Olive Bulbul
Iole viridescens
Small, dark brown bulbul with dirty-looking olive-yellow underparts. Combination of dark eyes and fairly uniform coloration distinguish this species from other, dull brown bulbuls. Inhabits lowland and hill forests, often clambering in dense tangled vegetation at mid to lower levels. Social, but shy and skulking. Gives an ascending two-part call: “chee-ik”.
Taxonomy
Formerly, the olive bulbul was classified in the genera Microscelis and Hypsipetes by some authorities. The synonym Hypsipetes virescens has also been used for the Nicobar bulbul and the Sunda bulbul. Alternative names for the olive bulbul include Blyth's olive bulbul, Sumatran bulbul, and viridescent bulbul. The name 'olive bulbul' is also used as an alternative name by the yellow-bearded greenbul and the sulphur-bellied bulbul.<p>Three subspecies are currently recognized. The Cachar bulbul was also considered as a subspecies of the olive bulbul until it was split off and re-classified as a separate species by the IOC in 2017:
- Scientific name
- Iole viridescens
- Authority
- Blyth, 1867
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pycnonotidae
- Genus
- Iole
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Broad-billed Roller
Eurystomus glaucurus
A small, dark, rufous-cinnamon roller with a chunky yellow bill. In flight it resembles a small falcon, but note its deep wingbeats and undulating flight. Pairs are partial migrants with complex movements; found within savanna, broadleaved woodland, riverine forest, and rainforest edge. It sits on tall bare snags and prefers to hawk insects above the canopy. Its distinctive calls include harsh, scratchy “grrrrrr” and “k-weeek, k-weeek” notes. The similar Blue-throated Roller is smaller, has a blue throat, and is browner under the tail.
Plain-winged Antshrike
Thamnophilus schistaceus
Even-colored antshrike of forest under- and midstory. Often travels with mixed-species flocks. Males are plain gray; females are tawny with olive underparts. Females have a more contrasting reddish cap than other female antshrikes. Heard more often than seen; listen for a series of accelerating “awh” notes terminating in a punctuated down-slurred note.
Rusty-margined Flycatcher
Myiozetetes cayanensis
One of several medium-sized, kiskadee-like flycatchers that are bright yellow below, with bold black-and-white head pattern. Rusty-margined is one of the smaller ones, with a smaller bill than Great Kiskadee. Most similar to Social and White-ringed Flycatchers; look for combination of black cheek (not gray) and especially obvious rufous in the wings. Shorter bill than White-ringed. Voice is helpful: listen for lazy-sounding, slightly burry “wheeer” call. Found in a variety of open wooded habitats such as forest edge and second growth, often around water.
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