The '''Peninsular rock agama''' (''Psammophilus dorsalis''), also known as '''South Indian rock agama''', is an agamid lizard associated with rocky terrain in hilly areas of Southern India. A member of the iguanian lizard family Agamidae, it is a sexually dimorphic species; males are large and have bright red and black breeding colour on the head and dorsal surface of the body, females are smaller than males and are dull grey in colour without any contrasting markings.{{short description|Species of reptile}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}}
{{speciesbox | name =
| status =
| image = Peninsular Rock agama -psammophilus dorsalis from Nilambur IMG 8942.jpg
| image_caption = Male
| image2 = Female South Indian or Peninsular Rock Agama.jpg
| image2_caption = Female
| genus = Psammophilus
| species = dorsalis
| authority = ([[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1831)<ref>[[John Edward Gray|Gray JE]]. 1831. "A synopsis of the species of the Class Reptilia". ''In'': [[Edward Griffith (zoologist)|Griffith E]], Pidgeon E. ''The animal kingdom arranged in conformity with its organisation by the [[Georges Cuvier|Baron Cuvier]] with additional descriptions of all the species hither named, and of many before noticed'' [Vol. 9]. London: Whittaker, Treacher and Co. 481 pp. + supplement, 110 pp. (''Agama dorsalis'', p. 56 of supplement).[http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species.php?genus=Psammophilus&species=dorsalis cite]</ref>
| synonyms = *''Agama dorsalis'' Gray, 1831
*''Charasia dorsalis'' — Gray, 1845
*''Psammophilus dorsalis'' — [[Malcolm Arthur Smith|M.A. Smith]], 1935<ref>The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.</ref>
| range_map =
| range_map_caption =
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|Psammophilus dorsalis}}

{{taxonbar|from=Q3017882}}

[[Category:Agamidae]]
[[Category:Endemic fauna of India]]
[[Category:Reptiles of India]]
[[Category:Eastern Ghats]]
[[Category:Reptiles described in 1831]]
[[Category:Taxa named by John Edward Gray]]

Red-whiskered bulbul

2021-03-23T02:54:00Z

Samyak Wildlife:

{{Short description|Species of bird}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Red-whiskered bulbul by Creepanta 11.jpg
| image_caption = ''P. j. pyrrhotis'' (Nepal)
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref>{{Cite iucn | author = BirdLife International | title = ''Pycnonotus jocosus'' | volume = 2017 | page = e.T22712634A119273079 | date = 2017 | doi = 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22712634A119273079.en }}</ref>
| taxon = Pycnonotus jocosus
| authority = ([[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|1758]])
| synonyms = * ''Lanius jocosus'' {{small|Linnaeus, 1758}}
}}

The '''Red-whiskered bulbul''' (''Pycnonotus jocosus''), or '''Crested bulbul''', is a [[passerine]] bird found in Asia. It is a member of the [[bulbul]] family. It is a resident [[frugivore]] found mainly in tropical Asia. It has been [[introduced species|introduced]] in many tropical areas of the world where populations have established themselves. It feeds on fruits and small insects. Red-whiskered bulbuls perch conspicuously on trees and have a loud three or four note call. They are very common in hill forests and urban gardens within their range.

==Taxonomy and systematics==
[[File:সিপাহী বুলবুলী .jpg|thumb|Red Whiskered Bulbul at [[Satchari National Park|satchori national park]] , [[Bangladesh]]]]
The red-whiskered bulbul was originally described with the [[shrike]]s within the genus ''[[Lanius]]'' in 1758 by [[Carl Linnaeus]] in his ''[[Systema Naturae]]''. Hybrids have been noted in captivity with the [[Red-vented bulbul|red-vented]], [[White-eared bulbul|white-eared]], [[White-spectacled bulbul|white-spectacled]], [[Black-capped bulbul|black-capped]] and [[Himalayan bulbul]]s.<ref>{{cite book|author=McCarthy, Eugene M.|title=Handbook of Avian Hybrids of the World|pages=257–258|year=2006|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=0-19-518323-1}}</ref> [[Leucism]] has also been recorded.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Law, S. C.|year=1921|title=An albinoid ''Otocompsa emeria''|journal=J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.|volume=28|issue=1|pages=281–282}}</ref>

