Most birdwatchers as well as photographers ignore the Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier) as this is a common species. Jeremy Lee is an exception, as shown below…
![BulbulYV-GoldenPenda [wyc] - 5 (1)](https://besgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/BulbulYV-GoldenPenda-wyc-5-1.jpg)
“I have spent countless hours as a kid and adult observing this facinating bird, the Yellow-vented Bulbul (above). Starting from myths that this bird will commit suicide if trapped and caged to rescuing one from a window strike, to finally raising chicks.
“Their congregating behaviour after thunderstorms still fascinate me. They make a very different call on such occasions, almost as if they are celebrating the event.
![BulbulRW-dischidia [wyc] - 6](https://besgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/BulbulRW-dischidia-wyc-6.jpg)
“More recently, their shared congregating behavior with the Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus) (above) was also something new to me. The songbird trade has also seen cross-breeds between the two with offspring that cater to hobbyists.
“A truly fascinating bird indeed.”
Jeremy Lee
Singapore
18th October 2015
Note: Images by YC Wee.
One Response
Apart from the Straw Headed Bulbul, i know of no commercial breeding or cross-breeding of other Bulbul species. What may appear to be hybrids of the Yellow-Vented Bulbul and the Red-Whiskered Bulbul are actually two other distinct species, which are frequently imported for the songbird trade. These are the Red-Vented Bulbul, and the White-Eared Bulbul. Both of them are native to continental Asia. The latter especially can be mistaken for a hybrid, since it has the markings of the Red-Whiskered Bulbul but has the profile and body shape of the Yellow-Vented.