>>Genus Microscelis (Brown-eared Bulbul)

Brown-eared Bulbul

Brown-eared Bulbul
Adult, subspecies squamiceps, Kyoto (Japan)
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Pycnonotidae
Genus:	Microscelis G.R.Gray, 1840
Species:	M. amaurotis
Binomial name
Microscelis amaurotis (Temminck, 1830)
Synonyms
Genus: Galgulus Kittlitz, 1832 (non Brisson, 1760:preoccupied) Orpheus Temminck & Schlegel, 1848 (nonSwainson, 1827: preoccupied) Species: Hypsipetes amaurotis (Temminck, 1830) Ixos amaurotis (Temminck, 1830) Turdus amaurotis Temminck, 1830

The Brown-eared Bulbul (Microscelis amaurotis) is a medium-sized bulbul which is found from the Russian Far East (including Sakhalin), northeastern China, the Korean Peninsula, and Japan, south to Taiwan and the Babuyan and Batanes island chains in the north of the Philippines, occasionally being found in Luzon. It is extremely common within the northern parts of its range, and is a familiar bird throughout Japan, where it is calledhiyodori (ヒヨドリ), and Korea, where it is known as jikbakguri (직박구리). In Taiwan on the other hand it is rare and limited to Orchid Island.

Reaching a length of about 28 cm, Brown-eared Bulbuls are grayish-brown, with brown cheeks (the "brown ears" of the common name) and a long tail. While they prefer forested areas, they readily adapt to urban and rural environments, and their noisy squeaking calls are a familiar sound in most areas of Japan.

This species was long placed in the genus Hypsipetes, at that time an indiscriminate assemblage of more or less related bulbul species. Later, its distinctness was recognized and it was variously placed in the genus Ixos or given a genus of its own, Microscelis. Analysis of mtDNA NADH dehydrogenase subunits 2 and 3 and nDNA β-fibrinogen intron 7 sequence data suggests that the treatment as monotypic genus is most appropriate, at least as long as Hypsipetes is not merged into Ixos.

Historically, Brown-eared Bulbuls are migratory birds moving to the southern parts of its range in winter, but they have taken advantage of changes in crops and farming practices in recent decades to overwinter in areas farther north than previously possible. As a result, they are considered agricultural pests in some areas of Japan. Most Brown-eared Bulbuls still move south in winter, often forming huge flocks during migration. In summer, Brown-eared Bulbuls primarily feed on insects, while they primarily take fruits and seeds in the fall and winter.