Biology
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Usually found in small family groups of three to six individuals (2), the straw-headed bulbul feeds primarily on berries and other fruit, including mistletoe berries, figs and wild cherries (2). Bulbuls generally swallow fruits whole, passing out the seeds intact, and are therefore often considered to be important dispersers of seeds in the forests in which they occur (7). In addition to this frugivorous diet, the straw-headed bulbul also feeds on small invertebrates such as small river-dwelling snails, spiders, beetles, bees and cockroaches, and has even been known to prey on flying lizards (Draco species) (2). It often feeds on the ground, uttering low gurgles or harsh chattering as it moves about searching for food (2) (4), although the straw-headed bulbul is also capable of catching some flies and beetles while in flight (2).
The straw-headed bulbul breeds between January and September. It constructs a fairly large, shallow nest from thin twigs, rootlets, grass and plant fibres in the branch of a small tree, a few metres off the ground, and typically lays a clutch of two eggs (2). The eggs and chicks are attended to by both parents, and there is some evidence that other members of the group also assist with the raising of the young (2).
Conservation
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The straw-headed bulbul is protected in Thailand and was known to occur in at least two protected areas in Sumatra; unfortunately, this has not prevented the suspected extinction of the bulbul in both these areas (6). Protected areas which may continue to bestow some benefit on the straw-headed bulbul exist in Peninsular Malaysia and Kalimantan (6), and remaining populations may also benefit from the species' listing on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which means that any international trade in this species should be carefully monitored (3). However, further measures, such as stricter controls on the export and import of live birds and stronger legal protection (6), would help the remaining straw-headed bulbuls continue their beautiful song in the wild.
Description
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With a reputation as the most melodious bird in Malaysia (4), the loud, bubbling song is the most noticeable feature of this bird (5), and also the reason behind its threatened status (1). The straw-headed bulbul is named for the golden-yellowish plumage on top of its head, which is made all the more prominent by the contrasting black stripes that run from the nostrils back through the red eye, and from the base of the black bill, backwards and downwards (2). Stiff, brush-like feathers on the forehead are tinged orangey-brown (2), and may be raised in excitement (4). The rest of the plumage is rather more dull, being brownish-grey streaked with ash-grey on the back, turning olive-green towards the tail, and whitish on the underparts, with greyish-brown mottling on the breast (2). Both the rounded tail and the wings are brown (2). Male and female straw-headed bulbuls are similar in appearance, while juveniles are duller with less prominent streaking (2).
Habitat
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This noisy bird is most often found in low trees and shrubs along the banks of rivers and streams (2), within forest, plantations, gardens, scrubs, reedbeds and mangroves (6). The straw-headed bulbul is most common in lowlands, but has been recorded as high as 1,800 metres above sea level (2).
Range
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The straw-headed bulbul occurs in Southeast Asia, where its range once extended from southern Myanmar and Peninsular Thailand, south through Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra and Java to Borneo (6). However, over the last two decades the range of this once common bird has been greatly reduced. It is now thought to be extinct in Thailand and Java, possibly also in Sumatra, whilst its status in Myanmar is unknown (6). Only in Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and remote areas of Kalimantan (the Indonesian part of Borneo) are healthy populations thought to exist (6).
Status
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Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List (1) and listed on Appendix II of CITES (3).
Threats
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The rich and powerful song of the straw-headed bulbul has made it a very popular cage bird (2), and as a result it is trapped throughout much of its range for domestic and international trade (6). Unfortunately, not only does its loud voice make the straw-headed bulbul easy to locate, but its habit of roosting and nesting in easily accessible locations have made it a relatively easy bird to trap (6). This is the main threat facing this Vulnerable bird (2), and most likely the primary reason for its elimination in many parts of its original range (2). Habitat destruction may also contribute to this bird's decline, but the straw-headed bulbul is known to be able to tolerate some habitat degradation in areas where it is not subject to intensive exploitation (2).
