Management Information
It is recommended that management actions for Pycnonotus jocosus (red-whiskered bulbul) be taken within the first few years of introduction in order to be effective. This is to take advantage of its period of slow dispersal and population growth following introduction. Research has shown that P. jocosus spreads slowly for the first five or more years. After this initial period, which is variable by location with some instances taking as long as ten years, the populations spread and grow more rapidly, rendering eradication arduous and ineffective. Researchers cite its roosting behaviour as the cause of this low initial dispersion rate (Clergeau, 2001)Preventative measures: Most of its spread may be contributed to human transport, be it accidental escape from zoos or gardens or intentional and unintentional release of cage birds. More care in the keeping and transport of red-whiskered bulbuls would greatly reduce its spread to new locations. Governmental preventative measures have been fairly successful in the United States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Code of Federal Regulation strictly prohibits their importation to the U.S. and its territories. The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources distributed brochures and flyers to the public in the 1980s informing them about P. jocosus and requesting that any sightings be reported. No new populations were established outside of Oahu (Islam, 1999). Cultural: Since red-whiskered bulbuls are common cage birds in many parts of the world, the public should be informed of environmental threats they impose and be cautious in their keeping and transport. Physical: Eradication or relocation is an option in invaded areas. P. jocosus was successfully captured using cages with a decoy and fruit as bait by a pest control program in La Réunion (Amiot, 2007). Chemical: The use of pesticides and bird lime by farmers to protect their crops from bulbuls in the Mascarenes has been successful (Clergeau, 2000). Repellents methiocarb, ziram, and methyl anthranilate were successfully used to reduce the consumption of papaya by the closely related red-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) by 65% (Islam, 1999).
Location Specific Management InformationCalifornia (United States (USA))
The California Department of Agriculture implemented an eradication program on Pycnonotus jocosus because it was considered a threat to the citrus crop. Few are known to remain (Islam, 1999). Mauritius
Farmers in Mauritius have been recorded using bird lime and pesticides to protect their crops from Pycnonotus jocosus (Clergeau, 2001). Mayotte 
DAF (Department of Agriculture and Forestry) conducted a management programme that led to the eradication of Pycnonotus jocusus in 1993. Oahu Is. (United States (USA))
The Hawaii Island Department of Land and Natural Resources published brouchers and posters to try to prevent the spread of Pycnonotus jocosus from Oahu (Islam, 1999). Reunion (La Réunion)
Pycnonotus jocusus is subject to compulsory control measures under certain conditions specified by prefectural order. The only effective control strategy at present is to use a cage trap equipped with bait and a "call" that attracts the bulbul. Use of his trap is regulated by prefectural order and it is the only control method permitted by law outside the hunting season. The trap is an effective and selective tool for use in collective control campaigns. These cage traps are available from the GDON on the island. Provision of a cage trap is accompanied by training by the Fédération Départementale des Groupements de Défense contre les Organismes Nuisibles (FDGDON) and technical and administrative follow-up to ensure effective control (FDGDON, Reunion).
Management Resources/Links
1. Amiot, C., Lorvelec, O., Mandon-Dalger, I., Sardella, A., Lequilliec, P., and Cleargeau, P. 2007. Rapid morphological divergence of introduced Red-whiskered Bulbuls Pyconotus jocosus in contrasting environments. Ibis, Vol. 149: 482-489.
Summary: Journal article describing morpholgical differences in isolated populations of Red-whiskered Bulbuls in Reunion. 4. Clergeau, P. and Mandon-Dalger, I. 2001. Fast colonization of an introduced bird: the case of Pycnonotus jocosus on the Mascarene Island. Biotropica Vol. 33, Number 3: 542-546.
Summary: Journal article comparing population growth of different populations of red-whiskered bulbuls in the Mascarenes and elsewhere. 5. Clergeau, P., Madon-Dalger, I., Georger, S. 2002. Mise en place d'une gestion intégrée d'un oiseau ravageur des cultures à la Reunion. Ingénieries, 30 : 71-80.
Summary: La gestion intégrée des oiseaux ravageurs des cultures est une alternative aux luttes chimiques ou mécaniques, et s'inscrit dans les projets d'agriculture durable. La prise en compte des différents acteurs en recherche/ingénierie/action et des différents niveaux fonctionnels tant administratif que biologique est un des moyens de construction d'une telle gestion. Cette démarche a été appliquée pour répondre aux dégâts causés à la production fruitière par un oiseau récemment introduit à la Réunion. Results Page: 1
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