Philippine Bulbul
Hypsipetes philippinus
A medium-sized bird of lowland and montane forest as well as more open wooded areas. Dark brown above with a pale belly, an orange-brown throat and chest with pale streaking, and a dark head with faint gray streaks. Bill fairly long and black. Similar to Streak-breasted Bulbul, but smaller, with a shorter bill, a grayish crown, and a warmer orange-brown throat and chest. Song consists of short, loud whistled phrases with a slightly metallic quality. Also gives downslurred squeals and chattering.
Taxonomy
The Philippine bulbul was originally described in the genus Turdus and later placed in the genus Ixos. In 2010, it was re-classified to the genus Hypsipetes as it is very closely related to the type species of that genus, the black bulbul. Until 2010, the Mindoro bulbul, Visayan bulbul and Zamboanga bulbul were all considered as subspecies of the Philippine bulbul.<p>Three subspecies are currently recognized:
- Scientific name
- Hypsipetes philippinus
- Authority
- (Forster, JR, 1795)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pycnonotidae
- Genus
- Hypsipetes
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Fledglings of the Philippine bulbul were recorded on Mindanao in late April, but the breeding season seems to be prolonged as females with ripe ovarian follicles were still found in April and May. Territorial songs are heard at lower altitudes as late as May, while further upslope the birds are silent at that time of year and presumably engaged in breeding activity. The besra has been recorded as a predator of young Philippine bulbuls, and this or other goshawks might also catch adult birds.<p>A common and adaptable bird as long as sufficient forest remains, it is not considered a threatened species by the IUCN.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
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