Australasian Figbird
Encyclopedia
The Australasian Figbird (Sphecotheres vieilloti) is a conspicuous medium-sized passerine
bird native to a wide range of wooded habitats in northern and eastern Australia
, southern Papua New Guinea
, and the Kai Islands
in Indonesia
. It was formerly considered a subspecies
of S. viridis
, then simply referred to as the Figbird (a name still commonly used in Australia, where the Australasian Figbird is the only figbird
). It is common in large parts of its range, and occurs in numerous protected areas. Consequently, it is rated as Least Concern
by BirdLife International
and IUCN.
(S. viridis) and the Wetar Figbird
. The split is primarily based on differences in measurements and plumage
, and on biogeography
. Additionally, the Australasian Figbird has sometimes been split into two separate species, the northern Yellow Figbird (S. flaviventris) and the Green or Southern Figbird (S. vieilloti), but the two intergrade widely where they come into contact, supporting the view that they are part of a single biological species.
The Australasian Figbird has five subspecies, in taxonomic order:
comparable to that of other oriole
s. 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, 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 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 nominate and flaviventris 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 Oriole
s, 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 parrot
s and other species of orioles. The song consists of a series of simple whistles.
Unlike most oriole
s, 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 2-4 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. Australasian Figbirds sometimes fall victim to nest parasitism
by Pacific Koel
s.
Passerine
A passerine is a bird of the order Passeriformes, which includes more than half of all bird species. Sometimes known as perching birds or, less accurately, as songbirds, the passerines form one of the most diverse terrestrial vertebrate orders: with over 5,000 identified species, it has roughly...
bird native to a wide range of wooded habitats in northern and eastern Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, southern Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
, and the Kai Islands
Kai Islands
The Kai Islands of Indonesia are in the south-eastern part of the Maluku Islands, in Maluku Province.-Geography:...
in Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
. It was formerly considered a subspecies
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
of S. viridis
Timor Figbird
The Timor Figbird is a monotypic species of bird in the Oriolidae family. It is endemic to forest, woodland, mangrove and scrub on the south-east Asian islands of Timor and Roti. It is moderately common, and therefore considered to be of Least Concern by BirdLife International and IUCN...
, then simply referred to as the Figbird (a name still commonly used in Australia, where the Australasian Figbird is the only figbird
Figbird
The figbirds are a genus of orioles found in wooded habitats in Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Lesser Sundas. The three species have been considered conspecific, but today all major authorities consider them as separate species. The split is primarily based on differences in measurements and...
). It is common in large parts of its range, and occurs in numerous protected areas. Consequently, it is rated as Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern is an IUCN category assigned to extant taxon or lower taxa which have been evaluated but do not qualify for any other category. As such they do not qualify as threatened, Near Threatened, or Conservation Dependent...
by BirdLife International
BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources...
and IUCN.
Taxonomy
Traditionally, all figbirds have been considered part of a single species, S. viridis, but all recent major authorities recognize three species, the Australasian Figbird (S. viieilloti), the Timor FigbirdTimor Figbird
The Timor Figbird is a monotypic species of bird in the Oriolidae family. It is endemic to forest, woodland, mangrove and scrub on the south-east Asian islands of Timor and Roti. It is moderately common, and therefore considered to be of Least Concern by BirdLife International and IUCN...
(S. viridis) and the Wetar Figbird
Wetar Figbird
The Wetar Figbird is a monotypic species of bird in the Oriolidae family. It is endemic to forest, woodland and scrub on the Indonesian island of Wetar. It remains very poorly known, but is possibly threatened by habitat loss, resulting in it being listed as Near Threatened by BirdLife...
. The split is primarily based on differences in measurements and plumage
Plumage
Plumage refers both to the layer of feathers that cover a bird and the pattern, colour, and arrangement of those feathers. The pattern and colours of plumage vary between species and subspecies and can also vary between different age classes, sexes, and season. Within species there can also be a...
, and on biogeography
Biogeography
Biogeography is the study of the distribution of species , organisms, and ecosystems in space and through geological time. Organisms and biological communities vary in a highly regular fashion along geographic gradients of latitude, elevation, isolation and habitat area...
. Additionally, the Australasian Figbird has sometimes been split into two separate species, the northern Yellow Figbird (S. flaviventris) and the Green or Southern Figbird (S. vieilloti), but the two intergrade widely where they come into contact, supporting the view that they are part of a single biological species.
