On a light drizzling evening in October 2017, I noticed numerous Red-whiskered Bulbuls (Pycnonotus jocosus) gathering in a Hong Kong Orchid Tree (Bauhinia purpurea x var. ‘Blakeana’) before flying to their roosting trees nearby LINK (above, below).
Some came to rest on the branches but others were pecking on the edges of the leaves and eating the pieces (above).
Red-whiskered Bulbuls are mainly frugivores. However, there have been a few reports of them feeding on animal and plant materials like leaves, flowers, buds and nectar LINK 1; LINK 2; LINK 3; LINK 4.
Many birds do eat leaves – Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis), parakeets, among others. These birds do not feed regularly on leaves. Only hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin) and Owl Parrot (Strigops habroptilus) obtain most of their energy from leaves – see HERE.
YC Wee
Singapore
8th October 2017