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Birds of Wildcliff Nature Reserve
Dedicated to
plant and wildlife conservation in South Africa's Cape Floral Kingdom
 Cape Bulbul (Pycnonotus capensis)
Description. Overall
dark bird. Dark brown head shading to black on the face.
Like other bulbuls, has a short crest on hind crown. Dark brown
upperparts including tail. Yellow undertail coverts. Obvious
white eye-ring and dark brown underparts extending on to lower belly
differentiate from the sympatric African Red-eyed and Dark-capped
Bulbuls. Endemic to South Africa. At right,
an adult male.
Call. Sharp, liquid whistle
described as “peet-peet-patata.” Most common call note
“piet-my-jol.” Contact calls sound-like “chirrup” or “key-link”;
alarm call a low pitched “churr.”
Habitat. Fynbos,
coastal scrub, riverine forest, plantations and gardens. Has an
affinity towards exotic wattle (Acacia cyclops). Prefers moist
habitats; usually found within 100km of coast and below 500m.
Behavior. Often
seen singly or in pairs, however in the winter can be found in small
flocks especially at fruiting trees. Largely sedentary but will
wander locally during the non-breeding season. Evidence suggests that
individuals may return to the same foraging grounds in successive
winters. May roost near food source in winter.
Diet. Eats mostly
fruits but will take seeds nectar and insects. Hawks insects on the
wing; will take them from flowers as well.
Predators. Not much is known about what may prey on adult
bulbuls. Many animals will prey on eggs and young (especially
nestlings); monkeys, genets, domestic cats, mongoose, many species of
rodent, Marsh Harrier (Circus ranivorus), Puff adder (Bitis arietans)
and egg-eating snake (Dasypeltis scubra).
Reproduction.
Monogamous and usually pairs for life. Territorial during
breeding season, but not strongly advertised or defended. Male
has been observed giving courtship displays. Nests anywhere from
Aug.-Mar. with peak breeding activity occurring in Sept.-Nov. Nest site
chosen by female, nest built by female and is constructed of twigs,
grass stems and rootlets laid on a foundation of coarse twig; can be
lined with animal wool, cobwebs, string, cotton, paper and vegetable
fibers. A full clutch of 2-3 eggs is incubated for 11-14 days and is
done by female. After eggs hatch both adults will feed nestlings mostly
insects up to day 6 or 7 and mainly fruits thereafter. Nestling will
fledge in 12-14 days. 2 broods are common. Nest heavily parasitized by
Jacobin’s Cuckoo (Oxylophus jacobinus).
On Wildcliff. Seen
on Wildcliff.
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Female
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Links & References
- Wildcliff
Bird
List
- Birding
Resources Page
- Keith, S. Pycnonotus
capensis. In: Fry, C.H., Keith S. and Urban K., Eds. The Birds of
Africa. Vol. 4. London: Academic Press, 2000. Pp. 374-377.
- Sinclair, Ian, and Peter Ryan. Birds of Africa south of the
Sahara. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2003.
Thanks to Conan Guard
for this page.
Based on sightings in
the immediate area, as many as 160
bird species may be seen at Wildcliff. If
you are interested in conducting an ornithological survey or study at
Wildcliff, please complete the Application Form on the research page.
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