Réunion bulbul

The Réunion bulbul (Hypsipetes borbonicus) is a species of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is a species that regularly occurs in Réunion.

 Taxonomy and systematics 
The Réunion bulbul was first said to be part of the genus Turdus. Some authorities also used to think that the Mauritius bulbul was a subspecies of the Réunion bulbul.Staub (1976), Gregory (2000), BLI (2008) Other names for the Réunion bulbul include the Bourbon thrush, olivaceous bulbul, Réunion black bulbul and Réunion merle.

 Description 
The appearance of the Réunion bulbul is similar to the appearance of the Mauritius bulbul but is slightly smaller with a length of 22 cm. It is ashy gray with a blackish crest and the iris is very visibly white. The bill and feet have an orange color.Staub (1976)

 Behaviour and ecology 

 Breeding 
The female Réunion bulbul lays two eggs in a cup-shaped nest during the southern summer.Staub (1976)

 Food and feeding 
The Réunion bulbul is an animal that most commonly feeds on fruit. In February and March, it moves from areas of higher elevation, where it lives in humid secondary forests, to lower valleys to feed on ripe guavas. Nectar, insects and small lizards are extra parts of its range of food.Staub (1976)

 Threats 
Although considered by the IUCN as a species Near Threatened, the Réunion bulbul is no longer a common bird, mainly due to poaching and competition from the red-whiskered bulbul, a non-native bird that has been brought in. In the earlier days of the settlement of Réunion, the Réunion bulbul was hunted for food on a large scale, and was considered as tasty as the ortolan bunting (Emberiza hortulana). As late as the 1970s it was hunted to an overly large amount. It is also kept as a pet.

 References 

 Gregory, Steven M. (2000): Nomenclature of the Hypsipetes Bulbuls (Pycnonotidae). Forktail 16: 164–166. PDF fulltext
 Staub, France (1976), Birds of the Mascarenes and Saint Brandon, Labama House, Port Louis, Mauritius.

Category:IUCN Red List near threatened species
Category:Pages with unreviewed translations
Category:Passeri
Category:Birds of Africa