Photo: James Eaton / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Grey Friarbird
Philemon kisserensis
Grey Friarbird (Philemon kisserensis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Australia & Oceania.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Grey Friarbird (Philemon kisserensis) is a member of the Meliphagidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 62.8 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Meliphagidae Honeyeaters
- Genus Philemon
- Species kisserensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 62.8 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Meliphagidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Grey Friarbird is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Grey Friarbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Grey Friarbird (Philemon kisserensis) belongs to the Meliphagidae family of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU Kisar, Leti and Moa (e of Timor, e Lesser Sundas).
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 62.8 g, with a wing length of about 12.6 cm and a tail of around 10 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 534 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Grey Friarbird?
The Grey Friarbird is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 62.8 g.
Where does the Grey Friarbird live?
The Grey Friarbird is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU Kisar, Leti and Moa (e of Timor, e Lesser Sundas), where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Grey Friarbird belong to?
The Grey Friarbird (Philemon kisserensis) belongs to the Meliphagidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Grey Friarbird eat?
The Grey Friarbird is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Grey Friarbird migrate?
The Grey Friarbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Grey Friarbird endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the Grey Friarbird's range?
The Grey Friarbird has a mapped global range of about 534 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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