White-throated bulbul

Criniger flaveolus

TAXONOMY

Criniger flaveolus Gould, 1836. Two races recognized.

OTHER COMMON NAMES

English: Ashy-fronted bearded bulbul; French: Bulbul flavéole; German: Weisskehlbülbül; Spanish: Bulbul Barbudo de Frente Ahumado.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

8.6 in (22 cm). Brownish crest, back olive-brown, lemon-yellow breast and belly, white fluffy throat. Wings and tail have rusty tinge. Sexes alike. Juvenile resembles adult but crest not as prominent and browner belly.

DISTRIBUTION

Himalayas to northeastern Myanmar.

HABITAT

Bushes and undergrowth in dense forest.

BEHAVIOR

Noisy, heard more than seen. Often in groups of up to 15 birds which are aggressive in mobbing birds of prey. Prefers lower story of forest. Song a nasal "cheer" or loud clear "teek, da-te-ek, da-te-ek." Frequently puffs out throat and fans tail. Resident, may move altitudinally.

FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET

Mainly berries, also insects.

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

Breeds April through July. Builds low nest in undergrowth, usually within 3 ft (1 m) of ground.

CONSERVATION STATUS

Not threatened. Locally common.

SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS

None known.