Common bulbul facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Common bulbul |
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| P. b. barbatus, Morocco | |
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| P. b. inornatus, Bukau Forest, Gambia | |
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Pycnonotus
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| Species: |
barbatus
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The common bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) is a cool little bird. It belongs to the bulbul family, which is a group of passerine (or perching) birds. You can find common bulbuls in many parts of Africa. They live in the north-eastern, northern, western, and central areas of the continent.
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About the Common Bulbul's Family
The common bulbul was first described a long time ago. Scientists sometimes group birds that are very similar. Some experts think that the Somali bulbul, Dodson's bulbul, and dark-capped bulbul are actually types of common bulbuls.
This bird has a few other names too! People sometimes call it the black-eyed bulbul or the common garden bulbul. It's also known as the garden bulbul or white-vented bulbul.
Different Types of Common Bulbuls
Scientists have found five main types, or subspecies, of the common bulbul. These are slightly different versions of the same bird, often found in different places:
- P. b. barbatus (Desfontaines, 1789) — This type is sometimes called the Barbary bulbul. You can find it from Morocco all the way to Tunisia.
- Upper Guinea bulbul P. b. inornatus (Fraser, 1843) — This bulbul lives from southern Mauritania and Senegal to western Chad and northern Cameroon.
- Gabon bulbul P. b. gabonensis Sharpe, 1871 — This type is found from central Nigeria and central Cameroon to Gabon and southern Congo.
- Egyptian bulbul P. b. arsinoe (Lichtenstein, MHK, 1823) — This one is sometimes called the Sahel garden bulbul. It lives in eastern Chad, northern and central Sudan, and eastern Egypt.
- Abyssinian bulbul P. b. schoanus Neumann, 1905 — You can find this bulbul in south-eastern Sudan, and in western, central, and eastern Ethiopia, as well as Eritrea.
What Does a Common Bulbul Look Like?
The common bulbul has a fairly short and thin beak. The top part of its beak curves a little downwards. Its beak, legs, and feet are black. The bird's eyes are dark brown, and it has a dark ring around them, but it's hard to see.
This bird is about 18 cm (about 7 inches) long. It has a nice long tail. Its head and upper body are dark brown. Male and female common bulbuls look very similar.
Where Do Common Bulbuls Live?
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Common bulbuls are very common in many parts of Africa. They have even started breeding in southern Spain! You can find them in many different places. They like woodlands, coastal bushes, and the edges of forests. They also live near rivers, in mountain scrub, and on farms. You might even spot them in gardens and parks.
How Do Common Bulbuls Behave?
Common bulbuls usually hang out in pairs or small groups. They are easy to spot because they often sit right on top of a bush. Like other bulbuls, they are very active and can be quite noisy! When they fly, it looks like they are bouncing up and down, a bit like a woodpecker. Their call is loud and sounds like doctor-quick doctor-quick be-quick be-quick.
Breeding and Nests
These birds can nest all year round in warm, wet places. In other areas, they usually breed when the rainy season starts. Their nest is strong and shaped like a cup. They usually build it hidden among the leaves of a small tree or bush.
A female common bulbul typically lays two or three eggs. Sometimes, another bird called the Jacobin cuckoo will lay its eggs in the bulbul's nest.
What Do Common Bulbuls Eat?
Common bulbuls enjoy a varied diet. They eat different kinds of fruit, and they also drink nectar from flowers. Besides that, they munch on seeds and insects.
