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| Mauritius
Black Bulbul |
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| Photograph Colin Taylor
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Description
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| Scientific
Name |
Hypsipetes (borbonicus) olivaceus
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| English
Name |
Mauritius Black Bulbul
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| Local
English Name |
Whistling blackbird |
| French
Name |
Merle charpentier
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| Creole
Name |
Merl
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| Habitat |
Various
native forests, e.g. Bel Ombre, Savanne, Bambous,
Black River
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| Geographic
Range |
Mauritius
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| First
Description |
Vieillot, 1817
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| Status |
Vulnerable less than 280 pairs
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Details
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Food
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Omnivore. Eats fruits, insects, even small lizards
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Reproduction
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Two pinkish-white, spotted eggs in a rather untidy,
cup-shaped nest made of fairly thick plant parts like
grass leaves. Nest placed in vegetation a few metres
above ground level. Both male and female sit on the
eggs. Incubation time 15 days. Young stay a further
3 weeks in nest.
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Remarks
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The bird often travels in small groups. Male and
female plumage alike. Yellow bill of both sexes conspicuous.
Voice pleasant.
Quick to sound alert when disturbed.
Illustrated on a 50 cent stamp and a calendar published
by the State Commercial Bank.
Bird
Stamp
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| The Mauritius bulbul, called locally whistling
blackbird, was a long time a popular game. In the years
1970, its population was estimated at approximately
500 individuals. The replacement of the natural forests
by plantations of tea plants currently constitutes a
threat for the species. |
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