Sexual dimorphism is typically pronounced, with the exception of Coxen's fig parrot (Cyclopsitta diopthalma coxeni).

[2] Their preferred habitats are the tropical and subtropical rainforests, though they can also be found foraging in the surrounding biomes.

They may supplement these with a variety of other fruits and berries, along with nectar, pollen, insects, and larvae.

[2] The fig parrot group was first proposed in 1891 at family rank, as Cyclopsittacidae, from the type genus Cyclopsitta.

Molecular phylogenetic studies support a grouping of fig parrots (Cyclopsittini) with the closely related budgerigars (Melopsittacini) and the lories and lorikeets (Loriini) as the subfamily Loriinae.