Black-crested Bulbul Rubigula flaviventris flaviventris inhabits Himalayan foothills in India through Burma and reaches southwest and southern China. HABITAT & BEHAVIOR Broadleaved forests in lowlands and mountains, to 1200 m (3,940 ft.). Feeds on insects and fruit. Shy, but can be noisy. Gathers with other bulbuls in small feeding parties around fruiting trees. ID & COMPARISON Has black erectile crest and head, yellowish-olive upperparts, and bright yellow underparts. Tail square at end. Black-headed Bulbul Brachypodius melanocephalos lacks crest. Tail of Black-headed has conspicuous yellow tip and black subterminal band. BARE PARTS Bill, feet black. VOICE Song a quick slur of clear whistles and chirrs. — Craig Brelsford
THE BULBULS OF CHINA
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White-throated Bulbul Alophoixus flaveolus
Puff-throated Bulbul A. pallidus
Striated Bulbul Alcurus striatus
Grey-eyed Bulbul Iole propinqua
Ashy Bulbul Hemixos flavala
Chestnut Bulbul H. castanonotus
Mountain Bulbul Ixos mcclellandii
Brown-eared Bulbul Hypsipetes amaurotis
Black Bulbul H. leucocephalus
Black-headed Bulbul Brachypodius melanocephalos
Black-crested Bulbul Rubigula flaviventris
Crested Finchbill Spizixos canifrons
Collared Finchbill S. semitorques
Stripe-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus finlaysoni
Flavescent Bulbul P. flavescens
Brown-breasted Bulbul P. xanthorrhous
Light-vented Bulbul P. sinensis
Red-whiskered Bulbul P. jocosus
Yellow-vented Bulbul P. goiavier
Red-vented Bulbul P. cafer
Sooty-headed Bulbul P. aurigaster
Himalayan Bulbul P. leucogenys
See also:
Styan’s Bulbul Pycnonotus taivanus
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Daniel Bengtsson served as chief ornithological consultant for Craig Brelsford’s Photographic Field Guide to the Birds of China, from which this species description is drawn.
