General
Red-whiskered Bulbul: Introduced to parts of North America as escaped caged birds. Adult has brown upperparts, black crested head, mask and partial collar; orange-red patch behind eye; underparts white with brown wash on sides; pale red vent; iris brown or dark brown; bill black; legs and claws black. Sexes are similar. Juvenile similar; duller overall; has shorter, browner crest, white postocular, paler brown upperparts, duller colored breast band, undertail coverts washed with pink. Vent is dull buff-pink, yellow or orange.
Range and Habitat
Red-whiskered Bulbul: Native to tropical regions of Asia, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and the south China coast. Escaped caged birds were introduced and established colonies in North America in southern Florida and in Australia. Preferred habitats include lightly wooded areas and farmland.
Breeding and Nesting
Red-whiskered Bulbul: Two to four pink white eggs with red brown and purple spots in a nest of dead leaves, grass, paper, bark and plastic. Nest is built by both sexes three to nine feet above ground in a tree crotch.
Foraging and Feeding
Red-whiskered Bulbul: Their diet consists of plant materials including leaves, flowers, buds, nectar, pollen, fruits, berries and figs, insects and spiders. They forage in trees, shrubs and bushes, gathering food while perched on twigs or stems, although they readily hover, albeit briefly. They drink by dipping their bill into water, then lifting their head to swallow.
Vocalization
Red-whiskered Bulbul: Short, loud, and clear notes with some warbling sounds and noisy chatter.
Similar Species
Red-whiskered Bulbul: Red-vented Bulbul is larger, has a black face, and is dark red under the tail.