Red-Vented Bulbuls

[tmariar]

At 9am this morning, we saw fairly close-up a red-vented bulbul near the intersection of 8th and Columbia. It flew away west, likely to a tree in someone's backyard on Cortlandt, one to four houses north of 8th. It had a buddy not too far away, as we continued to hear a bulbul call after the first flew off, and then saw the second fly away in the same general direction as the first. Thought I'd mention it in case there are any exotic bird chasers on HAIF.

I'm not a bird-watcher, but to me it was a positive identification. I didn't see the second bird close enough to see its markings, but its call was identical to that of the first, which I saw in profile against the sun from about 20 feet away, and then from underneath clearly (sun at my back) with it about 30 feet overhead. Went straight home to check the

against what's on the internet, and we both agreed it was the exact call we'd heard.

[TheNiche]

At 9am this morning, we saw fairly close-up a red-vented bulbul near the intersection of 8th and Columbia. It flew away west, likely to a tree in someone's backyard on Cortlandt, one to four houses north of 8th. It had a buddy not too far away, as we continued to hear a bulbul call after the first flew off, and then saw the second fly away in the same general direction as the first. Thought I'd mention it in case there are any exotic bird chasers on HAIF.

I'm not a bird-watcher, but to me it was a positive identification. I didn't see the second bird close enough to see its markings, but its call was identical to that of the first, which I saw in profile against the sun from about 20 feet away, and then from underneath clearly (sun at my back) with it about 30 feet overhead. Went straight home to check the

against what's on the internet, and we both agreed it was the exact call we'd heard.

Good eye! Though a bit unnerving, because Wikipedia lists it as among the world's worst invasive species, and the continental U.S. is not supposed to be in its range.

I'm not a birder either, but yesterday afternoon there were many thousands (maybe tens of thousands) of small dark-colored birds flying about all along the western and southern periphery of downtown, crowding power transmission lines and the eves of rooftops. At one point, the Momentum BMW dealership's rooftop appeared to explode with the creatures as several hundred took flight. Made me wonder whether the bird-brain behavior was induced by a meteorological phenomenon or a migration pattern.

[rsb320]

Our hawk is back. I find it odd to see such a majestic in the middle of the city. Someone saw it catch a pigeon in flight the other day.

On another note, I have a friend who took his niece and nephew to Hermann Park. They were feeding the squirrels when a hawk swooped down and snatched one right in front of them. Kind of funny to me, but certainly traumatic for the kids.

[tmariar]

Good eye! Though a bit unnerving, because Wikipedia lists it as among the world's worst invasive species, and the continental U.S. is not supposed to be in its range.

It wasn't that I have any particular talent for bird identification as that I had read the story of the Heights bulbuls when I posted it on Heights Blog. Maybe a year or so ago. Since then, I'd forgotten their identifying characteristics. It wasn't until I saw the underneath of the bird - the bright red spot - and was trying to put together what sort-of-crested non-red bird I had ever seen in the area that might have a bright red spot underneath (female cardinal was the only possibility that came immediately to mind, and it plainly wasn't a female cardinal) that it came to me that it was probably a bulbul, making the strange call, strange profile, strange red spot all make sense. We were able to see the photos online and hear the sample call online (the call really was distinctive - not inherently unusual, but unusual for the neighborhood) within a few minutes of seeing and hearing the bird, and at that point there was no doubt in my mind.

Apparently, there was some concern about the Heights bulbuls early on b/c they can be invasive - I even saw an HMNS study page (I have no idea how old it is, though). But people posting here and there seem to be of the opinion that the Heights bulbuls haven't made any aggressive progress in the neighborhood in the last several years, which seems to be a good sign.

I'm not a birder either, but yesterday afternoon there were many thousands (maybe tens of thousands) of small dark-colored birds flying about all along the western and southern periphery of downtown, crowding power transmission lines and the eves of rooftops. At one point, the Momentum BMW dealership's rooftop appeared to explode with the creatures as several hundred took flight. Made me wonder whether the bird-brain behavior was induced by a meteorological phenomenon or a migration pattern.