===Subspecies===
Nine [[subspecies]] are recognized:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldbirdnames.org/bow/bulbuls/|title=Bulbuls « IOC World Bird List|website=www.worldbirdnames.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-12}}</ref>
* ''P. j. fuscicaudatus'' - ([[John Gould|Gould]], 1866): Originally described as a separate species. Found in western and central India. Has a nearly complete breast band and no white tip to tail.
* ''P. j. abuensis'' - ([[Hugh Whistler|Whistler]], 1931): Found in north-western India (type locality Mount Abu<ref>{{cite journal|author=Whistler, H. |year=1931|title=Description of new races|journal=Bull. Brit. Orn. Club |volume=52|pages=40–41}}</ref>) Is pale and has a broken breast band and no white tip to tail.
* ''P. j. pyrrhotis'' - ([[Charles Lucien Bonaparte|Bonaparte]], 1850): Originally described as a separate species in the genus ''[[Ixos]]''. Found in the [[Terai]] of northern India and Nepal. It is pale above with white tail tips and a widely separated breast band
* ''P. j. emeria'' - ([[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|1758]]): Originally described as a separate species in the genus ''[[Motacilla]]''. Found from eastern India to south-western Thailand. Is warm brown above with a slim bill and a long crest (also introduced into Florida<ref name=florida/>)
* ''P. j. whistleri'' - [[Herbert Girton Deignan|Deignan]], 1948: Found in the [[Andaman Islands]] and has a warm brown plumage above, a heavier bill and a shorter crest than ''P. j. emeria''
* '''Chinese red-whiskered bulbul''' (''P. j. monticola'') - ([[Thomas Horsfield|Horsfield]], 1840): Originally described as a separate species in the genus ''Ixos''. Found from eastern Himalayas to northern Myanmar and southern China and has darker upperparts than ''P. j. pyrrhotis''
* ''P. j. jocosus'' - (Linnaeus, 1758): Found in south-eastern China
* ''P. j. hainanensis'' - ([[Masauji Hachisuka|Hachisuka]], 1939): Found on [[Hainan]] Island (off south-eastern China)
* ''P. j. pattani'' - Deignan, 1948: Found from southern Myanmar and northern [[Malay Peninsula]] through Thailand and southern [[Indochina]]

==Description==
The red-whiskered bulbul is about {{convert|20|cm|in}} in length. It has brown upper-parts and whitish underparts with buff flanks and a dark spur running onto the breast at shoulder level. It has a tall pointed black crest, red face patch and thin black moustachial line. The tail is long and brown with white terminal feather tips, but the vent area is red. Juveniles lack the red patch behind the eye, and the vent area is rufous-orange.

The loud and evocative call is a sharp ''kink-a-joo'' (also transcribed as ''pettigrew'' or ''kick-pettigrew'' or ''pleased to meet you''<ref name=hbk>{{cite book|author1=Ali, S. |author2=Ripley, S. D. |name-list-style=amp | pages=75–80|title=Handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan|volume=6|edition=2nd|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=1996}}</ref>) and the song is a scolding chatter. They are more often heard than seen, but will often perch conspicuously especially in the mornings when they call from the tops of trees. The life span is about 11 years.<ref>{{cite journal|year=1928|author=Brown, C. Emerson |title=Longevity of birds in captivity|volume=45|issue=3|pages=345–348|journal=The Auk|url=http://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/auk/v045n03/p0345-p0348.pdf|format=PDF|doi=10.2307/4076026}}</ref>

==Distribution and habitat==
[[File:Red Whiskered Bulbul (Immature) I2 IMG 4922.jpg|thumb|left|Immature of race ''emeria'' from eastern India]]
This is a bird of lightly wooded areas, more open country with bushes and shrubs, and farmland. [[Irruption]]s have been noted from early times with [[Thomas C. Jerdon]] noting that they were "periodically visiting Madras and other wooded towns in large flocks."<ref name=jerdon>{{cite book|author=Jerdon, TC|pages=[https://archive.org/details/birdsofindiabein21jerd/page/92 92]–93|title=The Birds of India. Volume 2, part 1|year=1863|publisher=Military Orphan Press, Calcutta|url=https://archive.org/details/birdsofindiabein21jerd}}</ref>

