Réunion bulbul facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Réunion bulbul |
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The Réunion bulbul (Hypsipetes borbonicus) is a special type of bulbul bird. It belongs to a group of birds called passerines, which are often known as "perching birds." This bird lives only on the island of Réunion, which means it is endemic there.
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About the Réunion Bulbul
This bird was first described a long time ago, in 1781. It was initially thought to be a type of thrush. People on Réunion have called it by many names over the years. Some of these names include the Bourbon thrush, olivaceous bulbul, Réunion black bulbul, and Réunion merle.
What Does It Look Like?
The Réunion bulbul looks a lot like the Mauritius bulbul, but it is a bit smaller. It is about 22 centimeters (around 8.5 inches) long. Its feathers are a gray color, like ash. It has a blackish crest of feathers on its head. A cool thing about this bird is its bright white eyes. Its beak and feet are a pretty orange color.
Life and Habits of the Réunion Bulbul
Reproduction and Nests
During the southern summer, which is when it's warm, the female Réunion bulbul builds a nest. This nest is shaped like a cup. She usually lays two eggs in her nest.
What Do Réunion Bulbuls Eat?
The Réunion bulbul mostly eats fruit. This means it is a frugivore. In February and March, these birds move from higher, wetter forest areas to lower valleys. They do this to find and eat ripe guavas. Besides fruit, they also enjoy eating nectar from flowers, insects, and even small lizards.
Challenges for the Réunion Bulbul
Even though the Réunion bulbul is not yet considered endangered, its numbers are not as high as they used to be. The IUCN lists it as "Near Threatened." One big reason for this is that people used to hunt these birds a lot for food. They were considered a tasty meal. This hunting continued even into the 1970s.
Another challenge for the Réunion bulbul is competition from other birds. The red-whiskered bulbul, which was brought to the island, competes with the Réunion bulbul for food and living space. Some people also keep Réunion bulbuls as pets.
