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Australasian Figbird (Sphecotheres viridis) Alternate name(s): "Figbird", "Mulberry-bird", "Banana-bird*" Size: 27-29.5 cm; wing span: ca. 40-45 cm Body mass: 100-150 g Wing loading [g/cm2]: 0.35-0.42

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Similar species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Australasian Figbirds are oriole-sized birds. Their plumage is dimorphic, i.e. males and females are different. Male Australasian Figbirds of race "vieilloti" have a grey throat, chest and neck with an otherwise greyish-green front, while males of race "flaviventris" have a yellow front from throat to vent. All races have red lores and red skin patches around the eyes and an otherwise black head. The back is olive-green, including most of the wing feathers, except the primaries, which have are mostly grey. The uppertail is dark-grey, with white outer edges, the undertail and undertail coverts are light-grey. The bill is black. Males have orange legs and feet. Female Australasian Figbirds have a creamy to white front with heavy dark streaking. The back is brownish-grey with some scalloping. The facial skin patches around the eyes are bluish. The bill, legs and feet are dark-grey. The eyes of both sexes have dark-brown irises. Juveniles resemble females, but have paler colours throughout.

Taxonomy, classification See Australasian Figbird at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Australasian Figbird is available HERE . Australasian Figbirds are found in West Papua (eastern Indonesia), New Guinea and Australia. The definition of race "viridis" is now confined to the population found in Indonesia. All three races of Australasian Figbirds found in Australia are endemic to the continent. They populate the eastern and northern parts of the Australian continent. Australasian Figbirds are in general most common along the coastal fringe. Nominate race "vieilloti" is found along the eastern seaboard, from just to the South of Sydney, NSW, to about Ingham, QLD. In QLD they can extend their range inland, into the ranges, by up to a few hundred km. Race "flaviventris" is found only to the North of Ingham, QLD, throughout Cape York peninsula and to the Flinders River delta. Race "ashbyi" populates the (near-)coastal fringe of the northern Kimberley and the northern part of the Top End of the NT, down to the latitude of Katherine, NT. Australasian Figbirds have a preference for the edges of coastal and near-coastal rainforest. However, they are also found in other types of habitat, such as more open forest and in fruit orchards and gardens. Where to look? How to find this species? The best way to find an Australasian Figbird is to first find a soft fruit-bearing tree, such as e.g. a native fig tree. Then, within the general commotion of birds taking advantage of the harvest, one will usually find Australasian Figbirds. Their favourite fruit introduced to Australia is the mulberry, but any small soft fruit will do; that makes it possible to also find the species in fruit orchards and gardens.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "vieilloti" Our first sighting of a Australasian Figbird, race "vieilloti", came in January 2008, in Mt. Kaputar NP and Deriah Aboriginal Area, 30 km East of Narrabri, in the western foothills of the Nandewar Range. Occasionally, they are also spotted by us in Eulah Creek, 20 km East of Narrabri, NSW. In years of inland drought they do not come to the western side of the Great Dividing Range. Race "vieilloti" was spotted by us in many coastal locations during a trip to central Queensland in July 2009. They are also seen by us regularly at various points along the NSW coastline. Contributors report them to us regularly from various locations along the eastern coastline of Australia, in both QLD and NSW. C. Hayne reports spotting a pair of Australasian Figbirds, race "vieilloti", in the township of Moree, NSW, in August 2013. Various contributors report finding Australian Figbirds near Townsville, QLD. This area is part of a wide transitional zone between races "vieilloti" and "flaviventris". Race "flaviventris" M. Eaton reports finding Australasian Figbirds, race "flaviventris", at Loyalty Beach, Cape York peninsula, QLD, in August 2019. Australasian Figbirds, with a transitional plumage between races "vieilloti" and "flaviventris", were spotted by L. Tonnochy 20 km West of Townsville, QLD, in early September 2011, and by A. Ross-Taylor in Townsville, QLD, in November 2021. Race "ashbyi" We first spotted Australasian Figbirds, race "ashbyi", in various parts of the Top End of the NT, e.g. around Darwin and Pine Creek, in August 2014. H. Mouritsen reports spotting Australasian Figbirds, race "ashbyi", near Darwin, NT, in October 2015. P. Brown reports finding Australasian Figbirds, race "ashbyi", regularly around Darwin, NT. They were found breeding in Darwin in October 2017. M. Eaton found Australasian Figbirds, race "ashbyi", at Lee Point, Darwin, NT, in June 2023.

