Nicobar bulbul facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nicobar bulbul |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Pycnonotidae |
| Genus: | Ixos |
| Species: |
I. nicobariensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Ixos nicobariensis (Moore, F, 1854)
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| Synonyms | |
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The Nicobar bulbul (Ixos nicobariensis) is a small songbird that belongs to the bulbul family. This special bird lives only on the Nicobar Islands in India. It is known for its unique calls and its specific home.
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About the Nicobar Bulbul
The Nicobar bulbul is about 20 cm (8 inches) long. It does not have a crest, which is a fancy tuft of feathers on its head. Its wings, back, and tail are a dull, dark green color. Its face is lighter, and its throat and belly are yellowish-white. The most noticeable part of its look is a dark, sooty-brown cap that covers its head down to its eyes.
This bird makes chattering sounds. These calls are quite similar to the sounds made by the black bulbul, another type of bulbul bird.
Where the Nicobar Bulbul Lives
The Nicobar bulbul is found only on the Nicobar Islands. Specifically, it lives on the central islands of the group. These islands include Bompoka, Camorta, Katchall, Nancowry, Teressa, Tillanchong, and Trinkat. It does not live anywhere else in the world.
Preferred Homes of the Bulbul
This bird likes to live in subtropical and tropical forests. It prefers moist lowland areas, both old, untouched forests and forests that have grown back. You might also spot it in plantations, gardens in the countryside, and sometimes even in towns or grassland areas.
Why the Nicobar Bulbul is in Danger
The Nicobar bulbul is considered "Near Threatened" by the IUCN. This means it could be in danger of extinction in the future. There are only a few thousand adult birds left.
Loss of Habitat
One big reason for its decline is habitat destruction. Forests where these birds live are being cut down. For example, trees are cleared for rubber plantations. As more people move to the islands, more land is cleared for homes and farms. Even the building of military installations has destroyed some of their natural homes. While the birds can handle some human activity, they don't do well in areas with only one type of plant, like rubber farms.
Competition with Other Birds
Another problem is the red-whiskered bulbul. This bird was brought to the Nicobar Islands by people. It is a popular pet bird. The red-whiskered bulbul now lives on many of the same islands as the Nicobar bulbul. These two types of birds likely compete for food, places to build nests, and other important resources. This competition might be keeping the Nicobar bulbul's population from growing.
Impact of the 2004 Tsunami
The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami hit the Nicobar Islands very hard. Some islands, like Trinkat, were severely damaged. However, many of the forests where the Nicobar bulbul lives are on higher ground and were not as affected. While the tsunami caused a lot of damage to human settlements, it is not thought to have greatly harmed the overall number of Nicobar bulbuls.
 | William L. Dawson |
 | W. E. B. Du Bois |
 | Harry Belafonte |
