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Common Bulbuls were more active in litchi orchards as fruit ripened

Common bulbul perched on a branch in natural vegetation
Research: Ecology, Behaviour

In two commercial litchi orchards near Levubu, in South Africa’s Limpopo Province, researchers used camera traps to examine when Common Bulbuls (Pycnonotus barbatus) were active as the crop developed and throughout the day.

Two analyses confirmed more activity as fruit ripened: the daily detection rate was about 51% higher in the ripening and harvest period than before ripening, while a separate analysis by time of day found about 78% more detections during ripening and harvest than at fruit set. Activity varied between months and crop stages, peaking in December and remaining lower while the fruit was immature.

Detections were highest in the late afternoon and evening. The researchers found no evidence of a corresponding increase in morning activity.

The pattern suggests that Common Bulbuls make greater use of litchi orchards when ripe fruit is available. Knowing when their activity increases may help inform the timing of crop-protection measures. However, the study measured bird activity, not damaged fruit or lost yield, so it does not show how much damage the birds caused.

Sources and image credit

  1. Temporal activity patterns of Common Bulbuls Pycnonotus barbatus in South African litchi orchards: implications for crop damagePrimærartikkelen ble publisert på nett 1. oktober 2026. Fullteksten var ikke tilgjengelig for denne kontrollen.
  2. Temporal activity patterns of Common Bulbuls in South African litchi orchards — author-uploaded full textAuthor-uploaded published article, confirms original online date 1 Oct 2026, abstract, study methods, and reported activity results.
  3. Temporal activity patterns of Common Bulbuls in South African litchi orchardsSekundærkilde med sammendrag av studiens omfang og hovedfunn.

Image: Common bulbul perched in natural vegetation. Photo: Charles J. Sharp / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source

About this content: This story was produced with AI assistance within an editorial workflow developed by Wildlife Vagabond. Editorial responsibility remains with Wildlife Vagabond.How AI is used

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