The Cachar bulbul is a species of songbird in the bulbul family, Pycnonotidae. It is found in north-eastern India and south-eastern Bangladesh. The Cachar bulbul was considered as a subspecies of the olive bulbul until it was split off and re-classified as a separate species by the IOC in 2017.
Region
Northeast India and Southeast Bangladesh
Typical Environment
Occurs in the lowland and foothill evergreen and semi-evergreen forests of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and adjacent areas, extending into southeastern Bangladesh (e.g., Sylhet/Chattogram regions). It favors dense, humid broadleaf forest, forest edges, and well-vegetated ravines. Birds are most frequently encountered in the mid-story to canopy, where they move through vine tangles and fruiting trees. It also persists in secondary growth and older tea-garden shade forests if sufficient canopy cover remains.
Altitude Range
0–1200 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Split from the Olive Bulbul complex by the IOC in 2017, the Cachar bulbul is a canopy-dwelling songbird of humid forests. It often joins mixed-species flocks and can be inconspicuous despite its bright, olive-yellow tones. Its presence is a good indicator of relatively intact lowland and foothill evergreen forest.
Temperament
quiet and unobtrusive, but active in the canopy
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches; agile sallying in canopy
Social Behavior
Typically found singly, in pairs, or in small parties, and frequently joins mixed-species flocks with other bulbuls and babblers. Builds a neat cup-shaped nest suspended in foliage or forked twigs. Breeding is thought to occur in the pre-monsoon to monsoon period in its range.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of mellow, whistled phrases interspersed with soft chattering notes. Calls include thin chips and sweet, upslurred whistles, often repeated from concealed perches.
Plumage
Overall olive-green upperparts with yellow-olive underparts and a slightly paler throat. The head is dusky-olive without a crest, with faint streaking or mottling on the throat. Flight feathers and tail are darker olive-brown with subtle edging.
Diet
Feeds on a mix of small fruits and berries, especially figs and other canopy fruits. Supplements the diet with insects such as caterpillars, beetles, and other arthropods gleaned from leaves and twigs. Will occasionally hover-glean or make short sallies to catch prey. Seasonal fruit availability influences local movements and foraging intensity.
Preferred Environment
Forages mainly in the mid-story and canopy of evergreen and semi-evergreen forest, along forest edges, and in well-shaded secondary growth. Often attends fruiting trees and joins mixed flocks that move rapidly through vine-laden thickets.
