Brown-eared bulbul
Osaka
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Pycnonotidae
Genus: Hypsipetes
Species:
H. amaurotis
Binomial name
Hypsipetes amaurotis
(Temminck, 1830)
Distribution map
  breeding area
  resident
  wintering area
Synonyms
  • Turdus amaurotis Temminck, 1830
  • Ixos amaurotis (Temminck, 1830)
  • Microscelis amaurotis[2]

The brown-eared bulbul (Hypsipetes amaurotis) is a medium-sized bulbul native to eastern Asia. It is extremely common within the northern parts of its range and can be found from southern Sakhalin to the northern Philippines.

Taxonomy and systematics

The brown-eared bulbul was originally described in the genus Turdus. Later, some authorities placed it in the genus Ixos and then the genus Microscelis, before being re-classified to Hypsipetes in 2010.[3] Alternate names for the brown-eared bulbul include the Asian brown-eared bulbul, chestnut-eared bulbul, and Eurasian brown-eared bulbul.

Subspecies

Twelve subspecies are currently recognized:

Description

Adult, subspecies squamiceps, Kyoto (Japan)

Reaching a length of about 28 cm (11 in), brown-eared bulbuls are grayish-brown, with brown cheeks (the "brown ears" of the common name) and a long tail. While they prefer forested areas, they readily adapt to urban and rural environments, and their noisy squeaking calls are a familiar sound in most areas of Japan.[4] One author described the song of the brown-eared bulbul as "one of the most unattractive noises made by any bird".[5]

Distribution and habitat

The brown-eared bulbul is common in a very large range that includes the Russian Far East (including Sakhalin), northeastern China, the Korean Peninsula, and Japan, south to Taiwan and the Babuyan and Batanes island chains in the north of the Philippines.[1]

Historically, brown-eared bulbuls were migratory birds moving to the southern parts of their range in winter, but they have taken advantage of changes in crops and farming practices in recent decades to overwinter in areas farther north than previously possible. Most brown-eared bulbuls still move south in winter, often forming huge flocks during migration. They are considered agricultural pests in some areas of Japan where they may invade orchards and damage crops such as cabbages, cauliflowers and spinach.[4]

Behaviour

Breeding

Around five eggs are laid by the female, which then incubates them. Brown-eared bulbuls are frequently parasitized by cuckoos, whose chicks will push bulbul eggs and chicks out of the nest.[4]

Feeding

In summer, brown-eared bulbuls primarily feed on insects, while they mostly take fruits and seeds in the fall and winter.[6][7] At this time, they also feed on the nectar from Camellia flowers, becoming dusted with yellow pollen in the process. In this way they help to pollinate the flowers at a time of year when there are few insect pollinators around.[4]

Diseases

H. amaurotis is a host for the haemosporidian disease Haemoproteus philippinensis (Haemoproteus (Parahaemoproteus) philippinensis).[8]: 485–486 

References

  1. 1 2 BirdLife International (2018). "Hypsipetes amaurotis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T22713192A131969016. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22713192A131969016.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ↑ Gregory (2000)
  3. ↑ "Taxonomy Version 2 « IOC World Bird List". www.worldbirdnames.org. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Hooper, Rowan (12 May 2005). "Brown-eared bulbul". The Japan Times. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  5. ↑ Fishpool, L.D.C.; Tobias, J.A. (2005). 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. p. 146. ISBN 978-84-87334-72-6.
  6. ↑ Brazil, Mark (8 March 2016). "Noisy bulbuls change with the seasons". The Japan Times. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  7. ↑ Japan Bird Research Association. "Brown-eared Bulbul" (PDF). Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  8. ↑ Valkiūnas, Gediminas (2005). Avian Malaria Parasites And Other Haemosporidia. Boca Raton: CRC Press. pp. x+932+III Plates. ISBN 978-0-415-30097-1. OCLC 55066316. ISBN 978-0-203-64379-2. OCLC 70294116.

Further reading

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