Fun Black Crested Bulbul Facts For Kids

Shivangi Pandey
Oct 20, 2022 By Shivangi Pandey
Originally Published on Sep 14, 2021
Edited by Luca Demetriou
Fact-checked by Sakshi Raturi
Black-crested bulbul facts are interesting.
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Age: 3-18
Read time: 6.6 Min

Black-crested bulbul is the local name for the bird based on its coloration and physical appearance. This bird belongs to the Pycnonotus flaviventris family and Rubigula genus, which contains virtually all bulbul species found in India and other parts of Asia.

The bulbul race is said to have originated from passerine birds. The black-crested bulbul averages 7.48 in (19 cm) in length.

This bulbul's head is black, as the name implies, while the rest of its body is of various colors of yellow. The male and female have similar plumage.

A juvenile bird can be distinguished by its slightly duller coloration.

Many taxa were formerly designated subspecies of the black-crested bulbul but are now classified as separate species. The original subspecies included the ruby-throated bulbul (P. gularis) from Sumatra and Java, the flame-throated bulbul (P. gularis) originally from Indian Western Ghats, and the black-capped bulbul (P. melanicterus) from Sri Lanka.

P. f. vantynei, P. f. xanthops, P. f. auratus, P. f. johnsoni, P. f. elbeli, P. f. negatus, P. f. caecilii are all the subspecies. If you like reading about birds, you must also check our cockatoo and blue jay facts.

Black Crested Bulbul Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a black crested bulbul?

The black-crested bulbul, Pycnonotus melanicterus, is a passerine bird in the bulbul family and its systematics include Rubigula genus. It is widespread in southern Asia, stretching from India in Western Ghats and Sri Lanka east to Indonesia. Vanga flaviventris is the synonym.

What class of animal does a black crested bulbul belong to?

The black-crested bulbul (Rubigula flaviventris) is a passerine bird in the bulbul family. A description of birds can include that they are a warm-blooded animal distinguished by feathers and toothless beaked jaws. They give birth to hard-shelled eggs and have a fast metabolic rate. They also have a four-chambered heart, and a robust yet very lightweight skeleton.

How many black-crested bulbuls are there in the world?

The species' worldwide population number has not been measured, although it is characterized as 'usually common'. The population is thought to be declining as a result of persistent trapping pressure.

Where does a black-crested bulbul live?

This is woodland and a thick scrub range subspecies. Black-crested bulbul habitat distribution is in woods ranging from the lowlands to the foothills and submontane regions; prefers open woodlands over thick cover. Vanga flaviventris is another name for this bird.

What is a black-crested bulbul's habitat?

The black-crested bulbul range map is from eastern India through Vietnam, central Myanmar, and south to Peninsular Malaysia (Southeast Asia). The black-crested bulbul (Rubigula flaviventris) has a black crest, a red or black neck, and a white eye.

Bulbul spends much of his time in wooden holes. Holes dug in ancient homes, roofs, artificial nests built by people over their dwellings, meadows, shrubs, and fallen/uprooted trees.

Woodpecker holes are the greatest home for bulbul since they also offer hanging facilities within. These birds also like to perch around household trees range and plants.

Who do black-crested bulbuls live with?

Usually in couples or small groups, seldom in huge flocks.

How long does a black-crested bulbul live?

They are more commonly heard than seen, however, they will frequently perch prominently, especially in the mornings when they cry from the tops of trees. The average lifespan is 11 years.

How do they reproduce?

It builds its nest in a shrub and lays two to four eggs in a typical clutch. The black-crested bulbul (Rubigula flaviventris) has a high rate of reproduction.

The frequency of egg-laying is not quicker, but during a promise, no more than four eggs are placed for hatching. Both males and females share parental responsibilities and hatch the eggs.

The baby birds are given a time of 16 days after hatching. Both sexes are generally comparable, although young birds are significantly duller and slower to reproduce. This bird's backbone, like a human's, contains stem cells that are responsible for the formation of an egg fetus.

Each black-crested bulbul has seven hatching sessions during its lifetime, and more than 92 % of eggs hatch into young birds. According to this data, each bird re-produces more than 22 birds over its lifetime.

What is their conservation status?

 The black-crested bulbul (Rubigula flaviventris) has been designated as Least Concern. Does not fall into a higher risk group. This category includes taxa that are widespread and plentiful.

Black-Crested Bulbul Fun Facts

What do black-crested bulbuls look like?

It has a greenish-yellow body description with a black head and crest. Its pale eyes give it an angry or startled expression all the time. Adults have a glossy black head with a towering upright crest, white eyes, brilliant yellow underparts, and greenish-olive upperparts that are relatively consistent.

The juvenile has a duller head. Its upperparts are olive, while its underparts are yellow or olive-yellow. The head is completely black.

