Manus friarbird facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Manus friarbird |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Meliphagidae |
| Genus: | Philemon |
| Species: |
P. albitorques
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| Binomial name | |
| Philemon albitorques Sclater, PL, 1877
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The Manus friarbird (Philemon albitorques), also known as the white-naped friarbird, is a special type of bird. People on Manus Island call it the chauka. It belongs to the Honeyeater family, which are birds known for eating nectar.
This bird is only found in the Manus Province of Papua New Guinea. This means it is endemic to that area. It's a very important bird to the local people.
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Where the Manus Friarbird Lives
The Manus friarbird naturally lives in warm, wet lowland forests. These are forests that get a lot of rain and are not very high up.
You can also often find these birds living close to people. They might even like living near human settlements. This is because people create more open spaces in coastal areas, which the friarbirds seem to enjoy.
The Amazing Chauka
The chauka is very well known to the people of Manus Island. They say this bird can actually tell the time! It's one of the most famous and loudest honeyeaters in the world.
There are many stories and myths about the chauka. People believe it can warn them about snakes in trees. It can also tell people when a new baby has been born in the community.
The Chauka on the Manus Flag
The chauka is so important that it is even on the flag of the Manus Province. Luke Bulei, who designed the flag in 1977, explained why.
He said the chauka is special because:
- It is only found in the Manus Province.
- It sings at dawn to signal the start of the day.
- It also sings at sunset to mark the end of the day.
- It often warns people about dangers.
- It can even tell hunters if their next trip will be successful or not.
Luke Bulei also mentioned that the local radio station, NBC Radio, changed its name to "Maus Bilong Chauka." This means "Voice of the Chauka."
The Chauka in Film
The Manus friarbird was also used as a symbol in a film. The movie is called Chauka, Please Tell Us the Time.
It was made in 2016 by Behrouz Boochani and filmmaker Arash Kamali Sarvestani. The film used the bird to represent ideas about time and freedom.
Images for kids
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A Manus friarbird perched on a branch.
 | Lonnie Johnson |
 | Granville Woods |
 | Lewis Howard Latimer |
 | James West |
