Red-vented Bulbul
Courtesy of Travis Baker
Pycnonotus cafer
Family: (Pycnonotidae) Bulbuls
Preferred Habitat: Woodlands, plains.
Seasonal Occurrence: Rare permanent resident.
Sighting Reports Request: Daniel Brooks, Ph.D. of the Houston Museum of Natural Science is conducting a study of exotic species in Texas: Egyptian Goose, Mute Swan, Monk Parakeet, Scaly-breasted Munia, Orange Bishop, Red-vented Bulbul. If you see any of the species mentioned above, please fill out a report form. (See link below)
Notes: Red-vented Bulbuls are an introduced species. They are native to tropical southern Asia and are also common in Dubai. Houston has small established populations which derived from escaped cage birds. Primarily they are spotted in the Heights area. The bulbul pictured above was in Woodland Heights. Red-vented Bulbuls feed on fruit, nectar, and insects. Sexes are similar in appearance; juveniles have duller plumage. Bulbuls build their nests in bushes.
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A citizen-science project conducted by Daniel Brooks at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
