Malaysian Birds

 Yellow-vented Bulbul

Diagnostic markings :-  20 cm  To us in malaysia, this is considered a "trash" as it is so common in our garden. [1] Above eyes white with white throat & a dark crown, lores and bill. [2] The vent or anus yellow. Upper part greenish brown while under part faintly streaked on light grey belly.

Distribution :- This bird is native to The Greater Sundas & The Philippines. Not the most common of all the Bulbuls! but most common bird in Malaysia.

Habitats and preferences :-   This Yellow-vented Bulbul is one of the commonest birds in cultivated areas, next to the Oriental Magpie Robin. It is very hardy and thrives on and small fruits. They also take some insects. Their presence in large numbers in Malaysia prompted us to label it as "trash bird" while birders from Thailand go crazy upon sighting them.  Supposing to originate the mangroves and coastal scrub, they have adapted well to become one of the most common birds.

I have a pair feeding the young and another preparing nest in my car porch. For us in Malaysia, we have taken this common bird for granted, just because it is so readily available. That brings to my mind the difficulties in me trying to get pictures of the Red-whiskered Bulbul, where in other countries would come by easily. This is the first bird that calls in the morning between 6.30-6.45 am depending on the time of the year. Then followed by the Magpie Robin.

Yellow-vented Bulbul # 1

Yellow-vented Bulbul #2

Yellow-vented Bulbul #3

Yellow-vented Bulbul # 4

Yellow-vented Bulbul # 5

Yellow-vented Bulbul # 6

Yellow-vented Bulbul # 7

Yellow-vented Bulbul # 8

Yellow-vented Bulbul # 9

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Yellow-vented Bulbul # 10

Yellow-vented Bulbul # 11

So there many pictures here and the birds themselves shown through a large varieties of angles. I tried to make sure that the distinctive markings on each bird would appear so that these could be equated with the pointers given on bird book. To those not so conversant with Bulbuls, there are just one too many species, just getting acquainted with their names itself is already a daunting task.

Likewise , please do not get intimidated by the many more species as mentioned in the Bird Guide or confused by the colors and unclear shades as shown in the Photographic Guide book.  On top of this page, I have narrowed down the Species known to exist in Malaysia into 2 groupings. This list itself, guides you to narrow down and set aside the many Bulbuls that you are unlikely to meet up with.

Next, while you are in the field - be confident, the chances  that you will bump into a rare species of Bulbul is very very low. You are unlikely to see all of them in one single location. Before venturing out, prior knowledge of what to expect from the few species you have short listed for that area is imperative. In this page I have added some hints about the sightings of more common Bulbuls and the terrain that they are likely to be found hanging around.

You could see that I am really successful in collecting the desired amount of pictures too. Many of the birds supposedly should be seen in that terrain are no where to be seen. There are just too few birds and those forest birds around the place are pushed further away from places of human habitats. Deeper into the inaccessible forest.

Remember, the first principle would be to understand where your location is, the probable couple of species of Bulbuls that you are likely to meet up with, note their names and memorize the diagnostic markings. That preparation itself really hone your understandings of the Bulbuls. It's real practices, inevitably after long times practicing this skill, going for the birds diagnostic marking without hesitation  become your second nature.

Even with skills, you are likely to get into trouble is when you are meeting up with Bulbuls in the low land forest. I could feel that I do not know enough myself. e.g. The few common Bulbuls in the lowland forested edges that are likely to be encounter could be any of the three - Olive-winged, Red-eyed or Spectacled Bulbuls. The best way out of this quandary would be to hope that they call before seeing them. That could help to alert you into focusing into their features in situation of a flashing moment.

With Will would Wander