Black crested bulbul ( gularis vs flaviventris ) Full Species?

Species is the fundamental unit of life but it is not clearly defined as yet.

There is the traditional Biological species concept and the Phylogenetic species concept etc. One concept favoured by many is of the Genetic species where one talks of DNA-DNA hybridization.

Last year this news made it to the headlinesBorneo's clouded leopard identified as new cat species. On going through the end notes of this wonderful article some light is thrown on what constitutes a species.

Those interested in knowing what is DNA-DNA hybridization may click for anarticleby Dr. Charles G. Sibley himself.

Our problem: Whether the western ghats form Pycnonotus melanicterus gularis (with an Orange-scarlet throat called Flame-throated Bulbul in BSA) of the Black crested bulbul is a separate species from the NE form Pycnonotus melanicterus flaviventris.

On talking to Edward C. Dickinson (Editor of The Howard and Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World and author of many articles) on 5th Feb here at Sultanpur, he was of the opinion that a similar red throated form of the Bulbul has been found in Thailand which may indicate that it could be a 'genetic aberration' and not a traditional genetic separation of 1-2 million years required for full species. He has conveyed his view to Pam Rasmussen who had differentiated the two forms based on morphological characters etc.

So further study is needed ( any volunteers for DNA-DNA analysis of the two forms, which will show when the genetic divergence took place?). Till then the two forms are best left as subspecies, which is the current view of the Oriental bird club also.

The P m gularis was shot at Dandeli WLS, Karnataka, India; P m flaviventris was shot at Nameri WLS, Assam, India.

White-rumped Vulture, Gyps bengalensis, at Corbett on 19th Jan.
A pair was seen in a, very obscured, nest like structure high up on a tree. This one came out and settled nearby.

Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps ruficeps, at Nandi Hills yesterday morning. A pair was seen preening on a low branch and occasionally puffing the throat. Later they descended on the ground turning and tossing the leaves all the while. They were not very vary of humans and remained in the shady undergrowth all the while.

Indeed. Fascinating. Less of the Falcated in this but its rather like the Dutch hybrid on the head.

I hope some of the European duck hybrid experts see this. Could you share it with orientalbirding?
regards Bill

Though I am late in fishing it out from the mass of shots, this one hybrid looking bird was spotted at Yamuna Biodiversity Park on the 8th of Dec, 07. I could not connect to flickr but Anand's lovely images of the hybrid brought on memories.

The parting shot from the NE of a Small Niltava, Niltava macgrigoriae, at Pakke WLS and tiger reserve on 12th Jan.

The final day was dark and cloudy which dashed our hopes for a decent shot or finding anything. So we decided to sit still near a small stream at the first forest camp and later just as we were about to abandon the place to the urban sprawl, this bird showed up.

The deep iridescence of the blue colour of the Niltavas create life time memories.

Brown Fish Owl, Ketupa zeylonensis ( leschenaultii or orientalis ?) at Nameri on 11th Jan.

We withdrew to the third camp and then we started towards the second camp. A little later, Ananda seated on the elephant leading the file spotted the owl perched high on a tree. I asked them to stop on their tracks and slowly took our elephant to the front. From a safe distance I kept taking shots of the owl, which was curiously glancing sideways. The owl was very silent throughout and soon lost patience with us and flew off with its massive and barred wings outstretched. It was at ease at midday of a slightly hazy surroundings and cloudy sky.

Very curious coloration. I was going to ask Bill Harvey to comment this plumage, but I was able to find a small note in the Ripley Guide
- "Occasional birds are strongly washed golden-orange overall". This one is going into my DB. Thanks.

Steve Amelia, Italy

Scaly Thrush, Zoothera dauma, at Nameri. This specimen appears different with a brownish orange tinge.