African red-eyed bulbul
| African red-eyed bulbul | |
|---|---|
| |
| P. n. nigricans Damaraland, Namibia | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Infraorder: | Passerides |
| Family: | Pycnonotidae |
| Genus: | Pycnonotus |
| Species: | P. nigricans
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pycnonotus nigricans (Vieillot, 1818)
| |
| |
| resident, nomadic and migratory range | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The African red-eyed bulbul or black-fronted bulbul (Pycnonotus nigricans) is a species of songbird in the family Pycnonotidae. It is found in south-western Africa. Its natural habitats are dry savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and riverine scrub.[1][2][3] It feeds on fruit (including Ficus), flowers, nectar, and insects.[2][3]
Description
[edit]The African red-eyed bulbul ranges from 19 to 21 centimeters (7-8 inches) in length and weighs 30-48 grams (1-1.7 ounces). Its call is a series of loud fluty notes, usually given only by the male.[2][3]
Taxonomy and systematics
[edit]The African red-eyed bulbul was originally described in the genus Turdus. The African red-eyed bulbul is considered to belong to a superspecies along with the Himalayan bulbul, white-eared bulbul, white-spectacled bulbul, Cape bulbul, and the common bulbul.[4] The alternate name of 'red-eyed bulbul' is also used by the Asian red-eyed bulbul.
Subspecies
[edit]Two subspecies are recognized:[5]
- P. n. nigricans – (Vieillot, 1818): Found in south-western Angola, Namibia and Botswana and western South Africa
- P. n. superior – Clancey, 1959: Found in central South Africa
Gallery
[edit]-
P. n. nigricans; communal bathing at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, with one or two keeping watch -
Nominate race at Etosha N. P., showing relatively pale breast plumage -
The easterly P. n. subsp. superior, with darker breast and mantle plumage -
Group of African red-eyed bulbuls in Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Botswana -
African red-eyed bulbul in Okaukuejo, Etosha National Park, Namibia
References
[edit]- ^ a b BirdLife International (2018). "Pycnonotus nigricans". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T22712671A132101672. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22712671A132101672.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ a b c "Black-fronted Bulbul (Pycnonotus nigricans)". hbw.com. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- ^ a b c Sinclair, Ian; Ryan, Peter (2009). Complete photographic field guide birds of Southern Africa. Struik Nature.
- ^ "Himalayan Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys)". hbw.com. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
- ^ "Bulbuls « IOC World Bird List". worldbirdnames.org. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
External links
[edit]
- African red-eyed bulbul – Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds.