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Food preference of Sri Lanka Yellow-eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus penicillatus) in Breeding and
non-breeding seasons was studied at the montane cloud forests of Horton Plains National
Park, situated in the highland plateau of the central highlands, from September 2015 to July
2017 in three consecutive days per month. P. penicillatus is an endemic near threatened
species. They have two breeding seasons; February-May and August-October. Direct foraging
observations and faecal sample analysis methods were used to collect data. Four mist nets
(3x6 m2
/25 mm mesh size) were allocated from 0600 to 1800 h in mist netting days.
Droppings of the bird was later scraped individually into collecting bottles with 70% alcohol
and stored. Some droppings were collected in the field. These samples were taken to the
laboratory for further analysis. The samples were first divided into two main parts as high
plant matter samples and high insect matter samples by visually observing the faecal matter.
‘High plant matter’ faecal samples were directly analysed. High insect matter samples were
analysed after using standard protocols. The seeds of the plants were identified by the keys
and, insect parts were identified to order level by using insect identification guides. Within the
study period there were 1,903 field observations and 50 faecal sample analysis were
performed. In the breeding season 87.9% of the feeding observations were consisted with 18
species of plants and remain 12.1% was consisted with animal parts from one Pheretima
species, thirteen species of insects, including three species from Order Diptera, three species
from Order Lepidoptera, two species from Order Coleoptera, three species from Order
Hymenoptera, one species from Order Blattodea and one species from Order Hemiptera. In
the non-breeding season 98.1% of the feeding observations were consisted with 15 species of
plants and other 1.9% was completed with four species of animal parts, including one species
from Order Diptera, one species from Order Lepidoptera and two species from Order
Coleoptera. Present study revealed that P. penicillatus preferred more animal food items in
the breeding season, possibly to secure the extra energy requirements during their breeding
season. These studies will be important for conservation of P. penicillatus, by using speciesspecific conservation plans in the future.
