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The Northern Dark-capped Bulbul (Pycnonotus tricolor ssp. tricolor) is a common, conspicuous songbird found across central, eastern, and south-eastern Africa. Known for its dark head, brown body, and bright yellow vent, it is often found in gardens, orchards, and open woodlands.
Key Facts
Appearance: The bird has a dark, slightly crested head, grey-brown upperparts, and a paler, greyish-white belly. Its most distinctive features are its bright yellow undertail coverts (vent) and dark brown eyes with a narrow black eye-ring. Sexes look alike, though males are slightly larger. It is about 20 cm in length.
Diet: It is an omnivore, primarily feeding on fruits, berries, and nectar. It supplements its diet with insects and small invertebrates, which it sometimes catches in flight.
Habitat: This adaptable species inhabits a wide range of environments, including moist woodlands, riverine bush, suburban gardens, and parks. It avoids dense forests and arid deserts.
Behavior: Northern Dark-capped Bulbuls are typically seen in pairs or small groups. They are noisy and active birds, often perching conspicuously atop bushes or posts and acting as an alarm when predators are nearby. During the breeding season, they become territorial and may engage in aggressive physical fights with intruders.
Breeding: They are monogamous. The female builds a neat, cup-shaped nest well-concealed in foliage using dry grass, twigs, and spider webs. A typical clutch contains two to three eggs, which are incubated for about 12-15 days, mainly by the female.
