Hypsipetes amaurotis
The Brown-eared Bulbul (Hypsipetes amaurotis) is a medium-sized passerine, typically measuring 25-28 cm (10-11 inches) in length with a wingspan of approximately 35-40 cm (14-16 inches) and weighing between 50 and 70 grams. Its plumage is predominantly a subdued brownish-grey, which can appear drab, but is elegantly contrasted by a distinctive blackish head and a prominent white patch of feathers immediately behind the eye, resembling an ear tuft, a feature from which its common name is deriv...
This highly adaptable species thrives in a wide array of wooded habitats, from broadleaf evergreen and deciduous forests to secondary growth, forest edges, suburban gardens, and urban parks. It is most commonly found at low to moderate elevations, though it can occur in montane forests up to 2,00...
Their diet is largely omnivorous, consisting primarily of a wide variety of fruits and berries, complemented by insects such as beetles, caterpillars, and ants, which are often caught on the wing or gleaned. They also consume some nectar and flower parts opportunistically.
Brown-eared Bulbuls are highly diurnal and exceptionally vocal, frequently heard before they are seen, filling their environment with a diverse repertoire of calls. Outside the breeding season, they exhibit strong social tendencies, forming large, noisy flocks that can number in the hundreds, oft...
The Brown-eared Bulbul boasts an extensive distribution across East Asia, primarily breeding throughout Japan (from Hokkaido south to the Ryukyu Islands), the Korean Peninsula, Taiwan, and parts of the Russian Far East (including Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands). Breeding populations also extend i...
Least Concern
- The 'ear' in Brown-eared Bulbul refers to the distinctive brown patch of feathers behind its eye, not its actual auditory organ. - These birds are incredibly efficient seed dispersers across their range due to their fruit-heavy diet, aiding in forest regeneration. - They are exceptionally vocal...