A Birdwatcher’s Bird: Meet the Hopping Friendwing

The Hopping Friendwing is a rare but steadily increasing species found in Australia and New Zealand.

Curious, confident and highly social, they are known for their unusually close relationship with other birds - and with people, particularly birdwatchers.

Population growth appears closely linked to increased participation in birdwatching. In areas where more people are spending time outdoors observing birds, Hopping Friendwing populations also appear to be growing.

Bird Overview

Scientific name: Lyferia amicalis

Habitat: Upcycled & environmentally friendly caps

Location: Australia and New Zealand.

Conservation status: Rare, increasing. Formal assessment pending.

Identification

The Hopping Friendwing is a plump, medium-sized, robin-shaped bird measuring approximately 5 cm in length and 4cm in height.

Adult males and females are distinct in appearance, with the female identifiable by a prominent dark band. Juveniles resemble softer, duller versions of the adults, developing their stronger colouring and markings as they mature.

Although capable fliers, Hopping Friendwings spend considerable time on the ground, moving with a distinctive and confident hop.

One of the species’ most recognisable behaviours occurs when a bird becomes particularly happy or excited. It repeatedly hops vertically on the same spot, completely silently.

Songs & Calls

Every vocalisation produced by the Hopping Friendwing is musical.

Contact calls, warnings and social communications all take the form of short melodic phrases, with individuals capable of producing an unusually large repertoire.

Habitat & Distribution

Hopping Friendwings are particularly fussy and have only been known to inhabit LYFER Upcycled and Environmentally friendly caps.

Behaviour

Hopping Friendwings are exceptionally sociable and unusually non-territorial.

They are generally encountered in pairs but readily associate with other Friendwings, single birds and other species. They have even been observed positioning themselves between birds engaged in disputes, sometimes remaining nearby until the aggression subsides.

Their relationship with people is equally unusual.

Individuals can recognise familiar humans and may develop preferences for particular people. Long-term observations suggest they can remember individual birdwatchers for many years.

Favoured people may occasionally be presented with colourful leaves, carefully collected and carried to them.

The species has also become famous among birdwatchers for gently landing on people’s heads, apparently using them as temporary perches - and occasionally as transport.

A birdwatcher’s bird

Experienced birders have learned to pay close attention to Hopping Friendwings.

The birds frequently notice wildlife before people do and may alter their behaviour in ways that draw attention towards another species (for bird spotting purposes only).. Some individuals even appear to lead birdwatchers towards interesting birds.

This becomes particularly noticeable in spring.

Resident Friendwings have been observed approaching newly arrived migratory birds and accompanying them through local habitat, seemingly guiding visitors towards suitable feeding, resting and social locations - all while resolving any disputes along the way.

For birdwatchers, following a particularly purposeful Hopping Friendwing during spring can occasionally result in an unexpected migrant sighting.

Courtship display

Courtship involves one of the species’ most distinctive behaviours.

The male selects and arranges a series of objects in ascending order of height, creating a small hopping course. He then performs the course while the female watches.

The potential partner seems to assess both the construction of the course and the male’s hopping technique.

Even when seemingly impressed, they may require several repeat performances before indicating acceptance.

Acceptance occurs when they approach the course and complete it themselves.

Outlook

The Hopping Friendwing is a newly recognised species and has not yet received a formal conservation classification.

Although still considered rare, observations suggest populations are increasing year on year.

Perhaps most remarkably, the species’ growth appears closely connected with people discovering birds, spending more time outdoors and participating in birdwatching.

The more people who become interested in birds, it seems, the more opportunities there are for the Hopping Friendwing to thrive.