It has established itself in Australia and in [[Los Angeles]], [[Hawaii]],<ref>{{cite journal|journal=[[The Wilson Bulletin]]|volume=91|issue=2|year=1979|title=The Red-Whiskered Bulbul in Hawaii|url=http://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/wilson/v091n02/p0323-p0328.pdf|format=PDF|first=Charles III|last=Van Riper|first2= Sandra G.|last2=Van Riper|first3=Andrew J. |last3=Berger|pages=323–328}}</ref> and [[Florida]]<ref>{{cite book|title=Factors responsible for the successful establishment of exotic avian species in southeastern Florida in Proceedings of the 9th Vertebrate Pest Conference|last=Rand|first=Alison C.|year=1980|publisher=University of Nebraska, Lincoln|url=http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1031&context=vpc9}}</ref> in the United States, as well as in [[Mauritius]], on [[Assumption Island]]<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Atoll Research Bulletin|volume=248|title=The birds of Assumption Island, Indian Ocean: Past and future|author=Prys-Jones, RP|author2=MS Prys-Jones|author3=JC Lawley|name-list-style=amp|year=1981|url=http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/duffy/arb/242-251/248.pdf|format=PDF|doi=10.5479/si.00775630.248.1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060913115138/http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/duffy/arb/242-251/248.pdf|archive-date=13 September 2006}}</ref> and [[Mascarene Islands]].<ref name=spread>{{cite journal|last=Philippe|first=Clergeau|author2=Mandon-Dalger, Isabella |title=Fast Colonization of an Introduced Bird: the Case of ''Pycnonotus jocosus'' on the Mascarene Islands|journal= Biotropica|volume=33|issue=3|pages=542–546|year=2001|doi=10.1111/j.1744-7429.2001.tb00210.x}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Rand, Alison C.|year=1980|title=Factors responsible for the successful establishment of exotic avian species in southeastern Florida in Proceedings of the 9th Vertebrate Pest Conference (1980)|publisher=University of Nebraska, Lincoln|url=http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1031&context=vpc9}}</ref> In Florida, it is only found in a small area, and its population could be extirpated easily.<ref name="Rising"/>
It was eradicated from Assumption Island in 2013–2015 to prevent colonisation of nearby Aldabra, the largest introduced bird-free tropical island.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com/articles/2332/Eradication%20success%20%20Seychelles%20wins%20war%20against%20invasive%20red-whiskered%20bulbul|title=Eradication success – Seychelles wins war against invasive red-whiskered bulbul}}</ref>

The red-whiskered bulbul was introduced by the Zoological and Acclimatization Society in 1880 to Sydney, became well established across the suburbs by 1920, and continued to spread slowly to around 100 km away. It is now also found in suburban Melbourne and Adelaide, although it is unclear how they got there.<ref>{{cite book |title=Introduced Birds of the World: The worldwide history, distribution and influence of birds introduced to new environments |last=Long |first=John L. |year=1981 |publisher=Reed |location=Terrey Hills, Sydney |isbn=0-589-50260-3|pages=298}}</ref>

==Behaviour and ecology==
[[File:Red whiskered bulbul 2.jpg|thumb|Red-whiskered bulbul at nest]]
On the island of [[Réunion]], this species established itself and also aided the spread of alien plant species such as ''Rubus alceifolius''. In Florida they feed on fruits and berries of as many as 24 exotic plants including loquat (''[[Eriobotrya japonica]]''), ''[[Lantana]]'' spp., Brazilian pepper (''[[Schinus terebinthifolius]]'') and figs (''[[Ficus]]'').<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://biology.ucf.edu/~vonholle/pubs/Simberloff_VonHolle1999.pdf|format=PDF|journal=Biological Invasions |volume=1|pages=21–32|year=1999|title=Positive interactions of nonindigenous species: invasional meltdown?|author1=Daniel Simberloff |author2=Betsy Von Holle |name-list-style=amp |doi=10.1023/A:1010086329619}}</ref> In Mauritius they aid the dispersal of ''[[Ligustrum robustum]]'' and ''[[Clidemia hirta]]''. Seeds that pass through their gut germinate better.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Gut passage effect of the introduced red-whiskered bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus) on germination of invasive plant species in Mauritius |author1=Linnebjerg, JF |author2=DM Hansen |author3=JM Olesen |year=2009 |doi=10.1111/j.1442-9993.2008.01928.x |journal=Austral Ecology |volume=34 |issue=3 |pages=272–277 |url=https://www.academia.edu/371475}}</ref> Populations of the red-whiskered bulbul on the island of Reunion have diversified in the course of thirty years and show visible variations in bill morphology according to the food resources that they have adapted to utilize.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Rapid morphological divergence of introduced Red-whiskered Bulbuls ''Pycnonotus jocosus'' in contrasting environments| journal=Ibis|volume=149|issue=3|pages=482–489|year=2007
|doi=10.1111/j.1474-919X.2007.00671.x|last1=Amiot|first1=Christophe|last2=Lorvelec|first2=Olivier|last3=Mandon-Dalger|first3=Isabelle|last4=Sardella|first4=Antonia|last5=Lequilliec|first5=Patricia|last6=Clergeau|first6=Philippe}}</ref>

