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26

White-spectacled Bulbul

(Pycnonotus xanthopygos)
Alternate name(s): "Yellow-vented Bulbul", "Black-capped Bulbul"
Size: 19-21 cm; wing span: 20-25 cm
Weight: 31-43 g

Similar
species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description

Click here for a physical description

Taxonomy, classification

See White-spectacled Bulbul at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat

Click here for information on habitat and range

Sightings

Click here for sighting information

Photos

ADULT

Sex unknown

Full-frontal view of a White-spectacled Bulbul
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, November 2009]

Frontal view of a White-spectacled Bulbul looking sideways
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, September 2009]

Near-frontal view of a White-spectacled Bulbul showing very clearly the toehold typical of a passerine, holding on to the branch with three toes forward and one back
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, September 2009]

Near-lateral view of a White-spectacled Bulbul
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, September 2009]

Near-lateral view of a White-spectacled Bulbul looking upwards
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, September 2009]

Near-lateral/ventral view of a White-spectacled Bulbul seeking shelter on a hot day
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, September 2009]

Near-lateral/ventral view of a White-spectacled Bulbul on its perch
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, September 2009]

Lateral view of a White-spectacled Bulbul
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, May 2010]

Although it is not nice to peek up somebody's back side, this ventral view shows very clearly why this species was called the "Yellow-vented Bulbul" until the superspecies was split up and that name given to another species...
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, September 2009]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Full-frontal view of a juvenile White-spectacled Bulbul
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, April 2010]

Frontal view of a juvenile White-spectacled Bulbul looking sideways and in the process displaying its crest
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, April 2010]

Near-frontal view of a juvenile White-spectacled Bulbul looking at the observer
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, April 2010]

Near-lateral view of a juvenile White-spectacled Bulbul looking at the observer
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, May 2010]

Behaviour

Bulbuls are the only bird genus known to us that will devour whole flowers. Below an example of a White-spectacled Bulbul is shown, but the same behaviour has also been observed in White-cheeked Bulbuls.

Dorsal view of a White-spectacled Bulbul feasting on the petals of flowers
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, November 2009]

Food, Diet

We have seen White-spectacled Bulbuls devour whole flowers (photo below).

Close-up view of a White-spectacled Bulbul picking a flower before carrying it away and then gulping it down in one piece
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, February 2010]

Near-lateral view of a juvenile White-spectacled Bulbul practising how to drink from a pond; not being sure what exactly to do, it studies how a young House Sparrow does it
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, April 2010]

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

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