Black Eyed Bulbul
( Pwele or Common bulbul )
- Pycnonotus barbatus
- IUCN Status: Least Concern
- Trend: stable
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Pycnonotidae
- Genus: Pycnonotus
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General Information
The black eyed bulbul is a bulbul and has a variety of 5 subspecies.
Fun Facts!
The black eyed bulbul makes a weird cal that sounds like, “doctor-quick doctor-quick be-quick be-quick”. In Zambia it is locally known as ‘Pwele’
Description
The bill is fairly short and thin, with a slightly downwards curving upper mandible. The bill, legs, and feet are black and the eye is dark brown with a dark eye-ring, which is not readily visible. It has a long tail. It has a dark brown head and upperparts. Sexes are similar in plumage
Ecology and Behaviour
The common bulbul is usually seen in pairs or small groups. It is a conspicuous bird, which tends to sit at the top of a bush. As with other bulbuls they are active and noisy birds. The flight is bouncing and woodpecker-like.
Diet
This species eats fruit, nectar, seeds and insects.
Reproduction
This species nests throughout the year in the moist tropics, elsewhere it is a more seasonal breeder with a peak in breeding coinciding with the onset of the rainy season. The nest is fairly rigid, thick-walled and cup-shaped. It is usually situated inside the leafy foliage of a small tree or shrub.
Two or three eggs are a typical clutch
Conservation
It is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a, ” Least Concern “.
Distribution and Habitat
It is a common resident breeder in much of Africa, and it has recently been found breeding in southern Spain at Tarifa. It is found in woodland, coastal bush, forest edges, riverine bush, montane scrub, and in mixed farming habitats. It is also found in exotic thickets, gardens, and parks.
Interaction with humans
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