Figbird

Formerly, the three species have been considered conspecific, but today all major authorities consider them as separate species.[1][2][3][4][5] The split is primarily based on differences in measurements and plumage, and on biogeography.

Species

Three species are recognized:[6]

Image	Common Name	Scientific name	Distribution
	Green figbird	Sphecotheres viridis	Indonesian islands of Roti and Timor.
	Wetar figbird	Sphecotheres hypoleucus	Indonesian island of Wetar.
	Australasian figbird	Sphecotheres vieilloti	northern and eastern Australia, southern New Guinea, and the Kai Islands

They are strongly sexually dimorphic, with males having olive-green upperparts, a black head, and (uniquely for the family) distinct bright red facial skin.[7][8] 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.[7][8]

Compared to the "typical" Old World orioles of the genus Oriolus, the figbirds are more frugivorous (though they also take some small insects, nectar and seeds) and gregarious, even breeding in small, loose colonies (at least for the Australasian figbird; the nesting habits are still unknown for the other two species).[1]