Subspeciation in the Ruby-throated Bulbul Rubigula dispar

Ruby-throated Bulbul Rubigula dispar, currently Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List owing to trade pressure, is considered monotypic across its range three Sundaic islands in Indonesia: Sumatra, Java and Bali. However, examination of photographs museum specimen labels measurement 37 Sumatran 50 Javan specimens indicate that birds from Sumatra differ those (type locality) Bali exhibiting a variably red (not pale yellow) iris slightly longer bill wing. Consequently, we propose subspecies rank for population. We recommend two taxa be maintained pure captivity any releases confiscated take place correct island based eye colour.