Red-whiskered Bulbul
Pycnonotus jocosus
Silhouette: Andy Wilson · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyPycnonotidae (Bulbuls)
- GenusPycnonotus (Typical Bulbuls)
- SpeciesPycnonotus jocosus (Red-whiskered Bulbul)
About the Red-whiskered Bulbul
The red-whiskered bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus), or crested bulbul, is a passerine bird native to Asia. It is a member of the bulbul family. It is a resident frugivore found mainly in tropical Asia. It has been introduced in many tropical areas of the world where populations have established themselves. It has a loud three or four note call, feeds on fruits and small insects and perches conspicuously on trees. It is common in hill forests and urban gardens.
The red-whiskered bulbul was scientifically described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758 under the binomial name Lanius jocosus. Linnaeus based his description on the Sitta chinensis that had been described by Pehr Osbeck in 1757. Linnaeus specified the location as "China" but this was restricted to Hong Kong and Guangdong by Herbert Girton Deignan in 1948. The red-whiskered bulbul is now placed in the genus Pycnonotus that was proposed by Friedrich Boie in 1826.
The specific epithet is from Latin ioculus meaning "merry", from iocus meaning "joke". Nine subspecies are recognised: The red-whiskered bulbul is about 20 cm (7.9 in) in length. It has brown upper-parts and whitish underparts with buff... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Red-whiskered Bulbul in Royal National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Royal National Park
Australian Raven
Corvus coronoides
Lewin's Honeyeater
Meliphaga lewinii
Pied Currawong
Strepera graculina
Australian Magpie
Gymnorhina tibicen
Little Wattlebird
Anthochaera chrysoptera
Noisy Miner
Manorina melanocephala
Eastern Yellow Robin
Eopsaltria australis
Eastern Whipbird
Psophodes olivaceus
White-browed Scrubwren
Sericornis frontalis
Grey Fantail
Rhipidura albiscapa
New Holland Honeyeater
Phylidonyris novaehollandiae
Superb Fairywren
Malurus cyaneus
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Red-whiskered Bulbul in Royal National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Red-whiskered Bulbul sighting in Royal National Park, based on 21 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Red-whiskered Bulbul in Royal National Park?
January has the highest sighting rate for Red-whiskered Bulbul in Royal National Park in our monthly data.