Birds of Singapore
by the Bird Society of Singapore
13 species in Singapore.
Bulbuls are medium-sized, short-necked passerines found across most of the Old World. They have slender bodies, short rounded wings, fairly long tails, and a bill that is often slightly hooked at the tip. Plumage is usually plain olive-brown or greyish, though many species carry a bold patch of colour on the head, cheek, throat or vent, and quite a few have an obvious crest. Most are highly vocal and their pleasant songs make them a major target of the songbird trade, which has led to the near-extinction of Straw-headed Bulbul outside of Singapore. Predominantly frugivorous, they supplement their diet with insects and nectar.
Most of Singapore's bulbuls are easily told apart. The small forest Pycnonotus species (Cream-vented, Asian Red-eyed, Olive-winged) are best told apart by face pattern, eye colour, and wing colour. Cinereous and Streaked Bulbuls are visitors and are often seen together, with one or two Streaked in a larger flock of Cinereous.
Most species favour forest, forest edge, and secondary growth. Yellow-vented, Red-whiskered, and Sooty-headed Bulbul thrive in open, human-modified areas.
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or in small family parties, and several species gather together at fruiting trees. Bulbuls are vocal and often heard before they are seen.