Red-vented bulbul

Habitat

• It lives around secondary growth and shrubs, parks and gardens, forest and agricultural areas

Description

• A bird, approximately 20cm in length, with a black body, head and eyes, a lighter gray underside and a patch of bright red feathers under the tail
• It weighs between 26 and 45g, with males slightly larger than females
• Immature birds look like the adults except with some brownish edging on the feathers
• Fast and quite bouncy when in flight
• The nest is cup-shaped, made with plant matter and lined with soft materials
• Females lay 2-4 eggs at a time and have 2-3 broods each year
• Eggs are pink to red in colour with dark spots and streaks

Origin and Worldwide Distribution

• It is native to India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam but has been widely introduced to many Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand

Potential or Known Impacts

• It destroys fruits, flowers, beans, tomatoes and ripe fruits
• It may spread the seeds of invasive plant species
• It aggressively chases and competes with native birds, competing with them for food and space

Is it found in Northern Ireland?

• It is not currently present in Northern Ireland

How could it get here?

• Individuals kept as caged pets can be accidentally or intentionally released from confinement
• Illegal import, breeding, growth, release, selling and transport is the most likely reason for introduction today

Management/Methods for Prevention

• Prevention via enforcing the IAS (Enforcement and Permitting) Order (Northern Ireland) ensuring that P. cafer is not introduced to Northern Ireland
• Reporting any sightings so that Rapid Response can be instigated

Current Legislative Position (Listed on 02 August 2022)

• This species must not intentionally be brought into the Union; kept; bred; transported to, from or within the United Kingdom, unless for the transportation to facilities in the context of eradication; placed on the market; used or exchanged; permitted to reproduce, grown or cultivated; or released into the environment.

Species Related Files:

RA_Pycnonotus_cafer_Red-vented_bulbul