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To the Beauty of Birds

The Common Bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) is a ubiquitous resident breeder throughout Africa. Other names include Black-eyed Bulbul and common garden bulbul.

The Common Bulbul has a number of subspecies; some authorities consider P. b. dodsoni (Dodson’s bulbul), P. b. somaliensis (Somali bulbul) and P. b. tricolor (dark-capped bulbul) as separate species from the nominate P. b. barbatus.
The three photos labeled Common bulbul Dodson show this subspecies characterized by whitish feather tips.

The bill is fairly short and thin, with a slightly downcurving 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.

The dark-capped bulbul is mostly greyish-brown above and whitish-brown below, with a distinctive dark head and pointy crest on top of the head. The back of the head merges into the brown of the back, and the chin is also blackish. The underparts are grey-brown apart from white around the vent (yellow in P. b. tricolor). It is about 18 cm in length, with a long tail. It has a dark brown head and upperparts. Sexes are similar in plumage.

The black-eyed 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. The call is a loud doctor-quick doctor-quick be-quick be-quick.

Common Bulbul