Sombre greenbul

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Sombre greenbul
Sombre greenbul, Andropadus importunus, at uMkhuze Game Reserve, kwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (15244076569).jpg
A. i. oleaginus at uMkhuze Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
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)
Andropadus importunus distribution map.png
  resident range
Synonyms
  • Pycnonotus importunus
  • Turdus importunus

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.

Contents

Taxonomy and systematics

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]

Subspecies

Four subspecies of the sombre greenbul are recognized: [3]

Former species

Formerly, some authorities also considered the following species (or subspecies) as species within the genus Andropadus:

Description

Nominate subspecies at the Crocodile River, Mpumalanga, South Africa Andropadus importunus 2016 10 08 4975, crop.jpg
Nominate subspecies at the Crocodile River, Mpumalanga, South Africa

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]

Behaviour and ecology

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.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenbul</span> Family of birds

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ansorge's greenbul</span> Species of bird

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.

<i>Arizelocichla</i> Genus of birds

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-throated greenbul</span> Species of bird

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plain greenbul</span> Species of bird

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slender-billed greenbul</span> Species of bird

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little grey greenbul</span> Species of bird

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-whiskered greenbul</span> Species of bird

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shelley's greenbul</span> Species of bird

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stripe-cheeked greenbul</span> Species of bird

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mountain greenbul</span> Species of bird

The mountain greenbul, or eastern mountain greenbul, is a species of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is found in eastern Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western greenbul</span> Species of bird

The western greenbul is a species of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is found in the Cameroonian Highlands forests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Falkenstein's greenbul</span> Species of songbird

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.

<i>Pycnonotus</i> Genus of birds

Pycnonotus is a genus of frugivorous passerine birds in the bulbul family Pycnonotidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bristlebill</span> Genus of birds

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-browed greenbul</span> Species of bird

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stripe-faced greenbul</span> Species of bird

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.

References

  1. BirdLife International (2018). "Andropadus importunus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018: e.T22712795A131966190. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22712795A131966190.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. "Taxonomy Version 2 « IOC World Bird List". www.worldbirdnames.org. Retrieved 2017-04-02.
  3. 1 2 "Bulbuls « IOC World Bird List". www.worldbirdnames.org. Retrieved 2017-04-03.
  4. "Andropadus importunus - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
  5. "Arizelocichla masukuensis - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2017-04-02.
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  9. "Arizelocichla kikuyuensis - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2017-04-04.
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  14. "Arizelocichla milanjensis - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  15. "Arizelocichla olivaceiceps - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  16. "Arizelocichla striifacies - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  17. "Stelgidillas gracilirostris - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2017-04-07.
  18. "Eurillas virens [incl. hallae] - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2017-04-07.
  19. "Eurillas gracilis - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  20. "Eurillas ansorgei - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  21. "Eurillas ansorgei kavirondensis - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  22. "Eurillas curvirostris - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  23. "Eurillas latirostris - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
  24. "Chlorocichla laetissima - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2017-04-12.
  25. "Chlorocichla falkensteini - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2017-04-16.
  26. "Phyllastrephus flavostriatus flavostriatus - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2017-05-06.
  27. 1 2 3 4 Newman, Vanessa (2010). Newman's Birds of Southern Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Pippa Parker. p. 348. ISBN   9781770078789.