Sombre greenbul | |
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A. i. oleaginus at uMkhuze Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Passeriformes |
Family: | Pycnonotidae |
Genus: | Andropadus Swainson, 1832 |
Species: | A. importunus |
Binomial name | |
Andropadus importunus (Vieillot, 1818) | |
resident range | |
Synonyms | |
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The sombre greenbul (Andropadus importunus) is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is a resident breeder in coastal bush, evergreen forest and dry shrub land in eastern and southern Africa. It is the only member of the genus Andropadus.
Eighteen species of greenbuls originally described in the genus Andropadus were re-classified to the genera Arizelocichla , Stelgidillas and Eurillas in 2010. [2] This has left Andropadus as a monotypic genus with the sombre greenbul remaining as its sole extant species. [3]
The sombre greenbul was originally described in the genus Turdus and was later re-classified to the genus Andropadus. Alternatively, some authorities classify the sombre greenbul in the genus Pycnonotus . Alternate names for the sombre greenbul include the sombre bulbul, southern sombre bulbul and southern sombre greenbul. [4]
Four subspecies of the sombre greenbul are recognized: [3]
Formerly, some authorities also considered the following species (or subspecies) as species within the genus Andropadus:
The sombre greenbul is 15–18 cm long, with mainly dull greyish olive-green plumage, paler on the underparts than above. There are variations in colour based on habitat range. Individuals located in southern Africa tend to be plain, olive-green. To the north, birds are yellower with greener upper parts. [27] It has a white iris. The sexes are similar in plumage, but juveniles are even duller than the adult and have dark, grey eyes. [27] There is no colour distinction among sexes. [27] The subspecies A. i. hypoxanthus is much yellower below than the nominate subspecies.
The sombre greenbul is a vocal species, and the most typical call is a monotonous, ringing phrase starting with a penetrating single whistle weeeewee, followed by a jumbled chortle and ending off with a rather plaintive, drawn-out whistle willy. If agitated, a call of peeet peeet peeet repeatedly is likely to be heard. [27]
The sombre greenbul is a common bird, which tends to stay hidden in foliage and is more often heard than seen. It is usually found in pairs or small groups foraging for insects, fruit and small snails.
The greenbuls are a group of birds within the bulbul family Pycnonotidae, found only within Africa. They are all largely drab olive-green above, and paler below, with few distinguishing features.
Ansorge's greenbul or Ansorge's bulbul, is a species of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is found in western and central Africa. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
Arizelocichla is a genus of greenbuls, songbirds in the bulbul family (Pycnonotidae). The genus was revived in 2010 when twelve species of bulbuls from the genus Andropadus were separated and re-classified in the genus Arizelocichla.
The yellow-throated greenbul is a species of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is an African species found in east-central and southern Tanzania.
The plain greenbul is a species of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is found in western and central Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.
The slender-billed greenbul is a species in the monotypic genus Stelgidillas of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is found in western and central Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.
The little grey greenbul is a species of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is widely distributed across the African tropical rainforest. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical swamps.
The yellow-whiskered greenbul or yellow-whiskered bulbul is a species of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is found in western and central Africa.
Shelley's greenbul or Shelley's bulbul, is a species of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is found in east-central Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
The stripe-cheeked greenbul is a species of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is found in south-eastern Africa. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
The mountain greenbul, or eastern mountain greenbul, is a species of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is found in eastern Africa.
The western greenbul is a species of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is found in the Cameroonian Highlands forests.
Falkenstein's greenbul is a species of songbird in the bulbul family, Pycnonotidae. It is found from western Cameroon and Central African Republic to central Angola. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, moist savanna, and subtropical or tropical moist shrubland.
Pycnonotus is a genus of frugivorous passerine birds in the bulbul family Pycnonotidae.
The bristlebills are a genus Bleda of passerine birds in the bulbul family Pycnonotidae. They are found in the forest understorey of western and central Africa. They forage for insects at or near ground-level, often near water. They will follow driver ant swarms to catch prey items fleeing from the ants and they frequently join mixed-species feeding flocks.
The olive-headed greenbul is a species of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is found in south-eastern Africa.
The olive-breasted greenbul is a species of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is found in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, south-western and south-eastern Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and central Kenya.
The Uluguru greenbul is a species of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is found in eastern Tanzania.
The black-browed greenbul is a species of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is found in south-eastern Africa from south-western Tanzania to north-eastern Zambia, Malawi and west-central Mozambique.
The stripe-faced greenbul is a species of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is found in Africa from south-eastern Kenya to south-western Tanzania.