Ruby-throated bulbul

The ruby-throated bulbul (Rubigula dispar), or yellow bulbul, also known as flame throated bulbul is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds.^[1][2] It is found on Sumatra, Java, and Bali.

Ruby-throated bulbul
East Java, Indonesia
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Pycnonotidae
Genus:	Rubigula
Species:	R. dispar
Binomial name
Rubigula dispar (Horsfield, 1821)
Synonyms
Pycnonotus melanicterus dispar Turdus dispar Pycnonotus dispar

Taxonomy and systematics

The ruby-throated bulbul was originally described in the genus Turdus and later moved to genus Pycnonotus. Pycnonotus was found to be polyphyletic in recent molecular phylogenetic studies and five bulbul species, including the ruby-throated bulbul, moved to Rubigula.^[2][3] Until 2008, the ruby-throated bulbul was considered as conspecific with the black-capped, black-crested, flame-throated and Bornean bulbuls,^[4] but these are all now treated as distinct.^[2]

There are two subspecies:^[2]

• Rubigula dispar dispar. Iris yellow. Java, Bali.
• Rubigula dispar matamerah. Iris red. Sumatra.

Description

It is 17–20 cm long, virtually crestless, has a black head with a deep red throat, greenish-yellow back and wings, yellow underparts, and a greenish-black tail. The bill and legs are black.^[5]

Distribution and habitat

This is a bird of forest and dense scrub.

Behaviour and ecology

It builds its nest in a bush; two to four eggs are a typical clutch. The ruby-throated bulbul feeds on fruit and insects.