YELLOW FIGBIRD

6.  YELLOW FIGBIRD    Sphecotheres viridian

Australia (6)

Also known as Yellow figbird, Banana-bird and Mulberry bird. They are 27-30 cms. There are two races of Figbirds in Australia. The 'Yellow Figbird' is found in tropical north Australia (the Kimberleys, coastal NT, and Cape York), while the 'Green Figbird' is found down the east coast of Australia (down to Nowra). The females of both races look similar. The races will interbreed freely where they overlap. Found in pairs, groups of about 10 or large groups of over 50. They are often noticed by their calls, particularly when there is a large group. Often seen in gardens and parks where there are fruiting trees, on the edge of rainforrests or woodlands, watercourses and paperbarks. These photos were taken in Cape York and are of the 'Yellow Figbird'.

The female Figbird in the centre.