Black-crested Bulbul

Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotos flaviventris is one of more than one hundred and fifty species in the family Pycnonotidae. The African members of this family were once described by an eminent ornithologist friend of mine as ‘boring’ but the same cannot be said about many of the Asian contingent. In particular, Black-crested Bulbul and in particular the subspecies P.f.johnstoni photographed here is extremely attractive in my humble opinion. This bird was perched in the open for some time in the car park displaying its black head and crest, white eye, red throat and yellow breast and belly to good effect.

This species is found singly, in pairs or small parties and is documented as being rather quiet and retiring for a bulbul! Its habitat is moist broad leaved forest, secondary growth, and abandoned forest clearings overgrown with thickets. It is found in much of the Indian subcontinent through to South east Asia including Thailand, Myanmar and south Indochina.

References: Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp (1998) Birds of the Indian Subcontinent p.696, published by Helm; Wikipedia