Fun Common Bulbul Facts For Kids

Bulbul is one of around 140 species of birds in the family Pycnonotidae (order Passeriformes). The genus Pycnonotus is found throughout much of Africa and the Middle East and in tropical Asia through Indonesia and as far north as Japan.

The Himalayas to Bali are home to the white-throated bulbul (Criniger flaveolus) while the black bulbul bird is native to Madagascar, and islands in the Indian Ocean.

A few insular species can be found in the Indian Ocean's tropical islands.

While distinct species can be found in a variety of settings, African bulbuls are mostly found in rainforests, whilst bulbuls native to Asia are mostly found in open regions. The kingdom, phylum, class, order description of this species is Animalia, Chordata, Aves, and Passeriformes respectively.

The typical clutch size of the vented bulbul is two or three eggs. Here are some interesting facts on the common bulbul that will certainly intrigue you. Afterward, do have a look at our other articles goose facts and emu facts.

Common Bulbul Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a common bulbul?

The common bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) is a species of bulbul bird from the family Pycnonotidae. It is found in Africa's north-eastern, northern, western, and central regions. This species can also be found residing in its habitat range in the Middle East as well as Southern Asia.

What class of animal does a common bulbul belong to?

The common bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) belongs to the Aves class of animals of the family Pycnonotidae.

How many common bulbuls are there in the world?

No concrete information is available regarding the total population of the common bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) in its natural habitat as their range distribution is quite extensive. Though, their population is stable across their habitat range and no significant conservation efforts are required.

Where does a common bulbul live?

The common bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) lives in forested or bushy settings, particularly near water.

What is a common bulbul's habitat?

The common bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) was discovered breeding lately in Tarifa, southern Spain. The vented bulbul can exist in practically any habitat that has some fruiting trees, though they prefer to avoid dense forests. The vented bulbul is common in regions where human settlement has split the forest.

Who do common bulbuls live with?

The common bulbul (P. barbatus) species can be found living as part of small groups or simply with their mate in a pair. It is a noticeable bird that likes to perch atop a shrub. Common bulbul (P.barbatus) birds, like other bulbuls, are busy and loud birds.

How long does a common bulbul live?

Vented bulbuls are more typically heard than seen, however, they will frequently perch prominently, especially in the mornings when they cry from the tops of trees. The average lifespan of a common bulbul (P. barbatus) is roughly 11 years.

Most African species are found in rainforests whilst in Asia, they live in more open areas. North Africa, South Africa, Central Africa, Middle East, and Southeast Asia are the regions where you can find these birds.

How do they reproduce?

The vented bulbul is a monogamous species that are known to mate with the same mate for the entire life. Mating rituals and songs are performed by the males to woo the females.

After the mating process is completed, the female lays a typical clutch of two or three eggs in a shallow, narrow, cup-like. The nest is constructed in a bush or shrub where the female lays eggs twice every season.

The incubation period ranges between 12-14 days, with only the female taking care of the incubation duties. Both the parents take care of the hatchlings till they are ready to fledge.

What is their conservation status?

Common bulbul bird species are not endangered, are widespread, and are classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. The population of the subspecies is stable across its habitat distribution in North Africa, South Africa, Central Africa, Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

Common Bulbul Fun Facts

What do common bulbuls look like?

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The vented bulbul is about the size of a thrush and has a dark crest on its head, a dark eye-ring, and a black beak. The upper parts are grayish brown, with a white belly and a white or yellow undertail.

Both sexes seem identical, except the female is significantly smaller. Young birds have rusty tones and are duller in color than adults.

Because it is the only Pycnonotus bulbul in most of its area, it is easily recognizable. The juvenile is similar, but with a duller grey-brown face, lighter upperparts, and a white vent.

How cute are they?

These breeding birds are not so adorable yet not ugly. But when they are in flocks they look so good.

How do they communicate?

The majority of bulbuls from the genus Pycnonotus have different singing tones that range from chattering to whistles. In a tropical jungle, the chances of hearing a bulbul call are great, and they are frequently heard before they are seen.

How big is a common bulbul?

The dark-capped bulbul is two times bigger than the common bulbul. The common bulbul can grow in the range of 3.6-4.2 in (9.1-11 cm) in terms of size.

How fast can a common bulbul fly?

Common bulbuls can fly at really fast speeds over their habitat range. The exact speed at which this bird species can fly is not known.

How much does a common bulbul weigh?

The common bulbul can weigh from 0.8-2.1 oz (23-60 g).

What are the male and female names of the species?

There is no specific name for a male or female common bulbul.

What would you call a baby common bulbul?

There is no specific name for a baby common bulbul.

What do they eat?

Common bulbuls are omnivores in terms of feeding habits, consuming a variety of wild and cultivated fruits, termites, flowers, arthropods, and other insects, tiny vertebrates such as geckoes, nectar, flowers, and certain seeds from forest plants and fruits.

Are they dangerous?

Many bulbul subspecies, such as the red-vented bulbul, are dangerous toward members of their species as well as members of other species, but not to humans.

Would they make a good pet?

Common bulbuls make excellent pets, and in certain regions of Asia, they are maintained and handled in the same way as parrots are. These noisy birds can be grown by hand and grow tame, but they do not make suitable home pets. These subspecies cannot be trained to stay on perches or shoulders and do not replicate human speech.

Did you know...

There are around 130 subspecies of bulbuls in 24 genera.

Is the bulbul a migratory bird?

Many birds, like common bulbuls, migrate in large groups to more temperate locations to the south or in the autumn. These noisy birds migrate in like 30-40 common bulbuls or related subspecies in a flock.

What is the English name of a bulbul bird?

The name bulbul stems from Hindi, Persian or Arabic, and means nightingale, however in English, bulbul refers to a separate family of passerine birds. The common bulbul is found mostly in rainforests, whereas Asian bulbuls are found primarily in open places.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our boreal owl facts and desert owl facts pages.  

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