The Seychelles bul bul (Hypsipetes crassirostris).

May 1st was of course a public holiday and I was stuck in the flat trying to finish a document when I heard the very familiar harsh call and cackle of a Seychelles bul bul (Hypsipetes crassirostris). The crown of a palm tree, actually growing within the confines of the National botanical gardens, is only 7-8 metres from the window of the North face of my flat. The window was open so I retreated to the interior of the flat before looking out, so as not to frighten the bird, to see two Bul buls involved in their typically raucous discourse. This opportunity was too good to let slip so I went and got my camera and from the relatively dark interior of the flat zoomed the lens to focus on the birds sitting in bright sunshine (see photos in sidebar).

The Seychelles bul bul is one of the few endemic bird species in the central archipelago that appears to have adapted well to the arrival and impacts of man. Crook (1960) cited them as relatively abundant and not a species of conservation concern. Penny (1974) states that whilst not common in Victoria or “indeed anywhere in the lowlands of Mahe” that they are abundant elsewhere.

I have certainly received the impression in recent years, without any actual study, that there numbers are increasing as I now frequently see/hear them around Mont Fleuri and in town. Despite this there range has in fact decreased elsewhere. The Bul bul did historically occur on the islands of Felicite and Marianne but is no longer found there today. Hill (2001) in his thorough survey of smaller islands did not record Bul buls on Felicite or Marianne.

Various authors state that the bird is now restricted to the four main granitic and a few (unnamed) satellite islands – one assumes islands such as Curieuse, Ste Anne and Cerf.

The Bul bul is typically described in references as a brown bird though to my eye the main colour I perceive is green. I have not of course held a bird in my hand and closer inspection may give a different impression but from a distance the adult appears to me to be predominately of an olive green hue on the head and breast, darkening to more of a brown on the back. Adults have a dark black crest, orange beak and legs. It has a broad feeding niche eating fruit, insects, small vertebrates but also food scraps around habitations.

The bird is full of character, gregarious with a very distinct harsh cackling call and is always a pleasure to encounter.