Microtarsus priocephalus
The Grey-headed Bulbul, Microtarsus priocephalus, is a distinctive and somewhat enigmatic member of the bulbul family (Pycnonotidae), endemic to the moist evergreen forests of the Western Ghats of southern India and the central hills of Sri Lanka. Measuring approximately 14-17 cm (5.5-6.7 in) in length and weighing between 18-28 grams, its most striking feature is its unique dull grey head, which contrasts sharply with a vibrant olive-green body and a bright yellow vent. Its eyes are typicall...
This bulbul primarily inhabits the dense undergrowth and lower canopy of moist evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, often near streams, from sea level up to around 1,200 meters (4,000 feet) in elevation.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of small insects and their larvae, supplemented with small fruits and berries, which it gleans from foliage and occasionally catches in aerial sallies.
The Grey-headed Bulbul is generally a shy and inconspicuous species, often difficult to observe as it forages within dense vegetation, earning it a reputation for being skulking. It is typically seen singly or in pairs, though it may occasionally join small mixed-species foraging flocks, particul...
The Grey-headed Bulbul is strictly endemic to the Western Ghats mountain range in southwestern India and the central hills of Sri Lanka. In India, its distribution spans from southern Maharashtra through Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, primarily along the wetter, western slopes of the Gha...
Least Concern
- The Grey-headed Bulbul is one of the more elusive bulbul species, preferring to stay hidden in dense forest undergrowth. - Despite its common name, its head color can sometimes appear a muted brownish-grey, especially in poor light. - It is a monotypic species, meaning it has no recognized subs...