Hear the cheerful “chik-chik-chik” calls echoing from ChukkiMane’s bamboo groves and farm edges—home to the lively Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus). This 20cm tropical Asian native, with its tall black crest, red cheek patch, and white-tipped tail, is a delightful sight amid our Cauvery backwaters.
Distinctive Looks & Calls
Brown above, whitish below with buff flanks and a dark chest band, these bulbuls sport a bold red vent and thin black moustachial line. Juveniles lack the red ear patch; rare albinos appear ghostly white. More vocal than visible, their morning songs from treetops announce dawn at ChukkiMane.
Habitat & Spread
Native to lightly wooded farms, shrubs, and open country in India, they’ve spread globally (Australia, USA, islands) as seed dispersers of fruits like Thevetia. At ChukkiMane’s organic fields near Shivanasamudra, they thrive on insects, nectar, and berries—benefiting our gardens while adding melody.
Diet & Daily Life
Frugivores and insectivores, they feast on wild fruits, nectar, and bugs. Watch them perch conspicuously, dispersing seeds that green our landscapes. Communal roosters gather in avenue trees, their calls filling evenings.
Breeding Season
Peaking Dec-May in southern India, males court with bowing heads, fanned tails, and drooped wings. Cup nests of twigs, grasses, and “found” items (plastic, paper) hold 2-3 eggs in bushes or thatched walls. Chicks fledge in 12 days, fed insects then fruits.
Visit ChukkiMane for Bulbul Birdwatching
Spot Red-whiskered Bulbuls and 40+ species on ChukkiMane’s expert dawn trails . Pet-friendly eco-stays, organic veg meals, and bullock-cart rides make it the ultimate Bangalore escape.