Dark-capped Bulbul

The common bulbul is 18–20 cm (7.1–7.9 in) in length, with a long tail. The sexes are similar in plumage but the male is on average larger. It has a dark brown head and brown upperparts. The underparts are dull grey. The bill is fairly short and thin, with a slightly downwards curving upper mandible. The bill, legs, and feet are black and the eye is dark brown with a dark eye-ring, which is not readily visible. Subspecies P. b. dodsoni, P. b. spurius, P. b. tricolor and P. b. layardi have yellow undertail coverts. The call is a loud doctor-quick doctor-quick be-quick be-quick.

It is a common resident breeder in much of Africa, and it has been found breeding in southern Spain at Tarifa. It is found in woodland, coastal bush, forest edges, riverine bush, montane scrub, and in mixed farming habitats. It is also found in exotic thickets, gardens, and parks.

The common bulbul is usually seen in pairs or small groups. It is a conspicuous bird, which tends to sit at the top of a bush. As with other bulbuls they are active and noisy birds. The flight is bouncing and woodpecker-like.

Breeding. This species nests throughout the year in the moist tropics, elsewhere it is a more seasonal breeder with a peak in breeding coinciding with the onset of the rainy season. The nest is built by the female and is usually 1–5 m (3 ft 3 in – 16 ft 5 in) above ground, in a branch of a tree, generally away from the main trunk. The nest is fairly rigid, thick-walled and cup-shaped. The clutch is 2 to 5 eggs. These are incubated by the female starting when the clutch is complete and hatch after 12–15 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and leave the nest after 13–16 days although at this age they can barely fly. They are cared for by both parents until aged around 40 days. Nests are frequently parasitised by the Jacobin cuckoo.

Feeding. The common bulbul mostly eats fruit, but also consumes nectar, insects and seeds.