Light-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus sinensis) [XC882604]
by Geoff Carey from Tai Mei Tuk Catchment, Tai Po, New Territories, China (call, subsong)
Light-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus sinensis) [XC79471]
by Jonathan Martinez from Ishigakejima, Ryukyu Islands, Japan (call)
Subspecies
Closely related to, and often interbreeds with, Styan's Bulbul (Pycnonotus taivanus). As nominate subspecies and hainanus both occur on Hainan, some authors have treated these as separate species. However, their breeding ranges do not overlap. Putative subspecies kobayashii (Ishigakijima, in southern Ryukyu Is) is indistinguishable from orii. Subspecies hoyi (middle Yangtze Valley) was described from a juvenile specimen, and is a junior synonym of nominate.
The following 4 subspecies are recognised:
sinensis (Gmelin, 1789) - Central and eastern China (Sichuan and southern Shaanxi east to mouth of R Yangtze, south through Guangxi, Guangdong and Fujian. Also isolated sites in Beijing and Hebei). Non-breeding northern and central Vietnam, Hainan and South Korea.
hainanus (Swinhoe, 1870) - South-eastern China (Hainan, south-eastern Guangdong) and northern Vietnam. Non-breeding south to central Vietnam.
formosae Hartert, 1910 - Taiwan (excluding southern and eastern coast south of Taroko Gorge).