Reproduction

Breeding takes place across much of their range from January to August.

Red-whiskered bulbuls will court a potential partner by fluttering their wings and bowing to the other bird. They will also lower and raise their crests repeatedly at one another.

The nest is shaped like a cup and formed from vegetation and placed in the fork of a branch. In to this nest they deposit between two and five eggs. These feature a pinkish background with reddish brown or purple spots.

At hatching young lack feathers and the eyes are closed for the first few days of life. Nestlings fledge at fourteen to eighteen days. They may be fed by the parents for a few days after this. Both parents work together to feed the young.

Pairs may raise two to three broods each season.

Behavior

Red-whiskered bulbuls spend much of their time sitting on the same perch and singing. This is especially common at the start of the breeding season. They are loud birds which create a range of warbling songs.

Much of their time is spent in the trees where they will forage for food.

Flocks of these birds will travel to together to feed for the most of the year. In the breeding season they will separate out in to pairs to establish their nests. These average 3 to 5 members though some with up to 50 have been recorded.

Predators and Threats

These animals are popular aviary birds both in their range and across the world. This has been the source of their introduction to a number of countries including Australia.

The population of this species has been assisted by releases to a number of additional countries worldwide.

Hunting has led to a decline in their population but a full population estimate has not been created.

Quick facts

Bulbul is an Arabic word meaning nightingale.