Sooty-headed Bulbul
Pycnonotus aurigaster
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyPycnonotidae (Bulbuls)
- GenusPycnonotus (Typical Bulbuls)
- SpeciesPycnonotus aurigaster (Sooty-headed Bulbul)
About the Sooty-headed Bulbul
The sooty-headed bulbul (Pycnonotus aurigaster) is a species of songbird in the Bulbul family, Pycnonotidae. It is found in south-eastern Asia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. A medium-sized songbird measuring between 18 and 21 centimetres in length with a short crest, the sooty-headed bulbul can be distinguished from the similar red-vented bulbul by its tan front, less extensive area of black on its head and gold-colored vent in certain subspecies. Its call is a series of whistled notes similar in tone to that of the red-whiskered bulbul, but delivered in a more hurried manner.
The sooty-headed bulbul was originally described in the genus Turdus. Alternate names for the sooty-headed bulbul include the golden-vented bulbul and several names used for other species (black-capped, red-vented, white-eared and yellow-vented bulbul).
Nine subspecies are recognized: P. a. chrysorrhoides - (Lafresnaye, 1845): Originally described as a separate species. Found in south-eastern China P. a. resurrectus - Deignan, 1952: Found in southern China and north-eastern Vietnam
P. a. dolichurus - Deignan... Wikipedia →
Closest Relatives at Gunung Leuser National Park
Yellow-vented Bulbul
Pycnonotus goiavier
Red-eyed Bulbul
Pycnonotus brunneus
Orange-spotted Bulbul
Pycnonotus bimaculatus
Olive-winged Bulbul
Pycnonotus plumosus
Cream-vented Bulbul
Pycnonotus simplex
Ruby-throated Bulbul
Pycnonotus dispar
Black-and-white Bulbul
Pycnonotus melanoleucos
Spectacled Bulbul
Rubigula erythropthalmos
Hairy-backed Bulbul
Tricholestes criniger
Brown-cheeked Bulbul
Alophoixus bres
Streaked Bulbul
Ixos malaccensis
Buff-vented Bulbul
Iole crypta
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bali Barat National Park | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | |
| 2 | Gunung Leuser National Park | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | |
| 3 | Cat Tien National Park | 🇻🇳 Vietnam | |
| 4 | Doi Inthanon National Park | 🇹🇭 Thailand | |
| 5 | Kaeng Krachan National Park | 🇹🇭 Thailand | |
| 6 | Cuc Phuong National Park | 🇻🇳 Vietnam | |
| 7 | Khao Yai National Park | 🇹🇭 Thailand | |
| 8 | Way Kambas National Park | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | |
| 9 | Kerinci Seblat National Park | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | |
| 10 | Tangkoko Nature Reserve | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | |
| 11 | Tanjung Puting National Park | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | |
| 12 | Raja Ampat | 🇮🇩 Indonesia |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Sooty-headed Bulbul in Gunung Leuser National Park?
About 30% of wildlife watchers report a Sooty-headed Bulbul sighting in Gunung Leuser National Park, based on 23 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Sooty-headed Bulbul in Gunung Leuser National Park?
April has the highest sighting rate for Sooty-headed Bulbul in Gunung Leuser National Park in our monthly data.