Common Bulbul
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| Common Bulbul | ||||||||||||||
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| Pycnonotus barbatus (Desfontaines, 1789) |
The Common Bulbul, Pycnonotus barbatus, is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is a ubiquitous resident breeder hroughout Africa. There are a number of subspecies; some authorities consider P. b. dodsoni and P. b. tricolor as separate species from the nominate P. b. barbatus.
This bird is found everywhere except dense forest and treeless expanses. It builds its nest in a tree or bush; two or three eggs is a typical clutch. This is an adaptable and very bold bird which has readily taken to living alongside humans.
The Common Bulbul is about 18cm in length, with a long tail. It has a dark brown head and upperparts. The underparts are grey-brown apart from white around the vent. Sexes are similar in plumage. The flight is bouncing and woodpecker-like. The call is a loud doctor-quick doctor-quick be-quick be-quick.
Common Bulbuls mainly feed on fruit and insects, but are almost omnivorous.
Reference
- Birds of The Gambia by Barlow, Wacher and Disley, ISBN 1-873403-32-1