Bulbul

Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds in the family Pycnonotidae, found in Asia and Africa. Some of them may be colourful, but many of them have brown plumage. They generally do not show sexual dimorphism, meaning that the males and females look alike

Bulbuls are good songsters, and some of them are very popular as cage birds, you can fin many birds poles in Singapore, for songs birds to sing with other song birds.

Most species are frugivores, but some do also take insects as part of their diet. As they eat a large variety of fruits, bulbuls are seed dispersers to many plant species.

It can be found in almost all habitats, from mangrove to secondary forests, and from rural to urban areas. Nesting is common and can be encountered in gardens, parks as well as along corridors of high-rise buildings where the birds nest in potted plants.

The chicks of the yellow-vented bulbul indulge in sibilicide, regularly pushing its younger and weaker sibling out of the nest (Wee, 2003). In such cases, the adults apparently condone the act, as they do not react to the helpless chick lying on the ground below. Presumably, as long as there is a chick in the nest to brood, the adults would simply ignore the dead chick.

The adults, when surprised at the nests, would try distract the intruder away with the “broken wing” trick. I had an earlier experience when I inadvertently surprised the brooding adult when I walked under the nest. It suddenly flew off and landed nearby on the ground. Then it played out its act, flapping its wings to exaggerate its supposedly wounded condition. When I approached, it moved further away, to subsequently fly off.

The eagerness of birdwatchers and photographers to monitor and photograph nesting birds can also contribute to nest predation. A case in point was the nesting of the Bulbul Sungei at Buloh Wetland Reserve. Being an uncommon resident and the first record of its breeding, birdwatchers and photographers flocked to the site. In the process, certain branches were pruned for a better view and this led to the predation of the egg and chick.

It is a popular cage bird well-known for its rich melodious song, leading to widespread trapping of the wild bird to meet demand for the market.

This species is extinct in Thailand and most parts of Indonesia, and its population has also declined in Malaysia. Its is Critically Endangered.

As a result of the high demand in Indonesia, the market price of this species has swollen to more than 550 USD

Keeping songbirds as pets is an integral part of South-East Asian culture. In Indonesia in particular, streets are lined with chirping cages, and songbird contests are big business.

However, this species is thriving in Singapore, and a study has shown that the population in Pulau Ubin increased by almost 4% per year from 2000 to 2016.

Singapore could be harbouring over a third of the world’s remaining Straw-headed Bulbuls

The Olive-winged Bulbul is the most common forest bulbul in Singapore. They are also found in our woodlands, abandoned orchards and some nature parks.

Largest bulbul species in Singapor

very vocal especially at dawn and before dusk. Gregarious and often perches on low branches overlooking water.

Found from the Indian subcontinent to southern China and Southeast Asia. Widely introduced to many parts of the world including Singapore via the song bird trade.

The red-whiskered bulbul is featured on Singapore $5 notes of the “Bird Series” currency notes released by the Monetary Authority of Singapore between 1976 and 1984

A 40-year-old Singaporean man was caught at the Woodlands Checkpoint for attempting to smuggle 60 live birds from Johor, Malaysia. The 40 red-whiskered bulbul birds, also known as Jambul birds, and 20 live magpies were discovered by an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer during a routine car check. (jail term)

Birdsinging Club: The open field at Ang Mo Kio Town Garden West was once a gathering place for all manner of hobbyists, but eventually, only the bird uncles remained. What started out as a small, self-funded spot for them to hang out under tarpaulin tents slowly began expanding into what is now the country’s largest bird-singing and display arena.

Today, there are more than 400 20-foot-high poles scattered across the space, where birds in gilded cages are hoisted, the better to catch sight of their fellow cooped-up cousins, something that apparently encourages them to sing.

The competitions are usually held once or twice a month. Caged birds are winched up the flagpoles, and professional-looking judges then slowly saunter past, their ears perked up so they can best allocate points according to the birds’ singing ability, musical liveliness, and tonal quality.