Photo: Thimindu Goonatillake from Denver, USA / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Black-capped Bulbul
Rubigula melanictera
Black-capped Bulbul (Rubigula melanictera) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South & Southeast Asia.
The Black-capped Bulbul (Rubigula melanictera) is a member of the Pycnonotidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 29.3 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Pycnonotidae Bulbuls
- Genus Rubigula
- Species melanictera
Quick facts
- Weight
- 29.3 g
- Diet
- Fruit-eaters
- Family
- Pycnonotidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Black-capped Bulbul is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Black-capped Bulbul is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Black-capped Bulbul (Rubigula melanictera) is a species of bird in the Pycnonotidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It is found across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR Sri Lanka.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 29.3 g, with a wing length of about 7.2 cm and a tail of around 7.1 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 62,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Black-capped Bulbul?
The Black-capped Bulbul is a small bird that weighs around 29.3 g.
Where does the Black-capped Bulbul live?
The Black-capped Bulbul is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR Sri Lanka, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Black-capped Bulbul belong to?
The Black-capped Bulbul (Rubigula melanictera) belongs to the Pycnonotidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Black-capped Bulbul eat?
The Black-capped Bulbul is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Does the Black-capped Bulbul migrate?
The Black-capped Bulbul is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Black-capped Bulbul endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the Black-capped Bulbul's range?
The Black-capped Bulbul has a mapped global range of about 62,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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