African red-eyed bulbul

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African red-eyed bulbul
African red-eyed bulbul (Pycnonotus nigricans).jpg
P. n. nigricans
Damaraland, Namibia
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Pycnonotidae
Genus: Pycnonotus
Species:
P. nigricans
Binomial name
Pycnonotus nigricans
(Vieillot, 1818)
Pycnonotus nigricans distribution map.png
     resident, nomadic and migratory range
Synonyms
  • Turdus nigricans

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]

Contents

Description

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

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

Two subspecies are recognized: [5]

References

  1. 1 2 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.
  2. 1 2 3 "Black-fronted Bulbul (Pycnonotus nigricans)". hbw.com. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 Sinclair, Ian; Ryan, Peter (2009). Complete photographic field guide birds of Southern Africa. Struik Nature.
  4. "Himalayan Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys)". hbw.com. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  5. "Bulbuls « IOC World Bird List". worldbirdnames.org. Retrieved 26 March 2017.