Australasian Figbird

Australasian Figbird

Sphecotheres vieilloti

Also known as: Australian Figbird

Predict Sightings

About This Species

This figbird inhabits rainforest edges, mangroves, and leafy suburban trees along Australia's northeastern coast, typically foraging in small noisy groups on figs and other soft fruit high in the canopy. Males show a distinctive olive body with a bare red eye patch, while females are duller and streaked below. Fruiting fig trees during the warmer months are the most reliable spot, as groups will return repeatedly to a productive tree over several days.

Ethical Viewing Guidelines

  • Viewing from beneath or beside a fruiting tree at a comfortable distance is generally sufficient, since these birds are often habituated to people in urban parks and gardens.
  • Native species protections under Australian law cover this bird, and nests in particular should not be approached closely.
  • Avoiding loud noises or attempts to flush the flock lets natural feeding behavior continue undisturbed.
LCAvesPasseriformesOriolidae

Seasonal Activity

398,801 sightings · 2000–2026

Citizen science records via GBIF

All monthsThis month

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Oriolidae

Photo

(c) anastol, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

CC-BY-NC-4.0

Occurrence data from GBIF.