Figbird

Scientific Name: Sphecotheres viridis

These loud birds often feed in flocks of up to 20 and are common around fig trees, as their name suggests. The male figbird has bright red patches around its eyes, a black crown, grey neck and throat, an olive-green back and a white undertail area. The female is a little more drab, with grey skin around the eyes, an olive-brown back and a front that is white streaked with brown. The birds grow to 28 centimetres long.

Habitat:

Figbirds are found along the northern and eastern coasts of Australia, from the Kimberley in Western Australia, around to the New South Wales/Victorian border. They favour rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests but can also be found in parks and gardens in built up areas if they have fig or fruit trees.

Diet:

Figbirds love figs, but they will also eat the fruit and berries from other canopy trees. Insects are also eaten.

Reproduction:

Figbirds breed from December to January, producing 2-3 eggs that are incubated for 18 days. A further 17 days are spent in the nest with both parents helping to incubate and feed the young.