Seram Golden-Bulbul
Hypsipetes affinis
A large songbird with a notably long, heavy bill. Uniform olive-green above except for diagnostic striking yellow final third of tail. Head olive with a thin yellow line between the bill and the eye. Underparts uniform yellow. Small groups inhabit forests, edges, and plantations, occurring from sea level to the foothills. Confined to the islands of Seram and Ambon. No other species in range shows a bold bicolored tail. Song consists of strident high-pitched whistles, descending on the final notes: “WEE-WEE-WEE-WEE-WOO-WOO.” Also gives soft chattering calls and raspy notes.
Taxonomy
The Seram golden bulbul was originally classified in the genus Criniger, and has also been classified in the genera Hypsipetes, Ixos, and Alophoixus. Alternate names for the Seram golden bulbul include the golden bulbul and Moluccan bulbul.<p>Two subspecies are currently recognized:
- Scientific name
- Hypsipetes affinis
- Authority
- (Hombron & Jacquinot, 1841)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pycnonotidae
- Genus
- Hypsipetes
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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