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Where do Yellow-vented Bulbuls build their nests?

on 10th November 2006

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).

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

6 Responses

  1. 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.)

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

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