The Australasian Figbird has five subspecies, in taxonomic order:
- S. v. cucullatus – Kai Islands in Indonesia. Possibly a junior synonym of S. v. flaviventris.
- S. v. salvadorii – southern Papua New Guinea.
- S. v. ashbyi – northern Western AustraliaWestern AustraliaWestern Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
and Northern TerritoryNorthern TerritoryThe Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
, Australia. - S. v. flaviventris – north-eastern Australia.
- S. v. vieilloti (nominate) – south-eastern and east-central Australia.
Description
The Australasian Figbird has a total length of 27-29,5 cm (10½-11½ in), and a jizzJizz (birding)
Jizz is a term used by birders to describe the overall impression or appearance of a bird garnered from such features as shape, posture, flying style or other habitual movements, size and colouration combined with voice, habitat and location....
comparable to that of other oriole
Oriole
Orioles are colourful Old World passerine birds in the genus Oriolus, the namesake of the corvoidean family Oriolidae. They are not related to the New World orioles, which are icterids and, belonging to the superfamily Passeroidea songbirds, are quite unrelated to the true orioles.The orioles are...
s. 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, 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 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 nominate and flaviventris 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
Juvenile (organism)
A juvenile is an individual organism that has not yet reached its adult form, sexual maturity or size. Juveniles sometimes look very different from the adult form, particularly in terms of their colour...
resemble females, but the streaking below is typically not as strong. The other orioles in its range, the Brown
Brown Oriole
The Brown Oriole is a species of bird in the Oriolidae family.It is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, and subtropical or tropical mangrove forests.-References:* BirdLife International...
and Olive-backed Oriole
Olive-backed Oriole
The Olive-backed Oriole is a very common medium-sized passerine bird native to northern and eastern Australia and New Guinea. The most wide-ranging of the Australasian orioles, it is noisy and conspicuous. Not bright in colour, it is olive-backed with small dark streaks, with a light chest having...
s, 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 parrot
Parrot
Parrots, also known as psittacines , are birds of the roughly 372 species in 86 genera that make up the order Psittaciformes, found in most tropical and subtropical regions. The order is subdivided into three families: the Psittacidae , the Cacatuidae and the Strigopidae...
s and other species of orioles. The song consists of a series of simple whistles.
Behaviour
As suggested by their name, Australasian Figbirds are largely frugivorous, but also take small insects, nectar and small seeds. While largely a resident species (although the southern population may be migratory), it is nomadic in response to the availability of food.Unlike most oriole
Oriole
Orioles are colourful Old World passerine birds in the genus Oriolus, the namesake of the corvoidean family Oriolidae. They are not related to the New World orioles, which are icterids and, belonging to the superfamily Passeroidea songbirds, are quite unrelated to the true orioles.The orioles are...
s, Australasian Figbirds are gregarious, often forming flocks of 20 to 40 birds during the non-breeding season, and even breeding in small, loose colonies
Bird colony
A bird colony is a large congregation of individuals of one or more species of bird that nest or roost in close proximity at a particular location. Many kinds of birds are known to congregate in groups of varying size; a congregation of nesting birds is called a breeding colony...
. The flimsy saucer-shaped nest is made from plant-material, and usually placed relatively high in a tree. The clutch of 2-4 eggs is incubated by both sexes, and typically hatches after 16–17 days. It has been recorded nesting near the aggressive Spangled Drongo
Spangled Drongo
The Spangled Drongo is a bird of the family Dicruridae.The Spangled Drongo is the only Drongo to be found in Australia...
and Helmeted Friarbird
Helmeted Friarbird
The Helmeted Friarbird is a species of bird in the Meliphagidae family.-Distribution and habitat:It is found in Indonesia and northern Australia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, and subtropical or tropical mangrove...
, possibly gaining an advantage as they keep potential nest-predators away. Australasian Figbirds sometimes fall victim to nest parasitism
Brood parasite
Brood parasites are organisms that use the strategy of brood parasitism, a kind of kleptoparasitism found among birds, fish or insects, involving the manipulation and use of host individuals either of the same or different species to raise the young of the brood-parasite...
by Pacific Koel
Pacific Koel
The Pacific Koel , also known as the Eastern Koel, is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family. It has often been considered conspecific with the Asian and Black-billed Koels, but they are increasingly treated as a separate species...
s.
External links
- Figbird videos on the Internet Bird Collection