===Breeding===
[[File:Red-Whiskered Bulbul with Chick.jpg|thumb|With chicks in nest]]
[[File:RWBulbul Eggs.jpg|thumb|Eggs in the nest of a Red-whiskered bulbul]]
The breeding season is spread out and peaks from December to May in southern India and March to October in northern India.<ref name=rasmussen>{{cite book|author1=Rasmussen, P.C. |author2=Anderton, J.C. |name-list-style=amp |year=2005|title=Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide|publisher=Smithsonian Institution and Lynx Edicions}}</ref> Breeding may occur once or twice a year.<ref name="Begbie"/> The [[courtship display]] of the male involves head bowing, spreading the tail and drooping wings.<ref name="Begbie"/> The nest is cup-shaped, and is built on bushes, thatched walls or small trees. It is woven of fine twigs, roots, and grasses, and embellished with large objects such as bark strips, paper, or plastic bags.<ref name="Rising">{{Cite book |last=Rising |first=James D. |year=2001 |contribution=Bulbuls |pages=448–449 |title=The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior |publisher=Alfred A. Knopf |editor=Elphick, C. |editor2=Dunning, J. B. Jr. |editor3=Sibley, D. A. |location=New York |isbn=978-1-4000-4386-6}}</ref> [[Clutch (eggs)|Clutches]] typically contain two to three eggs.<ref name="Begbie"/> Adults (possibly the female<ref name=hbk/>) may feign injury to distract potential predators away from the nest.<ref name="Begbie">{{cite journal|author=Begbie, A. |year=1908|title=Note on the habits of the Bengal Red-whiskered Bulbul ''Otocompsa emeria'' |journal=Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society |volume=18|issue=3|pages=680}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Artifices practised by bulbuls |last=Aitken |first=E.H.|pages=162–163|journal=Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society| volume=14 |year=1901 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/30157801}}</ref> The eggs have a pale mauve ground colour with speckles becoming blotches towards the broad end. Eggs measure 21 mm and are 16 mm wide.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://hkjo.lib.hku.hk/archive/files/59687c688ef8ac94be677ef3b6225031.pdf |title=The Birds of Hong Kong. Part XIV. The Bulbuls |author=Herklots, G.A.C. |journal=Hong Kong Naturalist |year=1934|volume=5|issue=1|pages=1–5}}</ref> Eggs take 12 days to hatch. Both parents take part in raising the young. Young birds are fed on caterpillars and insects which are replaced by fruits and berries as they mature.<ref name=hbk/> The chicks are psilopaedic (having down only in the pterylae).<ref name=florida>{{cite journal |url=http://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/auk/v092n01/p0040-p0057.pdf |journal=Auk |volume=92 |issue=1 |year=1975 |title=The Red-whiskered Bulbul in Florida:1960–71|pages=40–57 |author1=Carleton, A. R. |author2=Owre, O. T. |name-list-style=amp |doi=10.2307/4084416}}</ref> Eggs and chicks may be preyed on by the [[greater coucal]] and crows.<ref name=hbk/>

They defend territories of about {{convert|3000|m2|sqft}} during the breeding season.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Sotthibandhu, S. |title=Territorial defense of the red-whiskered bulbul, ''Pycnonotus jocosus'' (Pycnonotidae), in a semi-wild habitat of the bird farm |journal=Songklanakarin Journal of Science and Technology |year=2003 |volume=25 |issue=5 |pages=553–563 |url=http://rdo.psu.ac.th/sjstweb/journal/25-5/01territory.pdf}}</ref> They roost communally in loose groups of a hundred or more birds.<ref>{{cite journal |author=De, G. |year=1976|title=Communal roosting of Red-whiskered Bulbuls |journal=[[Newsletter for Birdwatchers]] |volume=16|issue=4|pages=11–12}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Neelakantan, K. K. |year=1976 |title=Communal roosting in the Red-whiskered Bulbul|journal=[[Newsletter for Birdwatchers]] |volume=16|issue=2|pages=4–5}}</ref>

===Food and feeding===
The red-whiskered bulbul feeds on fruits (including those of the [[yellow oleander]] that are toxic to mammals), nectar and insects.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Raj, PJ Sanjeeva|year=1963|title=Additions to the list of birds eating the fruit of Yellow Oleander (''Thevetia neriifolia'' )|journal=J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.|volume= 60|issue=2|pages=457–458}}</ref>

===Threats===
Several avian malaria parasites have been described from the species.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Journal of Natural History|author=Peirce, M. A.|title= Haematozoa of Zambian birds IX. Redescription of ''Haemoproteus otocompsae'', a parasite of Pycnonotidae|year=1984|volume=18|issue=6|doi=10.1080/00222938400770841|pages=965}}</ref>

== Relationship with humans ==
This species was once a popular cage bird in parts of India. C. W. Smith noted<ref>{{cite journal|last=Pearson|first=J. T.|year=1841 |journal=Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal | title = Catalogue of the Birds in the Museum of the Asiatic Society |volume= 10 |issue=116 |pages=628–660 |url = https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/39758124 }}</ref> that
:''These birds are in great request among the natives, being of a fearless disposition, and easily reclaimed. They are taught to sit on the hand, and numbers may thus be seen in any Indian bazaar.''

