Buru Golden-Bulbul
Hypsipetes mysticalis
A thrush-sized olive-colored songbird with a long, fairly heavy bill. Plumage uniform olive-green except for narrow yellow chin, yellow patch between the bill and the eye, and partial yellow eye-ring above the eye. Pairs or small groups occupy forest, degraded forest, edges, and plantations from sea level to foothills. Unmistakable; limited to the island of Buru. Song starts with several soft “pip” or “chek” notes, then explodes in a series of variable whistles, e.g. “WEE-WEE-WEE-WEK-pewee-pewee-WEE-WEE.” Calls include dry “chek” notes and rasping “chirrrik” calls.
Taxonomy
The Buru golden bulbul was originally classified in the genus Criniger, and has also been classified in the genus Alophoixus. Until recently, it was considered conspecific with the Seram golden bulbul and the northern golden bulbul.
- Scientific name
- Hypsipetes mysticalis
- Authority
- (Wallace, 1863)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pycnonotidae
- Genus
- Hypsipetes
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
White-chinned Myzomela
Myzomela albigula
A small honeyeater of wooded habitats on New Guinea’s SE Islands. Dull brown color with streaky breast, pale throat and long, curved bill. Male has a thin, vertical, red line down its throat, and some areas, males lack the white throat. The only other myzomela in range is the Papuan Black Myzomela, but White-chinned has a streaked chest. Gives a rather jumbled, whistled song. Call, a simple high-pitch “chip”.
Buff-necked Ibis
Theristicus caudatus
Stocky ibis. Very similar to Black-faced Ibis but no range overlap. Back and wings mostly gray with black belly and contrasting buffy neck and head. Long decurved bill and pink legs. Usually found in pairs or small groups, in open habitats like pastures and savannas. Often far from water, unlike most other ibis.
Bioko Batis
Batis poensis
The only batis on Bioko. Patterned like a typical batis, with a white belly and throat, black wings with a white bar, and a black face. Males have a black crown, a black back, and a black chest band, whereas females have a gray crown, a gray back, and a rusty chest band. Both sexes have limited white above the eye that can appear like a broken eyeline. Infrequently encountered but widespread from lowland forest to mid-montane forest, where it can be seen in forest and disturbed forest, including plantations. Songs include a series of high-pitched whistled notes, and a few harsh notes followed by a fast trill that descends slightly in pitch.
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