Sooty-headed Bulbul

Scientific Name: Pycnonotus aurigaster
Malay Name: Merbah Ubun Hitam Selatan
Chinese Name: 白喉红臀鹎

Range:
Found from southern China to mainland Southeast Asia and discontinuously to Java and Bali. Widely introduced to Singapore and rest of Indonesia.

Taxonomy:
Polytypic. Subspecies are: chrysorrhoides, resurrectus, dolichurus, latouchei, klossi, schauenseei, thais, germani, aurigaster.

Size: 19-21 cm

Identification:
Adult has black head, chin and nape with short crest, brown upperparts with white rump, white underparts and orange-red vent. Juvenile resembles adult but has browner head and paler vent.

Habitat: Open wooded area.

Behaviour/Ecology:

Local Status: Uncommon introduced resident.

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)

Location: Lorong Halus, Punggol Barat, Pasir Ris Park and Tampines Eco Green.

Sooty-headed Bulbul at Lorong Halus. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Sooty-headed Bulbul at Lorong Halus. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
External Links:
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Sooty-headed Bulbul)
References:
BirdLife International. (2016). Pycnonotus aurigaster. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22712699A94343785.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023
Jeyarajasingam, A., & Pearson, A. (2012). A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Oxford University Press.
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.