Crested Finchbill

The crested finchbill is a compact bulbul 18–20 cm long with an obvious pointed crest and a thick, short, pale bill resembling that of a finch. Its head is grey, the upperparts olive-green and the underparts yellowish, with darker facial markings creating a distinctive expression. The sexes are similar. The combination of high crest and deep seed-cracking bill separates it from slimmer-billed bulbuls in the same hill habitats (BirdForum species account; AnimalStart species synopsis).

Its range extends from northeastern India through Myanmar and southern China to northern Indochina. It favours hill forest, scrub and secondary growth, often moving through bushes and small trees in pairs or parties. Seeds and fruit form important foods, supplemented by insects. Birds use the heavy bill to handle plant material that many other bulbuls take less readily. Their loud calls and conspicuous crest often reveal a flock before individual birds are located among dense foliage (BirdForum species account).