Cape bulbul facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cape bulbul |
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The Cape bulbul (Pycnonotus capensis) is a cool bird from the bulbul family. It's a type of passerine bird, which means it's a perching bird. You can find it only in South Africa, especially along the coast. It lives in bushy areas, open forests, gardens, and a special type of plant area called fynbos. These birds usually build their nests in the southern spring, from September to November. Their nest is a strong, cup-shaped home hidden in a small tree or bush.
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About the Cape Bulbul's Name
The Cape bulbul got its scientific name from a famous Swedish scientist named Carl Linnaeus. He named it Turdus capensis in 1766. The word capensis means "from the Cape," referring to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.
Today, this bird is placed in a group of birds called Pycnonotus. This group was created by a German scientist named Friedrich Boie in 1826. The Cape bulbul is related to other bulbuls like the Himalayan bulbul and the African red-eyed bulbul. Sometimes, people also call it the Cape geelgat.
What Does the Cape Bulbul Look Like?
The Cape bulbul is about 19 to 21 centimeters (about 7.5 to 8 inches) long. It's mostly a dull, blackish-brown color. A special feature is the bright white ring around its eye. It also has yellow feathers under its tail.
Its head has a small crest, which is like a little tuft of feathers. The bird's short, straight beak, legs, and feet are black. Its eyes are dark brown. Male and female Cape bulbuls look very similar.
This bulbul is darker than other bulbuls found in South Africa. You can tell it apart by its white eye-ring and its brown lower belly. Other dark bulbuls usually have a pale lower belly. Young Cape bulbuls don't have the clear eye-ring, but their dark belly helps identify them.
The Cape bulbul has a unique call. It sounds like a watery whistle with different notes, such as pit-peet-pitmajol or piet-piet-patata.
How Does the Cape Bulbul Live?
The Cape bulbul is a common bird that you can easily spot. It likes to perch at the top of bushes. These birds are very active and noisy. You will often see them in pairs or small groups.
They spend their time looking for food. Their diet includes fruits, nectar from flowers, and insects. In some areas, a bird called the Jacobin cuckoo might lay its eggs in the Cape bulbul's nest. This means the cuckoo tricks the bulbul into raising its chicks.
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