Straw-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus zeylanicus)

Also known as the Straw-crowned or Yellow-crowned Bulbul, its range extends across South-East Asia from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Peninsular Myanmar, Thailand and Singapore. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical mangrove and lowland forests, moist shrub-land, arable land, plantations, and rural gardens.

(Straw-headed Bulbul, CAPTIVE, Edward Youde Aviary, Hong Kong)

Straw-headed Bulbuls are sedentary, usually occurring in pairs or family groups of up to five or six individuals.

The melodious quality and strength of the Straw-headed Bulbul’s song makes it easily locatable.  This, combined with its habit of nesting and roosting in easily accessible areas, has led to its regular poaching and trapping as a cage bird.  As recently as two decades ago Straw-headed Bulbuls were widespread and even locally abundant across much of their range.  Their capture for the pet trade, combined with a loss of natural habitat, has led to a significant population decline.  They are now thought to be naturally extinct in Java and virtually extinct in Sumatra, whilst in Thailand only feral captive populations are believed to remain.  Recent records indicate that they only endure in moderately healthy numbers in peninsular Malaysia and Singapore.  In 1987, a ‘pet’ Straw-headed Bulbul would cost approximately $20 US, by the early 2000’s this price had exponentially increased to $1300 US.

(Straw-headed Bulbul, Bukit Brown Cemetary, Singapore)

Due to these population impact factors, the conservation status of the Straw-headed Bulbul is now considered to be vulnerable.   It is now a protected species in Thailand and is found in at least two protected areas in Sumatra and several protected areas in Peninsular Malaysia.   The species is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), as such any international trade in this species is carefully monitored.  Further measures, such as stricter controls on the export and import of live birds and stronger legal protection would help the remaining straw-headed bulbuls survive in the wild.

Orange-spotted Bulbul (Pycnonotus bimaculatus)

The Orange-spotted Bulbul is a medium sized brownish bulbul.  It is distinguished by its brown, spotted chest that contrasts with its pale belly with diagnostic yellow-orange lores.

(Orange-spotted Bulbul, CAPTIVE, Edward Youde Aviary, Hong Kong)

It is endemic to Java, Bali and Sumatra where three subspecies are formally recognized.  On very rare occasions, it has been recorded in Singapore, where it is believed to be an escaped captive bird.

The preferred habitat for the Orange-spotted Bulbul is montane forest edges, scrub, clearings and open meadows at altitudes between 800 and 3000 metres.  At high altitudes it can be quite gregarious, especially in stunted alpine growth, where it is often seen in small vocal parties.

The example above was photographed in the Edward Youde open aviary in Hong Kong Park, Hong Kong.

Crested Barbet (Trachyphonus vaillantii)

With its thick bill and very colourful plumage, the Crested Barbet is a distinctive and unmistakable bird.  It has a large range across most of southeastern Africa.

(Crested Barbet at Sabi Sands Reserve, South Africa)

It frequents gardens and parks, plantations, woodlands, riverine bushveld, tree savannahs and watercourses. It is usually seen at altitudes of 200 to 1800 metres.  They are sedentary in range and only perform short dispersions along watercourses in dry regions.

They are often seen alone or in pairs, hopping on the ground, warily foraging for food or probing bark crevices and lichen on trees.  They will frequent urban bird feeders.  Their flight is ungainly and they are only capable of flying short distances.  They are territorial and will chase off nest competitors, such as honeyguides and doves, and other birds entering into their territory.

The scientific species name for the Crested Barbet is derived from the surname of the French naturalist, François Levaillant and this bird is sometimes referred to as Levaillant’s Barbet. 

Despite its gaudy appearance, the Crested Barbet is usually very well camouflaged in its natural environment.

Something more recent...

In August this year we went to Portugal and spent a few days in Lisbon.  During this time I spent a day on the Tagus Estuary with Bernardo, a guide from Birds and Nature Tours (the link's on the right).  A great day out with Bernardo and again lots of images to share.  To start with, here's a Common Buzzard perched in the midday sun.

Where to begin...

I was first bitten by the bird photography bug during a holiday to South Africa in 2010.   It all started with a Lilac-breasted Roller - to me this was a wonderful, exotic and unusual bird.  Coming from Europe I'd never seen anything like it in the wild before.  Turns out that they are not that unusual, yet I had to capture an image since there was no guarantee that I would see one again.  After that it snow-balled, and I now seek any opportunity to catch a permanent image of any bird species, no matter how mundane or taken for granted it may be.  This of course leads to the next challenge, seeing birds is one thing, taking a good photograph is another.  I'll never forget the time in Kenya when I was going to dinner at our lodge only to find a Giant Kingfisher just sat on the fence.   Did I have my camera with me?  Of course not!  To this day the Giant Kingfisher eludes me, oh the lost opportunities!  Even if you do get a good image there is often the challenge of identification - differentiating female warblers or the complexity of gull identification can be a minefield.  Finally there's the personal challenge of always trying to get that better shot with better composition, better catch-light, better focus, better depth-of-field.  Maybe it's just my obsessive personality but you will be amazed at how addictive this "hobby" can become.

So, through this blog, please join me on my journey.  I've got nearly four years of back-log photos to selectively post and share and, hopefully, many new adventures and tales to tell.

In the meantime, here's where it all began - with the Lilac-breasted Roller at Kruger National Park in South Africa in February 2010.