Scientific name Andropadus importunus Order Passerine | Family Pycnonotidae Phylum Chordata Rank Species | |
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Genus AndropadusSwainson, 1832 Similar Bird, Bulbul, Terrestrial brownbul, Southern boubou, Yellow‑bellied greenbul | ||
Sombre greenbul
The sombre greenbul (Andropadus importunus) 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 Africa from Ethiopia to the Cape in South Africa.
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Sombre greenbul
Identification
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 the 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.
Behaviour
The sombre greenbul is a common bird, which tends to stay hidden in foliage and is more often heard than seen. It is usually found in pairs or small groups foraging for insects, fruit and small snails.
The sombre greenbul is a vocal species, and the most typical call is a monotonous, ringing phrase starting with a penetrating single whistle weeeewee, followed by a jumbled chortle and ending off with a rather plaintive, drawn out whistle willy. If agitated, a call of peeet peeet peeet repeatedly is likely to be heard.