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.
| White-eared bulbul | |
|---|---|
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| In Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan, India | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Pycnonotidae |
| Genus: | Pycnonotus |
| Species: | P. leucotis
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| Binomial name | |
| Pycnonotus leucotis (Gould, 1836)
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| Native range of P. leucotis (light green) and P. leucogenys (dark green) in the South Asian region | |
| Synonyms | |
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Taxonomy and systematics edit
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 edit
Two subspecies are recognized:[3]
Description and vocalisations edit
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 edit
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 UAE, and Qatar. [6]
Conservation edit
The species is listed by the IUCN as "Least Concern" as of 2018 but population sizes are declining.[1]
Gallery edit
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P. l. mesopotamia in Musandam Peninsula, Oman -
In Babylon, Iraq -
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At Seawoods, Navi Mumbai -
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White-eared bulbul watching out for a fox, Behbahan, Iran -
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References edit
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "Himalayan Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys)". www.hbw.com. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
- ^ "Bulbuls « IOC World Bird List". www.worldbirdnames.org. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
- ^ "EBird - Pycnonotus leucotis".
- ^ "EBird - Birds of the world".
- ^ "EBird - Kuwaitbirds".
- Pocket Guide to the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent (1999) and multiple reprints. Richard Grimmett, Carol Inskipp and Tim Inskipp, Oxford University Press, New Delhi
External links edit
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