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Bald-Headed, Pink-Faced Songbird Discovered

Jennifer Viegas, Discovery News

It was hard to miss their songs, which the researchers variously describe as "bubbling," "churring," "whistled," and "excited-sounding."

Like an opera singer milking a final aria, the bird produces at least one song that rises distinctly and ends "abruptly in a higher, separate note." Yet another call was translated to human-speak as "ch-ch chi chi-chi-chi-chi," with the individual notes again rising in pitch.

Birds of a feather in this case do flock together, as the researchers found little evidence of P. hualon joining other species.

In terms of mating, little is known at this point, but it's possible that the bald-headed bulbul is of the lovebird persuasion. Observed duos appeared to remain bonded to each other for lengthy periods, suggesting that couples may maintain these close connections yearlong.

The limestone karsts of Laos and nearby forests are gaining a reputation for unusual wildlife discoveries.

"Distinct animals thought to be restricted to the wet, evergreen forests include the Annamite striped rabbit and the Saola," Clyne said. The Saola, also called the Vu Quang ox, is a forest-dwelling bovine and is thought to be one of the world's most rare mammals.

In 2002, co-author Timmins described the then newly found Laotian rock rat, the lone-surviving member of an otherwise extinct genus, in the same region of Laos.

Of the new baldheaded avian find, Colin Poole, director of WCS's Asia programs concluded, "It's always exciting to discover a new species, but this one is especially unique because it is the only bald songbird in Asia."

Poole added, "The discovery also underscores how much there is still to learn from wild places around the world."

Related Links:

Discovery News: Animals

Jennifer Viegas' Blog: Born Animal

Photos Taken of 'Living Fossil' in Laos