Photos

Race "vieilloti"

This race is also called the "Green Figbird".

ADULT

PAIR

Frontal view of a pair of Australasian Figbirds, both looking sideways - male on the right
[Deepwater NP, QLD, July 2009]

Frontal/lateral view of a pair of Australasian Figbirds (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Ashmore, Gold Coast, QLD, August 2021]

MALE

Close-up near-frontal view of a male Australasian Figbird looking at the observer
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2016]

Near-frontal view of a male Australasian Figbird looking sideways (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Ashmore, Gold Coast, QLD, August 2021]

Near-lateral view of a male Australasian Figbird
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2016]

Near-lateral/ventral view of a male Australasian Figbird (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[The Spit, Gold Coast, QLD, January 2020]

Close-up lateral view of a male Australasian Figbird
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2016]

Close-up lateral/ventral portrait of a male Australasian Figbird's bright-red wattled skin (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Noosa, QLD, December 2017]

Lateral/ventral view of a male Australasian Figbird (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Priors Pocket Road, Moggill, QLD, October 2021]

Close-up near-dorsal view of a male Australasian Figbird (photo courtesy of C. Linfoot)
[Hervey Range, near Townsville, QLD, October 2024]

Close-up near-dorsal view of a male Australasian Figbird
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2016]

Near-dorsal view of a male Australasian Figbird (photo courtesy of A. Campbell)
[Mount McEuen, QLD, September 2017]

Dorsal view of a male Australasian Figbird looking sideways (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead, QLD, July 2017]

Dorsal view of a male Australasian Figbird conveniently displaying its upperwing pattern (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[The Spit, Gold Coast, QLD, August 2015]

FEMALE

Frontal view of a female Australasian Figbird looking sideways
[Deepwater NP, QLD, July 2009]

Near-frontal view of a female Australasian Figbird issuing its call (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Townsville, QLD, November 2021]

Lateral view of a female Australasian Figbird with its next meal (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Arkarra Lagoons, Hervey Bay, QLD, November 2023]

Lateral view of a female Australasian Figbird issuing its call (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Townsville, QLD, November 2021]

Lateral view of a female Australasian Figbird (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead Reserve, Anstead, QLD, November 2019]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Lateral view of an immature male Australasian Figbird - note the incipient reddening of the wattled skin around the eye
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[The Spit, Gold Coast, QLD, January 2020]

Frontal view of a juvenile Australasian Figbird (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead, QLD, February 2017]

Close-up frontal/ventral view of a fledgling Australasian Figbird, just hours out of its nest; this chick still had problems balancing properly on its perch
[Bundjalung NP, NSW, February 2012]

Close-up near-frontal/ventral view of a fledgling Australasian Figbird looking sideways
[Bundjalung NP, NSW, February 2012]

Lateral/ventral view of a fledgling Australasian Figbird begging for food
[Deriah Aboriginal Area, NSW, February 2008]

Lateral view of a female Australasian Figbird bringing a fruit for its fledgling young
[Deriah Aboriginal Area, NSW, February 2008]

... and in she goes! Female Australasian Figbird feeding the chick
[Deriah Aboriginal Area, NSW, February 2008]

Race "flaviventris"

The two tropical races "flaviventris" and "ashbyi" are also called the "Yellow Figbird" (or "Northern Figbird").

ADULT

PAIR

Ventral view of two males and a female Australasian Figbird (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Loyalty Beach, Cape York peninsula, QLD, August 2019]

MALE

Frontal view of a male Australasian Figbird (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Loyalty Beach, Cape York peninsula, QLD, August 2019]

Close-up lateral view of a male Australasian Figbird (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Julatten, QLD, July 2018]

Lateral/ventral view of a male Australasian Figbird (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Julatten, QLD, July 2018]

FEMALE

Lateral view of a female Australasian Figbird (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Julatten, QLD, July 2018]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Close-up frontal view of a sub-adult male Australasian Figbird; note that the wattles have already turned red, but the bird still has most of its juvenile plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Julatten, QLD, July 2018]

Close-up lateral view of a sub-adult male Australasian Figbird (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Julatten, QLD, July 2018]

Frontal view of a juvenile Australasian Figbird preening (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Cairns, QLD, March 2015]

Transition between races "vieilloti" and "flaviventris"

The birds shown in the following where observed near Townsville, QLD, in the transition region between the two races, where males have partly green and partly yellow breasts.

