Abstract:
Sri Lanka yellow-eared bulbul (Pycnonotus penicillatus) is an endemic
threatened bird occupying higher elevations above 900 m. The study aimed
to determine nest construction strategies of P. penicillatus in the Tropical
Montane Cloud Forests. The research was conducted at Horton Plains
National Park (HPNP) of Sri Lanka from September 2015 to August 2018.
Nests of P. penicillatus were located by following breeding pairs and
searching the vegetation. Measurements of the nests were taken using a
Vernier Calliper. Volume of the nest cup and material volume in the nest
was calculated and nest orientation within the nesting tree was measured
using a compass. To identify and quantify nesting materials, three nests
were collected after the breeding season. In this study, 38 nests were
recorded. P. penicillatus abstained 5 to 7 days to complete the nest. Both
sexes participated to build the nest. External diameter of the nest was 12.01
± 0.55 cm (Mean ± SD). Nest cup volume and nest material volume were
101.72 ± 15.63 cm3 and 527.90 ± 74.60 cm3 respectively. Maximum
numbers of nests were located in North and East directions (8 nests in each
direction). They used leaves (35%), moss (20%), lichens (10%), small twigs
(10%), roots (10%), and threads (15%) as nest building material. The nest
was comprehensively different from other bulbul nests with distinctive nest
size and peculiar preference of nest materials. There were no synthetic
nesting materials observed within HPNP. Moreover, they have used
materials from endemic plants. This research will guide the management
approaches to protect breeding habitats of P. penicillatus correspondingly.
