Photo: Brian Ralphs from Wheaton, IL, USA / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Cape Bulbul
Pycnonotus capensis
Cape Bulbul (Pycnonotus capensis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found on 1 guide in our atlas — open it for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Cape Bulbul (Pycnonotus capensis) is a member of the Pycnonotidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 38.6 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Pycnonotidae Bulbuls
- Genus Pycnonotus
- Species capensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 38.6 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Pycnonotidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Cape Bulbul is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open scrub and shrubland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Cape Bulbul is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Cape Bulbul (Pycnonotus capensis) belongs to the Pycnonotidae family of the order Passeriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF w, s South Africa.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 38.6 g, with a wing length of about 9.3 cm and a tail of around 8.6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 152,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Cape Bulbul?
The Cape Bulbul is a small bird that weighs around 38.6 g.
Where does the Cape Bulbul live?
The Cape Bulbul is found across Africa with a range covering AF w, s South Africa, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Cape Bulbul belong to?
The Cape Bulbul (Pycnonotus capensis) belongs to the Pycnonotidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Cape Bulbul eat?
The Cape Bulbul is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Cape Bulbul migrate?
The Cape Bulbul is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Cape Bulbul endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Cape Bulbul make?
1 real field recording of the Cape Bulbul — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Cape Bulbul's range?
The Cape Bulbul has a mapped global range of about 152,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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