Quick answer
IUCN status: Least ConcernYellow-vented bulbul at a glance
The yellow-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier) is a bird in the family Pycnonotidae. Range in Indonesia: Widespread in western Indonesia, including Sumatra, Java, Bali and Kalimantan. Diet: small fruit and insects; a herbivore. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern.
| Scientific name | Pycnonotus goiavier |
|---|---|
| Indonesian name | Merbah cerucuk |
| Group | Birds |
| Family | Pycnonotidae |
| Range in Indonesia | Widespread in western Indonesia, including Sumatra, Java, Bali and Kalimantan |
| Linked habitats | Urban Habitats |
| Field mark | Yellow vent; dark line near eye |
| Food | Small fruit and insects |
| Habitat | Gardens, parks, scrub and forest edges |
| IUCN status | Least Concern · IUCN Red List (via GBIF) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Diet type | Herbivore (plant-eater) — mainly small fruit and berries, also nectar; some insects · National Parks Board Singapore |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · Vigie-Nature École (MNHN) |
| Active | Diurnal (active by day) · EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt |
In this guide (11)
Recognising the yellow-vented bulbul
The yellow-vented bulbul is brown above and paler below, with a bright yellow vent and a dark line from bill to eye. Its slight crest is not always raised. The combination of features is more reliable than yellow colour alone when separating it from other bulbuls.
Evidence: eBird — Yellow-vented Bulbul identification and habitat ↗
Edges and open habitats
eBird records this species in cities, parks, plantations, secondary growth and forest edges. It is not confined to deep forest. A garden encounter can therefore reveal its foraging behaviour, but does not stand for the condition of all forest birds in the surrounding area.
Evidence: eBird — Yellow-vented Bulbul identification and habitat ↗
Fruit and insects in the diet
The Pocut Meurah Intan study in Aceh observed fruit handling and swallowing; its discussion of seed dispersal is not a germination experiment. A separate 2011–2013 study at Durafarm in Sarawak identified insects in stomach contents. Neither local study establishes diet percentages for all Indonesian habitats.
Evidence: Safrika et al. (2024) — bulbul fruit feeding in Aceh ↗ · Amit et al. (2015) — bulbul diet at Durafarm, Sarawak ↗
Voice and movement
Variable song and bubbling calls can reveal a bird before it is seen. Individuals move among trees, shrubs and open patches while foraging. Record visible features with the sound, date and location; a brief, unclear call alone can be confused with other songbirds.
Evidence: eBird — Yellow-vented Bulbul identification and habitat ↗ · Amit et al. (2015) — bulbul diet at Durafarm, Sarawak ↗
What many sightings do and do not mean
A bird readily seen in gardens does not automatically have a measured population. Read GBIF records as dated evidence of presence; comparisons between areas need to consider observer effort. Our practical suggestion is to retain suitable native fruiting plants and shrubs, then watch feeding behaviour without capturing birds.
Evidence: GBIF — what occurrence records document ↗ · GBIF — sampling effort and occurrence counts ↗ · Safrika et al. (2024) — bulbul fruit feeding in Aceh ↗
Explore related habitats
These habitat relationships are supported by species sources in this guide. This is not a complete range map.
Scientific classification of the Yellow-vented bulbul
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Pycnonotidae |
| Genus | Pycnonotus |
| Species | Pycnonotus goiavier |
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).
Common questions about the yellow-vented bulbul
What is the scientific name of the yellow-vented bulbul?
The scientific name of the yellow-vented bulbul is Pycnonotus goiavier, in the family Pycnonotidae and the order Passeriformes. In Indonesian it is called Merbah cerucuk.
What kind of animal is the yellow-vented bulbul?
The yellow-vented bulbul is a bird in the family Pycnonotidae. By diet it is a herbivore (plant-eater): a mainly small fruit and berries, also nectar; some insects.
Where does the yellow-vented bulbul live in Indonesia?
In Indonesia, this guide records the yellow-vented bulbul in: Widespread in western Indonesia, including Sumatra, Java, Bali and Kalimantan.
Source-supported habitats: Urban Habitats.
What does the yellow-vented bulbul eat?
Diet of the yellow-vented bulbul: small fruit and insects. That makes it a herbivore (plant-eater). Source: National Parks Board Singapore.
How does the yellow-vented bulbul reproduce?
The yellow-vented bulbul reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: Vigie-Nature École (MNHN).
Is the yellow-vented bulbul nocturnal?
The cited source records the yellow-vented bulbul as diurnal (active by day). Source: EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt.
See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.
What are the main features of the yellow-vented bulbul?
Key features of the yellow-vented bulbul, from this guide’s sources: Field mark: yellow vent; dark line near eye.
What is the scientific classification of the yellow-vented bulbul?
Scientific classification of the yellow-vented bulbul: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Passeriformes, family Pycnonotidae, genus Pycnonotus, species Pycnonotus goiavier.
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.
Is the yellow-vented bulbul endangered?
No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the yellow-vented bulbul is listed as Least Concern: it does not qualify for a threatened category or for Near Threatened in the global assessment. Source: IUCN Red List (via GBIF), checked 1 October 2026.
This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the yellow-vented bulbul is a protected species, consult the current national list of protected species or contact the local BKSDA (natural resources conservation office).
Sources & references
- eBird — Yellow-vented Bulbul identification and habitat ↗
- Safrika et al. (2024) — bulbul fruit feeding in Aceh ↗
- Amit et al. (2015) — bulbul diet at Durafarm, Sarawak ↗
- GBIF — what occurrence records document ↗
- GBIF — sampling effort and occurrence counts ↗
- National Parks Board Singapore ↗
- Vigie-Nature École (MNHN) ↗
- EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, version 2026-1, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0) ↗
References can change. Check dates and context in the original source. How we use sources and data →
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PanduanHewan. Yellow-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier). Last substantive update: 7 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/pycnonotus-goiavier/