Australasian Figbird
Sphecotheres vieilloti
The Australasian Figbird (Sphecotheres vieilloti) is a common old world oriol found in 3 countries, weighing about 108 g. The Australasian figbird, also known as the green figbird, is a conspicuous, medium-sized passerine bird native to a wide range of wooded habitats in northern and eastern Australia, southern New Guinea, and the Kai Islands.
About the Australasian Figbird
The Australasian figbird, also known as the green figbird, is a conspicuous, medium-sized passerine bird native to a wide range of wooded habitats in northern and eastern Australia, southern New Guinea, and the Kai Islands. 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 the IUCN.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The Australasian figbird has a total length of 27.0–29.5 cm (10.6–11.6 in) and a jizz comparable to that of other orioles. With a body mass of around 111 to 130 g (3.9 to 4.6 oz), it is probably the largest of the Old World 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.
What the Australasian Figbird sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
The Australasian Figbird can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify an Australasian Figbird?
- The Australasian figbird has a total length of 27.0–29.5 cm (10.6–11.6 in) and a jizz comparable to that of other orioles. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is an Australasian Figbird?
- The Australasian Figbird is a medium sized bird weighing about 108 g.
- Where can you see an Australasian Figbird?
- The Australasian Figbird occurs in 3 countries, including Australia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.
- What does an Australasian Figbird sound like?
- You can listen to 2 field recordings of the Australasian Figbird on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to an Australasian Figbird?
- The Australasian Figbird is most easily confused with the Green Figbird and the Wetar Figbird.
- Is the Australasian Figbird endangered?
- The Australasian Figbird is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Australasian Figbird for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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