honeyeater with a distinctive patch of bare pink skin around the eye and a long, slightly decurved bill. It is famously mimicked by the dusky-brown oriole, which closely matches its plumage to reduce aggression from the larger friarbird. Friarbirds are assertive defenders of flowering trees, often chasing other nectar feeders. The bare facial skin likely helps keep feathers free of sticky pollen.
Temperament
assertive and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with strong, direct dashes between trees
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups, often defending flowering trees vigorously. Nests are cup-shaped structures placed in foliage, with both sexes involved in care. It may join loose mixed-species flocks when food is abundant but tends to dominate access to nectar sources.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are loud and nasal, with harsh chattering notes and repeated scolding phrases. Calls carry well through forest edges and gardens and may accelerate during aggressive encounters around flowering trees.
Plumage
Overall dusky to dark brown above with paler, gray-buff undersides and a slightly lighter throat. Feathers appear plain with minimal streaking, giving a uniform, dusky impression.
Diet
Feeds largely on nectar from a variety of native and cultivated flowering trees and shrubs. Supplements nectar with insects and other arthropods, gleaned from foliage or captured in short sallies. Also takes soft fruits and occasionally sips from overripe fruit or cultivated blooms.
Preferred Environment
Forages in forest edges, secondary growth, village orchards, and coastal groves where blossoms are plentiful. Most activity occurs in the mid- to upper canopy, but it will descend to lower layers when flowers or fruits are available.
