Bulbul and Lesser Coucal conflict

“The Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier) nests in variety of environments, including over water, on Water Hyacinths and among reeds. I observed a pair of Yellow-vented Bulbuls ‘defending’ their nest from a variety of birds that reside in the same habitat. A Yellow Bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis) accidently came too close and one of the Yellow-vented Bulbuls swooped in, and landed hard on its back to chase it away. I missed the opportunity to document an image.

“A more prolonged conflict was seen with a moulting Lesser Coucal (Centropus bengalensis javanensis). It had alighted to sun about 3-4 meters from the nest and the Yellow-vented Bulbuls became very distressed; very much like they do when a parasitic bird, like the Kole approaches.

“Perhaps the Yellow-vented Bulbuls mistook the coucal for such an adversary.

“They repeatedly flew past, just over the head of the coucal. Every time they did so the coucal would raise the feathers of the head and neck.

“It took 7 fly past episodes to dislodge the coucal. They then chased it away for some distance. Some images of the neck feathers above.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Date: 13th May 2014

Location: Tambun Interior, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Fish farming, ex-mining pools, orchards, secondary growth