Key data

• Size: 28 cm

• Weight: 30 . 35 g

• Diet:  Insects, berries, seeds

• Season: Migratory bird

• Observation tip: Russia, China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan

Photography tips:

• Lens: 400 mm or greater

• Difficulty level: difficult

The Brown-eared bulbul (Hypsipetes amaurotis) is native to East Asia. It is extremely common within the northern part of its range and can be found from southern Sakhalin to the northern Philippines. Measuring about 28 cm in length, Brown-eared bulbul
are gray-brown with brown cheeks and a long tail. Although they prefer wooded areas, they easily adapt to urban and rural environments, and their loud, squeaky calls are familiar in most areas of Japan.

Male and female Brown-eared bulbul (Hypsipetes amaurotis) look very similar, with the male possibly displaying slightly stronger colors during the breeding season. They are skilled singers, capable of a variety of melodies and trills, which they often perform from an elevated position to signal their presence or defend their territory. This species is a widespread inhabitant of forests, both deciduous and coniferous, as well as gardens and parks. The bird feed on a variety of insects and fruits, and during the breeding season, they collect spiders and caterpillars for their young.

In some areas, the bird is a well-known commensal bird that can colonize and breed in urban areas. The species is not considered to be endangered, although it is threatened locally by habitat loss and hunting.