African red-eyed bulbul

African red-eyed bulbul
	P. n. nigricans; Damaraland, Namibia
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Pycnonotidae
Genus:	Pycnonotus
Species:	P. nigricans
Binomial name
	Pycnonotus nigricans; (Vieillot, 1818)
	resident, nomadic and migratory range
Synonyms
	Turdus nigricans;

The African red-eyed bulbul or black-fronted bulbul (Pycnonotus nigricans) is a species of songbird in the family Pycnonotidae. It is found in south-western Africa. Its natural habitats are dry savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and riverine scrub.^[1]^[2]^[3] It feeds on fruit (including Ficus), flowers, nectar, and insects.^[2]^[3]

Description

The African red-eyed bulbul ranges from 19 to 21 centimeters (7-8 inches) in length and weighs 30-48 grams (1-1.7 ounces). Its call is a series of loud fluty notes, usually given only by the male.^[2]^[3]

Taxonomy and systematics

The African red-eyed bulbul was originally described in the genus Turdus. The African red-eyed bulbul is considered to belong to a superspecies along with the Himalayan bulbul, white-eared bulbul, white-spectacled bulbul, Cape bulbul, and the common bulbul.^[4] The alternate name of 'red-eyed bulbul' is also used by the Asian red-eyed bulbul.

Subspecies

Two subspecies are recognized:^[5]

P. n. nigricans – (Vieillot, 1818): Found in south-western Angola, Namibia and Botswana and western South Africa
P. n. superior – Clancey, 1959: Found in central South Africa

Gallery

P. n. nigricans; communal bathing at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, with one or two keeping watch
Nominate race at Etosha N. P., showing relatively pale breast plumage
The easterly P. n. subsp. superior, with darker breast and mantle plumage
Group of African red-eyed bulbuls in Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Botswana
African red-eyed bulbul in Okaukuejo, Etosha National Park, Namibia