Cream-vented Bulbul
Pycnonotus simplex
A dull bulbul: plain brown all over. Adult’s eyes can be bone white or blood red depending on region; red-eyed form of Cream-vented can be confusingly similar to Red-eyed Bulbul, but the latter has a buffy-brown (not pale cream-colored) vent. Juvenile has pale brownish eyes. Unlike Streak-eared and Olive-winged bulbuls, Cream-vented lacks streaked ear coverts. Song is high-pitched, somewhat halting, and liquidly squeaky: “krr-bick-krr-kih-bick!”
Taxonomy
Alternate names for the cream-vented bulbul include the white-eyed brown bulbul and white-eyed bulbul. The latter alternate name is also shared with the white-spectacled bulbul.<p>Four subspecies are recognized:
- Scientific name
- Pycnonotus simplex
- Authority
- Lesson, RP, 1839
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pycnonotidae
- Genus
- Pycnonotus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Streak-fronted Thornbird
Phacellodomus striaticeps
Chunky, long-tailed tan bird. Found in high-elevation arid scrub with bushes and scattered trees. Pale tan below, reddish brown above, with a fairly heavy bill. Pale throat, thicker bill, and larger size help distinguish it from similar canasteros. Forages in dense bushes and occasionally on the ground. Listen for a series of squeaky yelps: “pyeek, pyeek, pyeek….”
Northern Brown-throated Weaver
Ploceus castanops
Fairly small and slim weaver with a slender bill and a pale eye. Breeding male is distinctive, with bright yellow overall plumage and a chestnut face. Females, non-breeding males, and juveniles are much duller, but show streaking on the back and are pale overall. Found mainly in wetlands, though they will range into drier surrounding country. Almost always in flocks. Vocalizations are typical of weavers: “chek” notes and a sizzling, “radio static” song. Plumages other than breeding male can be easily confused with other weavers, but can be identified by the pale eye, wetland habitat, and overall size and shape.
Hen Harrier
Circus cyaneus
Medium-sized harrier, flies with wings held in a V-shape, low over open fields and marshes, listening for rodents lurking below. Distinctive foraging behavior and conspicuous white patch on rump in all plumages. Five long primary ‘finger tips’ prominent in flight. Females and immatures are warm brown with streaky breasts. Adult male has plain mid-gray wings with black wingtips and paler belly.
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