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Key plants used by Australian birds:
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Aboriginal names: "dhiil" [yuwaalaraay, yuwaalayaay]
Australia has a number of native fig trees, which grow mostly in high to moderate rainfall areas, providing birds and other animals (such as bats) with a valuable food source. Although not offering nectar to birds, figtrees are sought after by some species of fruit-eating doves and cuckoos, but also by the bird that received its name accordingly, the Figbird. Fig trees are usually found in closed forest, including rainforest, sometimes also in open forest. Fig trees can reach enormous sizes and although they get very old, they also have impressive growth rates, as shown below.
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Bird species found in this type of habitat or plant |
This is not necessarily a complete list. We display here some examples of bird species found by us in this kind of habitat or plant. Hover your cursor on thumbnails to see names of species; click on thumbnail to go to the page describing the species.
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Photos |
10-year old Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla) in a private driveway
View into the crown of a mighty Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla) at
Wingham Brush NR
Example of a tree whose canopy can be so dense that there is little
light penetrating and therefore little undergrowth: a Strangler
Fig, which has disposed of its former host in
tall closed forest
In some sheltered locations native fig trees can grow on the western
side of Australia's Great Dividing Range - here maturing fruit, which
are an important food source, at Sawn Rocks,
Mt. Kaputar NP
Fig trees can find a foothold in the most unlikely places like here,
at Sawn Rocks,
Mt. Kaputar NP
Usage |
This is not necessarily a complete list. We collate here various ways in which birds can use various types of plant.
| Perch | Roost | Shade | Food | Nectar | Fruit | Seed | Prey | Nest space |
Nest mat. |
Shelter | Vantage point |
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