Meliphagidae (friarbird, honeyeaters; class Aves, order Passeriformes) A family of small to medium-sized, mainly green or grey-brown birds, some of which have patches of red, yellow, or white. Many have bare, wattled skin on the head, the bill is slender and curved, and the tongue has a brush-like tip. (Friarbirds (17 species of Philemon found in Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesia) have on their heads areas of bare, black skin, with a black knob on the forehead.) The wings are long and pointed, the tail is medium to long, and the legs are strong. Honeyeaters inhabit mainly forests, feed on nectar, insects, and fruit, and build a domed, open, or cup-like pendant nest in trees. There are 37 genera, with about 170 species, found in S. Africa and Australasia.

honeyeater (honey sucker) Any of a group of Australian songbirds. They have long tongues for feeding on nectar and fruit, and pollinate flowers they feed on. Family Meliphagidae.