The silver-crowned friarbird is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae.It is endemic to northern Australia, including Queensland.
Region
Northern Australia
Typical Environment
Found across northern Australia from the Kimberley in Western Australia through the Top End of the Northern Territory to Cape York Peninsula and northeastern Queensland. It frequents open eucalypt woodlands, riparian forests, paperbark swamps, monsoon vine thickets, and coastal scrub. The species readily visits flowering trees in town parks and gardens. It tends to favor areas with abundant nectar sources and can be locally common where eucalypts and melaleucas bloom.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A large honeyeater, the silver-crowned friarbird gets its name from the pale, silvery crown of feathers atop its head. It is assertive around flowering trees and often chases away other nectar-feeders, even larger birds. Like many friarbirds, it follows seasonal blooms of eucalypts and paperbarks, moving locally as food peaks.
Temperament
bold, vocal, and territorial
Flight Pattern
strong direct flights with rapid wingbeats between trees
Social Behavior
Often seen singly, in pairs, or in small groups at rich nectar sources. Pairs maintain territories during breeding and may aggressively exclude other honeyeaters. The nest is a suspended cup of bark and fibers placed high in foliage; both parents attend the young.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Loud, ringing calls mixed with harsh chattering notes, often delivered from exposed perches. Phrases are repeated and can carry over long distances, especially at dawn.
Plumage
Brownish-olive above with paler, greyish underparts and a distinctive pale, silvery-streaked crown. The face shows dark, partly bare skin and the throat is slightly paler with fine feathering.
Diet
Primarily takes nectar from flowering eucalypts, melaleucas, and grevilleas. Supplements nectar with insects and spiders gleaned from foliage and bark or captured on short sallies. Will also consume fruit and sugary lerps when available. Feeding intensity tracks seasonal flowering peaks.
Preferred Environment
Forages mostly in mid to upper canopy of open woodland and along rivers, as well as in paperbark swamps and mangrove edges. Common in urban parks and gardens with flowering native trees and shrubs.