Straw-headed bulbul
provided by wikipedia EN
The straw-headed bulbul (Pycnonotus zeylanicus) is a species of songbird in the bulbul family, Pycnonotidae. It is found from the Malay Peninsula to Borneo. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical mangrove forest, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, arable land, plantations, and rural gardens. It is threatened by habitat loss and poaching.
The straw-headed bulbul is prized for its singing ability and is a highly sought-after species by bird enthusiasts in Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia. This trade is causing population reductions across the species' range and is a major barrier to its conservation.[3] Trapping has been facilitated in recent years by the spread of logging roads across its forest habitat. Due to this, the straw-headed bulbul was uplisted from endangered to critically endangered on the IUCN Red List in 2018.[4]
Taxonomy and systematics
The straw-headed bulbul was formally described in 1789 by the German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin in his revised and expanded edition of Carl Linnaeus's Systema Naturae. He placed it with the starlings in the genus Sturnus and coined the binomial name Sturnus zeylanicus.[5] Gmelin based his description on the "Ceylonese stare" that had been described in 1783 by the English ornithologist John Latham in his book A General Synopsis of Birds.[6] The English name chosen by Latham and Gmelin's specific epithet were both based on the mistakenly belief that the species was found in Sri Lanka.[7][8] In 1924 Herbert C. Robinson and C. Boden Kloss designated the type locality as Java.[8][9] The straw-headed bulbul is now one of 32 species placed in the genus Pycnonotus that was introduced in 1826 by the German zoologist Friedrich Boie. The species is monotypic: no subspecies are recognised.[10]
Alternate names for the straw-headed bulbul include the straw-crowned bulbul and the yellow-crowned bulbul.[11]
References
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^ BirdLife International (2018). "Pycnonotus zeylanicus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T22712603A132470468. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22712603A132470468.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
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^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
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^ Bergin, D.; Chng, S.C.L.; Eaton, J.A.; Shepherd, C.R. (2018). "The final straw? An overview of Straw-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus zeylanicus trade in Indonesia". Bird Conservation International. 28 (1): 126–132. doi:10.1017/S0959270917000302.
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^ BirdLife International. "Red List: Northern Bald Ibis, Pink Pigeon making a comeback". BirdLife. Retrieved 2018-11-23.
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^ Gmelin, Johann Friedrich (1789). Systema naturae per regna tria naturae : secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis (in Latin). Vol. 1, Part 2 (13th ed.). Lipsiae [Leipzig]: Georg. Emanuel. Beer. p. 804.
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^ Latham, John (1783). A General Synopsis of Birds. Vol. 2, Part 1. London: Printed for Leigh and Sotheby. p. 11.
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^ Jobling, James A. (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. p. 414. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
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^ a b Mayr, Ernst; Greenway, James C. Jr, eds. (1960). Check-List of Birds of the World. Vol. 9. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Museum of Comparative Zoology. p. 226.
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^ Robinson, H.C.; Kloss, C. Boden (1924). "The birds of south-west and peninsula Siam". Journal of the Natural History Society of Siam. 5 (3): 1-397 [272].
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^ Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (January 2023). "Bulbuls". IOC World Bird List Version 13.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
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^ Fishpool, L.D.C.; Tobias, J.A. (2005). "Family Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)". In del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Christie, D.A. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 10: Cuckoo-shrikes to Thrushes. Barcelona, Spain: Lynx Edicions. pp. 124-250 [169]. ISBN 978-84-87334-72-6.
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Straw-headed bulbul: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
The straw-headed bulbul (Pycnonotus zeylanicus) is a species of songbird in the bulbul family, Pycnonotidae. It is found from the Malay Peninsula to Borneo. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical mangrove forest, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, arable land, plantations, and rural gardens. It is threatened by habitat loss and poaching.
The straw-headed bulbul is prized for its singing ability and is a highly sought-after species by bird enthusiasts in Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia. This trade is causing population reductions across the species' range and is a major barrier to its conservation. Trapping has been facilitated in recent years by the spread of logging roads across its forest habitat. Due to this, the straw-headed bulbul was uplisted from endangered to critically endangered on the IUCN Red List in 2018.
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