White-spectacled Bulbul
Pycnonotus xanthopygos
A medium-sized passerine that is conspicuous and noisy. Note the overall gray plumage, black head, and broad black tail. Inhabits a wide variety of habitats, including urban and suburban environments, cultivated areas, and natural ecosystems. Omnivore; feeds on fruit, invertebrates, and scraps. Often moves around in small, noisy groups or pairs giving a loud chatter. Produces a fine, flutey song at dawn.
Taxonomy
The white-spectacled bulbul was originally described in the genus Ixos. The white-spectacled bulbul is considered to belong to a superspecies along with the Himalayan bulbul, white-eared bulbul, African red-eyed bulbul, Cape bulbul, and the common bulbul. Alternate names for the white-spectacled bulbul include the several names used for other species (black-capped, dark-capped, spectacled and yellow-vented bulbul) and one name (white-eyed bulbul) shared with the cream-vented bulbul.
- Scientific name
- Pycnonotus xanthopygos
- Authority
- (Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1833)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pycnonotidae
- Genus
- Pycnonotus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Chestnut-rumped Heathwren
Hylacola pyrrhopygia
Small bird of dense heath and shrubland in southeastern Australia. Pale brown above, whitish below, with distinct pale supercilium, red-brown rump, small white patch at the base of primaries, fine dark chest streaking, and long, cocked tail. Forages quietly on the ground or in thick vegetation, where difficult to see. Compare Shy Heathwren, which has a white wing spot, more black in wing, and darker legs.
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Anthus spinoletta
Breeding plumage grayish above with white eyebrow; breast pale pinkish, mostly unstreaked. Nonbreeding plumage grayish brown above, whitish below with dark streaks; averages smudgier and less well-marked than American Pipit. Sides of tail clean white; compare with dingy white of Rock Pipit in areas of overlap. Song is a long series of repeated high-pitched notes; essentially a slow trill. Call a high, lisping, slightly upslurred "ssiip.” Breeds in mountains on barren, often rocky ground; winters in varied wetland habitats, from lakeshores to salt marshes.
Blue Duck
Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos
Endemic to New Zealand. Uniformly slate-blue duck with chestnut spotting on the breast. Bill is pale pink with a black tip. Males larger than females, with more breast spotting and more prominent green iridescence on the head, neck, and back. Found on clear, fast-flowing mountain streams. The Maori name, whio, is derived from the male’s high-pitched, wheezy whistle. Female’s call is a low rasping growl, often in response to disturbance. Readily distinguished from Pacific Black Duck or Mallard by uniform coloration and, if on the water, prominent tail tilted upward and head held erect.
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