White-eared bulbul

The white-eared bulbul, also known as the white-cheeked bulbul, is an enchanting bird native to southwestern Asia, ranging from India to the Arabian Peninsula. Initially classified under the genus Ixos, it is now part of a superspecies group that includes the Himalayan bulbul, white-spectacled bulbul, African red-eyed bulbul, Cape bulbul, and common bulbul. Some experts once considered the white-eared bulbul a mere subspecies of the Himalayan bulbul.

In Iran, this bird is fondly referred to as "the bulbul of Tehran." There are two recognized subspecies: the Arabian white-cheeked bulbul (P. l. mesopotamia), found in northeastern Arabia, southern Iraq, and southwestern Iran, and P. l. leucotis, which inhabits southern Iran, southern Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northwestern India.

The white-eared bulbul closely resembles the Himalayan white-cheeked bulbul but exhibits a few distinctions. It is smaller, lacks a crest, and features a larger white cheek patch along with a pale bare eye-ring. Males and females are visually similar. These birds favor habitats such as scrub forests, gardens, and mangroves, and they primarily feed on fruits and insects. They typically breed from March to June and are often observed in pairs or small groups. One of their preferred foods is the fruit from the Meswak bush.