Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely large range and the population size is very large, hence does not approach threatened thresholds for the range or population size criteria. The population trend appears to be increasing, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds under the population trend criterion. For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
In the Arabian Peninsula, which holds the vast majority of this species' global range, the total population size may be 3,000,000 pairs (Jennings 2010), so a very preliminary estimate of the global population size is 6,000,000 mature individuals, although further validation of this estimate is desirable. The population is considered to be increasing following a long-term range expansion, facilitated by urban and agricultural development (del Hoyo et al. 2005, Jennings 2010).
Trend justification
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This species occupies a wide range of well-vegetated areas with low trees and bushes, in both natural vegetation and cultivation, including open pine (Pinus) woods, juniper (Juniperus) forest, Ceratonia scrub, thick bush in wadi beds, trees and bushes in open semi-desert, oases, orchards, groves, fields, gardens and villages. The species breeds from the end of March to August in Israel, from late April in Oman, from February in Saudi Arabia and from March in the Gulf states. It is monogamous. The nest is a cup or small basket of thin twigs, grass stems, moss and leaves with the base constructed of broad leaves (sometimes with newspaper, strips of plastic or cotton wool) and the structure is held together by cobwebs and cotton threads, lined after a fashion with hair, shredded bark and rootlets, apparently sometimes unlined. Clutches are two to four eggs. It feeds mostly on fruit, as well as seeds and invertebrates and less frequently, nectar, leaves and flowers. The species is mainly resident, although some local movements occur in search of fruit sources and altitudinal migration may occur in Turkey (Fishpool and Tobias 2005).
The species is considered an agricultural pest in some places; however this has not impacted population numbers (Fishpool and Tobias 2005).
Conservation Actions Underway
There are currently no known conservation measures for this species within Europe.
Conservation Actions Proposed
No conservation measures are currently needed for this species within Europe.
Text account compilers
Rutherford, C.A., Martin, R.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: White-spectacled Bulbul Pycnonotus xanthopygos. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/white-spectacled-bulbul-pycnonotus-xanthopygos on 23/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/11/2024.