ADULT

MALE

Lateral view of a male Australasian Figbird; photo courtesy of L. Tonnochy
[Near Townsville, QLD, September 2011]

More dorsal view of a male Australasian Figbird, with a female above him; photo courtesy of L. Tonnochy
[Near Townsville, QLD, September 2011]

Frontal view of a female Australasian Figbird; photo courtesy of L. Tonnochy
[Near Townsville, QLD, September 2011]

FEMALE

This frontal view shows a female Australasian Figbird hunched while relaxing; photo courtesy of L. Tonnochy
[Near Townsville, QLD, September 2011]

In this photo one can clearly see the half-green, half-yellow front of the male Australasian Figbird
[Near Townsville, QLD, September 2011]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Near-frontal view of a juvenile Australasian Figbird (photo courtesy of L. Tonnochy)
[Near Townsville, QLD, January 2011]

Race "ashbyi"

The two tropical races "ashbyi" and "flaviventris" are also called the "Yellow Figbird" (or "Northern Figbird").

ADULT

PAIR

Near-frontal view of a pair of Australasian Figbirds; male on the left, female on the right (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, September 2017]

Near-frontal/near-lateral view of a pair of Australasian Figbirds
[Darwin, NT, August 2014]

MALE

Near-frontal/ventral view of a male Australasian Figbird
[Darwin, NT, August 2014]

Near-lateral view of a male Australasian Figbird (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, July 2018]

Close-up lateral view of a male Australasian Figbird feasting on fruit (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Lee Point, Darwin, NT, June 2023]

Lateral view of a male Australasian Figbird (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, May 2018]

Dorsal view of a male Australasian Figbird looking backwards (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, May 2018]

FEMALE

Frontal view of a female Australasian Figbird (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, March 2018]

Frontal/ventral view of a female Australasian Figbird looking sideways (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, July 2018]

Lateral view of a female Australasian Figbird (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, March 2018]

Lateral view of a female Australasian Figbird wiping its bill (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, March 2018]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Dorsal view of an immature Australasian Figbird looking sideways - the shape of the bill and the warty skin around the eye show that this is a figbird; the head has not moulted into adult plumage and the warty skin has not turned red yet, but the olive-green back already indicates that this is a young male (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, March 2018]

Dorsal view of an immature Australasian Figbird (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, March 2018]

Breeding information

Breeding season: July - Mar

Eggs: 2 - 3

Incubation period: ca. 18 days

Fledging age: ca. 17 days

The breeding season of Australasian Figbirds depends on geographic latitude. Most breed in the time frame Oct-Jan, but the breeding season can extend much longer, as listed in the table above. Australasian Figbirds nest semi-colonially, in small groups.

Nest building: Female (& male?)

Incubation: Female & male

Dependent care: Female & male

Nest

"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal]

Type: Basket

Material: Twigs, vine tendrils

Height above ground: >10(?) m

Australasian Figbird nests are more flimsy than those of the orioles found in Australia. While usually high up in tree crowns on land, they can be placed much lower when overhanging water, e.g. in mangrove.

Male Australasian Figbird feeding its recently hatched brood (photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Mossman, QLD, November 2019]

Female Australasian Figbird on its nest (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Daintree River, QLD, December 2018]

Female Australasian Figbird sitting on its nest (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, October 2017]

Lateral/ventral view of a female Australasian Figbird bringing a twig for its nest (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Lake Eacham, QLD, October 2024]

Lateral/ventral view of a female Australasian Figbird bringing a twig for its nest, now seen together with its partner (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Lake Eacham, QLD, October 2024]

Lateral/ventral view of a female Australasian Figbird approaching its nest with a twig (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Lake Eacham, QLD, October 2024]

Lateral/ventral view of a female Australasian Figbird placing a twig in its nest (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Lake Eacham, QLD, October 2024]

Overview of the location of an Australasian Figbird nest (photo courtesy of K. Ohlsen)
[Acacia Hills, NT, November 2020]

Eggs

"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay]

Size: 34 x 24 mm

Colour: Bluish, with light- to mid-brown speckles

Shape: Tapered oval

Australasian Figbird nest with a full complement of 3 eggs inside (photo courtesy of K. Ohlsen)
[Acacia Hills, NT, November 2020]

Australasian Figbird nest with 2 eggs inside (photo courtesy of K. Ohlsen)
[Acacia Hills, NT, November 2020]

Closer view of two Australasian Figbird eggs (photo courtesy of K. Ohlsen)
[Acacia Hills, NT, November 2020]

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal

Mobility: Sedentary

Elementary unit: Small flock

Note that immature birds are nomadic.

