- Source: Yellowish bulbul
The yellowish bulbul (Hypsipetes everetti) is a species of songbird in the bulbul family, Pycnonotidae. It is endemic to the Philippines found only on East Visayas, Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. The birds of the Sulu archipelago are sometimes considered a separate species called the Sulu bulbul. This species is declining due to habitat loss.
Description and taxonomy
EBird describes it as "A medium-sized bird of lowland and foothill forest and edge. Fairly large for a bulbul. Two different-looking races occur. The widespread one is olive-brown above with a yellow belly and an orange-brown chest, throat, and cheek. Sulu birds have warm brown upperparts. Yellowish Bulbul is similar to Philippine Bulbul, but has a yellow rather than white belly. Song consists of a descending series of medium-pitched notes, jumping back to a higher note at the end. Also gives harsh grating calls and nasal screeches."
The Camiguin bulbul (H. catarmanensis) of Camiguin Sur was formerly considered a subspecies, but more recent studies have found it to be a distinct species The yellowish bulbul is differntiated by its olive green cap, lighter plummage, smaller size and through its call.
= Subspecies
=Two subspecies are currently recognized:
H. e. everetti – (Tweeddale, 1877): Found in east-central and south-eastern Philippines
Sulu bulbul (H. e. haynaldi) – (Blasius, W, 1890): Originally described as a separate species in the genus Criniger. Found in the Sulu Archipelago (south-western Philippines)
Ecology and behavior
The diet of the consists of insects and fruit but not much is known about the specifics. Seen in small groups or joins mixed flocks with other forest birds.
Barely anything is known about this species breeding behaviour. Birds in breeding condition with enlarged gonads collected in April to August. Otherwise, mating, nest and fledgling stages of this bird are all undescribed.
Habitat and conservation status
It is found in tropical moist lowland forest up to 1,000 meters above sea level.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature recognizes the Yellowish bulbul as two separate species. It lists the Yellowish bulbul as Least-concern species as it remains common throughout most of its range across Mindanao and East Visayas. Occurs in a few protected areas like Samar Island Natural Park, Mount Apo and Mount Kitanglad but actual protection and enforcement from illegal logging and hunting are lax.
The Sulu bulbul is assessed as Near-threatened species due it is relatively small range. The islands on the Sulu Archipelago have mostly been deforested.