Australasian Figbird
A species of Figbirds Scientific name : Sphecotheres vieilloti Genus : Figbirds
Australasian Figbird, A species of Figbirds
Botanical name: Sphecotheres vieilloti
Genus: Figbirds
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Description People often ask General Info
Photo By Lip Kee , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
The Australasian figbird has a total length of 27–29.5 cm (10.6–11.6 in) and a jizz comparable to that of other orioles. It is sexually dimorphic, and the racial differences are almost entirely limited to the male. Males of all subspecies have a black tail with broad white tips to the outer rectrices, white crissum (the undertail coverts surrounding the cloaca), blackish primaries, a black head, distinct bright red facial skin, a black bill with a red base, and pinkish legs. In the nominate subspecies, the body is largely olive-green, and the throat, neck and chest are grey. The subspecies cucullatus, ashbyi and flaviventris are yellowish olive-green above, and bright yellow below (including the throat). The last subspecies, salvadorii, resembles previous, but with a grey throat, collar and chest similar to the nominate subspecies, thereby giving it an intermediate appearance not unlike some hybrids between the nominate and flaviventris subspecies in Australia. Females are drab-coloured, being dull brownish above, and white below with strong dark streaking. They have greyish facial skin, and a greyish-black bill. Juveniles resemble females, but the streaking below is typically not as strong. The other orioles in its range, the brown and olive-backed orioles, are superficially similar, but have entirely red bills when adult. Australasian figbirds make a large number of different short calls, and are also able to mimic the voice of other birds, for example parrots and other species of orioles. The song consists of a series of simple whistles.
Size
30 cm
Colors
Brown
Black
Green
Yellow
Red
Gray
Feeding Habits
Australasian Figbird primarily feeds on soft fruits, berries, and insects, foraging in the foliage for food. They have a preference for figs and exhibit a unique ability to hang upside-down while eating.
Habitat
Australasian Figbird typically inhabits a diverse range of wooded and forested environments including rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests. These birds are also prominent in various subject-specific regions such as monsoon forests and areas with abundant fig trees (Ficus), which are crucial to their diet. Australasian Figbird tends to reside in coastal regions up to elevations of 500 meters, adjusting to both natural and altered landscapes, like urban parks, gardens, and even coconut plantations. The presence of large trees along rivers, mangroves, and the edges of forests further influence their distribution, showing their adaptability to different habitats.
Dite type
Frugivorous
People often ask
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird Feeder Type
Platform
Behavior
Unlike most orioles, Australasian figbirds are gregarious, often forming flocks of 20 to 40 birds during the non-breeding season, and even breeding in small, loose colonies. The flimsy saucer-shaped nest is made from plant-material, and usually placed relatively high in a tree. The clutch of two to four eggs is incubated by both sexes, and typically hatches after 16–17 days. It has been recorded nesting near the aggressive spangled drongo and helmeted friarbird, possibly gaining an advantage as they keep potential nest-predators away.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Photo By Lip Kee , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Old world orioles Genus
Figbirds Species
Australasian Figbird