By Vinuri Randhula Silva,
The yellow-eared bulbul (E) Lanka peetha kan kondaya (S) (Pycnonotus penicillatus) is a species of songbird in the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is an endemic resident breeder in the highlands of Sri Lanka. The common name is also used as an alternate name for the yellow-throated bulbul.
The yellow eared-bulbul is endemic to Sri
Lanka and is the
least common of the bulbuls found in Sri Lanka. This is a bird of jungle and
wooded farmland. Despite its restricted range, it is quite readily found at
sites such as Horton Plains
(Maha Eliya), Piduruthalagala
peak, Moon Plains (Sanda Thenna) and Victoria Park in Nuwara
Eliya and has been
frequently sighted in rocky hills.
The yellow-eared bulbul
is about 20 cm (7.9 in) in length, with a long tail. It has olive
upper parts and yellowish underparts. The crown of the head is grey, and there
are yellow ear tufts and a yellow patch below the eye. There is a white tuft in
front of the eye and the throat is also white.
Sexes are similar in
plumage, but young birds are duller than adults. The flight is bouncing
and woodpecker-like.
Yellow-eared bulbuls build their nest in a bush with two eggs
in a typical clutch. They feed on fruit and insects. Nests are
open and cup-shaped. Material such as roots and lichen are used in building the
nests. Breeding season usually occurs around February-May and again during
August-October.
The yellow-eared bulbul appears on the 10-rupee Sri Lankan postage stamp and can
also be seen on the new LKR රු5000 note of Sri Lanka
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