White-Eared Bulbul vs White-Spectacled Bulbul

White-Eared Bulbul

Pycnonotus leucotis

Also known as: White-Cheeked Bulbul, Iraqi Bulbul

How to recognise a white-eared bulbul?

General appearance

The white-eared bulbul, identifiable by a white patch around its ear, has a predominantly dark grey body, with a light underbelly. The bird has a white-tipped tail, and a lighter colored tuft of feathers on its throat with a sharp, pointed beak, typical of bulbul species.

Male vs female

Males and females of the white-eared bulbul species are similar in appearance, exhibiting little sexual dimorphism. Both have similar coloration and physical traits; key differences are difficult to discern without closer observation or expert knowledge.

Juvenile

Juvenile bulbuls resemble adults but have a more subdued color scheme. The distinctive white patch around the ear is less prominent compared to adults and develops gradually as they mature.

Size

6.9 - 7.5 in/0.6 - 1.2 oz

Habitat

Sunny Scrublands of South Asia

The sun-drenched scrublands and semi-desert regions of South Asia are where the white-eared bulbul chirps joyfully. The dry climate peppers the landscape with delicate, thorny acacia shrubs, amongst which our feathered friend flutters dynamically.

Unexpected Urban Explorer

Bulbuls love fruits and flowers, so they surprisingly adapt well to urban parks and gardens. Here, amidst the drama of city hustle, they craft nests, turning metropolitan cities into their unexpected, lively jungle-groove hangouts.

Range Map

What do white-eared bulbuls like to eat?

Natural diet

The white-eared bulbul primarily feeds on fruits, such as berries and figs, and supplements its diet with nectar and flowers from various plants. It also consumes insects and small invertebrates, which provide essential proteins and nutrients, especially during breeding seasons. The bulbul’s diet varies depending on its habitat, and it adapts to the availability of food sources throughout the year.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, white-eared bulbuls commonly consume a variety of offerings including seeds, especially sunflower seeds. They are also attracted to fruits provided by bird enthusiasts, such as apple slices or banana chunks. Bulbuls may visit feeders stocked with suet or bread pieces, especially in urban areas where natural foods are less available. Their adaptable nature allows them to exploit human-provided food sources effectively.

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White-Spectacled Bulbul

Pycnonotus xanthopygos

How to recognise a white-spectacled bulbul?

General appearance

The white-spectacled bulbul, also known as the yellow-vented bulbul, has a sleek body, average length of 20 centimeters and a wingspan between 20-25 centimeters. It has a black crest, a white spectacled ring around its eyes, and a black stripe across its white cheeks. Its body is mainly greyish-brown with a yellow vent under the tail, thus deriving its other common name. Seasonal changes do not significantly affect its appearance.

Male vs female

Both the males and females of this species exhibit similar physical traits and colorations, making it challenging to distinguish between them based purely on visual characteristics. Their differences mainly exist in their vocalizations, with males having a wider variety of calls for attracting mates.

Juvenile

Juvenile white-spectacled bulbuls lack the pronounced specs and crest of the adults, and have a duller, more uniform brown coloration. The spectalces and crest develop progressively with growth. Therefore, if you spot a bulbul without distinct spectacles, it's likely a juvenile.

Size

7.9 - 9.8 in/1.1 - 1.6 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The white-spectacled bulbul primarily lives in savannas, gardens, and farmlands of the Middle East and North Africa.

Additional range

In addition to these common habitats, it also occasionally occupies semi-arid areas and coastal scrubs, indicative of its adaptation to diverse climatic conditions.

Range Map

What do white-spectacled bulbuls like to eat?

Natural diet

The white-spectacled bulbul primarily feeds on a variety of fruits, including berries and figs. It also consumes nectar, which it obtains from flowering plants. Apart from fruits, its diet includes insects and small invertebrates, providing essential proteins.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, the white-spectacled bulbul often eats a range of seeds and fruits provided by enthusiasts. Common offerings include chopped apples, grapes, and pears. Occasionally, it may also consume suet or seed-based mixes, especially those containing sunflower seeds.

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White-Eared Bulbul

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White-Spectacled Bulbul

White-Eared Bulbul

Pycnonotus leucotis

Also known as: White-Cheeked Bulbul, Iraqi Bulbul

General appearance

The white-eared bulbul, identifiable by a white patch around its ear, has a predominantly dark grey body, with a light underbelly. The bird has a white-tipped tail, and a lighter colored tuft of feathers on its throat with a sharp, pointed beak, typical of bulbul species.

Male vs female

Males and females of the white-eared bulbul species are similar in appearance, exhibiting little sexual dimorphism. Both have similar coloration and physical traits; key differences are difficult to discern without closer observation or expert knowledge.

Juvenile

Juvenile bulbuls resemble adults but have a more subdued color scheme. The distinctive white patch around the ear is less prominent compared to adults and develops gradually as they mature.

Size

6.9 - 7.5 in/0.6 - 1.2 oz

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White-Spectacled Bulbul

Pycnonotus xanthopygos

General appearance

The white-spectacled bulbul, also known as the yellow-vented bulbul, has a sleek body, average length of 20 centimeters and a wingspan between 20-25 centimeters. It has a black crest, a white spectacled ring around its eyes, and a black stripe across its white cheeks. Its body is mainly greyish-brown with a yellow vent under the tail, thus deriving its other common name. Seasonal changes do not significantly affect its appearance.

Male vs female

Both the males and females of this species exhibit similar physical traits and colorations, making it challenging to distinguish between them based purely on visual characteristics. Their differences mainly exist in their vocalizations, with males having a wider variety of calls for attracting mates.

Juvenile

Juvenile white-spectacled bulbuls lack the pronounced specs and crest of the adults, and have a duller, more uniform brown coloration. The spectalces and crest develop progressively with growth. Therefore, if you spot a bulbul without distinct spectacles, it's likely a juvenile.

Size

7.9 - 9.8 in/1.1 - 1.6 oz

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How to tell the White-Eared Bulbul from the White-Spectacled Bulbul

Visual differences

The White-Eared Bulbul measures 7-7.5 inches (18-19 cm) and weighs 0.6-1.2 oz (18-35g), featuring a dark gray body, white ear patch, light underbelly, white-tipped tail, and pointed beak. The White-Spectacled Bulbul is larger at 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) and 1.1-1.6 oz (31-46g), with a grayish-brown body, yellow vent, white eye spectacles, black crest, and a black stripe across white cheeks. Both species exhibit minimal sexual dimorphism, but their distinct markings and size provide clear identification differences.

Key differences and behavior

The White-Eared Bulbul (0.6-1.2 oz, 7-7.5 in) and the White-Spectacled Bulbul (1.1-1.6 oz, 8-10 in) differ notably in social behavior and habitat. White-Eared Bulbuls often form flocks and are city dwellers, adapting well to urban parks; they highlight their sociability by forming trios during breeding. In contrast, White-Spectacled Bulbuls are typically found in pairs, often comprising siblings, inhabiting savannas and farmlands across the Middle East and North Africa. Both species build nests in shrubs and participate equally in childcare. Their diets are similar, featuring fruits and insects, but White-Eared Bulbuls are more integrated into urban life, readily using bird feeders. The White-Spectacled's diet includes more nectar, reflecting its diverse habitats.