Cool - I'd be interested in knowing, too. But don't know nearly enough about bird migrations through Houston to hazard a guess. Sounds like they weren't the usual downtown larger black birds.

Our hawk is back. I find it odd to see such a majestic in the middle of the city. Someone saw it catch a pigeon in flight the other day.

On another note, I have a friend who took his niece and nephew to Hermann Park. They were feeding the squirrels when a hawk swooped down and snatched one right in front of them. Kind of funny to me, but certainly traumatic for the kids.

Gosh on both accounts. Either scene would probably traumatize me a little, too, but it's also kinda cool to think of hawks hunting in the middle of Houston. I'm guessing the Houston sprawl has made a serious dent in what was formerly prime hunting territory for hawks. Killing squirrels and pigeons sounds like adaptive behavior - seems like hawks would ordinarily eat mice or non-pigeon small birds.

[Tiko]

We saw a bulbul at 20th and Harvard today. It seemed to get along with some sparrows in a jasmine plant. What's the implication of the "invasive" tag?

[TheNiche]

Cool - I'd be interested in knowing, too. But don't know nearly enough about bird migrations through Houston to hazard a guess. Sounds like they weren't the usual downtown larger black birds.

I talked to a birder yesterday. Based on my description of their behavior, he confirmed that my sighting was of European Starlings, another invasive species. He confirmed that there were probably tens of thousands of them and mentioned that A&M students have been known to shoot up to 15,000 of these birds per day...as a public service, of course.

[heightslurker]

I too, have seen the Bulbuls...but in the 11th / Yale vicinity. It was driving me crazy trying to identify it since it wasn't in any book of birds for our area. I kept thinking i was imaging seeing a black crested bird with a red butt..

I've never been able to identify the Hawk that hunts in this area. Anyone? He/She is always so quick.....even when it snatched a dove practically in front of me, it was still a blur.

[fwki]

I've never been able to identify the Hawk that hunts in this area. Anyone? He/She is always so quick.....even when it snatched a dove practically in front of me, it was still a blur.

Red-tailed Hawk, and big one at that, so probably female. We see it often and even watched it take a squirrel from our oak and a pigeon from the neighbors driveway. If it's not threatened, the hawk remains still on the kill until asphixiation and you can get a good look at it.

[tmariar]

What's the implication of the "invasive" tag?

I'm far from an expert, but my understanding is that, if a non-native species is introduced somewhere and ends up not just surviving there, but thriving to the point that it upsets the natural balance among native species, it's considered invasive. I think that's happened with the bulbuls in some places outside the mainland United States. So I guess there's reason to believe there's the potential of it happening in Houston. Not that it necessarily will, but that it could. Hence the study.

This is probably a better source of information: http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/whatis.shtml

Especially regarding any legal or regulatory consequences associated with being labeled invasive.

[rsb320]

These can't be as invasive as a plague of Grackles, can they? I had originally heard that the Grackles came up from South America, like fire ant's, but in looking into it more, they're native to northwest of here (Rockies or something). I read that the population was down, like 61%. Really, been downtown lately?

At least Bulbuls are cute. What song do they sing? It's got to be better than that quhaaaak and sqeaking and what not!

[tmariar]

It was a pretty song. It was the two-note call like you hear a number of times in

, but just the two-note call over and over.

Looking at some of the invasive species sites earlier, it looked like the European starlings that Niche saw may be the biggest invasive bird concern here in Houston, at least as far as impact on native bird species goes.

One of the sites said that the European starling was originally brought to America because someone wanted to introduce into the U.S. every species mentioned in Shakespeare's works. Sounds a bit apocryphal, but it was an interesting story.

[Pam H.]

Was told to report sightings of the red-vented Bulbul to Dan Brooks of the Natural Science Museum (dbrooks@hmns.org) . I believe I was also told that the Bulbuls are not expected to be a threat here, as the competition for their food source is not currently filled by native birds. 

 

Saw four of them at once, in my back yard near 20th and Studewood yesterday morning.

 

[poyea]

We have two that regularly visit right outside our kitchen window. Usually in a pair. 15th and Allston. Sorry for the poor quality photo....best I could get. Oh, and they're upside down photos too....oh well, it will be a good morning challenge for yall.