Grey-headed Bulbul

The Grey-headed Bulbul, scientifically known as Brachypodius priocephalus, is a bird of remarkable subtlety and grace. It is adorned with an olive-green plumage, a medium-grey crown, nape, and throat, and a yellow-green forehead. The back and wings share the olive hue, lightening towards the vent, while the rump boasts yellow-green feathers edged in black, creating a barred effect. The flanks are a darker grey, and the undertail coverts match in grey. Its beak is a blend of greenish and grey, and the legs are a delicate pinkish yellow. The iris stands out with a distinctly bluish white hue. The tail feathers are grey with a black shaft in the center, and the outer feathers are black with broad grey tips. Both sexes appear similar, though juveniles have a darker olive head with more subdued yellow on the forehead.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify the Grey-headed Bulbul, look for its olive-green body, grey head, and the unique bluish white of the iris. The bird measures approximately 143-152mm in length, with a head size of 33-35mm and a tail length of 74-77mm. Its sharp "chraink" call is a helpful identifier, particularly as it differs from the calls of other Pycnonotus species by being a single syllable.

Habitat

This species is a resident of the moist broad-leaved evergreen forests of the Western Ghats, preferring areas with bamboo and dense undergrowth. It thrives in habitats up to 1200m in altitude, often near rivers and swampy areas within the forest.

Distribution

The Grey-headed Bulbul is endemic to the Western Ghats in southwestern India, with its range extending from Goa to Tamil Nadu.

Behaviour

The Grey-headed Bulbul is typically observed either alone or in small groups. Outside of the breeding season, it actively participates in mixed-species foraging flocks, demonstrating a sociable aspect to its otherwise elusive nature.

Song & Calls

The bird's call is a distinctive and sharp "chraink," which can be heard piercing through the dense vegetation of its habitat.

Breeding

Breeding season for the Grey-headed Bulbul spans from January to June, peaking in April. The nest, a simple platform, is constructed over a week using materials such as vines, grasses, or leaves, often in low bushes or saplings of Syzygium species, or in reeds of Ochlandra travancorica. Clutches typically consist of one or two eggs, which are incubated for 12 to 14 days. The eggs are pale pink to lavender, flecked with red, and denser at the broad end. Both parents share the responsibilities of incubation and feeding, with nestlings fledging after 11 to 13 days.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Grey-headed Bulbul is primarily frugivorous, with over 65% consisting of fruits from a variety of plants including Symplocos cochinchinensis, Antidesma menasu, and Lantana camara, among others. Invertebrates make up more than 30% of their diet.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List currently classifies the Grey-headed Bulbul as Near Threatened, indicating that it faces threats that could lead to its vulnerability in the near future.