31-12-2023 ATLANTIC BLV, GAMBIA - COMMON BULBUL (Pycnonotus barbatus)

The common bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is found in north-eastern, northern, western and central Africa.

The common bulbul was originally described in the genus Turdus. Some authorities treat the Somali, Dodson's and dark-capped bulbul as subspecies of the common bulbul. The common bulbul is considered to belong to a superspecies along with the Himalayan bulbul, white-eared bulbul, white-spectacled bulbul, African red-eyed bulbul, and the Cape bulbul. Alternate names for the common bulbul include the black-eyed bulbul, brown bulbul (also used for the Asian red-eyed bulbul), brown-capped geelgat, common garden bulbul, garden bulbul and white-vented bulbul as well as one name used for another species (yellow-vented bulbul).

The Common Bulbul is a bird smaller than the Blackbird and especially slimmer. It also has a large tail, but the overall appearance is different.

The plumage is plain, without any striking characteristic and there is no sexual dimorphism. The female is only slightly smaller.

Upper parts are medium-brown with hints of fawn. The head is hooded in dark brown, the face becoming almost black and includes an eye, also black. The beak is black, strong and slightly curved in appearance. Remiges and rectrices are a darker brown, appearing blackish in low light. The tail exceeds the short wings greatly. Robust black legs.

Lower parts are whitish to beige-brown depending on illumination, sometimes with a chestnut-brown plastron on the chest, with the rear sides marked in russet-brown. The undertail covert are almost white and constitutes the lightest part of the body.

The silhouette in flight and the flight itself are quite characteristic: long tail, short rounded wings, yet flight is fast and direct with emphasis beating, very different to a large thrush. And in the tree-filled habitat, there are no other species to confuse it with, except a few other bulbuls on the margins of its range (see further). Furthermore it is very vocal, which facilitates detection.