Yellow-vented Bulbuls (Pycnonotus goiavier) nowadays build their nests around people. Their nest are tucked between the branching forks of shrubs, potted plants and even artificial plants. They are so comfortable around humans that they construct their nests in urban gardens, in garages, along verandahs of high-rise buildings as well as around offices.
Lena Chow sent in a report on a pair nesting in her artificial plants that she placed in a pot located in her garage. “By way of update, only one egg of two hatched successfully in the nest in my artificial plant… Perhaps it is a case of dud plant, dud egg, ha ha. I am leaving the unhatched egg in the nest to see what the birds will do with it next year. These bulbuls have been coming to nest in my garden/garage every year for the past 3 years, and I fully expect the nest to be re-used next year.”
In June 2006, over at Alexandra Hospital, a number of nests were seen among potted plants near to offices and hospital areas. Most of these nests resulted in successful hatching and fledging of the young. However, there were a few that the eggs did not hatch, probably because the parent birds abandoned them due to constant disturbances by passersby as these nests were along busy thoroughfares (top).
The nesting stages of the Yellow-vented Bulbuls shown above are by staff of the Alexandra Hospital, Singapore, obtained through the courtesy of Rosalind Tan. The birds also built their nest in a potted lady palm (Raphis excelsa) placed just outside the Business Office of the hospital (left).
Olive Backed Sunbirds | WWW.ALETHEAJAYNE.COM
[…] Another cute story about birds building their homes in our homes would be the one on the yellow vented bulbul – as shared by Lena Chow http://www.besgroup.org/2006/11/10/where-do-yellow-vented-bulbuls-build-their-nests-2/ […]
Teo Teow Koon
My wife and I spotted a crimson sunbird in Dairy Farm Nature Park on 9 August 2014. It was flirting about from flower to flower, dipping its beak into it to suck honey. I was very excited to see such a small, beautiful bird – my first signt of a crimson sunbird (didn’t know name of bird till I did a Google-search.)
BESG
Happy that you landed in this site…
Bird Ecology Study Group Nesting bulbul: 1. A nest outside my bedroom window
[…] Yellow-vented Bulbul is one of the few species that coexist with humans – nesting in urban gardens, artificial plants left in the garage LINK and even in potted plants placed along corridors LINK. […]
Lance Kuan
I have the yellow-vented Bulbul nesting on my balcony light twice.
Both times, there are two eggs. The first time, the two eggs hatched but after about three days, they disappeared. Wonder what happened to the chicks. Maybe someone can enlighten me on this.
Now the two eggs have yet to be hatched. Hopefully, I will see the chicks be fully grown.
Ian Snodgrass
Today I saw 2 yellow vented bulbul speckled eggs in a reused nest in my car porch. Last successful occupation was in Jun 2020. This in spite of the painters painting the house and porch since the last 3 or 4 days. Can’t tell yet if this nesting will be successful.