# Figbird

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{{Short description|Genus of birds}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| name = Figbird
| image = Green Figbird samcem.JPG
| image_caption = [Australasian figbird](/source/Australasian_figbird) (''Sphecotheres vieilloti'')
| taxon = Sphecotheres
| authority = [Vieillot](/source/Louis_Pierre_Vieillot), 1816
| type_species = ''[Sphecotheres viridis](/source/Green_figbird)''<ref name=HM4>{{cite web |url= https://www.aviansystematics.org/4th-edition-checklist?viewfamilies=146 |title= Oriolidae |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website= aviansystematics.org |publisher= The Trust for Avian Systematics |access-date= 2023-07-16}}</ref>
| type_species_authority = Vieillot, 1816
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = See text
| synonyms = * ''Picnorhamphus'' <small>Rosenberg, 1867</small>
* ''Sphecotera''
}}

The '''figbirds''' are a [genus](/source/genus) (''Sphecotheres'') in the family of [Old World oriole](/source/Old_World_oriole)s found in wooded habitats in Australia, [New Guinea](/source/New_Guinea), and the [Lesser Sundas](/source/Lesser_Sundas). 

==Taxonomy and systematics==
Formerly, the three species have been considered [conspecific](/source/conspecific), but all major authorities now consider them as separate species.<ref name=HBW>Higgins, P. J., L. Christidis, & H. A. Ford (2008). Family Oriolidae (Orioles). Pp. 692-731 in: del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott, & D. A. Christie. eds. (2008). ''Handbook of the Birds of the World.'' Vol. 13. Pendulin-tits to Shrikes. Lynx Edicions. {{ISBN|978-84-96553-45-3}}</ref><ref name=H&M>Dickinson, E. C. (editor) (2003). ''The Howard and Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World.'' 3rd edition, w. updates. Christopher Helm. {{ISBN|0-7136-6536-X}}</ref><ref name=indonesia>Andrew, P. (1992). ''The Birds of Indonesia: A Check-list.'' Kukila Check-list No. 1. Indonesian Ornithological Society, Jakarta.</ref><ref name=GillWright>Gill, F., M. Wright, & D. Donsker (2009). ''[http://www.worldbirdnames.org/ IOC World Bird Names].'' Version 2.1. Accessed 04-07-2009</ref><ref name=ChristidisBoles>Christidis, L., & W. E. Boles (2008). ''Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds.'' CSIRO. {{ISBN|978-0-643-06511-6}}</ref> The split is primarily based on differences in measurements, [plumage](/source/plumage), and [biogeography](/source/biogeography).

===Species===
Three [species](/source/species) are recognized:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldbirdnames.org/bow/orioles/|title=Orioles, drongos & fantails « IOC World Bird List|website=www.worldbirdnames.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-02-20}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Image !! Common name !! Scientific name  !! Distribution
|-
|120px || [Green figbird](/source/Green_figbird)||''Sphecotheres viridis''||  Indonesian islands of Roti and Timor
|-
| || [Wetar figbird](/source/Wetar_figbird) ||''Sphecotheres hypoleucus''|| Indonesian island of Wetar
|-
|120px ||[Australasian figbird](/source/Australasian_figbird) ||''Sphecotheres vieilloti''|| northern and eastern Australia, southern New Guinea, and the Kai Islands 
|-
|}

==Description==
They are strongly [sexually dimorphic](/source/sexually_dimorphic), with males having olive-green upperparts, a black head, and (uniquely for the family) distinct bright red facial skin.<ref name=SimpsonDay>Simpson, K. (editor) & N. Day (illustrator) (1994). ''Field Guide to the Birds of Australia.'' 2nd edition. Christopher Helm. {{ISBN|0-7136-3930-X}}</ref><ref name= Wallacea>Coates, B. J., & K. D. Bishop (1997). ''A Guide to the Birds of Wallacea.'' Dove Publications Pty. Ltd. {{ISBN|0-9590257-3-1}}</ref> Females are drab-coloured, being dull brownish above, and white below with strong dark streaking. They have greyish facial skin, and a greyish-black bill.<ref name=SimpsonDay/><ref name= Wallacea/>

==Behaviour and ecology==
Compared to the "typical" Old World orioles of the genus ''[Oriolus](/source/Oriolus)'', the figbirds are more [frugivorous](/source/frugivorous) (though they also take some small insects, nectar, and seeds) and gregarious, even breeding in small, loose [colonies](/source/Bird_colony) (at least for the Australasian figbird; the nesting habits are still unknown for the other two species).<ref name=HBW/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Corvides|C.|state=collapsed}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q2417877}}

Category:Sphecotheres
Category:Birds of Indonesia
Category:Taxa named by Louis Pierre Vieillot

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Figbird](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Figbird) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Figbird?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.