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Rare 'Bald' Songbird Discovered in Asia

LiveScience
By Clara Moskowitz
,
LiveScience
posted: 1 DAY 7 HOURS AGO
comments: 110
filed under: Science News
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LiveScience.com
(July 30) -- Scientists have discovered a rare new bird species with a bald head.
The creature, dubbed the bare-faced bulbul, was found in Laos, and is the only known bald songbird in mainland Asia.
It's also the first time in over 100 years that a new Asian species of bulbul bird has been uncovered.
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Animal Discoveries
Scientists have found a rare bird in Laos, according to a report in the August issue of Forktail. The bird -- called the bare-faced bulbul -- is the only bald songbird known to be in mainland Asia. The bird remained undiscovered so long because it lives in an "inhospitable" environment, according to a Wildlife Conservation Society scientist.
AFP / Getty Images
AFP / Getty Images
"To find a new bird species is very rare these days," said Peter Clyne, assistant director for Asia Programs at the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York. "It's not like we're finding new species of birds every year. This is certainly a highly newsworthy event."
The chrome-domed songbird was discovered by Wildlife Conservation Society scientists Will Duckworth and Rob Timmins and Iain Woxvold of the University of Melbourne as part of a project funded by a mining company, Minerals and Metals Group, that operates in the region.
The bare-faced bulbul lives in the sparse trees and sun-bleached karst limestone of the Laos lowlands.
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"Its apparent restriction to rather inhospitable habitat helps to explain why such an extraordinary bird with conspicuous habits and a distinctive call has remained unnoticed for so long," Woxvold said.
About the size of a thrush, the new bird has olive green feathers on its back and a light-colored breast. Its large dark eyes dominate its bald pink face.
"Whenever you come across a bird that's bald, it's a prominent characteristic," Clyne told LiveScience. "Usually, but not always, it's thought to play some kind of a role in communication between the sexes."
The researchers describe the bird's call as a "series of whistled, dry bubbling notes."
The researchers describe the new species, whose official name is Pycnonotus hualon, in the latest issue of the Oriental Bird Club's scientific journal Forktail.
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Rare Sightings
Fareeda, an endangered white Bengal tiger, was born without stripes. The six-month-old cub is the only one of her kind in the wild today and one of only 20 in captivity. The odds of her not having markings were 100 to one. Flip through this gallery for a look at other sightings of some rare animals.
Kerry Hardy, Caters News / ZUMA Press
Kerry Hardy, Caters News / ZUMA Press
© Imaginova Corp. All rights reserved.
2009-07-30 10:23:27
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Kcdgenius

03:53 PMJul 31 2009

Lbkinglet SAID"..The term is used in connection with the lack of human presence in that area, explaining why no one had formally reported this species before...." I think you are mistaken. The term "inhospitable" means the bird can only live in a hospital, or a similar medical treatment facility. The bird has never been seen before, because there are no hospitals in Laos.

AVG RATING:
(1)

PenLady708

03:44 PMJul 31 2009

I think he's cute, bald head and all!!!

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(0)

Lbkinglet

02:03 PMJul 31 2009

The term is used in connection with the lack of human presence in that area, explaining why no one had formally reported this species before. I wish they'd provided a picture of what the whole bird looks like rather than just a description and a head shot. Since we have the only planet with life on it, its worth a few seconds of anyone's time to take in the fact of a new species. ======== Head4LA12:28 PMJul 31 2009The fact that the bird lives there rather contradicts the story's claim that the area is "inhospitable".

AVG RATING:
(1)

CoryEvrsn

01:03 PMJul 31 2009

It's the National Bird of Laos.

AVG RATING:
(1)

Rhandwerk123

01:02 PMJul 31 2009

if you have given the location the species will soon be extinct.(poachers). $$$.

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(2)

MOUSEHWYPTL

12:52 PMJul 31 2009

It is because of Bush. At least that is what Obuma would say. If it was found here he would say he "inherited it".

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(2)

Head4LA

12:28 PMJul 31 2009

The fact that the bird lives there rather contradicts the story's claim that the area is "inhospitable".

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(4)

Lemonjello37

12:24 PMJul 31 2009

I want one!

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(2)

Jguss69

12:13 PMJul 31 2009

its a nancy pelosi bird.....saying "C I A" !!!!

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(5)

Tumblincreek1

12:12 PMJul 31 2009

WHEN I "SAW THIS BIRD"..........I TOLD MY WIFE, "LOOK, THERE'S ..................................NANCY PELOSI!

AVG RATING:
(8)

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Scientists have found a rare bare-faced bird in Laos, according to a report in the August issue of Forktail. The bird -- called the bare-faced bulbul -- is the only bald songbird known to be in mainland Asia. The bird remained undiscovered so long because it lives in an \'inhospitable\' environment, according to a Wildlife Conservation Society scientist.
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