African red-eyed bulbul

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]

African red-eyed bulbul
P. n. nigricans Damaraland, Namibia
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
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

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