White-eared bulbul

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White-eared bulbul
Pycnonotus leucotis 1.jpg
In Rajasthan, India
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Pycnonotidae
Genus: Pycnonotus
Species:
P. leucotis
Binomial name
Pycnonotus leucotis
(Gould, 1836)
Pycnonotus leucotis leucogenys map editation 1.png
Native range of P. leucotis (light green) and P. leucogenys (dark green) in the South Asian region
Synonyms
  • Ixos leucotis
  • Pycnonotus leucogenys leucotis

The white-eared bulbul (Pycnonotus leucotis) is a member of the bulbul family. It is found in south-western Asia from India to the Arabian peninsula.

Contents

Taxonomy and systematics

The white-eared bulbul was originally described in the genus Ixos . The white-eared bulbul is considered to belong to a superspecies along with the Himalayan bulbul, white-spectacled bulbul, African red-eyed bulbul, Cape bulbul, and the common bulbul. [2] Formerly, some authorities considered the white-eared bulbul to be a subspecies of the Himalayan Bulbul.

Subspecies

Two subspecies are recognized: [3]

Description and vocalisations

The white-eared bulbul is rotund in appearance, and has a brownish-grey body. The tail of this bird is relatively long, tapering outwards. Starting off black, the tail feathers end in white tips. The head of the white-eared bulbul is black, with the area around its cheeks bearing a large white spot. The eye rings of the bulbul are bare, and the beak short. The vent of the bird is bright yellow.

The white-eared bulbul does not have a uniform song but rather a set of notes, which can be used to chirp different melodies. The song is brief, but is described as being "pleasant and fluid." [4]

Distribution

It is native to the western reaches of India, much of Pakistan, southern Afghanistan, coastal Iran, as well as much of the two-river basin in Iraq, Kuwait and the island of Bahrain. [5]

It has been introduced to the remaining Persian Gulf countries including Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. [6]

Ecology

Usually the females build the nest, which is constructed in the shape of a messy cup from thin twigs, dry grass, and various plant fibers, and is located in a hidden spot on trees. The clutch contains 2–4 eggs, usually 3, very rarely 5. The eggs are creamy white with purple spots. [7] The incubation, which is made by the female, lasts 13–14 days in Pakistan, or 10.5–12.5 days in Iraq. Both parents participate in feeding the chicks, which fledge after 9–11 days (in Iraq). Of 19 nests in Iraq, only three (about 16%) have raised a new generation; this is likely due to predation by crows , as many nests are only poorly concealed. [8] This is a monogamous species , and males tend to aggressively defend nesting territories from other males [9]

Conservation

The species is listed by the IUCN as "Least Concern" as of 2018 but population sizes are declining. [1]

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-eared bulbul</span> Species of bird

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The white-browed bulbul is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is a resident breeder in Sri Lanka and peninsular India. Largely olive coloured above with whitish underparts, it has a pale supercilium and a yellow vent. They are found in dense scrub habitats, where they skulk within vegetation and can be difficult to see although their loud and distinct burst of calls is distinctive.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-vented bulbul</span> Species of bird

The red-vented bulbul is a member of the bulbul family of passerines. It is a resident breeder across the Indian subcontinent, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka extending east to Burma and parts of Bhutan and Nepal. It has been introduced in many other parts of the world and has established itself in New Zealand, Argentina, Tonga and Fiji, as well as parts of Samoa, Australia, USA and Cook Islands. It is included in the list of the world's 100 worst invasive alien species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common bulbul</span> Species of bird

The common bulbul is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is found in north-eastern, northern, western and central Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black bulbul</span> Species of bird

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grey-headed bulbul</span> Species of bird

The grey-headed bulbul is a member of the bulbul family, Pycnonotidae. It is endemic to the Western Ghats in south-western India, and found from Goa south to Tamil Nadu at altitudes up to 1200m. It is found in dense reeds or thickets mainly near rivers and swampy areas inside forests. They have a distinctive call that reveals their presence inside dense vegetation where they are hard to spot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-throated bulbul</span> Species of songbird

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The white-spectacled bulbul is a member of the bulbul family. It is 20–25 cm (7.9–9.8 in) in length with a wingspan of 20–25 cm (7.9–9.8 in). These birds live in fruit plantations, gardens, and cities. It is the most common member of the bulbul family in Israel and Lebanon. In Turkey, it is mainly found in the coastal Mediterranean region, but its range extends from Patara/Gelemiş near Kaş in the west to Türkoğlu in the east. Breeding populations are found from Central and Southern Turkey to Western Syria, Lebanon, Western Jordan, Israel, Sinai and western, central and southern Arabia.

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The Himalayan bulbul, or white-cheeked bulbul, is a species of songbird in the bulbul family found in Central and South Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">African red-eyed bulbul</span> Species of songbird

The African red-eyed bulbul or black-fronted bulbul is a species of songbird in the family Pycnonotidae. It is found in south-western Africa. Its natural habitats are dry savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and riverine scrub. It feeds on fruit, flowers, nectar, and insects.

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References

  1. 1 2 BirdLife International (2018). "Pycnonotus leucotis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018: e.T22712687A132101885. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22712687A132101885.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. "Himalayan Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys)". www.hbw.com. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
  3. "Bulbuls « IOC World Bird List". www.worldbirdnames.org. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
  4. "EBird - Pycnonotus leucotis".
  5. "EBird - Birds of the world".
  6. "EBird - Kuwaitbirds".
  7. El-Shafie, H. A. F.; Abdel-Banat, B. M. A. (2018-09-19). "Non-arthropod pests of date palm and their management". CABI Reviews: 1–13. doi:10.1079/PAVSNNR201813020. ISSN   1749-8848.
  8. Fishpool, Lincoln; Tobias, Joseph A. (2024). "White-eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucotis), version 1.1". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.whebul1.01.1species_shared.bow.project_name. ISSN   2771-3105.
  9. Srivastava, Meera (2012). "Breeding behaviour of White-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis as observed in a house courtyard at Bikaner, Rajasthan". Our Nature. 10 (1): 284–285. doi:10.3126/on.v10i1.7798. ISSN   2091-2781.