Black-headed Bulbuls (Pycnonotus atriceps atriceps) are common in the Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia. Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS encountered groups of 5-8 birds when trekking along a trail through the dense primary forest near a rushing stream in November-December December 2011. They attract attention by their habit of calling out in a loud “tchep” (Wells, 2007), that is repeated often and echoed by others in the group CALL.
“They often feed on the fruit of the Macaranga bancana (Common Mahang) in the four visits I observed on this tree.” wrote Amar.
An earlier post by Amar on the bulbuls feeding on fruits of this tree LINK reports five species: Buff-vented (Iole olivacea olivacea), Cream-vented (P. simplex simplex), Hairy-backed (Tricholestes criniger), Red-eyed (Pycnonotus brunneus) and Spectacled (P. erythropthalmos). With the Black-headed Bulbul, we now have documentation of six species feeding on fruits of Macarange bancana.
Bird Ecology Study Group Plant more forest species for more biodiversity
[…] A tree like the common mahang (Macaranga bancana) attracts hordes of birds that visit for the nectar and fruits. It is common in our Central Catchment Reserve but local birdwatchers were unaware of it’s potential until a birder from Ipoh in Malaysia made a series of postings in this site 1. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. […]