Some aspects of breeding habits of the red-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus Cafer) in the Cauvery delta region of southern India

Breeding habits of the Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) was studied in a portion of Cauvery delta region of Nagapattinam District, Southern India during 2012 to 2013. A total of 52 active nests were located in the study area out of which majority of nests (56.5%) were in the fork of trees followed by middle of the trees (28.3%) and the top (15.2%) of the trees. Preferred nest height (60%) by the Red-vented Bulbul was 2-4m from the ground. Plant species used for nest building by the Red-vented Bulbul was Azadirachta indica, Hibiscus rosasinensis, Morinda tinctoria, Lawsonia inermis, Commiphora caudate, Croton bonplandianum and Musa paradisiaca. The clutch size varied from 2 to 4. Mean incubation period was 12.5 ± 0.85 days and both sexes took part in the incubation. The mean hatching, fledgling and breeding success was 79.3%, 80% and 63.4% respectively.

Some aspects of breeding habits of the red-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus Cafer) in the Cauvery delta region of southern India Keywords:

Red-vented bulbul , Nest sites , Eggs , Breeding success