White-spectacled bulbul

Summary

The white-spectacled bulbul (Pycnonotus xanthopygos) is a member of the bulbul family. It is 20–25 cm (7.9–9.8 in) in length with a wingspan of 20–25 cm (7.9–9.8 in). These birds live in fruit plantations, gardens, and cities. It is the most common member of the bulbul family in Israel and Lebanon.[2] In Turkey, it is mainly found in the coastal Mediterranean region, but its range extends from Patara/Gelemiş near Kaş in the west to Türkoğlu in the east. Breeding populations are found from Central and Southern Turkey to Western Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Western Jordan, Palestine, Sinai and western, central and southern Arabia.[3]

White-spectacled bulbul
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Pycnonotidae
Genus: Pycnonotus
Species:
P. xanthopygos
Binomial name
Pycnonotus xanthopygos
Synonyms
  • Ixus xanthopygos
Eggs of Pycnonotus xanthopygos MHNT

Both sexes are similar; juveniles have a browner hood and less obvious eye-rings than the adults. The nest – a small cup of thin twigs, grass stems, leaves and moss – is generally located in bushes and lined with hair, shredded bark and small roots.[3]

Taxonomy and systematics edit

The white-spectacled bulbul was originally described in the genus Ixos. The white-spectacled bulbul is considered to belong to a superspecies along with the Himalayan bulbul, white-eared bulbul, African red-eyed bulbul, Cape bulbul, and the common bulbul.[4] Alternate names for the white-spectacled bulbul include the several names used for other species (black-capped, dark-capped, spectacled and yellow-vented bulbul) and one name (white-eyed bulbul) shared with the cream-vented bulbul.

References edit

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2019). "Pycnonotus xanthopygos". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T22712681A155532923. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T22712681A155532923.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ Noam Kirshenbaum, ed. Birds of Israel: A Pocket Guide to Common Species. Nature in Israel, 2005.
  3. ^ a b White-spectacled Bulbul - Pycnonotus xanthopygos
  4. ^ "Himalayan Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys)". www.hbw.com. Retrieved 2017-03-23.