About Andropadus importunus (Vieillot, 1818)
The sombre greenbul, Andropadus importunus, measures 15–18 cm in length. Its plumage is mostly dull greyish olive-green, with paler underparts than upperparts. Plumage colour varies across its habitat range: individuals in southern Africa are plain olive-green, while birds further north are yellower with greener upperparts. This species has a white iris. The sexes have identical plumage with no colour differences between them. Juveniles have even duller plumage than adults, and dark grey eyes. The subspecies A. i. hypoxanthus is much yellower on its underparts than the nominate subspecies. The sombre greenbul is a vocal species. Its most typical call is a monotonous, ringing phrase that begins with a penetrating single whistle weeeewee, followed by a jumbled chortle, and ends with a rather plaintive, drawn-out whistle willy. When agitated, it will repeatedly produce a peeet peeet peeet call. In terms of behaviour and ecology, the sombre greenbul is a common bird that usually stays hidden in foliage, so it is more often heard than seen. It typically occurs in pairs or small groups, foraging for insects, fruit, and small snails.
