Brown-eared Bulbul

About

The Brown-eared Bulbul is a medium-sized passerine bird characterized by its distinctive brown ear-coverts and overall dusky plumage. It is a highly vocal and common species across much of its East Asian range, often found in a variety of wooded habitats, from urban parks to dense forests. Known for its gregarious nature, it frequently forms large flocks, especially outside the breeding season.

Size & lifespan

Length

27-29 cm

Wingspan

38-42 cm

Weight

50-80 g

Lifespan

5-10 years in the wild

Diet

Omnivore

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Adults have a dark grey-brown body plumage, often appearing almost blackish, with a slightly paler belly. The most striking feature is the prominent reddish-brown ear-coverts, which contrast with the dark head. The nape and hindneck are streaked with white, giving a somewhat scaly appearance. The wings and tail are dark brown, sometimes with a faint greenish or olive tinge, especially on the flight feathers. The undertail coverts are typically a rufous-brown.

Beak shape

The beak is relatively slender, slightly decurved, and sharply pointed. It is dark grey to blackish.

Eye color

Dark brown.

Leg color

Dark grey to blackish.

Distinguishing features

The combination of dark overall plumage, prominent reddish-brown ear-coverts, and white streaking on the nape are key identification features. Its relatively large size for a bulbul also stands out.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles are generally duller than adults, with less distinct brown ear-coverts and often a more uniform brownish-grey plumage. The white streaking on the nape may be less pronounced or absent. Their plumage can appear softer and less defined.

Seasonal changes

There are no significant seasonal plumage changes. The plumage remains consistent throughout the year.

Sexual dimorphism

Males and females are monomorphic in plumage, appearing identical. There are no discernible visual differences between the sexes.

How to identify

1. 1

   Ear-coverts

   Look for the distinctive reddish-brown patch covering the ear region. This is the most reliable field mark.

2. 2

   Nape streaking

   Observe the white streaking on the nape and hindneck, which gives a scaly appearance against the dark plumage.

3. 3

   Overall color

   Note the dark, dusky grey-brown body plumage, which can appear almost blackish in certain light conditions.

4. 4

   Size and shape

   It's a relatively large bulbul with a somewhat long tail and a slender, slightly decurved bill.

5. 5

   Vocalizations

   Listen for its loud, chattering, and often harsh calls, especially when in flocks. Its noisy nature is a strong indicator.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Forests, woodlands, urban parks, gardens, agricultural areas, coastal scrub, and open country with scattered trees.

Geographic range

East Asia, including Japan (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Ryukyu Islands), Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines (Batanes and Babuyan Islands), and parts of northeastern China and southeastern Russia (Sakhalin, Kuril Islands).

Elevation range

Sea level up to approximately 2,000 meters, though more commonly found at lower to mid-elevations.

Preferred environments

Highly adaptable, it thrives in both natural and anthropogenic landscapes. It prefers areas with dense foliage for cover and foraging, such as forest edges, secondary growth, and well-vegetated urban areas.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal, active from dawn to dusk.

Feeding habits

Primarily frugivorous, consuming a wide variety of fruits and berries, especially those of native trees and shrubs. It also feeds on insects, particularly during the breeding season, and occasionally nectar. It forages actively in trees and shrubs, often in noisy groups.

Social behavior

Highly gregarious, especially outside the breeding season, forming large, noisy flocks that can number in the hundreds. During the breeding season, pairs become more territorial but may still forage in loose associations. They are known to mob predators.

Flight pattern

Flight is strong and direct, often undulating over longer distances. Within trees, it moves with agile, short flights between branches.

Migration pattern

Northern populations (e.g., Hokkaido, northern Honshu, Sakhalin, Kuril Islands) are migratory, moving south for the winter. Southern populations (e.g., southern Japan, Taiwan, Philippines) are largely resident or undertake short-distance altitudinal movements. Migratory movements can involve large, conspicuous flocks.

Territoriality

During the breeding season, pairs establish and defend a breeding territory, primarily against conspecifics. Outside of breeding, they are less territorial and often forage in communal flocks.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

Typically from April to August, with peak activity in May and June, varying slightly by geographic location.

Nesting habits

Nests are cup-shaped, constructed from twigs, grass, leaves, moss, and rootlets, often lined with finer materials like hair or feathers. They are usually placed in the fork of a tree or shrub, often well-concealed within dense foliage, at varying heights from the ground.

Clutch size

3-5 eggs, most commonly 4.

Egg description

Eggs are typically pale pinkish-white to reddish-brown, heavily spotted and blotched with darker reddish-brown, purplish-brown, or grey markings, often concentrated at the larger end. They are oval-shaped.

Incubation period

Approximately 11-14 days, primarily by the female.

Fledging period

Chicks fledge around 10-14 days after hatching.

Parental care

Both parents participate in feeding the nestlings and fledglings. The female primarily incubates, but both sexes contribute to nest building and defense.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Listen for their calls. Brown-eared Bulbuls are very vocal. Their loud, chattering calls often give away their presence before they are seen. Listen for noisy flocks.
2. Look for movement in fruiting trees. They are primarily frugivorous, so check fruiting trees and shrubs, especially during autumn and winter when other food sources are scarce.
3. Observe flocks. Outside the breeding season, they often move in large, conspicuous flocks. Scan tree canopies and open areas for these groups.
4. Check for migratory movements. In northern parts of their range, look for large migratory flocks during spring and autumn migration periods.

Similar species

Quick facts

Diet:

Omnivorous (fruits, insects, nectar)

Sociality:

Highly gregarious, forms large flocks

Vocalization:

Loud, chattering, varied calls and song

Key ID Feature:

Reddish-brown ear-coverts

Habitat Adaptability:

Thrives in diverse wooded habitats, including urban areas

Fun facts

• The Brown-eared Bulbul is considered a pest in some agricultural areas due to its consumption of cultivated fruits.
• It is one of the most common and widespread bird species in Japan, often seen even in the heart of major cities.
• During migration, large flocks can be observed flying over open water, demonstrating impressive endurance.
• Its scientific name 'amaurotis' means 'dark-eared', referring to its distinctive ear-coverts.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Pycnonotidae

Genus

Hypsipetes

Species

H. amaurotis

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