Light-vented Bulbul: how to recognise it
A bird of Asia. Learn the marks that make it easy to identify, then practise with real photographs in Lore.
Practise with real photosAll species guides
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- Scientific name
- Pycnonotus sinensis
- Family
- Bulbuls
- Size
- About 19 cm
- Habitat
- Gardens, parks and scrubby hillsides
- Found in
- Asia
The key marks
Olive-grey bulbul with a black crown, a white patch behind the eye that spreads into a white nape, and plain whitish underparts. Himalayan Bulbul has a black crested head and white cheeks, but no white nape and a bright yellow vent.
Voice
A lively mix of chirps and whistled phrases.
Good to know
Often seen in pairs and small flocks in gardens and parks across southern China, eating fruit, seeds and insects.
Do not confuse with
Compare it with the Himalayan Bulbul. Look at the marks above one by one rather than the overall colour, and practise telling the two apart with real photos.
Where and when
You can expect to find it in gardens, parks and scrubby hillsides. It is especially common in China. Distribution changes with the seasons and from year to year, so check a recent local observation source before you go looking.