Bulbuls

Bulbuls, medium-sized songbirds belonging to the family Pycnonotidae, include about 160 species across 32 genera and are found in diverse habitats ranging from African rainforests to open Asian areas, with some island species in the Indian Ocean. This widespread family, first introduced by George Robert Gray in 1840, has undergone taxonomic revisions, with certain species reclassified into new families and genera based on genetic studies. Bulbuls are slender birds with long tails, short wings, and a slightly hooked bill, varying in size and color, with some sporting distinct crests and being highly vocal. These monogamous birds generally lay up to five eggs in open tree nests, with some species displaying polygamy or alloparenting. Their diet is mainly frugivorous but can also include insects and small vertebrates. While some bulbuls thrive in human-altered environments and have even been introduced globally, a number are threatened by habitat loss, especially forest specialists.