The friarbirds, also called leatherheads, are a groups of 18 relatively large honeyeaters in the genus Philemon.

Additionally, the single member of the genus Melitograis is called the white-streaked friarbird.

They derive their name from the circular pattern at the crown of their heads and their neutral coloring, which makes them resemble friars.

[2] The genus Philemon was introduced in 1816 by the French ornithologist Louis Pierre Vieillot.

[3] Vieillot did not specify a type species but this was designated as the Buru friarbird by George Gray in 1840.