Aceh Bulbul

Pycnonotus snouckaerti

Rare and declining endemic of Sumatra’s northwestern mountains. Large grayish-brown bulbul with a bright orange forehead patch, dark olive wings, and a weak crest that gives it a pointy-headed profile. Once regarded as a subspecies of the very similar Orange-spotted Bulbul, but note present species’ distribution and dark (not white) belly. Inhabits foothill and lower montane forests, where localized and largely restricted to clearings with a substantial understory. Calls are generally similar to those of Orange-spotted Bulbul, and include a bubbly chatter.

Taxonomy

The Aceh bulbul was formerly considered as a subspecies of the orange-spotted bulbul until split by the IOC in 2016. Most other authorities have not yet recognized this split.

Scientific name
Pycnonotus snouckaerti
Authority
Siebers, 1928
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Pycnonotidae
Genus
Pycnonotus

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

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