White-eared Bulbul

(Pycnonotus leucotis)

Size(20cm): It is a small Bulbul and is about the size of its close relative Himalayan Bulbul.

Habitat: Forests, gardens, mangroves and parks.

Area: It is mainly found in the NW region.

My two words: Colouring is mostly similar to the close relative Himalayan Bulbul. It has a black head, throat and bill. The white cheeks are relatively bigger than the Himalayan Bulbul. The back and tail are brown. The mantle is somewhat lighter. The underside is pale-yellow. The vent is bright yellow.

It is considered to be a subspecies of the Himalayan Bulbul by some authorities.

There is a pale eye-ring. There is very little sexual dimorphism. They are generally found in small groups or pairs.

The call is a complex chatter nyuk…pip…ipip.

They feed mainly on fruits, berries, seeds, nectar, and small invertebrates.

The nests are built in lower branches of the trees. They are cup-shaped and made chiefly of twigs and straw. Usually, 2-4 eggs are laid which take roughly two weeks to hatch. The chicks fledge in about 10-12 days.

They are listed as ‘LC’ (Least Concern) under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

~Arjun Basandrai