Black-capped bulbul

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Black-capped bulbul
Black-capped bulbul, (Pycnonotus melanicterus).jpg

Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Pycnonotidae
Genus: Rubigula
Species:
R. melanicterus
Binomial name
Rubigula melanicterus
(Gmelin, 1789)
Synonyms
  • Muscicapa melanictera J. F. Gmelin, 1789
  • Pycnonotus melanicterus
  • Rubigula melanictera

The black-capped bulbul (Rubigula melanicterus), or black-headed yellow bulbul, is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds.[1][2] It is endemic to Sri Lanka.[3]

Taxonomy and systematics[]

The black-capped bulbul was originally described in the genus Muscicapa and later moved to Pycnonotus.[4] Pycnonotus was found to be polyphyletic in recent molecular phylogenetic studies and five bulbul species, including the black-capped bulbul, moved to Rubigula.[2][5] Until 2008, the black-capped bulbul was considered as conspecific with the black-crested, ruby-throated, flame-throated and Bornean bulbuls. Some authorities have considered the ruby-throated, flame-throated and Bornean bulbuls to be subspecies of the black-capped bulbul[6]

Description[]

A Black capped Bulbul in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka.

The black-capped bulbul is virtually crestless and has a yellow throat and brownish eyes. It is yellowish green above and yellow below. The tail is brownish and ends in a white tip. The male has red irides and female has brown irides. Calls include a broad repertoire of sweet, mellow, minor-key piping whistles and sharper calls. Breeding records are from March to September.

Distribution and habitat[]

This is a bird of forest and dense scrub. It builds its nest in a bush; two to four eggs is a typical clutch. The black-capped bulbul feeds on fruit and insects. Found in forests, wooded areas and in gardens. Usually found in pairs.

In culture[]

In Sri Lanka, this bird is known as Hisa kalu Kondaya - හිස කලු කොන්ඩයා in Sinhala language.

References[]

  1. ^ a b BirdLife International. (2016). "Rubigula melanictera (formerly as: Pycnonotus melanicterus)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T103825842A94339991. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T103825842A94339991.en.
  2. ^ a b Gill, F.; Donsker, D.; Rasmussen, P. (eds.). "Family Pycnonotidae". IOC World Bird List. Version 10.2. International Ornithological Congress. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  3. ^ Warakagoda, Deepal (April 2009). "The Avifauna of Sri Lanka: An Overview of Current Status". Taprobanica. 1 (1): 32. doi:10.4038/tapro.v1i1.2775. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  4. ^ "Pycnonotus melanicterus - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  5. ^ Shakya, Subir B.; Sheldon, Frederick H. (2017). "The phylogeny of the world's bulbuls (Pycnonotidae) inferred using a supermatrix approach". Ibis. 159 (3): 498–509. doi:10.1111/ibi.12464. ISSN 0019-1019.
  6. ^ "Species Version 1 « IOC World Bird List". www.worldbirdnames.org. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  • Rasmussen, P.C., and J.C. Anderton. 2005. Birds of South Asia. The Ripley guide. Volume 2: attributes and status. Smithsonian Institution and Lynx Edicions, Washington D.C. and Barcelona.
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