Garden Birds of Southern Africa by Duncan Butchart

Author:Duncan Butchart
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Struik Nature
Published: 2017-10-06T00:00:00+00:00

AFRICAN RED-EYED BULBUL

Pycnonotus nigricans • 20 cm

Like other bulbuls, the African Red-eyed drinks and bathes regularly, so it is a common visitor to gardens within its range.

This is the dry-country counterpart of the Dark-capped and Cape bulbuls. It occurs throughout the Karoo and Kalahari, where it is a common garden bird in towns such as Bloemfontein, Kimberley and Graaff-Reinet. Like its close relatives, it is one of the most conspicuous garden birds and is quick to raise the alarm at the presence of cats, mongooses, owls and snakes. Sexes are alike. Juveniles lack the red eye wattles.

Feeding: Eats fruit and insects in equal quantities and relishes Aloe nectar. Favours the berries of Searsia and Boscia, as well as those of the alien Brazilian Pepper Tree Schinus molle. This bulbul is an important seed disperser. Visits orchards to feed on ripe peaches and apricots. Small beetles, caterpillars and spiders are among the invertebrates taken from foliage. Often sallies out to capture winged insects, and comes to the ground more often than the Cape or Dark-capped bulbuls.

Breeding: Pairs defend a territory in which the female builds an open bowl nest of thin plant stems and grass seedheads, concealed within a leafy shrub or tree. The clutch of three eggs is incubated for 12 days by the female, with chicks fledging after 12 days. Nests may be parasitised by the Jacobin Cuckoo.

Voice: The male calls from an exposed perch, giving loud, musical ‘tillop-peep-peep-tiddlypop’ phrases.

Lifespan: Probably at least eight years.

Garden needs: Berry-producing shrubs and acacias that harbour insects will attract this bulbul. Also visits bird tables for fruit. Drinks and bathes throughout the day, so will be a regular at a birdbath.

Similar species: There is little overlap in the distribution ranges of the three common bulbuls, but the Red-eyed may occur alongside Dark-capped in gardens in southern Gauteng, Gaborone and Maun.

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