Bulbul
Medium-sized passerine songbirds found across Africa and Asia.
Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds belonging to the family Pycnonotidae, which also includes greenbuls, brownbuls, leafloves, and bristlebills. This family is found across most of Africa, the Middle East, tropical Asia, Indonesia, and as far north as Japan, with a few species on tropical islands in the Indian Ocean. There are 161 species in 28 genera. African bulbuls mostly live in rainforest, while Asian species tend to inhabit more open areas.
The family was first described as a subfamily of thrushes by English zoologist George Robert Gray in 1840. The Persian word *bulbul* can also mean "nightingale," but in English it refers specifically to these birds. Some species once placed in Pycnonotidae have been moved to other families, such as several Malagasy species now in Bernieridae and the three *Nicator* species now in Nicatoridae. A 2007 study found the genus *Andropadus* was not monophyletic, leading to the resurrection of three genera (*Arizelocichla*, *Stelgidillas*, *Eurillas*), leaving only the sombre greenbul in *Andropadus*. A 2017 study split the large genus *Pycnonotus* into several deeply divergent clades, resurrecting additional genera. The family itself splits into two main clades: one containing only African species (many called greenbuls), and another mostly Asian but with a few African species.
Currently, 28 genera are recognized: *Andropadus*, *Stelgidillas*, *Calyptocichla*, *Neolestes*, *Bleda*, *Atimastillas*, *Ixonotus*, *Thescelocichla*, *Chlorocichla*, *Baeopogon*, *Arizelocichla*, *Criniger*, *Eurillas*, *Phyllastrephus*, *Tricholestes*, *Setornis*, *Alophoixus*, *Alcurus*, *Iole*, *Hemixos*, *Acritillas*, *Ixos*, *Hypsipetes*, *Microtarsus*, *Rubigula*, *Nok*, *Spizixos*, and *Pycnonotus*.
Bulbuls are slender, short-necked passerines with long tails and short, rounded wings. Their bills are slightly elongated and hooked at the tip. They range from 13 cm and 13.3 g (tiny greenbul) to 29 cm and 93 g (straw-headed bulbul). Males and females look alike, though females are often smaller; in a few species the differences are so large they were once thought to be different species. Plumage is mostly drab olive-brown to black, though some have bright yellow, red, or orange patches on the vents, cheeks, throat, or eyebrows. Dull-eyed species often have contrasting eyerings, and some have distinct crests. Their calls are typically nasal or gravelly; one author described the brown-eared bulbul’s song as “one of the most unattractive noises made by any bird.”
Bulbuls are generally monogamous, though the yellow-whiskered greenbul may be polygamous and use a lekking system in parts of its range. Some species practice alloparenting, where non-breeding young from earlier broods help raise the chicks of a dominant pair. Females incubate up to five speckled eggs in open tree nests for 11 to 14 days; chicks fledge after 12 to 16 days.
Their diet is wide-ranging, including fruit, seeds, nectar, insects, other arthropods, and small vertebrates. Most species are frugivorous and supplement with insects, though a significant minority, especially in Africa, are specialists. Open-country species tend to be generalists. *Criniger* bulbuls and *Bleda* bristlebills often join mixed-species feeding flocks.
The red-whiskered bulbul is one species with a notable relationship to humans.
- family
- Pycnonotidae
- number_of_genera
- 28
- distribution
- Africa, Middle East, tropical Asia to Indonesia, Japan, Indian Ocean islands
- size_range
- 13 cm and 13.3 g to 29 cm and 93 g
- diet
- Fruit, seeds, nectar, insects, arthropods, small vertebrates
Lore & Background
The bulbuls are a family of medium-sized, slender passerine songbirds with short necks, long tails, and short, rounded wings. Their bills are slightly elongated and end in a small hook. Sizes range from a tiny greenbul measuring 13 cm and weighing 13.3 g to the straw-headed bulbul at 29 cm and 93 g. Males and females are generally alike in appearance, though females are often slightly smaller; in a few species, the differences are so pronounced they were once thought to be different species. Plumage is soft; many species are drab olive-brown to black, but some have bright patches of yellow, red, or orange on the vent, cheeks, throat, or above the eye. Birds with dull-colored eyes often have contrasting eyerings, and some species possess distinct crests. The family is highly vocal, with most calls described as nasal or gravelly; one author called the song of the brown-eared bulbul “one of the most unattractive noises made by any bird.” The family is distributed across most of Africa, into the Middle East, tropical Asia to Indonesia, and north to Japan, with a few insular species on tropical Indian Ocean islands. African species are predominantly found in rainforest, while Asian bulbuls favor more open areas.
Reader's Guide
Bulbuls are short-necked, slender passerines with long tails and short, rounded wings. Their bills are slightly elongated and hooked. Plumage varies from colorful (yellow, red, or orange vents, cheeks, or throats) to drab olive-brown or black; some have distinct crests. They are highly vocal, with calls often described as nasal or gravelly. Most species are monogamous, though the yellow-whiskered greenbul may be polygamous with a lekking system. Some species exhibit alloparenting, where non-breeders help raise young. Nests are open tree structures, with up to five speckled eggs incubated by the female for 11–14 days; chicks fledge after 12–16 days. Bulbuls eat fruit, seeds, nectar, insects, arthropods, and small vertebrates; most are frugivorous, with some specialists, especially in Africa. Open-country species are generalists. Some species join mixed-species feeding flocks. Red-whiskered and red-vented bulbuls have been widely introduced to areas like southern Florida, Fiji, Australia, and Hawaii via the pet trade. Some are crop pests in orchards. Most bulbuls tolerate human disturbance, but about 13 species, mostly specialized forest species, are threatened by habitat loss.
Did You Know?
- A 2007 study found the genus Andropadus non-monophyletic, leading to species being moved to three resurrected genera.
- The Persian word 'bulbul' sometimes refers to the nightingale, not the bird discussed here.
- Red-whiskered and red-vented bulbuls have been introduced to southern Florida, Fiji, Australia, and Hawaii.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bulbul?
A bulbul is a medium-sized passerine songbird that belongs to the family Pycnonotidae, which also groups together greenbuls, brownbuls, leafloves, and bristlebills. They are a widespread group found across Africa, the Middle East, tropical Asia, and the Indian Ocean islands.
Where do bulbuls live and what habitats do they prefer?
African species tend to stick to rainforest environments, whereas Asian bulbuls show a stronger preference for open areas. Their overall range spans from Africa through the Middle East and tropical Asia, reaching as far as Japan, Indonesia, and scattered Indian Ocean islands.
What do bulbuls eat?
Bulbuls are generalist feeders that take fruit, seeds, and nectar alongside insects, arthropods, and even small vertebrates. This flexible diet helps them succeed in both dense forest and more open settings.
How big are bulbuls?
Across the family, individuals range from roughly 13 cm in length and 13.3 g in mass at the small end up to about 29 cm and 93 g at the large end. They sit comfortably in the medium-sized tier of passerine songbirds.
How many genera are in the bulbul family?
Pycnonotidae contains 28 genera in total. This count covers not only the classic bulbuls but also the closely related greenbuls, brownbuls, leafloves, and bristlebills.
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