Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus is a popular cage bird, with feral populations in Japan, Australia, the United States, and elsewhere, including places outside its natural range in China (has bred in Shanghai). Natural range stretches from India to Southeast Asia and China. Three races in China: jocosus southern China, hainanensis Hainan, and monticola southeast Tibet and southern Yunnan. HABITAT & BEHAVIOR Lightly wooded habitat and secondary growth. Sociable, noisy, often in parks and gardens, even in large cities. ID & COMPARISON Conspicuous pointed black crest and diagnostic red patch behind ear make this slender bulbul easy to recognize. Dull brown above, with black neck sides. White below, with red vent. White cheek separated from white chin by thin black line. In monticola black spurs on sides of breast often meet to form band. In other ssp. band always incomplete. Juvenile duller, lacks red whiskers. Sooty-headed Bulbul P. aurigaster has weak crest and lacks red auricular patch. VOICE Chatters loudly. Song rich and musical. — Craig Brelsford
THE BULBULS OF CHINA
shanghaibirding.com covers most members of Pycnonotidae in China. Click any link below:
White-throated Bulbul Alophoixus flaveolus
Puff-throated Bulbul A. pallidus
Striated Bulbul Alcurus striatus
Grey-eyed Bulbul Iole propinqua
Ashy Bulbul Hemixos flavala
Chestnut Bulbul H. castanonotus
Mountain Bulbul Ixos mcclellandii
Brown-eared Bulbul Hypsipetes amaurotis
Black Bulbul H. leucocephalus
Black-headed Bulbul Brachypodius melanocephalos
Black-crested Bulbul Rubigula flaviventris
Crested Finchbill Spizixos canifrons
Collared Finchbill S. semitorques
Stripe-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus finlaysoni
Flavescent Bulbul P. flavescens
Brown-breasted Bulbul P. xanthorrhous
Light-vented Bulbul P. sinensis
Red-whiskered Bulbul P. jocosus
Yellow-vented Bulbul P. goiavier
Red-vented Bulbul P. cafer
Sooty-headed Bulbul P. aurigaster
Himalayan Bulbul P. leucogenys
See also:
Styan’s Bulbul Pycnonotus taivanus
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Daniel Bengtsson served as chief ornithological consultant for Craig Brelsford’s Photographic Field Guide to the Birds of China, from which this species description is drawn.
