The Helmeted Friarbirds is native birds to Indonesia and northern Australia. Also known as “Cucak Timor” by locals, they became the mascot of the Mataram City.
Having a least concern status, this bird is famous for its loud chirping! To support its sustainability, let’s see the article about this unique bird!
Habitat
This birds is most prominently abundant in the northern territory coasts of Australia and Indonesia. They are mainly live in subtropical or tropical dry forests, lowland forests, and mangrove forests.
While building nests, the friarbirds typically use bark, leaves and stems to create a sturdy structure. They will also use sticks for extra support and grass for comfort. They tend to build their nests close to a body of water and high in trees to avoid harm.
Characteristics
Have medium size, their weight in at 127-179 gram for males and 97-112 gram for females with 32-36 cm body length.
The fur colors on their face is dark gray with red eyes. As their body is gray-brown with a fading white as it comes toward the chest, and tint darker until it gets to the feet. They have life span approximately 5-7 years.
Diet & Behaviours
Helmeted Friarbirds eat a variety of foods. Their main sources of nutrition include nectar, fruits and seeds. Sometimes they eat invertebrates and lizards.
The unique behavior of them is their loud “squawks” that can be heard from far. They will more vocal in the morning and during storms and is quiet throughout the rest of the time.
Reproduction
While breeding the Helmeted Friarbird typically lays 2-4 eggs at a time, while the incubation period only takes 15-18 days.
Even though the Helmeted Friarbirds have a stable population, they still facing the danger within the next 10 years. There are a prediction that these birds continue to decrease by 10%, making their status vulnerable.
We should protect Helmeted Friarbirds and all wildlife so they don’t go extinct in the wild. So, let’s learn about birds and get involved in animal welfare with Bali Safari Park!
