Grey-headed bulbul facts for kids
The grey-headed bulbul (Brachypodius priocephalus) is a small, lively bird that belongs to the bulbul family. It lives only in the Western Ghats mountain range in south-western India. You can find these birds from Goa all the way south to Tamil Nadu, usually in areas up to 1200 meters (about 3,900 feet) high. They like to live in thick reeds or bushes, especially near rivers and swampy parts of forests. It can be hard to see them because they hide so well, but their special call often tells you they are there!
Quick facts for kids Grey-headed bulbul |
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| At Udupi, Karnataka, India | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Pycnonotidae |
| Genus: | Brachypodius |
| Species: |
B. priocephalus
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| Binomial name | |
| Brachypodius priocephalus (Jerdon, 1839)
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| Synonyms | |
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Contents
How It Got Its Name
The grey-headed bulbul was first described by a scientist named Thomas C. Jerdon in 1839. He gave it the scientific name Brachypus priocephalus. Over time, scientists sometimes moved this bird into different groups, or genera, like Ixos and Pycnonotus.
Recently, new studies looked closely at the birds' DNA. These studies showed that the Pycnonotus group was not as clear-cut as once thought. Because of this, the grey-headed bulbul was moved back to its original group, Brachypodius.
It's interesting to know that the name 'grey-headed bulbul' is also sometimes used for a different bird, the yellow-bellied bulbul.
What It Looks Like
This bulbul lives in damp, evergreen forests where there are lots of bamboo and thick plants. Its body is mostly olive-green. Its head, the back of its neck, and its throat are a medium grey color. The front part of its head, near its beak, is yellow-green.
The back and wings are olive-green, getting lighter towards its bottom. The feathers on its rump (above its tail) are yellowish-green with black edges, which makes them look striped. The sides of its body are dark and grey-edged. The feathers under its tail are grey.
The beak of the grey-headed bulbul is greenish-grey, and its legs are a pinkish-yellow. Its eyes are a clear bluish-white color. The middle feathers of its tail are grey with a black center line. The outer tail feathers are black with wide grey tips.
Both male and female grey-headed bulbuls look alike. Young birds have a darker olive head and a duller yellow on their forehead. These birds are about 14 to 15 centimeters (about 5.5 to 6 inches) long. Their call is a sharp sound that sounds like chraink. This call is special because it has only one sound, unlike many other bulbuls.
How It Lives
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Grey-headed bulbuls can be found alone or in small groups. When it's not breeding season, they often join up with other types of birds to look for food together. This is called a mixed-species foraging flock.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Grey-headed bulbuls usually lay eggs between January and June, with most eggs laid in April. They build a simple, flat nest inside a low bush. They take about a week to build their nest, using things like vines, grasses, or leaves.
Many nests found in a study were built on young Syzygium trees or in Ochlandra travancorica reeds. Usually, they lay one egg, but sometimes they lay two. The parents sit on the eggs for 12 to 14 days to keep them warm.
Sometimes, palm squirrels (Funambulus tristriatus) might find and eat the eggs. The eggs are a pale pink to lavender color and have red speckles, especially at the wider end. Both the mother and father bird help to sit on the eggs and feed the baby birds. The young bulbuls leave the nest when they are about 11 to 13 days old.
What It Eats
The grey-headed bulbul mainly eats fruits, which make up more than 65% of its diet. It also eats small insects and other invertebrates, which make up over 30% of its food. Some of the fruits they enjoy come from plants like Symplocos cochinchinensis, Antidesma menasu, Clerodendrum viscosum, Syzygium cumini, Litsea floriboria, Maesa indica, Callicarpa tomentosa, Leea indica, and Lantana camara.
 | Laphonza Butler |
 | Daisy Bates |
 | Elizabeth Piper Ensley |
