Fun Flame-throated Bulbul Facts For Kids

Have you recently read about the myna bird? If yes, then you should check out another interesting Indian bird species.

It is known as the flame-throated bulbul (Rubigula gularis) because of its unique orange or red throat patch. However, it is at times also known as the red or ruby-throated bulbul or the black-crested bulbul. This bird is also regarded as the state bird of Goa.

Along with the throat patch, these birds are covered in yellow feathers and have black heads. These bulbuls are mainly found in India, in states like Maharashtra and Goa.

Most birds are seen in the Western Ghats, but a population of these birds is also present in the Eastern Ghats. These birds are primarily known for their beautiful songs and sustain themselves on a diet of fruit and insects.

Want to know more about this bird? Keep reading to find interesting flame-throated bulbul facts. Also, check out our cockatoo facts and blue jay facts pages!

Flame-Throated Bulbul Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a flame-throated bulbul?

The flame-throated bulbul (Rubigula gularis) is a species of bulbul, or songbird, that is endemic to the Western Ghats of India and is especially found in Goa.

What class of animal does a flame-throated bulbul belong to?

The flame-throated bulbul birds belong to the class Aves and to the family Pycnonotidae.

How many flame-throated bulbuls are there in the world?

Because of the huge population of this bird, the data hasn't yet been quantified. However, the IUCN does list this bird as having a status of Least Concern.

Where does a flame-throated bulbul live?

The flame-throated bulbul range map mainly includes the Western Ghats of India, and it is endemic to that place. Hence, the birds can be especially found in the states of Maharashtra and Goa. However, the species has also been spotted in southern and southwestern India.

What is a flame-throated bulbul's habitat?

When it comes to the flame-throated bulbul habitat, these birds are mainly seen in areas like the evergreen foothill forests, secondary forests, and scrub-covered hills. You will rarely see this species of bird venturing out of forests.

Who do flame-throated bulbuls live with?

In its endemic habitat, the flame-throated bulbul (Rubigula gularis) birds are often seen with family or in flocks. However, at times it can also navigate the forests on its own.

How long does a flame-throated bulbul live?

The usual lifespan of these birds is around 10-14 years.

How do they reproduce?

One of the most interesting aspects of any bird is the process of reproduction. The breeding season for these birds is between February and April, even though some birds may start building nests in January.

These birds make small nest cups that are around 9.8 ft (3 m) above the forest ground to protect them from predators. The birds usually make these nests from grass, yellow leaves, and cobwebs.

Female birds lay around two eggs each season. We lack further data about how the parents bring up the chicks to fulfill the family.

What is their conservation status?

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, this bird species of southern India is currently placed under the category of Least Concern. Moreover, this bird is also classified as a Schedule-IV bird under India's Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.

Flame-Throated Bulbul Fun Facts

What do Flame-throated bulbuls look like?

When it comes to the flame-throated bulbuls, you can easily identify them because of their red or orange throat. This gives the bird its iconic look and also gives it its name.

Apart from the red or orange throat, the rest of its body is covered in yellow plumage except its black head. Black feathers can also be found on the underside of its wings.

Moreover, the yellow feathers often have a tinge of green, which helps the birds blend in with the dense foliage of the forest. The orange or red throat is present in both males and females.

Another striking thing about this bird is the white or yellow portion of its eye that contrasts with the black feathers.

Rather than having a black head, the juvenile has brown-black feathers on its head along with a red throat and yellow feathers on the rest of its body. They are often compared to Mynas.

How cute are they?

The flame-throated bulbul is quite cute because of its tiny size, along with its colorful plumage. The cuteness of this species is similar to that of the mountain bluebird.

How do they communicate?

In India, bulbuls are known for their beautiful songs, and the flame-throated bulbul (Rubigula gularis) is also vocal with its different calls. Even though it sings quite sweetly, the sounds tend to be hurried and feel like high-pitched stuttering. The initial song often has the 'prririt' notes followed by the rising 'prit' and the sharp 'pick-wick.'

How big is a flame-throated bulbul?

The flame-throated bulbul has an average body length of around 7-7.9 in (18-20 cm). Compared to another passerine, the flame bowerbird has an average body length of 9.8 in (25 cm).

How fast can a flame-throated bulbul fly?

We are yet to find any conclusive data about the flight speed of this bird or other species of bulbuls.

How much does a blame-throated bulbul weigh?

The average weight of the flame-throated bulbul (Rubigula gularis) is around 0.88-1.2 oz (25-35 g). Both the flame-throated bulbul male and the flame-throated bulbul female have a similar weight.

What are the male and female names of the species?

There is no sex-specific name for the male and female of this species.

What would you call a baby flame-throated bulbul?

A baby flame-throated bulbul (Rubigula gularis) is called a chick.

What do they eat?

The flame-throated bulbul's diet mainly consists of fruits from ficus trees and lantana plants. Other than that, it also feeds on fruits and berries available in its native habitat.

At times the bird will also feed on insects. This species likes to maintain small flocks while foraging and can also engage in mixed-species flocks. We do not have much information about the specific fruit and insects eaten by this bird.

Are they poisonous?

No, the flame-throated bulbul (Rubigula gularis) isn't a poisonous bird. In most cases, this is one of the friendliest bird species that you can find in the wild forests of Goa.

Would they make a good pet?

In its native country, India, different species of bulbuls are kept as pets. However, due to current laws regarding conservation, it isn't legal to keep a wild bird like the flame-throated bulbul as someone's pet.

Moreover, this bird is specifically suited to the environment of the Western Ghats, and it wouldn't be able to acclimatize with a place that might be too cold for it.

Did you know...

The flame-throated bulbul was the mascot for the 36th National Games of India that was hosted in 2020.

The protonym of this bird is Brachypus gularis. But, the protonym Brachypus gularis was later changed to embrace the current binomial name, Rubigula gularis.

Are flame-throated bulbuls endangered?

No, the flame-throated bulbul is not endangered. It is currently classified under the status of Least Concern. This species is currently conserved under the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and the Periyar Sanctuary, and you may visit these places to view the species. You can also view a special species of hornbill in the Periyar Sanctuary.

Do flame-throated bulbuls migrate?

Even though flame-throated bulbuls don't migrate over long distances, they do move within the Western Ghats according to different seasons.

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 red-backed shrike surprising facts and eastern kingbird facts pages.

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

Main image by Prajwalkm.

Second image by Shagil Kannur.