Sounds like a bird. Once it turns a dark color they
zero in on it. Organza bags.

Organza bags?  I'll have to look that up and get some of those - thanks for the tip!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-25-50-100-PCS-Organza-Bags-Jewlery-Gift-Pouch-10x7-5cm-4x3inch-23-colors-AH01-/260998368594?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=560104168226&hash=item3cc4b70d52

Best thing EVER!!!

I'm assuming since its when the fig darkens is what draws the bird the bag needs to be white or a light color? or does this matter does the fact its in a bag deter the birds?

I don't think the color matters. They work perfectly at my house. I tie it around the branch not the neck of the fig. I put them on as soon as swelling starts.

Does not matter

Thank you very much I will order some of these!

Or      http://www.amazon.com/Organza-Drawstring-Pouches-Assorted-Colors/dp/B002HIL50C/ref=pd_sim_hg_1

Aaron: I think squirrels ate your fig for sure. They stole a lot of figs from me too, thanks for sharing.

Best,
Tam

Aaron, if it is a squirrel the organza bag want help much. You will need this

http://www.airgunwarehouseinc.com/py-204.html

Birds usually peck, but some larger ones like crows could probably carry an entire fruit off. Also squirrels as mentioned, rats, raccoons, opossums, and coyotes, depending where you live, and how low the fruits are.

I've had entire organza bags with the fig inside carried off so tying around the stem as Tami suggested works better. I now have an entire small fig plant under a wire cage.

Ahhh……  sounds like my friend the Norway Rat (Rattus norvegicus).    I know him too well.  Famed for their midnight raids on my one and only large bearing Mission!  Telltale sign of my rats is how clean and delicate, the way they consume the fruit.  Poor eye sight and a hound’s nose, leads them to only the very ripest fruit.   They will consume almost the whole fig, very neatly, no mess, just a little skin and stem left.  And, only one or two…. The ripest!  They don’t damage a bunch in the process by sampling each.

Crows on the other hand can be indiscriminate pigs and do substantial damage.  They seem to hit in mass here, maybe 25 in one tree.  Only way, I’ve found to put them on the run is, a little fast moving lead……… wink, wink!    They’re smart, and after a good scolding and squawk they won’t come back around for weeks, if then.     Good luck.

Don't think it makes much difference but I use green organza bags, but they don't stop squirrels. Squirrels just remove the fig and the bag and eat away.

watch out of the dogs. my puppies will eat anything they can put in their mouth. so far my wife ruined 3 pair of shoes and i found a piece of leather from what used to be my shoe yesterday...

I had the same problem as Pete. I have caught my dogs licking some figs on the tree then they'll pull them off and chomp away. They're Chihuahuas so at least they can't get the ones higher up. Who could blame them, they're fig nuts too!