Manus friarbird

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Manus friarbird
Philemon albitorques.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Meliphagidae
Genus: Philemon
Species:
P. albitorques
Binomial name
Philemon albitorques

The Manus friarbird (Philemon albitorques) or white-naped friarbird, also known as the chauka ('souka' in Lele, the local language [2] ) is a species of bird in the Honeyeater family, or Meliphagidae. [3] It is endemic to the Manus Province [4] of Papua New Guinea.

Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.[ citation needed ] It is also commonly found around human habitation, and possibly favoured by human settlement and the more open habitats created by people in many coastal areas. [3]

The chauka is well known to locals on Manus Island, who speak of its ability to tell the time. It could be the most iconic honeyeater within its range in the world, as well as the loudest. [3] Numerous stories and myths about the many abilities and duties of the chauka include alerting people to snakes in trees and informing people about a recent birth in the community. [2]

Its significance to Manus is also reflected in its representation on the Manus provincial flag. Designer of the Manus Province flag, Luke Bulei, explained his reasons for its design in 1977: the chauka is only found in the Manus province; it heralds dawn and signals sunset; it often warns us of dangers; and lastly, it informs us of the success or otherwise of a forthcoming hunting trip. He added that NBC Radio Station had changed its name to Maus Bilong Chauka (Voice of the Chauka) several years before. [4]

The bird was used symbolically in the film Chauka, Please Tell Us the Time , made from within the Manus Island detention centre by refugee Behrouz Boochani and filmmaker Arash Kamali Sarvestani in 2016. [5]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little friarbird</span> Species of bird

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helmeted friarbird</span> Species of bird

The helmeted friarbird is part of the Meliphagidae family. The helmeted friarbird, along with all their subspecies, is commonly referred to as “leatherhead” by the birding community.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanimbar friarbird</span> Species of bird

The Tanimbar friarbird is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It is endemic to the Kai and Tanimbar Islands, Indonesia.

<i>Chauka, Please Tell Us the Time</i> 2017 film by Behrouz Boochani

Chauka, Please Tell Us the Time is a documentary film co-directed by Kurdish-Iranian refugee Behrouz Boochani and Netherlands-based Iranian filmmaker Arash Kamali Sarvestani released in 2017. It was shot by Boochani from inside Australia's Manus Island detention centre in Papua New Guinea. The whole film was shot over six months on a smartphone, which had to be kept secret from the prison authorities.

References

  1. BirdLife International (2016). "Philemon albitorques". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T22704215A93957853. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22704215A93957853.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 Boetgger, Juliane (March 2015). Topics in the grammar of Lele: A language of Manus Island, Papua New Guinea (PDF) (PhD). Vol. Appendix V. James Cook University. College of Arts, Society and Education. p. LXXIII.
  3. 1 2 3 Fitzsimons, James (19 June 2013). "The Charismatic and Elusive Birds of Manus Island" . Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  4. 1 2 "Manus (Papua New Guinea)". Flags of the world. 2009.
  5. Zable, Arnold (17 October 2017). "From Manus to London: how two strangers made a landmark movie together". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 10 February 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2019.

Further reading