Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 560 (2010) and stable.
Status VU
Habitat degradation, through invasion by exotic plants, is the major threat. Nest-predation and competition from introduced rats, crab-eating macaque Macaca fascicularis, Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus) and Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) are also threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Food
Largely frugivorous but also takes some insects and geckos.
Mauritius Bulbul (Hypsipetes olivaceus) [XC204498]
by Cedric Mroczko from Black River, Mauritius (call)
Mauritius Bulbul (Hypsipetes olivaceus) [XC204491]
by Toby Esplin from Plaines Wilhems, Mauritius (call)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Hypsipetes borbonicus (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been split into Reunion Bulbul (Hypsipetes borbonicus) and Mauritius Bulbul (Hypsipetes olivaceus) following Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993).
Sometimes considered to form a superspecies with all other members of genus, and in the past all have been treated as conspecific. Was often thought to be conspecific with Reunion Bulbul (Hypsipetes borbonicus), but differs in behaviour, voice and eye colour. Treatment as a separate species supported by recent molecular studies, which also indicate that it is sister to Madagascar Bulbul (Hypsipetes madagascariensis).
Similar Species
Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus) which has obvious crest and white cheek patch.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet