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Straw-headed Bulbul duetting

on 14th March 2011

“Here’s a video and picture of a pair of Straw-headed Bulbuls (Pycnonotus zeylanicus) engaged in a rhythmic and melodious duet. The repeated song in this clip is short unlike other longer melodious calls usually heard. Perhaps those are for attracting attention, while this one is a song for each other – the birds are obviously quite comfortable on their perch, one bird is busy preening itself, breaking the routine periodically to join the other in song. This went on for a few minutes; the birds flew off only when I started moving closer, hoping for a better capture.”

Lena Chow
Singapore
6th March 2011

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

3 Responses

  1. Very nice recording. The birds need not necessarily be a pair. In aviculture, male straw-headed bulbuls frequently sing choruses when kept communally. If introduced into an aviary all at the same time, even groups of males settle down and become quite sociable. However, they are extremely aggressive towards newcomers of either sex.

  2. Thanks Chiu San & Amar. I now also see that the melodious calls, that are more often heard than seen, could actually be a duet. I had previously assumed such was a complex melodious call from one bird.

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