Pycnonotus penicillatus
Silhouette: Andy Wilson · PhyloPic
In 3 days >90%
The yellow-eared bulbul (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 was formerly classified in the monotypic genus Kelaartia, named after Dr. E.F. Kelaart. Alternate names for the yellow-eared bulbul include the Ceylon bulbul, Sri Lanka bulbul and yellow-tufted 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, Piduruthalagala peak, Moonplains 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 upperparts 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... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Horton Plains National Park | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | |
| 2 | Sinharaja Forest Reserve | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka |
Very likely
About 90% of wildlife watchers report a Yellow-eared Bulbul sighting in Horton Plains National Park on a given day, based on 619 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 3rd most-seen of the 102 birds we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to over 90%, if each day is a fresh chance.
February, August–September and November–December
In those months about 90% of wildlife watchers report a Yellow-eared Bulbul in Horton Plains National Park on a given day, against about 70% in July, the lowest month.
Between 3 and 6 am
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Yellow-eared Bulbul sightings with a recorded time, and about half of them come between 6 pm and 6 am: it is most active around dawn and dusk.
Yes
Of the 2 parks where we can rate Yellow-eared Bulbul sightings, Horton Plains National Park has the highest daily chance: about 90%. Next come Sinharaja Forest Reserve (Sri Lanka, under 5%).
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Yellow-eared Bulbul is recorded against all the birds logged in Horton Plains National Park (619 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
