Common Name: Little Friarbird

Distribution: Widespread in northern and eastern Australia. Found from Broome, Western Australia across the Top End to Queensland, and down the coast of New South Wales as far as the Central Coast. Widespread in Western New South Wales and northern Victoria along Murray River, to South Australia.

Ecological Notes: The Little Friarbird frequents areas of open forests, eucalypt woodlands, coastal heathlands and mangroves. It is found near water, and only extends into arid zone along waterways. Mostly tropical, but also common in semi-arid zone. Often seen in parks, gardens and orchards.

Additional Notes: The smallest of the friarbirds, it has a bluish naked patch around the eye, a strong curved bill which lacks the knob of the related Noisy Friarbird. It is usually seen singly or in small flocks, most often in the outer foliage of trees and shrubs and is rarely seen on the ground. It feeds on nectar and insects and constantly chases other honeyeaters from its food source. The similar-looking Blue-faced Honeyeater has blue patches above each eye and olive-green upperparts.

References: Birds in Backyards at https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Philemon-citreogularis Accessed 01/01/2025.

The complete guide to Australian Birds. George Adams. Penguin Random House Australia 2018. p362.