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The red-whiskered bulbul

Writer: Isaac Cohen  |  Editor: Liu Minxia  |  From: Shenzhen Daily

A red-whiskered bulbul is seen in the Bijia Mountain Park in Futian District on Jan. 17, 2021. 


Red-whiskered bulbul

If you just arrived in Shenzhen for the first time, probably the first bird you’ll notice is the red-whiskered bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus). This beautiful medium-sized bird has a prominent black crest and a striking red patch on the ear. Its body is covered by white feathers; the wings are brown with white tips; the lower part of the body where the tail begins is also red. Not just are the bird’s patterns a total delight to observe, but its singing is beautiful to hear as well.

对每个人刚到深圳的人来说,红耳鹎会是他们留意到的第一种鸟。这种中等体型的雀形目鸟类头戴黑色羽冠,眼后有醒目红斑,腹部覆羽为白色,两翅覆羽为棕色,尖端展少许白色,尾部鲜红。它们不仅外表靓丽,歌声也十分动听。

A red-whiskered bulbul is seen in the Bijia Mountain Park in Futian District on June 5, 2021. 

The bird can grow up to 28 centimeters long, with a wingspan about the same length. It can be seen feeding on fruits, flower buds or small insects, moving most of the time in pairs or in small groups. They are often seen in the company of Chinese bulbuls, basically in every corner of our city.

红耳鹎的身长与翼展长度相当,都为28厘米。它们以花果及昆虫为食,在深圳极为常见,通常成对或集小群活动,也会与白头鹎混群。

A red-whiskered bulbul feeds on fruit in Songgang, Bao'an District, on Dec. 14, 2021.

The red-whiskered bulbuls’ breeding season goes from February to August, when the birds will build their nests and lay up to three eggs per clutch. It takes around two weeks for the eggs to hatch.

红耳鹎的繁殖期在2月到8月,每窝产卵3只,孵卵期约2周。

With a fairly big population, they are not considered an endangered species. Their predators include cats, bloodsucker lizards and snakes.

红耳鹎的种群数量丰富,属无危动物。它们的天敌有猫、变色树蜥和蛇等。