The Himalayan bulbul (''Pycnonotus leucogenys''), or white-cheeked bulbul, is a species of
songbird in the
bulbul
The bulbuls are members of a family, Pycnonotidae, of medium-sized passerine songbirds, which also includes greenbuls, brownbuls, leafloves, and bristlebills. The family is distributed across most of Africa and into the Middle East, tropical As ...
family found in Central and South Asia.
Taxonomy and systematics
The Himalayan bulbul is considered to belong to a
superspecies along with the
white-eared bulbul,
white-spectacled bulbul,
African red-eyed bulbul,
Cape bulbul, and
common bulbul. The alternate name, white-cheeked bulbul, is also used by the white-eared bulbul.
Description
The Himalayan bulbul is about 18 cm in length, with a wingspan of 25.5–28 cm and an average weight of 30 g. Its head, throat, and crest are black and white. The back, side, and lengthy tail are brown, the underside is pale yellow. Sexes have similar plumage. The song is a beautiful 4-piece whistle, which resembles an accelerated
oriole
Oriole or Orioles may refer to:
Animals
* Old World oriole, colorful passerine birds in the family Oriolidae
* New World oriole, a group of birds in the family Icteridae
Music
* The Orioles, an R&B and doo-wop group of the late 1940s and earl ...
whistle.
Distribution and habitat
The species occurs in the northern regions of the
Indian subcontinent and some adjoining areas. It is found in and near the
Himalayas.
The Himalayan bulbul frequents forests and shrubland and also comes into gardens and parks.
Behaviour and ecology
The Himalayan bulbul feeds on insects and other small invertebrates, as well as berries, fruits, seeds, buds and nectar.
Nests are usually built in bushes or low branches, are cup-shaped, and made of stems, roots and twigs. The female usually lays three eggs, which are incubated for 12 days. The chicks leave the nest when they are 9–11 days old. There may be up to three broods raised per year. During breeding, adults become very territorial.
Gallery
Image:Himalayan Bulbuls - Himachal- I IMG 3118.jpg
Image:Himalayan Bulbul I IMG 6480.jpg
Image:Himalayan Bulbul I IMG 3004.jpg
Image:HimalayanBulbul.JPG, In the Punjab, India
Image:The Himalayan Bulbul.jpg, At the Shimla Water catchment, Himachal Pradesh
Image:Himalayan Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys at sattal DSCN0452 1.jpg, Himalayan Bulbul at Sattal
Image:Himalayan Bulbul scientific name Pycnonotus leucogenys at Sattal Kumaon India DSCN1231 1.jpg, Himalayan Bulbul at Sattal Kumaon India
Image:Himalayan Bulbul Courting D72 14780.jpg, Himalayan bulbuls courting, IIT Mandi
Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT Mandi) is a public technical and research university located in Kamand Valley, Mandi city in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh.
Established in February 2009, first batch of 97 students were admit ...
, Himachal Pradesh, India, 22 April 2020
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q921954
Himalayan bulbul
Birds of the Himalayas
Birds of North India
Himalayan bulbul
Himalayan bulbul
Taxonomy articles created by Polbot