Young birds have duller plumage than adults. This bird has a bouncy body type that fits well with the woodpecker design.

The upper sections are darker, while the below parts are lighter. The sex of the bird is difficult to tell just on its color because both sexes have almost identical physical specifications. This bird's beak is strong and has a tiny bend on the tip to aid in insect prey.

Western Ghats, India

How cute are they?

The black-crested bulbul is a cute bird that represents longevity and a long happy marriage.

How do they communicate?

They are energetic, loud, and plain-colored birds that can cause damage to orchards. The highest note is generally towards or near the finish of the song, which is short, flowing, and melodious.

How big is a black-crested bulbul?

This bird is not particularly long, but its tail is far longer than the rest of its body. The bird is more than 7.48 in (19 cm) in length and has an 3.15 in (8 cm) body length with a well-maintained head and a gorgeous beak.

A black crest adds to the attractiveness of this bird, as it diminishes and expands when chirping.

How fast can a black-crested bulbul fly?

A black crested bulbul aviary is bouncy and similar to that of a woodpecker.

How much does a black-crested bulbul weigh?

They may weigh between 0.5-2 oz (14.1-56.6 g).

What are the male and female names of the species?

It is simply called a black-crested bulbul male and a black-crested bulbul female. The name bulbul comes from the Hindi word for nightingale.

What would you call a baby black-crested bulbul?

Normally a baby black-crested bulbul bird is called a chick. Two to four eggs are laid at a time by a black-crested bulbul in a typical clutch. It builds its nest in a bush.

What do they eat?

The black-crested bulbul diet includes a broad variety of items, including seeds, nectar, fruit, worms and insects, other arthropods, and even small vertebrates. Earthworms are originally the primary diet source for these birds.

Are they poisonous?

The black-crested bulbul does diet on a fruit called yellow oleander that is toxic to mammals, but it itself is known to be free of toxins.

Would they make a good pet?

These birds are wild therefore should not be kept in captivity.

Did you know...

The black-crested bulbul is highly regarded throughout Indian culture, regardless of state, language, or tradition. Bulbul's sound, appearance, leaping style of flying at small intervals, and beautiful styling leave an effect on humans. This bird is not classified as an endangered species. Because of its legendary significance in the southern areas of the country, this bird holds unique significance.

Are black-crested bulbuls endangered?

This species has a very broad distribution. Despite the fact that the population trend of black-crested bulbul appears to be falling, the rate of decrease is not thought to be fast enough to reach the Vulnerable levels under the population trend criterion.

As a result of these factors, the species is classified as Least Concern.

The development of logging roads through its woodland habitat has made trapping easier in recent years. As a result, the IUCN Red List upgraded another species, the straw-headed bulbul, from endangered to critically endangered in 2018.

Do black-crested bulbuls migrate?

Bulbuls as a whole are not migratory, traveling from one location to another seasonally, however certain species suited to colder climes and temperate zones may be considered somewhat migratory. During the winter, the black bulbul migrates to southern China in flocks of several hundred birds at a time.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these rook facts and swamp sparrow facts for kids.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable common bulbul coloring pages.

Second image by Thai National Parks.

Black Crested Bulbul Facts

What Did They Prey On?

Fruit and insects

What Type of Animal were they?

Omnivore

Average Litter Size?

Rubigula flaviventris

How Much Did They Weigh?

0.5-2 oz (14.1-56.6 g)

What habitat Do they Live In?

forests, forest edges, secondary growth

Where Do They Live?

Southeast Asia (Eastern India, Vietnam, and south to Peninsular Malaysia, central Myanmar)

How Long Were They?

N/A

How Tall Were They?

7.28-7.67 in (18.4-19.4 cm)

Class

Aves

Genus

Rubigula

Family

Pycnonotidae

Scientific Name

2-4

What Do They Look Like?

Yellow with black crest and red neck

Skin Type

Feathers

What Are Their Main Threats?

humans

What is their Conservation Status?

Least Concern
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Written by Shivangi Pandey

Bachelor of Fashion Technology specializing in Fashion Merchandising

Shivangi Pandey picture

Shivangi PandeyBachelor of Fashion Technology specializing in Fashion Merchandising

Shivangi is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Technology from the National Institute of Fashion Technology. She has a strong passion for the English language and communication, with a keen interest in fashion blogging. Shivangi's educational background and interests complement her ability to create engaging and informative content for readers.

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Fact-checked by Sakshi Raturi

Postgraduate Diploma in Management

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Sakshi RaturiPostgraduate Diploma in Management

Sakshi has experience in marketing strategy, social media planning, and recruiting industry experts for capstone projects, she has displayed a commitment to enhancing their skills and knowledge. She has won multiple awards, including a Certificate of Appreciation for Creative Writing and a Certificate of Merit for Immaculate Turut, and is always seeking new opportunities to grow and develop.

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