About the Sombre Greenbul
The sombre greenbul 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.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
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. It has a white iris. The sexes are similar in plumage, but juveniles are even duller than the adult and have dark, grey eyes. There is no colour distinction among sexes. The subspecies A. i. hypoxanthus is much yellower below than the nominate subspecies.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Sombre Greenbul sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Lesotho.
When to see it
Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
White-spectacled BulbulPycnonotus xanthopygosThe white-spectacled bulbul is a member of the bulbul family.
Yellow-vented BulbulPycnonotus goiavierThe yellow-vented bulbul, or eastern yellow-vented bulbul, is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds.
White-browed BulbulPycnonotus luteolusThe white-browed bulbul is about 20 cm (7.9 in) long, with a moderately long (8 centimetres or 3 inches) tail.
Side by side: Sombre Greenbul vs White-browed Bulbul
Learn the Sombre Greenbul for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.