The species continues to be a popular cagebird in parts of Southeast Asia.<ref name=spread/>

==References==
{{Reflist|35em}}

==Other sources==
* Deignan, H.G. (1948). The races of the Red-whiskered Bulbul, ''Pycnonotus jocosus'' (Linnaeus). ''J. Washington Acad. Sci.'' 38(8): 279–281.
* Fraser, F.C. (1930). Note on the nesting habits of the Southern Red-whiskered Bulbul (''Otocompsa emeria fuscicaudata''). ''J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.'' 34(1): 250–252.
* {{cite journal|last=Michael|first=Bindhu|author2=Amrithraj, M. |author3=Pillai, K. Madhavan |year=1997|title=A note on ''Isospora'' infection in a Southern Redwhiskered Bulbul (''Pycnonotus jocosus fuscicaudatus'')|journal=Zoos' Print Journal|volume=12|issue=12|page=5}}
* {{cite journal|last=Kinloch|first=A. P.|year=1922|title=Nidification of the Southern Redwhiskered Bulbul ''Otocompsa emeria fuscicaudata''|journal=[[Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society]]|volume= 28|issue=2|page=545}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Pycnonotus jocosus}}
*[http://ibc.lynxeds.com/species/red-whiskered-bulbul-pycnonotus-jocosus Red-whiskered_bulbul] on the Internet Bird Collection
*[http://www.mangoverde.com/birdsound/spec/spec126-14.html Mangoverde]
*[http://www.pbase.com/cristianjensen/red_whiskered_bulbul ageing and sexing]

{{Taxonbar|from=Q501063}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:bulbul, red-whiskered}}
[[Category:Pycnonotus|red-whiskered bulbul]]
[[Category:Birds of South Asia]]
[[Category:Birds of South China]]
[[Category:Birds of Southeast Asia]]
[[Category:Birds described in 1758|red-whiskered bulbul]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus|red-whiskered bulbul]]
[[Category:Birds of Myanmar]]

Peninsular rock agama

2021-03-23T02:48:14Z

Samyak Wildlife: /* Introduction */

The '''Peninsular rock agama''' (''Psammophilus dorsalis''), also known as '''South Indian rock agama''', is an agamid lizard associated with rocky terrain in hilly areas of Southern India. A member of the iguanian lizard family Agamidae, it is a sexually dimorphic species; males are large and have bright red and black breeding colour on the head and dorsal surface of the body, females are smaller than males and are dull grey in colour without any contrasting markings.{{short description|Species of reptile}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}}
{{speciesbox | name =
| status =
| image = Peninsular Rock agama -psammophilus dorsalis from Nilambur IMG 8942.jpg
| image_caption = Male
| image2 = Female South Indian or Peninsular Rock Agama.jpg
| image2_caption = Female
| genus = Psammophilus
| species = dorsalis
| authority = ([[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1831)<ref>[[John Edward Gray|Gray JE]]. 1831. "A synopsis of the species of the Class Reptilia". ''In'': [[Edward Griffith (zoologist)|Griffith E]], Pidgeon E. ''The animal kingdom arranged in conformity with its organisation by the [[Georges Cuvier|Baron Cuvier]] with additional descriptions of all the species hither named, and of many before noticed'' [Vol. 9]. London: Whittaker, Treacher and Co. 481 pp. + supplement, 110 pp. (''Agama dorsalis'', p. 56 of supplement).[http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species.php?genus=Psammophilus&species=dorsalis cite]</ref>
| synonyms = *''Agama dorsalis'' Gray, 1831
*''Charasia dorsalis'' — Gray, 1845
*''Psammophilus dorsalis'' — [[Malcolm Arthur Smith|M.A. Smith]], 1935<ref>The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.</ref>
| range_map =
| range_map_caption =
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|Psammophilus dorsalis}}

{{taxonbar|from=Q3017882}}

[[Category:Agamidae]]
[[Category:Endemic fauna of India]]
[[Category:Reptiles of India]]
[[Category:Eastern Ghats]]
[[Category:Reptiles described in 1831]]
[[Category:Taxa named by John Edward Gray]]