White-cheeked Bulbul offers me food (1 Viewer)

Hi
A few days ago I was up north in my country which is Pakistan and while I was birding I happened to encounter a White-cheeked or Himalayan Bulbul. It came very near to me and caught a mantis from somewhere and was offering me it as a food. I knew that its breeding season but I didnt understand why it would offer me the food. Can anyone explain this behavior? I took some photos of it as well... attaching along.

Hi mafaque and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators.

What a wonderful experience that would have been for you. I'm unable to explain the behaviour though.

Hopefully someone else will be along soon who can though.

An excellent photograph!

I wonder if it was gathering food, noticed you, and came closer to investigate. Was it calling? If so, perhaps it was letting you know that it didn't appreciate your presence.

I tend to agree with birdmeister on its behavior.

It truly is a fantastic image.

I would agree too - maybe a nest was nearby.

Hi,

Himalaya said:

I would agree too - maybe a nest was nearby.

Click to expand...

Good analysis ... I spent a couple of hours in an observation tower with a wagtail nest in the rafters. The parents were gathering food, landing in the branches close by, and (more or less) patiently waiting for a moment no-one looked at them to fly into the nest and feed the young.

The young would then immediately make a racket, so all of the stealth and cunning was for nought ;-)

The pose of the parents, food in the beak, head turned to the side, intently looking at the photographer, was very much the same as in mafaque's beautiful shot, so I think you're most likely right!

Regards,

Henning