Yellow-vented bulbul

For other uses, see brown-breasted bulbul, white-spectacled bulbul, and sooty-headed bulbul.

The yellow-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier), or eastern yellow-vented bulbul, is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is a resident breeder in southeastern Asia from Indochina to the Philippines. It is found in a wide variety of open habitats but not the deep forest. It is one of the most common birds in cultivated areas. They appear to be nomadic and roam from place to place regularly.

Yellow-vented bulbul
In Singapore
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Pycnonotidae
Genus:	Pycnonotus
Species:	P. goiavier
Binomial name
Pycnonotus goiavier (Scopoli, 1786)
Range in green
Synonyms
Muscicapa goiavier

Taxonomy and systematics

The yellow-vented bulbul was originally classified in the genus Muscicapa.

Subspecies

Six subspecies are recognized:^[2]

• P. g. jambu - Deignan, 1955: Found from southern Myanmar to southern Indochina
• P. g. analis - (Horsfield, 1821): Originally described as a separate species in the genus Turdus. Found on Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and nearby islands, Java, Bali, Lombok and Sumbawa
• P. g. gourdini - Gray, GR, 1847: Originally described as a separate species in the genus Ixos. Found on Borneo, Maratua and Karimunjava Islands
• P. g. goiavier - (Scopoli, 1786): Found in northern and north-central Philippines
• P. g. samarensis - Rand & Rabor, 1960: Found in central Philippines
• P. g. suluensis - Mearns, 1909: Found in southern Philippines

Behaviour and ecology

The yellow-vented bulbul builds a well-camouflaged but fragile, loose, deep, cup-shaped circular nest from grass, leaves, roots, vine stems, and twigs. The nest is untidy on the outside, but neatly lined with plant fibers. It may be built in a wide range of places from low bushes to high trees. This is a species adapted to humans and may even nest in gardens. The yellow-vented bulbul lays 2–5 eggs from February to June.

The yellow-vented bulbul eats berries and small fruits. They also sip nectar, nibble on young shoots, and consume some insects.

In Santa Maria, Philippines

Chick and egg, Phuket, Thailand

Eggs and chicks 5 days after hatching