Brown-breasted Bulbul
Pycnonotus xanthorrhous
A large dull bulbul of scrubby forest edges, farmland, and parks. Brown overall, with a black cap and white throat; a light brown wash on the chest contrasts with the otherwise pale breast and belly, giving it a “vested” appearance. Dull orange undertail feathers are essentially the only bright spot on this species. Can resemble juvenile Sooty-headed Bulbul, but lacks the white cheek and rump of that species. Song consists of short but rich warbled phrases, and is a common background sound in cities and towns. Calls include liquid chirrups and harsher churring calls.
Taxonomy
Alternate names for the brown-breasted bulbul include Anderson's bulbul and yellow-vented bulbul (not to be confused with the species of the same name, Pycnonotus goiavier).<p>Two subspecies are recognized:
- Scientific name
- Pycnonotus xanthorrhous
- Authority
- Anderson, 1869
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pycnonotidae
- Genus
- Pycnonotus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
A fairly large, colorful swallow. Usually easy to identify with its long, forked tail and dark rump. Iridescent navy-blue above with a rich orange throat and forehead. Underparts vary across range, from bright buffy-orange to whitish. Occurs in any open habitat, especially large fields and wetlands. Often seen foraging in flocks, sometimes mixed with other species of swallow. Typically nests close to human habitation; builds a muddy cup nest in a barn or under a dock. Listen for dry, scratchy “svit svit” calls. Note head and breast pattern and tail length to help separate from various similar species in Africa, Asia, and Australia (e.g., Welcome Swallow, Angolan Swallow, Pacific Swallow).
Masked Cardinal
Paroaria nigrogenis
Unmistakable tricolored bird, with bold red, black, and white patches. Red hood and throat, black mask, mostly black back and tail, and white underparts. Sexes similar. Often found in groups of juveniles and adults near water in riverine forests, scrub, and savanna, mostly in lowlands. Song a clear “FEEup-feep! Fueet-feeut! Fueet-feep feep.” Formerly considered conspecific with the very similar Red-capped Cardinal, but no range overlap.
Golden-throated Barbet
Psilopogon franklinii
Large green barbet with a broad black bandit’s mask, a pale gray face, and a black-and-yellow crown. Yellow-orange throat patch is small and sometimes missed when seen poorly. Like most other barbets, sluggish and difficult to see, usually encountered foraging quietly or sitting still in the canopy. Song is usually a long steady series of loud hiccupping two-syllabled hoots, but these sometimes sound more plaintive and whistled.
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