In an earlier post GS Soh described his encounter with a Sooty-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus aurigaster) and a Yellow-vented Bulbul (P. goiavier) pairing up. Lee Tiah Khee completes the story here with his account of this mixed-species pair (below left) caring for a recently fledged juvenile (above). The Sooty-headed was photographed flying in with a fruit to feed the juvenile (below right)
As before, bird behaviourist John Vickerman has his say: “Although I know nothing on hybridisation between these two species, if you “Google” bulbul hybridisation, there are certainly references to some hybridisation in various bulbul species where ranges overlap.
“I suspect that as usually happens with hybrid birds, they may not be fertile or may not be selected as a suitable mate when breeding time comes around thus the hybrid line has a lesser chance of continuing.
“A good piece of observation, TK, and it would be interesting to know in due course if you can follow on with any further observations or notes.”
Images by Lee Tiah Khee.
This post is a cooperative effort between NaturePixels.org and BESG to bring the study of bird behaviour through photography to a wider audience.
