Yellow-bellied Bulbul Alophoixus phaeocephalus Scientific name definitions

20–20·5 cm; 23–40 g. Large, brightly coloured, relatively retiring bulbul, eyes contrasting sharply with pale face, elongated chin and throat often puffed out and sharply demarcated. Nominate race has lores whitish, rest of face to gape and ear-coverts pale blue-grey; cap to neck darker blue-grey, slaty feather bases showing (producing squamate appearance in fresh plumage); upperparts from mantle to rump dark brown-olive with greenish tinge; rear edge of rump, and long overlying back plumes, pale olive-yellow, uppertail-coverts chestnut; upperwing dark olive-brown with slight rufescent tinge, tertials and fringes of flight-feathers warm rufous-olive; tail uniformly chestnut-tinged olive; chin and throat white, sharply demarcated against grey of face; side of breast and upper margin of flanks olive-green with yellowish cast, rest of underparts bright canary-yellow; iris clear brown to rich red-brown; upper mandible dark horn, lower mandible and cutting edges of upper mandible blue-grey or pale plumbeous; legs pale fleshy brown or yellowish-pink. Sexes similar. Juvenile has iris light brown, culmen and tip of upper mandible horn-brown. Race diardi has conspicuous yellow tip of tail; connectens has buffy wash on throat, an almost complete breastband, and lacks yellow tail tip; sulphuratus appears to be a variable intermediate between previous two races.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Broadleaf evergreen forest, well-developed secondary growth (having relatively closed canopy, and layered structure), mature or overgrown tree plantations adjacent to forest, also transition zone between forest and coastal vegetation. At Pasoh research forest, in Negeri Sembilan (Peninsular Malaysia), 60% more individuals trapped in mature forest than in 20-year regenerating habitat, suggesting preference for former. Also enters peatswamp-forest and kerangas forest, and sometimes seems to prefer these habitats; of four members of genus at Gunung Mulu National Park, in Borneo (Sarawak), this was the only one to thrive in peatswamp-forest. Lowlands to 1000 m; not recorded above 760 m in Peninsular Malaysia.

Resident.

A generalist, eating both fruit and insects. At Kerau, in Peninsular Malaysia, parties visiting fig (Ficus) crops took fruit of eleven of 25 fig species (in fruit-diameter range 5·4–15·5 mm); even while in these trees, however, tended to take more insects than fruit, and may have stopped off only while moving through. Less accessible fruit, e.g. berries of Vitex pubescens, taken by snatching during brief hovers. Individuals noted as catching bright green beetles (Coleoptera), but major insect component of diet unstudied. Usually encountered singly, in pairs, or in small parties of 3–4 (rarely five) individuals; rarely, if ever, in groups of 6–10 (unlike several congeners). Joins other bulbuls at fruiting shrubs; accompanies mixed-species flocks of insectivores, mostly other members of genus and various babblers (Timaliidae), in understorey. Frequents lower storey, generally lower down than most congeners. Regularly drops from lower branches to the ground, but usually returns to a perch within few seconds.

Calls with subdued harsh, slightly buzzy “whi’ee whi’ee whi’ee”, or (presumably same) a rasping “cherrit-berrit”, and variety of other grating notes, often given when scolding human observers. Sometimes a loud “chack”, especially in flight.

Breeds Apr–Aug. Rate of retrapping in lowland forest in Peninsular Malaysia suggests that pair probably territorial. Clutch 2 eggs. No other information.

Not globally threatened. Generally fairly common to common throughout much of range. Extinct in Singapore for at least five decades, following deforestation. In mature lowland-forest understorey at Pasoh, in Negeri Sembilan (Peninsular Malaysia), long-term mist-netting showed this to be the second most frequently caught resident passerine, after Short-tailed Babbler (Malacocincla malacensis); at least 20–23 individuals made regular use of the 15-ha study plot during two successive breeding seasons, suggesting high population density. Given this abundance in relatively small patches of forest, and the species’ use of submontane forest on slopes, this pycnonotid is unlikely to become at risk in immediate future.