Cape Bulbul

Pycnonotus capensis

Least Concern · IUCN Red List

LCLeast ConcernFruitShrublandCup nestSmall · 39 g

ID tip

The Cape bulbul is 19–21 cm (7.5–8.3 in) long, mainly dull, blackish brown with a diagnostic white eye-ring, and yellow undertail coverts. The head has a small crest. The short, straight bill, legs and feet are black and the iris is dark brown. The sexes are similar in plumage. This species is much darker than the other South African bulbuls, and differs in the eye ring colour and brown lower belly, whereas the other dark bulbuls have a pale lower belly. The dark belly helps to identify juveniles, which lack the distinctive eye ring of the adult.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When to see the Cape Bulbul

One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is October, the month with the most records.

Where to see the Cape Bulbul

Regular range

The map shades 2 countries with regular records. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.

About the Cape Bulbul

The Cape bulbul is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is an endemic resident breeder in coastal bush, open forest, gardens and fynbos in western and southern South Africa. This species nests mainly in the southern spring from September to November. The nest is a thick-walled cup concealed by foliage in a small tree or shrub.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Easily confused with

Side by side: African Red-eyed Bulbul vs Cape Bulbul · Cape Bulbul vs Himalayan Bulbul

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