Common Bulbul Species of Assam: 7 Bulbul Species with Photos

Bulbuls are medium sized passerine songbirds belonging to Pycnonotidae family. There are around 160 species of bulbuls in the world. The African species of bulbuls are normally found in dense rainforests; whereas, the Asian bulbuls are seen in open areas, forests and some of them are even found in urban areas as well. As many as 22 species of bulbuls are found in India. They are of different sizes, shapes and colours.

Assam and its surrounding areas are home to 10 species of bulbuls, namely, Red vented Bulbul, Red whiskered Bulbul, Black crested Bulbul, White throated Bulbul, Black Bulbul or Himalayan Black Bulbul, Mountain Bulbul, Cachar Bulbul, Striated Bulbul, Ashy Bulbul and Himalayan Bulbul.

Here are the 7 Most Common Bulbul Species of Assam

• Red-vented Bulbul:

This is the most common bulbul in Assam. It is an inhabitant of both forest and urban areas. This bird has a capacity of very high adaptability. Therefore, it is included in the list of world’s 100 worst invasive alien species. Red vented Bulbuls can easily survive at various atmospheres and circumstances. This is an omnivorous bird which feeds on insects, nectars and fruits etc.

• Red-whiskered Bulbul:

This is a resident breeder of Indian subcontinent available in both plain and mildly high altitude areas. This bird looks like the ‘Red Vented Bulbul’ except the prominent crest and the bright red patches near both the ears. ‘Red Whiskered Bulbul’ breeds in Assam during the period from March to October. They build a cup like nest in bushes and small trees. Its local name differs from place to place in Assam.

• White-throated Bulbul:

This Bulbul is common in the jungles of Assam. This bird is a resident breeder of Indian subcontinent. This is a very loud bird resides in lower and middle parts of foothill forests. With a prominent crest and white throat, this bird can be easily identified.

• Ashy Bulbul:

A sharply colored bird with bright yellow wings in the overall gray body. The neck is white. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and wooded foothills. They are normally seen in small flocks sometimes with other bulbuls. There are five recognized subspecies of Ashy Bulbul.

• Black Bulbul:

Black Bulbul or Himalayan Black Bulbuls or Asian Black Bulbuls are found in the Himalayas and the foothills of Himalayas. On the basis of the body plumage, there are ten subspecies of this bird. Assam Black Bulbul is the subspecies, which is found in Assam and Manipur. They are normally seen in small flocks. Black Bulbuls are fond of berries. They eat several species of berries. Besides berries, Black Bulbuls feed on other seeds and inspects as well.

• Black crested Bulbul

With a prominent black crest, this bird is an inhabitant of forests and dense scrub. Both the sexes are similar. But the juveniles are a little duller in color. It builds its nest in bushes and small trees. This is a very common bird in the lowland forests of Assam.

• Mountain Bulbul:

As the name suggests, this Bulbul is found in the mountains or highland forests. This is a resident breeder of south east Asia and Indian subcontinent. At present there are nine subspecies of Mountain Bulbul. Broadleaved evergreen forests with an elevation between 800m to 2590m are the typical habitats of Mountain Bulbul.

Apart from the above species, there are some other bulbuls available in Assam and its neighboring regions. But the above 7 are the most common bulbul species of Assam.

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Bulbul Fights in Hajo:

There was a tradition of bulbul (Red vented bulbul) fights at Hajo, in the district of Kamrup, Assam. During the time of Magh Bihu, a harvest festival of Assam which is celebrated in the mid of January, locals of Hajo organized bulbul fights traditionally at Hayagriva-Madhava temple. But subsequently with the interference of the court, such fights have been banned.