Black Bulbuls in Hong Kong

Black Bulbul. Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve 15 February 2023

These photographs were taken by AJP two weeks ago in Tai Po Kau reserve in Hong Kong. Since there were lots it has to be assumed this was an irruption year. These days small numbers may be seen in Tai Po Kau but occasionally there is a huge influx from the north in winter; other years there are none to be found. During an irruption Black Bulbuls can be seen throughout Hong Kong.

I can remember the excitement of seeing Black Bulbuls for the first time—in the University of Hong Kong compound. That was in February-March 1967. The Bird Report for that year noted:

The early part of the year produced what was probably the biggest irruption of this species in Hong Kong ever recorded.

The first were seen on 7 January 1967 but flocks of up to more than 90 were seen in February. They stayed until well into March with the last reported sighting on 25 March.

In the university compound, before it was ruined by over-development, it was relatively easy to get a good view. The tops of the trees where they were living reached the level of a footpath by the library.

In those days the Black Bulbul living in Hong Kong was regarded as a subspecies of Hypsipetes madagascariensis. Now it considered a full species, Hypsipetes leucocephalus, one described by Johan Friedrich Gmelin in 1789. Only fully adult birds have s completely white head.