Red-Vented Bulbul
Pycnonotus cafer
About This Species
A noisy, conspicuous garden and scrubland bird across South and Southeast Asia, often perched openly on wires, hedges or fruiting trees rather than hiding in cover. Look for the dark crest, white rump and sharp, cheerful call notes given from an exposed perch, especially at dawn. It is active year-round and easiest to find near human settlements, parks and gardens with reliable fruit and nectar sources.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- A comfortable, unobtrusive distance of a few metres is generally enough, since this common and adaptable species tolerates people well and does not require a close approach for a good view.
- Legal protections vary across its native and introduced range, so check local rules before handling or photographing nests.
- As with any bird, avoid lingering near an active nest and give way if it shows signs of alarm.
LCAvesPasseriformesPycnonotidae
Seasonal Activity
1,404,298 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pycnonotidae
Photo
(c) Lip Kee Yap, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.