Biology
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Like many bulbuls, the Mauritius black bulbul mainly feeds on a diverse range of fruit, but will also take arboreal insects such as bush crickets, butterflies, caterpillars and stick-insects, and will sometimes take small vertebrates such as native geckos (Phelsuma sp.) (2) (3). The foraging habit of this species is strictly arboreal, with food items seldom collected from the ground (2).
The Mauritius black bulbul is usually found in pairs or small groups of up to eight individuals (2) (3). Nesting has been observed between November and February, with breeding pairs defending a small territory, within which the female builds a coarse nest around two to nine metres off the ground in a low bush or tree. Usually around three eggs are laid, which are incubated for 15 to 16 days before hatching. The young are fed by both parent birds and may remain in the same territory for some time (2).
Conservation
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Partial protection within the Black River National Park, and the exclusion and eradication of invasive plants and animals in Conservation Management Areas, has been crucial to the survival of the Mauritius black bulbul. The long-term aim for the conservation of this species is to continue the rehabilitation of native vegetation and to potentially translocate some Mauritius black bulbul populations to nearby islets free from predators (3).
Description
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The Mauritius black bulbul is a rare passerine with a dull plumage comprising various shades of olive-green and grey (2). The head is mostly olive-grey, with dark, almost blackish, pointed crown feathers, and the upperparts are a dark greenish-olive (2) (3) (4). Underneath, the throat, breast and flanks are more of a greenish grey, while the belly has a tinge of yellow (2). The pinkish-yellow, or orange, of the bill and legs stands out conspicuously against the dull plumage. The sexes are similar in appearance, but the male is on average slightly larger. Several different nasal and wheezy calls are recognised, including a 'chuckle' used in various different contexts (2) (3) (4). In the past, the Mauritius black bulbul was considered conspecific with the Reunion bulbul (Hypsipetes borbonicus), but genetic studies have now shown them to be separate species (2) (3).
Habitat
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Although the Mauritius black bulbul favours native evergreen broadleaved forest on steep slopes and in gullies, it also forages in forest margins, degraded forest and exotic plantations (3) (4).
Range
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The Mauritius black bulbul is endemic to the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius, where it occurs at low densities over southern and central parts of the plateau (2) (5).
Status
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Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List (1).
Threats
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Since humans colonised Mauritius in the 17th century, the combination of hunting, introduction of alien plants and animals, deforestation, and farming has dramatically altered the island's biodiversity (6) (7). The spread of non-native plants that are poor in food has been particularly detrimental to the Mauritius black bulbul, which has maintained a steady but extremely small population of just 280 pairs for the last three to four decades (2) (3) (5). Additional threats to this species include predation by introduced rats and the crab-eating macaque (Macaca fascicularis), and competition with the introduced red-whiskered bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus) and common mynah (Acridotheres tristis) (2) (3).
Mauritius bulbul
provided by wikipedia EN
The Mauritius bulbul (Hypsipetes olivaceus), is a songbird belonging to the bulbul family, Pycnonotidae. It is endemic to Mauritius.
Taxonomy and systematics
The Mauritius bulbul was the type species of the obsolete genus Ixocincla, which united various more or less closely related bulbuls from the entire Indian Ocean region.[3] Formerly, some authorities considered the Mauritius bulbul to belong to the genus Turdus. It has also been classified as a subspecies of the Réunion bulbul.[4] Alternative names include the Mauritius black bulbul and the Mauritius merle.
Description
The Mauritius bulbul can reach a size up to 24 cm (9.4 in). It is characterized by bright yellow-brown eyes, pink legs, and an orange to yellow-hued bill. Its plumage is generally greyish contrasted with a black crest. The plumage of the juveniles is pale brown. Their bill is blackish.[5]
Behaviour and ecology
Breeding
During the southern summer, the female lays two pinkish coloured eggs in a nest made from straw and roots. The incubation lasts between 14 and 16 days.[5]
Food and feeding
The diet of the Mauritius bulbul consists of insects, seeds, and fruits. The ripe berries of the non-native Spanish Flag are especially favoured.
Threats
In earlier times, it was often served as a dish on festive days. Later, its main threats shifted to the replacement of their forest habitat by tea plantations and invasive weeds (including L. camara, which the birds themselves help to spread) and predation by the introduced crab-eating macaque. In the mid-1970s, only 200 pairs remained, but then the decline was stopped. Today it is rare but has a quite stable population; 280 pairs were counted in 1993.[6]
References
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Mauritius bulbul: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
The Mauritius bulbul (Hypsipetes olivaceus), is a songbird belonging to the bulbul family, Pycnonotidae. It is endemic to Mauritius.
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