Hairy-backed bulbul
Species of bird
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Taxonomy and systematics
The hairy-backed bulbul was originally described in the genus Brachypodius (a synonym for Pycnonotus). Alternatively, some authorities have classified the hairy-backed bulbul in the genera Trichophorus (a synonym for Criniger) and Hypsipetes.
Subspecies
Three subspecies are currently recognized:
- T. c. criniger - (Blyth, 1845): Found on the Malay Peninsula and eastern Sumatra
- T. c. sericeus - (Blyth, 1865): Originally described as a separate species in the genus Criniger. Found on western Sumatra
- T. c. viridis - (Bonaparte, 1854): Originally described as a separate species in the genus Trichophoropsis (a synonym for Setornis). Found on Borneo
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Description
The hairy-backed bulbul is a small (16–17 cm long, weigh 12–21 g), relatively quiet bulbul with a slightly rounded tail and strong rictal bristles. It is olive above and yellowish below, with key features including pale yellowish lores and a broad eye ring, a dark rufescent olive-brown cap and neck, olive-rufous uppertail-coverts and upperwings, a bright rufous-brown tail with creamy white tips, a creamy white chin and throat merging into a yellow breast, and hair-like filoplumes on the back (often concealed). It has small, weak legs and feet, a dark brown iris, a light blue-grey bill, and pale greenish-brown legs. Sexes are similar, with females slightly smaller. Juveniles have a grey-brown iris and pale fleshy pink legs. The subspecies sericeus is larger than the nominate form, with duller yellow undertail-coverts; and viridis is similar, but brighter on the upperparts.