sandeyeRed-Whiskered Bulbul
October 17th 2008 15:42
Unfortunately, my promised pictures did not come out very clearly. You may just be able to see the distinguishing black crest, however. Hopefully, when I get to know these pretty birds a little better, they will let me try again to take their photo.
I shall have to be careful not to snip back too much shrubbery for a few months, now that it is nesting season again. I do not want to make the mistake I made a few years ago, of pruning the Cotoneaster and accidentally discovering a bulbul nest with young - leaving it open to the bigger birds as a feast.
I wrote about these birds in my local ornithology book that was released last year. Here is an extract from my book, OUR AUSTRALIAN FEATHERED FRIENDS - which is available from www.lulu.com/winterbear :
“Along with its erect black crest and crown, other distinguishing features of the species are the white cheeks, a small red patch close to the eye from which it gets its name, brown upper plumage, gray-brown under plumage, a white tip to the long tail, with a red patch under the tail, close to the body. There is also a black stripe crossing the white cheek, separating it into two and joining up with a dark collar.
The diet of the Red-whiskered Bulbul consists of fruits, buds, and insects. Gardens and parkland are therefore suitable habitats, along with creeks and shrub-filled woodlands.
Parents share the nest-building, incubation and rearing duties. The nest is created from bark, grasses and leaves, mixed with soft plant roots, and lined with softer materials. Although reportedly they nest in tree forks, we have personally witnessed that Cotoneaster shrubs may also be chosen. Two to five eggs are laid; these are of a pale pink color and spotted with red, rusty-brown marks. Parents may have two or three batches of young per season.”
I shall have to be careful not to snip back too much shrubbery for a few months, now that it is nesting season again. I do not want to make the mistake I made a few years ago, of pruning the Cotoneaster and accidentally discovering a bulbul nest with young - leaving it open to the bigger birds as a feast.
I wrote about these birds in my local ornithology book that was released last year. Here is an extract from my book, OUR AUSTRALIAN FEATHERED FRIENDS - which is available from www.lulu.com/winterbear :
“Along with its erect black crest and crown, other distinguishing features of the species are the white cheeks, a small red patch close to the eye from which it gets its name, brown upper plumage, gray-brown under plumage, a white tip to the long tail, with a red patch under the tail, close to the body. There is also a black stripe crossing the white cheek, separating it into two and joining up with a dark collar.
Parents share the nest-building, incubation and rearing duties. The nest is created from bark, grasses and leaves, mixed with soft plant roots, and lined with softer materials. Although reportedly they nest in tree forks, we have personally witnessed that Cotoneaster shrubs may also be chosen. Two to five eggs are laid; these are of a pale pink color and spotted with red, rusty-brown marks. Parents may have two or three batches of young per season.”
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