Light-vented Bulbul

The light-vented bulbul, also called the Chinese bulbul, is a medium-sized brown and white songbird with an olive-brown back, dark crown and a broad white patch extending from the nape onto the sides of the head. The pale breast and belly contrast with darker wings and tail. Sexes are similar. Its white hindcrown and cheek pattern provide the clearest distinction from other plain brown bulbuls sharing parks and forest edges (Wikipedia, general species account).

Native to central and southern China, Taiwan, Hainan, northern Vietnam and the southern Ryukyu Islands, it uses forest edge, grassland, farmland, parks and gardens. The species is omnivorous, feeding on fruit, seeds and invertebrates and adapting readily to modified landscapes. Vietnam records include important bird areas at Ba Bể, Tam Đảo and Cúc Phương. Birds are social outside nesting periods and often forage conspicuously in trees, shrubs and open ground (Japan invasive-species database; BirdLife species factsheet; Taiwan National Museum).