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| Black Bulbul. Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve 15 February 2023 |
These pictures had been taken by AJP two weeks in the past in Tai Po Kau reserve in Hong Kong. Since there have been heaps it must be assumed this was an irruption 12 months. Lately small numbers could also be seen in Tai Po Kau however often there’s a big inflow from the north in winter; different years there are none to be discovered. Throughout an irruption Black Bulbuls might be seen all through Hong Kong.
I can bear in mind the thrill of seeing Black Bulbuls for the primary time—within the College of Hong Kong compound. That was in February-March 1967. The Chook Report for that 12 months famous:
The early a part of the 12 months produced what was in all probability the largest irruption of this species in Hong Kong ever recorded.
The primary had been seen on 7 January 1967 however flocks of as much as greater than 90 had been seen in February. They stayed till nicely into March with the final reported sighting on 25 March.
Within the college compound, earlier than it was ruined by over-development, it was comparatively simple to get a very good view. The tops of the timber the place they had been residing reached the extent of a footpath by the library.
In these days the Black Bulbul residing in Hong Kong was thought to be a subspecies of Hypsipetes madagascariensis. Now it thought of a full species, Hypsipetes leucocephalus, one described by Johan Friedrich Gmelin in 1789. Solely absolutely grownup birds have s fully white head.