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Straw-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus zeylanicus)

Straw-headed Bulbul

Pycnonotus zeylanicus

Critically Endangered

Overview

The straw-headed bulbul, Pycnonotus zeylanicus, is a species of songbird in the bulbul family. It is currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to severe population declines.

Habitat

Found from the Malay Peninsula to Borneo, this species inhabits subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, mangrove forests, and moist shrubland. It also occupies arable land, plantations, and rural gardens.

Did you know?

The species' scientific name and historical common names stem from the mistaken belief that it was native to Sri Lanka, whereas its type locality was later designated as Java. Its uplisting to Critically Endangered in 2018 was driven by trapping for the songbird trade, which has been facilitated by the spread of logging roads.

Sources