friarbird

See also: friar bird

English

Alternative forms

• friar bird

Etymology

From friar +‎ bird.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈfɹʌɪəbəːd/

Noun

friarbird (plural friarbirds)

1. Any of several species of large Australian honeyeaters in the genus Philemon. [from 18th c.]
   • 1985, Peter Carey, Illywhacker, Faber and Faber, published 2003, page 186:

     The friar birds drove their beaks into the sweet white flesh of Bacchus Marsh apples.

   • 2002, Alex Miller, Journey to the Stone Country, Allen & Unwin, published 2003, page 55:

     From the sandalwood ridge behind him a friarbird repeated its ardent call again and again, warning off the intruders. Ar-coo! Ar-coo! Ar-coo!

Synonyms

• leatherhead

Derived terms

* See also Friarbird#Taxonomy.

• helmeted friarbird
• little friarbird