Back in the hot, dry season a few months ago here in Thailand I kept a water-bath topped up for the birds. The most frequent visitors were these Streak-eared Bulbuls, which are very common and likeable for their active presence if not for their drab looks!
I put my iphone on a tripod right next to the bath and sat a few metres away with a bluetooth trigger. I certainly ended up getting a lot of wings! And my phone ended up getting a lot of splashes!
When we first moved here I was unimpressed with these birds. There didn't seem to be anything distinct or interesting about them. They were just always there with their dull colouring. But having spent time watching them they have grown on me a lot. Their interactions with each other, their quiet chatterings, and their reckless attempts at nesting in obvious places with an unstable little nest, all help to give them personality. Still not a striking bird but one with a subtle character that is easy to relate to.
