Seychelles Bulbul
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| Seychelles Bulbul | ||||||||||||||
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| Hypsipetes crassirostris Newton,E, 1867 |
The Seychelles Bulbul, Hypsipetes crassirostris, is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. The species is related to the Comoros Bulbul. It is a common endemic species of the Seychelles, breeding on Mahé, Praslin, La Digue and Silhouette as well as some smaller islands. The Seychelles Bulbul is social, living in pairs, family groups or small flocks in forest and woodland from the sea to the mountains on granitic mountains. The species is omnivorous, taking fruit, flowers, eggs, and insects gleaned from foliage or hawked during short flights. They are very aggressive towards other birds species, chasing away birds as large as Green-backed Herons from areas that they are feeding in.
The breeding season of the Seychelles Bulbul usually begins at the start of the monsoon, around October to January, although breeding can occur at any time. It builds a circular nest out of palm fibres, leaves, twigs and moss in a forked tree branch, usually 10 m or more above the ground. Two whitish eggs with spots are usually laid per season, although in most cases only one chick is successfully raised to fledging age. Incubation lasts for 15 days and fledging occurs 21 days after hatching, but young fledglings will accompany adults after fledging, possibly to learn foraging skills.
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2004). Hypsipetes crassirostris. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
- Skerrett A, Bullock I & Disley T (2001) Birds of Seychelles. Helm Field Guides ISBN 0-7136-3973-3
