♂ australasian figbird
Many thanks for your visits, faves and comments. Cheers.
Australasian Figbird in Schinus terebinthifolius, a broadleaved pepper tree; also known as: broadleaved pepper, Brazilian holly, Brazilian pepper, broad leaf pepper tree, Christmas berry, Christmas berrytree, native to tropical South America (i.e. Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay). (Source: weeds.brisbane.qld.gov.au/weeds/broadleaved-pepper)
Scientific Name: Sphecotheres vieilloti
Description: 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.
Similar species: Figbirds have a blackish bill, which easily distinguishes the species from the similar Olive-backed Oriole, which has a reddish bill. Both of the Australian orioles also lack the Figbird's bare eye skin and have red eyes (adults). The Figbird tends to be more gregarious than either of the orioles, living semi-colonially.
Distribution: The Figbird occurs across coastal regions of northern and eastern Australia from the Kimberley region in Western Australia around to the New South Wales/Victoria border.
Habitat: The Figbird lives in rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests, but is often found in urban parks and gardens, particularly those with figs and other fruit-producing trees
Seasonal movements: Mostly sedentary, but undergoes some nomadic movements, particularly southwards into Victoria.
Feeding: Figbirds feed in flocks, often of around 20 birds that are prepared to fly to isolated trees that are suitable for foraging. Figs are a particularly popular food item, although they will feed on most soft fruits and berries in canopy trees. Insects are also important components of their diet.
Breeding: The gregarious behaviour of Figbirds is maintained in the breeding season, with small groups of birds nesting semi-colonially in adjoining canopy trees. The nest is cup-shaped and built of vine tendrils and twigs. It is supported by its rim from the horizontal fork of an outer branch of the canopy, up to 20 m above the ground. Both males and females incubate the eggs and feed the young.
Calls: Loud, descending 'chiew'
Minimum Size: 28cm
Maximum Size: 29cm
Average size: 28cm
Average weight: 128g
Breeding season: September to January
Clutch Size: 2 to 3 eggs
Incubation: 18 days
Nestling Period: 17 days
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net)
__________________________________________
© Chris Burns 2019
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.
♂ australasian figbird
Many thanks for your visits, faves and comments. Cheers.
Australasian Figbird in Schinus terebinthifolius, a broadleaved pepper tree; also known as: broadleaved pepper, Brazilian holly, Brazilian pepper, broad leaf pepper tree, Christmas berry, Christmas berrytree, native to tropical South America (i.e. Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay). (Source: weeds.brisbane.qld.gov.au/weeds/broadleaved-pepper)
Scientific Name: Sphecotheres vieilloti
Description: 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.
Similar species: Figbirds have a blackish bill, which easily distinguishes the species from the similar Olive-backed Oriole, which has a reddish bill. Both of the Australian orioles also lack the Figbird's bare eye skin and have red eyes (adults). The Figbird tends to be more gregarious than either of the orioles, living semi-colonially.
Distribution: The Figbird occurs across coastal regions of northern and eastern Australia from the Kimberley region in Western Australia around to the New South Wales/Victoria border.
Habitat: The Figbird lives in rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests, but is often found in urban parks and gardens, particularly those with figs and other fruit-producing trees
Seasonal movements: Mostly sedentary, but undergoes some nomadic movements, particularly southwards into Victoria.
Feeding: Figbirds feed in flocks, often of around 20 birds that are prepared to fly to isolated trees that are suitable for foraging. Figs are a particularly popular food item, although they will feed on most soft fruits and berries in canopy trees. Insects are also important components of their diet.
Breeding: The gregarious behaviour of Figbirds is maintained in the breeding season, with small groups of birds nesting semi-colonially in adjoining canopy trees. The nest is cup-shaped and built of vine tendrils and twigs. It is supported by its rim from the horizontal fork of an outer branch of the canopy, up to 20 m above the ground. Both males and females incubate the eggs and feed the young.
Calls: Loud, descending 'chiew'
Minimum Size: 28cm
Maximum Size: 29cm
Average size: 28cm
Average weight: 128g
Breeding season: September to January
Clutch Size: 2 to 3 eggs
Incubation: 18 days
Nestling Period: 17 days
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net)
__________________________________________
© Chris Burns 2019
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.