Food and Feeding Behavior of Red Vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) and Role in Seed Dispersal at Urban Area, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Red vented bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) was mostly forage on Lawsonia inermis, Delonix regia, Aurocaria species, Bouganvillia spectebilis, Asparagus racemosus, Psidum guovava, Lantana camara and Ziziphus nummularia and Ziziphus mauritiana. In non-breeding season they mainly feed upon ripe fruits and insects. During breeding season they most preferred protein rich diets, helpful in development of newly hatched young once. They are usually feed upon insects, grasshopper, aphids, spiders, cockroaches, honey bee and dragonflies. During observation, we records two pair of red vented bulbul feed upon junk food (Bikaji sev Bhujia). Junk food was more preferred as compare to other food materials. This observation was very rare and interesting performed by adults, behavior indicate birds are change feeding preferences. Udaipur region are highly affected by invasion of Lantana camara and Prosopis juliflora. Bulbul plays role in dispersal of various types of plant species.

Keywords: Feeding; Forage; Invasion; Junk food; Newly hatched; Udaipur