Swamp Greenbul
Thescelocichla leucopleura
A loud, boisterous greenbul that is dark gray-green above and pale below. The back, head, and cheeks are all brownish, but feathers on the head have white centers that give them a distinctly grizzled appearance. The underparts grow plainer and whiter toward the tail, which is long and brown with bright white outer feather tips. Most often found near wet, swampy forest, particularly in areas with Raphia palms. Swamp Greenbul flocks are often located by their cacophonous calls, which consist of a series of notes and cackles that are reminiscent of a recorded human conversation being played too quickly.
Identification
A loud, boisterous greenbul that is dark gray-green above and pale below. The back, head, and cheeks are all brownish, but feathers on the head have white centers that give them a distinctly grizzled appearance. The underparts grow plainer and whiter toward the tail, which is long and brown with bright white outer feather tips. Most often found near wet, swampy forest, particularly in areas with Raphia palms. Swamp Greenbul flocks are often located by their cacophonous calls, which consist of a series of notes and cackles that are reminiscent of a recorded human conversation being played too quickly.
Taxonomy
The swamp palm bulbul was originally described in the genus Phyllastrephus. Alternative names for the swamp palm bulbul include the swamp bulbul, swamp greenbul, swamp palm greenbul, white-tailed greenbul and white-tailed palm greenbul. The alternate name 'white-tailed greenbul' is also used by the honeyguide greenbul and Sjöstedt's greenbul.
- Scientific name
- Thescelocichla leucopleura
- Authority
- (Cassin, 1855)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pycnonotidae
- Genus
- Thescelocichla
Range and habitat
The swamp palm bulbul is found from Senegal and Gambia to north-eastern and central Democratic Republic of the Congo and northern Angola. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical swamps, and moist savanna.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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