Mark G sent in an image of a juvenile Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis) feasting on the figs of Ficus benjamina or Benjamin fig, also known as waringin.
Unfortunately it has not been reported how the oriole handles the figs: whether it swallows it whole, bites off pieces or mashes it before swallowing.
This oriole is a generalist as far as food is concerned. It takes mainly fruits, especially small figs. Animal food includes caterpillars, alate termites as well as bird nestlings.
Image by Mark G.
Bird Ecology Study Group Trees for Birds: 1. Ficus benjamina (Waringin, Weeping Fig)
[…] green-pigeons feasting on figs LINK. G., Mark, 2009b. Juvenile black-naped oriole eating figs LINK. G., Mark & K. Lumb, 2010. Oriental pied hornbills at Singapore’s Chinese Garden LINK. […]