Red-whiskered Bulbuls are evidently quite common around Sydney, but this is the first time I’ve seen one! It’s a pretty little bird, with striking black, red, and white markings and a tall crest on its head like a woodpecker.

In this video, the bird is very far away and I had to do some radical zooming with my camera. You can hear the bulbul’s pretty call:

These birds are native to south Asia, and introduced into Sydney in the late 1800s. They tend to stay in areas close to human habitation.

Here’s a still picture of the bird:

Common name: Red-whiskered Bulbul
Scientific name: Pycnonotus jocosus
Approximate length: 20 cm
Date spotted: 5 June 2022 (winter)
Location: Dobroyd Head, Sydney Harbour, Australia: 33°48’38.6″S 151°16’05.4″E