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Yellow Vented Bulbul’s classical territorial call

on 27th November 2011

“The Yellow Vented Bulbuls (Pycnonotus goiavier analis) have many calls that they use for a variety of purposes. One of the calls is unique in that it is associated with an ‘out spreading’ (lifting) of the wings and tail. This particular call is not easy to capture as it is usually given once at a time (i.e. not repeated immediately). It is my observation that the male is the one that delivers this call, by watching the different roles the birds play (even though the sexes are largely indistinguishable). The male uses this call to tell other Yellow Vented Bulbuls that this is their (his & partner’s) territory – a territorial call.

“I finally managed to document the posture of the call on camera (the audio recordings were not a problem, as have done recordings in the past). I was back for lunch yesterday and had the camera out in the garden were we eat most meals. There were 5-6 Yellow Vented Bulbuls in our fruiting Neem Tree and our resident pair were distressed trying to protect their home – chasing visiting Yellow Vented Bulbuls here and there. Finally the male stopped to give this ‘trumpet’ call to declare his territory. I was just fortunate I was holding the camera and
watching with it.

“…An older recoding of the call HERE. In the audio recording I have duplicated the call twice to give you an opportunity to hear it better.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Canning Garden Home, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
30th September 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

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