Possible Red-whiskered Bulbuls at Michael's Avenue Reserve in Ellerslie

[Ian McLean]

Kia ora

Today, I was informed by my father (Andy McLean) of a possible sighting of two Red-whiskered Bulbuls at Michael's Avenue Reserve in Ellerslie, yesterday (Tuesday 04 August). The two birds were sighted in trees next to the practice cricket wickets at this residential sports park.

Andy, described the birds as being between the size of a European Starling & a Common Myna, with brown back & brown wings, tail longer than a Blackbird, with a dark head, with distinctive red patches behind the eye & a white cheek patch. The bill was black. He did not see any visible crest or red vent. The birds were seen perched at a height of about 2 metres for about 4 or 5 seconds before flying away in the direction of Amy Street.

We discussed a number of possible birds with red feathers on their heads e.g. Goldfinch & Eastern Rosella, but he discounted these species, as he is very familiar with them. Andy advises that he had never seen any birds like these before & considered that Red-whiskered Bulbul was the bird that most likely matched what he saw. This afternoon, I went to the park for a good look & did a NZ Bird Atlas count. I did not seen any possible Red-whiskered Bulbuls, but did count 70 Yellowhammers on the playing fields & two pure Grey Ducks at the Michael's Avenue Pond.

If anyone residing in the Ellerslie area could possibly look out for these birds it would be much appreciated, as it will be essential to confirm their presence or otherwise.

Regards
Ian McLean

[les]

So is this a separate species to the red vented bul bul that there has been a bit of a fuss made of in times past or just a misnomer?

[Ian McLean]

Hello Les
The Red-whiskered Bulbul is indeed a separate species to the Red-vented Bulbul previously seen & apparently also still present in Auckland.
I have attached a few pictures for your reference.
As you can imagine, it will be most important to establish whether Red-whiskered Bulbuls are actually present, so if birders in Auckland could look out for them it would be most appreciated. I have advised MPI of this possible sighting.
Cheers
Ian

[Ian McLean]

Kia ora

I just thought that I would share with you an update that I received from MPI on the status of Bulbuls in Auckland.

Some points are as follows:-

(1) In the last year MPI have received credible reports of Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) in the Auckland area- at the Port, in Birkdale, Milford and Mount Eden. The Auckland branch of Birds New Zealand was not aware of these sightings, for it seems that these sightings had not been shared. It appears that Red-vented Bulbuls are still very much present.

(2) MPI have noted that reports of bulbul on Mount Eden report could be these birds (Red whiskered Bulbul) as "the report wasn’t as strong as the other sightings of a red vented bulbul."

If people could continue to keep a look out that would be great.

Cheers
Ian