Bulbul Variations: Embracing the Unconventional

Posted by Earthly Notes

For #EarthDay2025 I thought I should share a post on diversity 🙂

In social settings, we often hear the phrase “this is unnatural” when referring to things that don’t fit into our established (social) ideas of what is “normal,” whether it’s about gender, sex, or diversity. This is often accompanied by statements like, “You are going against nature” or “You are breaking the rules of nature.” But if we look closely at nature, we see that the concept of “normal” doesn’t truly exist. Nature embraces a spectrum of possibilities, and everything—from microscopic to macroscopic—exhibits a remarkable range of variations.

I wanted to share an example of a Red-Whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus), a common bird found in many parts of India. The bird is common both in the forests and in the cities. I have seen the bird hundreds of times. But just the variations and the contextual situations in which I have sighted this bird are remarkable! I’m sharing a few photographs below to give you just a glimpse of this.

For those who are seeing the bird for the first time, this is how they look. I have observed a plump bulbul, very different from a slimmer one. Despite their differences, both birds went about their lives without any concern; I like to think they weren’t worried about the petty appearances of looking fat or thin!
We once encountered a bulbul that looked albino-like, with white feathers—an appearance likely caused by a condition known as Progressive Greying. If you were interested in learning more about colour aberrations in birds, you could have checked this post out.
In my office campus, I once spotted a Red-Whiskered Bulbul with a visible tumor. I was rather concerned about its lifespan and whether it had any health issues. I always used to spot it in a pair. Interestingly, a year later, I spotted the tumor-bulbul actively nesting (during that season)!
I have seen Red-Whiskered Bulbuls nest on shrubs, tall bushes, trees, and even in flowerpots! One even decided to nest at the corner of a wall (just like how dusky-crag martins make their nests!).
What can you spot in the above picture?
Can you guess?
I have also once spotted a group of Red-Whiskered Bulbuls pecking at junk food, like thermocol blocks (left), while another enjoyed ripe bananas from a stalk hanging from the ceiling of a shop (right).
Recently, we saw Red-whiskered Bulbuls scavenging on garbage alongside White-headed Starlings, Crows, and other birds. A reminder of how, despite their differences, they all find ways to coexist and adapt, even when surrounded by filth, united in their shared need for food.

These observations serve as a reminder to me that nothing in nature is strictly “normal” or “abnormal.” What we often perceive as unusual is simply a part of the natural variation that exists across our earth. Diversity is essential for the health of any ecosystem.

This #EarthDay2025, I want to celebrate the diversity we witness in wildlife—and by extension, in ourselves. In a world that is becoming increasingly polarized based on ethnicity, race, caste, religion, and language, I want all of you to take a moment to observe how nature thrives in its differences. We humans are part of this spectrum. I don’t think there is a singular definition of perfection in nature, and neither should there be one in society.

We have only one earth. Happy Earth Day!

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My name is Adithi Muralidhar. I am a nature enthusiast based in Mumbai, India.

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