Common Bulbul
Pycnonotus barbatus
Common Bulbul feeds on fruits and insects in tropical and subtropical bushes.
| Scientific name | Pycnonotus barbatus |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | Least Concern |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Pycnonotidae |
| Size | Male: approximately 20-22 grams; Female: approximately 20-22 grams |
How to identify
Distinct dark crown on head; white eye-ring; yellow-green back; grayish-white belly; relatively long tail feathers with slightly white tips
Habitat
Tropical and subtropical scrub, secondary forests, gardens, and edges of farmland
Diet
Omnivorous, mainly feeding on fruits, insects, and other small invertebrates
When it is active
Diurnal, more active during early morning and evening
Where it lives
East African region, including Kenya, Tanzania, and adjacent areas; commonly found in Maasai Mara National Reserve
How to spot it
Look for them at dawn or dusk near scrub edges or fruit trees, listen for their clear, sharp calls
Photography tips
Use a telephoto lens to capture moments of activity on branches, keep the background simple to highlight the bird’s coloration
Threats
Habitat destruction and human disturbance
Similar species
Yellow-throated Bulbul (Pycnonotus xanthopygos), distinguished by the darker crown and more distinct eye-ring of the Dark-capped Bulbul
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