Styan's Bulbul
Pycnonotus taivanus
Relatively plain songbird, olive above, whitish below, with black cap, white face, and black moustachial mark. Somewhat similar to more widespread Light-vented Bulbul, with which it hybridizes, but adult Styan’s has heavier bill, solidly black cap, white plumage surrounding the eye, and small red dot in black moustachial stripe (difficult to see). Juvenile duller above (greenish in wings), white below, lacking strong head pattern. Inhabits open forest, forest edge, parks, and gardens. Often perches on telephone poles or fences, from which it gives a melodic song similar to that of Light-vented but higher in pitch and more musical.
Identification
Styan's bulbul has a very similar appearance to the light-vented bulbul, but they differ in the patterns on the head. Styan's bulbul has a completely black crown with white feathers around its eye, except for a black moustachial stripe below the beak. Hybrids are intermediate between the two species, with the moustachial stripe and white feathers around the eye, but the white feathers extend behind the crown.
Taxonomy
Alternate names for Styan's bulbul include the Formosan black-headed bulbul and Taiwan black-headed bulbul. The latter name is also used to refer to a subspecies of the light-vented bulbul.
- Scientific name
- Pycnonotus taivanus
- Authority
- Styan, 1893
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pycnonotidae
- Genus
- Pycnonotus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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