Yellow-eared Bulbul
Pycnonotus penicillatus
Medium-sized, plump green bulbul with a yellow belly and distinctive head pattern with yellow tufts behind each eye, white tufts above each eye, and white horns sticking up from the base of the bill. Found in small parties in the canopy of hill forests and adjacent woods and gardens. Conspicuous head pattern of Yellow-eared Bulbul differentiates it from Black-headed Bulbul, which has an unmarked, dark head. Frequently given call is a harsh trill. Song involves a series of high “whit”, whip-like notes.
Identification
The yellow-eared bulbul is about 20 cm (7.9 in) in length, with a long tail. It has olive upperparts and yellowish underparts. The crown of the head is grey, and there are yellow ear tufts and a yellow patch below the eye. There is a white tuft in front of the eye and the throat is also white.<p>Sexes are similar in plumage, but young birds are duller than adults. The flight is bouncing and woodpecker-like.
Taxonomy
The yellow-eared bulbul was formerly classified in the monotypic genus Kelaartia, named after Dr. E.F. Kelaart. Alternate names for the yellow-eared bulbul include the Ceylon bulbul, Sri Lanka bulbul and yellow-tufted bulbul.
- Scientific name
- Pycnonotus penicillatus
- Authority
- Blyth, 1851
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pycnonotidae
- Genus
- Pycnonotus
Range and habitat
The yellow eared-bulbul is endemic to Sri Lanka and is the least common of the bulbuls found in Sri Lanka. This is a bird of jungle and wooded farmland. Despite its restricted range, it is quite readily found at sites such as Horton Plains, Piduruthalagala peak, Moonplains and Victoria Park in Nuwara Eliya and has been frequently sighted in rocky hills.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Yellow-eared bulbuls build their nest in a bush with two eggs in a typical clutch. They feed on fruit and insects. Nests are open and cup-shaped. Material such as roots and lichen are used in building the nests. Breeding season usually occurs around February-May and again during August-October.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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Royal Tern
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Tufted Coquette
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Tiny, ornately patterned hummingbird with a bold pale rump band. Exquisite adult male plumage features a bushy orange crest and long orange plumes tipped dark green, sweeping back from the cheeks over the shoulders, and set off by a white rump band and stout orange bill tipped black. Female lacks such adornment and is greenish above and whitish below, with a contrasting tawny throat, buffy rump band, and duller bill. Occurs in a wide range of humid forest types from lowland rainforest to premontane forest in the tepui region. Feeds on nectar and is most likely to be seen at flowering trees, where it forages unobtrusively, sneaking nectar from the territories of other hummingbirds. More common and widespread than other coquettes in range. Female Tufted is best told by tawny throat and overall plain appearance.
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