Xavier's Greenbul

Phyllastrephus xavieri

A relatively colorful greenbul with an olive-green back, yellowish underparts, and a rufous tail. Found in the understory and at middle levels of rainforest, usually in small flocks. Readily joins mixed-species flocks, often alongside Icterine Greenbuls. Very similar in appearance to that species and best distinguished by voice, but slightly larger-billed, with less red on the tail and uppertail. The call is a slow series of nasal barking notes, quite different from the faster and higher-pitched series of notes given by Icterine Greenbul. 

Taxonomy

Xavier's greenbul was originally described in the genus Xenocichla (a synonym for Bleda). Some authorities have considered Xavier's greenbul to be a subspecies of the icterine greenbul. The name commemorates the French explorer Xavier Dybowski who collected natural history specimens in the Congo. Alternate names for Xavier's greenbul include the greater icterine bulbul, greater icterine greenbul and Uganda icterine bulbul.<p>Two subspecies are recognized:

Scientific name
Phyllastrephus xavieri
Authority
(Oustalet, 1892)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Pycnonotidae
Genus
Phyllastrephus

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

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