Passeriformes / Pycnonotidae / Pycnonotus
Light-vented Bulbul
Pycnonotus sinensis · 白头鹎
Introduction
A species in the bulbul family found in central and southern China, Hong Kong, Macao, the Philippines, northern Vietnam, southern Japan, and Taiwan, with occasional records from South Korea. It is a common songbird favoring lightly wooded habitats, frequently seen in towns, suburbs, and urban parks within its range.
Description
The bird measures around 19 cm (7.5 in) in length. It features a black crown and moustachial stripe, contrasted by white patches covering the nape and sides of the black head. White plumage extends from the eyes to the back of the head. The upperparts are greyish-brown mixed with olive, while the wings and tail are brown fringed with bright olive. Underparts are whitish with a pale brown breastband.
Identification
Distinguished by its black head with white nape patches and olive-fringed wings. In Hong Kong, it inhabits lightly wooded areas and shrublands, whereas the red-whiskered bulbul is more common in suburbs and urban parks. In Taiwan, it dominates most habitats but is replaced along the east coast by Styan's bulbul. It is notably noisy with a bright, variable song.
Distribution & Habitat
Found in China (including Hong Kong and Macao), Japan (Nansei Islands), Laos, North Korea (rarely), South Korea (rarely), Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Four subspecies are recognized: P. s. sinensis in central and eastern China; P. s. hainanus in south-eastern China and northern Vietnam; P. s. formosae on Taiwan; and P. s. orii in the southern Ryukyu Islands (Yonaguni, Okinawa, Iriomote, and Ishigaki).
Behavior & Ecology
Noisy and vocal, producing a bright and variable song described as cha-ko-lee...cha-ko-lee.... It favors lightly wooded habitats, cultivated land, and shrubland. In Shanghai, it is perhaps the third most common bird after tree sparrows and spotted doves.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pycnonotidae
- Genus
- Pycnonotus
Vocalizations
Subspecies (4)
-
Pycnonotus sinensis formosae
Taiwan
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.
