Mixed species bulbul feeding juvenile

on 16th August 2009

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.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories
Archives

Overall visits (since 2005)

Live visitors
625
1865
Visitors Today
49761795
Total
Visitors

Clustrmaps (since 2016)