West Papuan Is (Waigeo, Kofiau, Salawati, Batanta, Misool), and north-western and southern New Guinea (Vogelkop east to Geelvink Bay and, in south, east to Milne Bay and, in south-east, on northern coast eastern from Kumusi R).
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
New Guinea Friarbird (Philemon novaeguineae) [XC741993]
by id from Gobe hills, Kikori basin, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea (duet)
New Guinea Friarbird (Philemon novaeguineae) [XC591707]
by Phil Gregory from Tabubil, Western Province, Papua New Guinea (dawn song)
Subspecies
Helmeted Friarbird (Philemon buceroides) and Papuan Friarbird (Philemon novaeguineae) (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993), cross-regional species, are treated as seperate species by BirdLife International, whereas Christidis and Boles (1994) include novaeguineae as a subspecies of buceroides.
Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Helmeted Friarbird (Philemon buceroides).
The following 5 subspecies are recognised:
novaeguineae (Müller, S, 1842) - New Guinea. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Helmeted Friarbird (Philemon buceroides).
aruensis (Meyer, AB, 1884) - Aru Is. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Helmeted Friarbird (Philemon buceroides).
jobiensis (Meyer, AB, 1874) - Yapen I (in Geelvink Bay) and northern New Guinea from Mamberamo R east to southern coastal Huon Gulf (around Salamaua). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Helmeted Friarbird (Philemon buceroides).
subtuberosus Hartert, 1896 - Trobriand Is (Kaileuna, Kiriwina and Kitava) and D'Entrecasteaux Archipelago (Goodenough, Fergusson and Normanby), off south-eastern New Guinea. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Helmeted Friarbird (Philemon buceroides).
tagulanus Rothschild & Hartert, 1918 -
Tagula I, in Louisiade Archipelago (off south-eastern New Guinea). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Helmeted Friarbird (Philemon buceroides).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet