Red-whiskered Bulbul.
Photo: Ákos Lumnitzer © Ákos Lumnitzer
Red-whiskered Bulbul.
Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka © Bird Explorers
Red-whiskered Bulbul
Photo: SG Lane Collection © Australian Museum
Distribution map of Pycnonotus jocosus
Map © Birds Australia Birdata
Red-whiskered Bulbul
Scientific name: Pycnonotus jocosus
Family: Pycnonotidae
Order: Passeriformes
- Featured Bird Groups
- Introduced birds
What does it look like?
Description
The Red-whiskered Bulbul is not easily mistaken for any other species of bird in Australia. It has a pointed black crest, white cheeks, brown back, reddish under tail coverts and a long white-tipped tail. The red whisker mark, from which it gets its name, is located below the eye, but is not always easy to see. Both male and female birds are similar in plumage, while young birds are duller with a greyish-black crown. Red-whiskered Bulbuls are not timid around humans, perching prominently on the top of bushes or on power lines.
Where does it live?
Distribution
Red-whiskered Bulbuls are native to southern Asia, but were introduced into Sydney in 1880 and later to Melbourne around the mid-1900s. The Melbourne population has remained fairly concentrated; the birds from Sydney have spread along the east coast.
Habitat
Bulbuls are common in urban areas, where they inhabit parks, gardens and along creeks.
What does it do?
Feeding
Red-whiskered Bulbuls feed on a variety of native and introduced fruits, insects and flower buds. Groups of up to 50 or so birds may gather around a food source, although smaller groups of three to five birds are more common. Birds chatter noisily as they actively feed among the dense bushes.
Breeding
Red-whiskered Bulbuls build an open cup nest of rootlets, bark and leaves, lined with soft fibre. The nest is usually placed in a low tree fork. Two or three broods may be reared in a season. Both birds incubate the eggs and care for the young birds. The eggs are pale pink, streaked and spotted with shades of red.
References
Pizzey, G. and Knight, F. 1997. Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Angus and Robertson, Sydney.
Schodde, R. and Tideman, S.C. (eds) 1990. Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds (2nd Edition). Reader's Digest (Australia) Pty Ltd, Sydney.