White-browed Bulbul

Overview

The white-browed bulbul (Pycnonotus luteolus) is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is a resident breeder endemic to Sri Lanka and peninsular India, classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Approximately 20 cm long with a moderately long tail, featuring olive-grey upperparts and whitish underparts.
• Distinctive facial markings include a pale supercilium, a white crescent below the eye, and a dark eyestripe and moustachial stripe.
• The vent is yellowish, often accompanied by some yellow on the chin and moustache.
• Possesses three or four hair-like filoplumes on the nape and produces a rich, spluttering warble that is often heard from the top of a bush.

Habitat

This species inhabits dry open scrub country on the plains, as well as gardens and woodlands with dense shrubbery. Its range is limited to southern India and Sri Lanka, with the northern boundary stretching across Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and western West Bengal.

Diet

White-browed bulbuls forage within bushes for a diet consisting of fruit, nectar, and insects. They are typically observed foraging singly or in pairs.

Did you know?

Individuals of this species have a potential lifespan of more than 11 years. They are often more easily heard than seen, as they typically dive into dense bushes after producing a burst of song from the top of a bush.