Animalia Life

Criniger calurus
TAXONOMY
Trichophorus calurus Cassin, 1857, Gabon. Two races recognized based on plumage variation.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Red-tailed bulbul; French: Bulbul а barbe blanche; German: Swainsonbьlbьl; Spanish: Bulbul de Cola Roja.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
7.1 in (18 cm); 0.7–1.2 oz (22–35 g). Head and hindneck olive brown, long black bristles on hindneck. Bright yellow underparts contrast with olive flanks. White conspicuous “beard,” often puffed out. Sexes alike. Juvenile resembles adult but is dull cinnamon on wings.
DISTRIBUTION
Endemic central Africa; Senegal, Guinea, Mali, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Zaire, Gabon, Congo, Angola, Central African Republic, Sudan, and Uganda.
HABITAT
Forest, forest-grassland mosaic.
BEHAVIOR
Territorial groups of three through 12. Common in mixed bird flocks, often the leader. Call a weak “chit, chiro-chiro” or whistle “peeyu.” Frequently flicks wings and fans tail.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Mainly insects and insect larvae, also fruits and seeds.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Territorial breeder, usually two eggs. Incubation by female only; young fed by both parents, fledge 14 days.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.

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