Blueberry Thief

Otherwise known as a male Figbird (Sphecotheres viridis). Figbirds are part of a worldwide family that includes the orioles, of which Australia has two other members (the Yellow and Olive-backed Orioles). Males have bare, red skin around the eye, contrasting against a black crown and grey neck and throat. The remainder of the body is olive-green, except for a white under-tail area. Females have grey skin around the eye and lack distinctive head markings. They are brown-green above and dull-white below, streaked with brown. Both sexes have a blackish bill. There are two distinct colour forms of the males of this species. Males north of Proserpine in Queensland have a yellow front. This was taken on the Sunshine Coast and so no yellow front.

Unsurprisingly, the Figbird feeds on fig and other fruits, berries, and insects. This one has been visiting my backyard daily, sitting in the lemon tree while selecting its blueberry meal then flies down to pick the blueberry before returning to the tree to swallow it.

Information source: Australian Museum

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