One of the commonest birds in Africa
Images are also shown at the African Bird Club link:
http://www.birdexplorers.com/afbid/search.php?func=searchresult&af_bs_id=1322
Africa: all S of Sahara except much of SW (not in Namibia, W South Africa nor any but N of Botswana); down Nile River to Mediterranean coast; Morocco - Tunisia.
Almost any wooded or bushy habitat (with sufficient abundance of fruiting trees or shrubs) but avoids unbroken forest.
More abundant at the edge of (degraded) forest (because these birds are principally found in disturbed habitats).
Resident (across much of range)
Breeding recorded in different months depending on the region, though during all months in C & E Africa.
Monogamous
15-20 cm
Mostly frugivorous: mostly fruit, also arthropods.
Foraging in trees and shrubs; food occasionally taken from ground.
Resident breeder.
The common bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is found in north-eastern, northern, western and central Africa.
The common bulbul was originally described in the genus Turdus. Some authorities treat the Somali, Dodson's and dark-capped bulbul as subspecies of the common bulbul.[2] The common bulbul is considered to belong to a superspecies along with the Himalayan bulbul, white-eared bulbul, white-spectacled bulbul, African red-eyed bulbul, and the Cape bulbul.[3] Alternate names for the common bulbul include the black-eyed bulbul, brown bulbul (also used for the Asian red-eyed bulbul), brown-capped geelgat, common garden bulbul, garden bulbul and white-vented bulbul as well as one name used for another species (yellow-vented bulbul).
Five subspecies are recognized:[4]
The bill is fairly short and thin, with a slightly downwards curving upper mandible. The bill, legs, and feet are black and the eye is dark brown with a dark eye-ring, which is not readily visible. It is about 18 cm in length, with a long tail. It has a dark brown head and upperparts. Sexes are similar in plumage.
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It is a common resident breeder in much of Africa, and it has recently been found breeding in southern Spain at Tarifa.[2] It is found in woodland, coastal bush, forest edges, riverine bush, montane scrub, and in mixed farming habitats. It is also found in exotic thickets, gardens, and parks.
The common bulbul is usually seen in pairs or small groups. It is a conspicuous bird, which tends to sit at the top of a bush. As with other bulbuls they are active and noisy birds. The flight is bouncing and woodpecker-like. The call is a loud doctor-quick doctor-quick be-quick be-quick.
This species nests throughout the year in the moist tropics, elsewhere it is a more seasonal breeder with a peak in breeding coinciding with the onset of the rainy season. The nest is fairly rigid, thick-walled and cup-shaped. It is usually situated inside the leafy foliage of a small tree or shrub.
Two or three eggs are a typical clutch. Like other bulbuls, it is parasitised by the Jacobin cuckoo.
This species eats fruit, nectar, seeds and insects.
The common bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is found in north-eastern, northern, western and central Africa.
