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  4. Bulbuls

Species group · Birds

Bulbuls

WAnimals has 2 species of bulbul, in the family Pycnonotidae.

2 species
1 family
97 countries
62 parks
Weight
23 g – 45 g
Length
18 cm – 21 cm
Lifespan
11 – 12 years

Ranges calculated from the profiles that record the figure, not from all 2.

All 2 species of bulbuls on WAnimals

Each one has its own full profile. This group does not replace them: it brings them together.

Least Concern

Red-whiskered Bulbul

Pycnonotus jocosus

37 countries36 parks
Least Concern

Common Bulbul

Pycnonotus barbatus

79 countries26 parks

Conservation status

2 Least Concern

No species documented in this group is genuinely at risk according to the IUCN, with the data available today.

Where they live

Recorded in 97 countries. The ones with the most species in the group:

  • Bahrain2
  • Brunei2
  • Cambodia2
  • China2
  • Indonesia2
  • Kuwait2
  • Laos2
  • Malaysia2
  • Myanmar2
  • Oman2
  • Pakistan2
  • Philippines2
  • Qatar2
  • Saudi Arabia2
  • Singapore2
  • Taiwan2
  • Thailand2
  • United Arab Emirates2
  • Vietnam2
  • Afghanistan1
  • Angola1
  • Argentina1
  • Armenia1
  • Australia1

Where to see them

  • Akagera1 species
  • Al Hoceima1 species
  • Alaungdaw Kathapa1 species
  • Ba Be1 species
  • Bach Ma1 species
  • Bardiya1 species
  • Black River Gorges1 species
  • Bokor1 species
  • Cat Ba1 species
  • Cat Tien1 species
  • Chitwan National Park1 species
  • Comoe1 species

Did you know…?

  • It is considered one of the most damaging invasive alien birds in the world: in Hawaii, Mauritius and several Indian Ocean islands it damages fruit crops and spreads the seeds of invasive plants that displace the native flora.

    From Red-whiskered Bulbul

  • In southern Asia it has been kept for centuries as a cage bird and a fighting bird: in some regions contests between males were organised, a tradition that helped spread it around the world.

    From Red-whiskered Bulbul

  • It is an excellent indicator of urbanisation: it thrives in gardens and on the edges of towns and disappears from primary forest, exactly the opposite of most birds in its family.

    From Red-whiskered Bulbul

  • It is probably the most familiar bird in Africa: it is in almost every garden on the continent south of the Sahara, and its morning song is one of the most recognisable sounds of everyday African life.

    From Common Bulbul

  • Its taxonomy is under review: what is called the common bulbul groups together populations that several authors already separate into three or four different species according to the colour of the area under the tail.

    From Common Bulbul

  • It is a significant seed disperser in urban and farmed areas, and helps spread both native plants and invasive exotics.

    From Common Bulbul

Ecosystems

  • Grassland2
  • Temperate forest2
  • Rainforest1
  • Savanna1

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