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Himalayan Black Bulbul
Mark Bruce

Himalayan Black Bulbul (Hypsipetes leucocephalus)

Himalayan Black Bulbul (23.5-26.5cm).

A young Black Bulbul with one of its parents. The Black Bulbul is a fairly common resident of Taiwan's forests and woodlands up to 2500m. Race nigerrimus is endemic to Taiwan.

Taiwan is widely believed to be the origin of the Austronesian language group and the starting point for the human migrations to Hawaii, New Zealand, Easter Island and many of the other Pacific Island. DNA evidence strongly support this hypothesis. Taiwan has about twelve recognised indigenous Aboriginal tribes. In indigenous Taiwan culture the Black Bulbul is revered as the Fire Bird. It is said that the Black Bulbul brought a glowing red coal to the people and thus gave them fire. The hot coal forever left the Black Bulbul with a brilliant coral-red coloured bill.

I've been very busy with work and haven't had much time to go into the gallery since Friday so I'm behind on keeping up with everyone's photos. I thought I would be able to catch up this morning but have just been too busy. I should be back to normal tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Habitat
Woodlands and forest up to 2500m
Location
Manjhou, Kenting National Park, Taiwan.
Date taken
15 June 2009
Scientific name
Hypsipetes leucocephalus
Equipment used
Sony DSC H5, Sony 1.7x con
A
Great shot Mark and nice story. There is a similar legend about birds bringing fire to the Australian aboriginals.
 
madamcoolpix
o:) Loved the reading of your description and the beautiful picture with parent and child coming with it, Mark, super post, many thanks for sharing!!! :bounce: :t: :loveme:
 
Rose Fletcher
A story very reminiscent of some of the stories from Indigenous Australian cultures Mark, and a splendid shot of the birds. :clap:
 
E
Fantastic shot, Mark. I got a few record shot of them in Sun Moon Lake last year.
I also visited the 9-tribes village. Now I know that there are actually 12!
 
ammadoux
wow, very nice and interesting information, amazing how birds give so much information about many things regarding the interaction between many cultures.

fantastic parent son portrait. thanks for sharing this gorgeous shot.
 
Mark Bruce
Easty, the actual number of tribes seems to be an issue. 12 are now officially recognised. In reality there are more and sadly the treatment and recognition of the Aboriginal tribes by the Han Chinese/Taiwanese leaves a lot to be desired.

The 12 recognised tribes are:
Amis ('Amis; Pangcah)
Atayal
Truku (Taroko)
Bunun
Kavalan
Paiwan
Puyuma
Rukai
Saisiyat (Saisiat)
Tsou (Cou)
Thao
Yami (Tao)

The tribes without official recognition are:
  • Arikun
  • Babuza
  • Basay
  • Hoanya
  • Ketagalan
  • Lloa
  • Luilang
  • Pazeh (Pazih)
  • Popora
  • Qaugaut
  • Siraya
  • Taokas
  • Trobiawan
 

Media information

Category
Asia, Australia & Pacific Islands
Added by
Mark Bruce
Date added
View count
664
Comment count
18

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