About Pycnonotus capensis (Linnaeus, 1766)
The Cape bulbul, Pycnonotus capensis, measures 19–21 cm (7.5–8.3 in) in length. Its plumage is primarily a dull blackish brown, with a distinguishing white eye-ring and yellow undertail coverts. It has a small crest on its head, short straight black bill, black legs and feet, and a dark brown iris. Males and females have similar plumage.
This species is much darker than other South African bulbuls. It can be distinguished from other dark bulbuls by its eye ring color and brown lower belly, while other dark bulbuls have a pale lower belly. The dark brown lower belly also helps identify juvenile Cape bulbuls, which do not have the distinctive eye ring that adult birds have.
The species' most typical call is a liquid whistle made up of two or more varied notes, transcribed as pit-peet-pitmajol, piet-piet-patata. The Cape bulbul is a common, conspicuous, active and noisy bird that usually perches at the top of bushes. It is most often seen in pairs or small groups foraging for fruit, nectar and insects. In part of its range, this species is parasitized by the Jacobin cuckoo.
