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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Pycnonotidae
  4. ›
  5. Pycnonotus
  6. ›
  7. Red-vented Bulbul

BirdUp · Species

Red-vented Bulbul

Pycnonotus cafer(Linnaeus, 1766)

Conservation status: Least ConcernOrigin: Introduced
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Pycnonotidae
Genus
Pycnonotus

At a glance

The Red-vented Bulbul, listed as Least Concern. It can be seen year-round.

Conservation status
Least Concern
Origin
Introduced
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Local
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

The red-vented bulbul is a member of the bulbul family of passerines. It is a resident breeder across South Asia extending east to Burma. It has been introduced in many other parts of the world and has established itself in Argentina, Tonga and Fiji, as well as parts of Samoa, USA and Cook Islands. It is included in the list of the world's 100 worst invasive alien species. In New Zealand they were the target of a successful extermination campaign in 1955, however they are still sporadically reported.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field tips

flight

  • When the bird takes flight, watch for the combination of a stark white rump patch and a long black tail ending in a broad white tip.

plumage

  • Look for the diagnostic bright crimson-red patch under the base of the tail, which is the most striking field mark for this species.
  • Observe the scaly appearance of the breast and back, created by dark brown feathers with pale edges that contrast with a solid black head.

size_and_shape

  • The head features a short, bushy crest that creates a distinctively flat-topped or squarish silhouette in profile.

voice

  • Listen for a cheery, multi-syllabic whistling song often transcribed as 'ginger-beer,' as well as sharp, metallic 'pick' notes.

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Red-vented Bulbul?

The Red-vented Bulbul is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Red-vented Bulbul live in Australia?

The Red-vented Bulbul is found in Australia, recorded across 2 of Australia’s bioregions, with a core range spanning himalayas, India, Myanmar.

BreedingHimalayas, India, Myanmar

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Vagrant
  • Passage

3 regions recorded