Food, Diet

As their name already suggests, Australasian Figbirds feed on native figs, but also other fruit. They will also take nectar and insects.

Male Australasian Figbird "earning its name" by feeding on native figs (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Near Yamba, NSW, January 2021]

Female Australasian Figbird "earning its name" by feeding on native figs (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Near Yamba, NSW, January 2021]

Close-up lateral view of a male Australasian Figbird feasting on fruit (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Pullenvale, QLD, November 2023]

Partly obscured near-lateral view of a male Australasian Figbird feasting on fruit
[Deepwater NP, QLD, July 2009]

Male Australasian Figbird feasting on fruit (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Pacific Pines, Gold Coast, QLD, July 2009]

Male Australasian Figbird peeling(?) a fruit (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Julatten, QLD, July 2018]

Male Australasian Figbird peeling(?) a fruit (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Julatten, QLD, July 2018]

Male Australasian Figbird with a fruit (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Julatten, QLD, July 2018]

Close-up near-lateral view of a male Australasian Figbird checking out a mulberry tree
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2016]

Near-dorsal/ventral view of a female Australasian Figbird taking a mulberry (note the purple smudges on the bird's plumage)
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2016]

Gulp...
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2016]

... gone!
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2016]

Female Australasian Figbird taking fruit (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead Reserve, Anstead, QLD, March 2017]

Australasian Figbirds "vieilloti"/"flaviventris" in their "land of milk and honey"... - these look like a male (centre), female (top) and immature (bottom); photo courtesy of L. Tonnochy
[Near Townsville, QLD, September 2011]

This photo of an immature Australasian Figbird may suggest that they do not only take nectar and fruit, but also eat petals of flowers (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead, QLD, February 2017]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

figbird_20190101.m4a	vieilloti (NW NSW)	Contact calls	© MD
figbird_20161116_5.m4a	vieilloti (NW NSW)	Contact call	© MD
figbird_20161116.m4a	vieilloti (NW NSW)	Competing for food	© MD
figbird_20161116_4.m4a	vieilloti (NW NSW)	Competing for food	© MD
figbird_me_20200428.m4a	vieilloti (SE QLD)	Various (male)	© ME
figbird_20140525.mp3	vieilloti (NW NSW)	?	© MD
figbird_me_20240613.m4a	flaviventris (Far-N QLD)	Contact call(?)	© ME
figbird_me_20240613_2.m4a	flaviventris (Far-N QLD)	Contact call(?)	© ME
figbird_20140818_2.m4a	ashbyi (Pine Creek, NT)	Contact call(?)	© MD
figbird_20140818_4.m4a	ashbyi (Pine Creek, NT)	Contact calls? (Q&A)	© MD
figbird_20140818_3.m4a	ashbyi (Pine Creek, NT)	Extended contact call(?)	© MD
figbird_20140817.m4a	ashbyi (Darwin, NT)	Extended contact call(?)	© MD
figbird_pb_20200613.m4a	ashbyi (Darwin, NT)	Various (male)	© PB
figbird_pb_20180804_2.m4a	ashbyi (Darwin, NT)	Various (male)	© PB
figbird_pb_20180804.m4a	ashbyi (Darwin, NT)	Various (male); long sequence	© PB
figbird_20140817_3.m4a	ashbyi (Top End, NT)	Q&A? (with Yellow Oriole)	© MD
figbird_pb_20200415.m4a	ashbyi (Darwin, NT)	Going to roost	© PB
figbird_pb_20200415_2.m4a	ashbyi (Darwin, NT)	Going to roost	© PB
figbird_20140817_2.m4a	ashbyi (Darwin, NT)	?	© MD
figbird_20140818_5.m4a	ashbyi (Pine Creek, NT)	?	© MD
figbird_20140818_7.m4a	ashbyi (Pine Creek, NT)	?	© MD
figbird_20140818.m4a	ashbyi (Pine Creek, NT)	?	© MD

More Australasian Figbird sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

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