How to recognise a red-vented bulbul
It is a medium-sized bird, a little smaller than a myna. Look for a dark, almost black head with a short crest, a brownish body with a scaly pattern, and a bright red patch under the tail. In flight you may notice a pale rump. Males and females look alike.
It is often heard before it is seen. Its calls are cheerful, quick and liquid, and pairs tend to keep in touch with each other as they move between bushes.
Where bulbuls live and what they eat
Bulbuls are comfortable around people. They feed on fruit, berries, nectar and insects, so gardens with fruiting trees and flowering shrubs suit them well. You will often find them in pairs or small groups, perched on wires, hedges and the tops of bushes.
Nepal has several other bulbul species. The Himalayan bulbul, with white cheeks and a crest, is another familiar bird of the hills. A good field guide or birding app will help you tell them apart.
A name with a long history
The word bulbul came into South Asian languages from Persian. In Persian and Urdu poetry, the bulbul is the singer of the garden, often paired with the rose, and there the word meant the nightingale. To a birdwatcher, though, the bulbuls of Nepal are a family of their own, not nightingales at all.
Looking for bulbuls in Palpa
Early mornings are the best time to listen. Sit somewhere quiet near fruit trees and wait; bulbuls are rarely shy for long. At Bulbul Farm Retreat, the garden with its lychee and jackfruit trees is a pleasant place to try. Our guide to birdwatching around Tansen has more practical tips.