Silver-crowned Friarbird

Endemic to northern Australia, the Silver-crowned Friarbird (Philemon argenticeps) is a large honeyeater with bare black facial skin, and a prominent “horn” on the long pointed, black bill. They have a grey-brown upperparts and a pale brown-off white underparts. They have a pale grey cap and back of the neck. The cap has been described as silver in colour, hence the name Silver-crowned Friarbird.

Not to be confused with the Helmeted Friarbird (Philemon buceroides), the Silver-crowned Friarbird is slightly smaller. In addition the shape of the bare patch on the cheek forms an angular point behind the eye but is rounded in the Helmeted Friarbird. The Silver-crowned Friarbird also has a more prominently shaped “horn” on the bill, whilst the Helmeted Friarbird horn can be more flat in shape, although it is known to be variable in shape. The know is less obvious in juvenile birds.

They are found in subtropical and tropical dry forests and mangrove forests, with a preference for open woodland and forest.

The following image from the Trove, National Library of Australia:

Gostelow, E. E. (). The silver-crowned friar-bird (Philemon argenticeps) Retrieved September 18, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-134861889

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• Scientific classification
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Passeriformes
• Family: Meliphagidae
• Genus: Philemon
• Species: P. argenticeps
• Binomial name: Philemon argenticeps