Straw-headed Bulbul

Scientific Name: Pycnonotus zeylanicus
Malay Name: Barau-barau Raya
Chinese Name: 黄冠鹎

Range:
Found from the Thai-Malay Peninsula to Sumatra, Java and Borneo.

Taxonomy:
Monotypic.

Size: 29 cm

Identification:
Largest bulbul species in Singapore with strong bill, yellowish-orange crown and ear coverts, blackish eye and submoustachial stripes, whitish throat, bold whitish streaks on brownish breast and olive-green wings and uppertail coverts. Juvenile has duller and browner head.

Habitat: Forest, forest edge and secondary growth.

Behaviour/Ecology: Very vocal especially at dawn and before dusk. Gregarious and often perches on low branches overlooking water.

Local Status: Uncommon resident

Conservation Status: Critically Endangered (BirdLife International 2021)

Location: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Dairy Farm Nature Park, Bukit Batok Nature Park, Bukit Gombak, Central Catchment Forest, Bukit Brown and Pulau Ubin.

Photos:

Straw-headed Bulbul at Bukit Drive. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Straw-headed Bulbul at Bukit Drive. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Straw-headed Bulbul at Hindhede Nature Park. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Straw-headed Bulbul at Hindhede Nature Park. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Straw-headed Bulbul at Hindhede Nature Park. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Straw-headed Bulbul at Saddle Club. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Straw-headed Bulbul at Hindhede Park. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Straw-headed Bulbuls at Hindhede Quarry. Photo credit: See Toh Yew Wai

Straw-headed Bulbul at Hindhede Quarry. Photo credit: See Toh Yew Wai

Straw-headed Bulbul at Hindhede Nature Park. Photo credit: Francis Yap

External Links:
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Photos: Oriental Bird Images
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Straw-headed Bulbul)

References:
BirdLife International. (2021). Pycnonotus zeylanicus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T22712603A183176477.en. Accessed on 19 December 2021

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.