Halmahera Golden-Bulbul Hypsipetes chloris Scientific name definitions

20 cm; 38–42 g. The Halmahera Golden-Bulbul is a large, conspicuous, olive-and-yellow bulbul with a long bill and weak rictal bristles. The adult is predominantly uniform olive green, relieved by slightly paler underparts and a paler yellow throat , as well as dusky lores . Sexes are alike. Juveniles are reported to be duller, with paler irides.

The Halmahera Golden-Bulbul was until recently considered conspecific with Sula Golden-Bulbul (Hypsipetes longirostris), but this was split into multiple species (1 Collar, N. J., J. A. Eaton, and R. O. Hutchinson (2013). Species limits in the Golden Bulbul Alophoixus (Thapsinillas) affinis complex. Forktail 29:19–24. Close ). The present species differs from its geographically and morphologically closest relative, Obi Golden-Bulbul (Hypsipetes lucasi), in its olive green versus yellow lores (3), olive green versus olive yellow ear coverts (1), blackish base to its submoustachial area versus all olive green (2), and its slightly smaller size and distinctly shorter wings (effect size −2.28) (2). Its voice is apparently also distinctive (2 Eaton, J. A., B. van Balen, N. W. Brickle, and F. E. Rheindt (2016). Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago: Greater Sundas and Wallacea. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close ).

Morotai, Halmahera and Bacan (North Moluccas).

The Halmahera Golden-Bulbul occupies primary, secondary, and degraded evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, as well as mixed plantations and mangroves.

There is no information on diet. The Halmahera Golden-Bulbul is usually observed in pairs or small groups of fewer than ten individuals. It has been recorded eating berries .

This species' song is a series of 8–15 drawn-out, high-pitched, and descending whistles lasting 0.5 seconds, rendered as WE-WEE-WEEE-WEEE-WEEEW or chikwi-chikwi-chikwidilyu, which is recognizably bulbul-like. This song is often repeated after short intervals (1–2 seconds) and interspersed with longer phrases that tumble down a scale at the end, e.g. chikwi-chikwi-chikwiddlyudidlydidlydidlydyu. Its call is a thin, quiet see.

There is no information, except that birds were in breeding condition in September on Halmahera. It was also recorded on a nest in September.

The Halmahera Golden-Bulbul is not globally threatened (Least Concern). It is a restricted-range species confined to three islands in the Northern Maluku Endemic Bird Area. This species is generally considered to be fairly common, with relatively high encounter rates reported during recent surveys on Halmahera (the species was noted at about half—162—of all point localities during one survey of the forest). Its population size is unknown, but numbers are currently believed to be stable.