Collared Finchbill

The collared finchbill is a robust bulbul with an unusually thick, pale, finch-like bill. Adults have an olive-green body, dark head, pale cheek and a contrasting partial collar around the neck. The tail is moderately long and the crown can appear slightly peaked. Its bill shape immediately separates it from most bulbuls, while the neck pattern distinguishes it from the similarly heavy-billed crested finchbill (Wikipedia, general species account; Oiseaux.net species account).

The mainland subspecies ranges through central and southern China into northern Vietnam, while another form occurs on Taiwan and the southern Ryukyu Islands. Forested hills at moderate elevations are favoured, but birds also use scrub, secondary growth and wooded towns. Fruit dominates the diet, including ivy and Paederia berries, with seeds and insects also taken. Pairs are generally monogamous, and the female constructs a tree nest for the eggs (Lincoln Park Zoo account, as summarised on Wikipedia; Yang et al. 2022).