Streak-breasted Bulbul Hypsipetes siquijorensis Scientific name definitions

26·5 cm. Large, noisy, conspicuous bulbul. Nominate race has cap to nape very dark brown (giving black-headed impression); upperparts dark olive-brown, feathers narrowly fringed with grey, paler on rump; wings dark olive-brown, wing-coverts and secondaries broadly tipped whitish; tail also dark olive-brown, with ill-defined buffy tips; chin and throat whitish, feathers narrowly fringed with brown; upper breast light greyish-brown with dark brown streaks and dull white shafts, lower breast, belly and undertail-coverts pale grey, slightly smudged buffy-yellow, especially on belly, flanks tan; iris dark brown; upper mandible black or dark brownish-horn, lower mandible dark brown or light brownish-horn; legs blackish-brown. Sexes alike. Juvenile undescribed. Race monticola differs from nominate in having paler crown, more rufous back, whiter throat, smaller size; cinereiceps differs in grey crown, white throat, olive-brown breast with broad white streaks.

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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.

Forest, forest edge, second growth and clearings; at all altitudes (although highest points within its range not particularly high). Some races also in highly degraded scrub, but usually in much lower numbers than found in taller scrub; usually absent from low scrub that is not adjacent to taller growth. On Siquijor, Tablas and Romblon, where H. philippinus absent, nominate race and cinereiceps tend to be generalists, living in open shrubby habitats as well as in forest. On Cebu, race monticola much more specialized on forest, while H. philippinus occupies the open-country niche on that island.

Resident.

Small groups recorded at all levels in forest. No other information.

Race cinereiceps has varied repertoire, including strident whip-like “whit” notes, often given in complex phrase as “whit pu whit tooer whit whee-er” or “pu-er whit pu-er whit”; monticola known to give loud raucous screech.

Nesting recorded in Jun. No other information.

ENDANGERED. Restricted-range species: present in Cebu EBA; also in the Tamblas, Romblon & Sibuyan and Siquijor Secondary Areas. Generally common on Siquijor, where recorded density of 1–3 pairs/ha of habitat; several thousand individuals thought to survive. On Cebu, monticola is very rare and often thought extinct, but a few recent sightings at or near the Tabunan reserve; perhaps especially threatened because more reliant on tall forest; this species’ habitat niche in scrub appears to have been usurped on Cebu by H. philippinus, and the spread of that dominant form perhaps underlies the near-extinction of monticola. Race cinereiceps undoubtedly rare, as natural habitats have almost been removed from Tablas and Romblon; if elevated to species rank, this taxon would probably be treated as Critical. A century ago, forest cover on Tablas was extensive, but by 1990s only a few small patches were left. Focused conservation action at key sites is required, and field and laboratory work should address taxonomic issues. Habitat on Tablas, Romblon and Siquijor needs protection, and the Tabunan project on Cebu should be expanded (if monticola survives).