Red-whiskered Bulbul

The Red-whiskered Bulbul, Pycnonotus jocosus, is a member of the bulbul family. It is resident in tropical Asia from India through to southeast Asia and China. It has been introduced to New South Wales, Mauritius and Florida.

This is a bird of lightly wooded areas, more open country with bushes and shrubs, and farmland. It is more often heard than seen, but will perch conspicuously on occasions. It builds its nest in a bush; two to three eggs is a typical clutch.

Red-whiskered Bulbul is about 20cm (7 inches) in length. It has brown upperparts and whitish underparts with buff flanks and a dark spur running onto the breast at shoulder level. It has a tall pointed black crest, red face patch and thin black moustachial line. The tail is long and brown with white terminal feather tips, but the vent area is red.

Sexes are similar in plumage, but young birds are duller than adults. The flight is bouncing and woodpecker-like.

These passerine birds feed on fruit, nectar and insects. The loud and evocative call is a sharp kink-a-joo, and the song is a scolding chatter.